Asma Aziz, CEO at Slough CVS & WAM Get Involved gives us her top tips for Voluntary, Community, Faith and Social Enterprise organisations:
Funding Tips
1. Connect First – Don’t just apply. Talk to funders and find opportunities that truly match your community’s vision, rather than bending your project to fit their criteria.
2. Evidence Your Impact – Show your vision is backed by your community through surveys, focus groups, or videos. Share the numbers, but don’t forget the stories that touch hearts!
3. Think Beyond the Grant – Funders invest in sustainability. Diversify your income, collaborate with partners, and show your project can go the distance.
Volunteering Tips
1. Be clear and confident.
Set out exactly what the role involves, the time commitment, and where flexibility is possible. A simple role description helps the right people step forward with confidence.
Add your role via the Slough and RBWM Volunteering Platform
2. Keep it simple and welcoming.
Make joining easy. Respond quickly, offer a friendly introduction, provide a clear point of contact, and include FREE Volunteer Passport Training to help volunteers feel supported.
3. Share real stories.
Nothing inspires like lived experience. Let your current volunteers speak about the difference they’ve made.
4. Be visible and proactive.
Promote opportunities widely — including on the Slough and RBWM volunteering platform — so local residents and potential volunteers can easily find you.
5. Celebrate and appreciate.
Say thank you often. Recognition builds loyalty, motivation, and powerful word-of-mouth
Tips for Upskilling Volunteers & Community Groups
1. Sharpen Your Skills
For volunteers, our Volunteer Passport training covers Safeguarding, Boundaries & Confidentiality, Equality, Diversity, & Inclusion, and Communication Skills, including everyday First Aid — everything you need to feel confident and make a real difference in your volunteering journey.
2. Grow Your Impact
For community groups, we offer training on Fundraising, Marketing, understanding diverse communities, Demonstrating Impact, Managing volunteers, Trustee roles, charity development, and much more. Upskilling your team means your group can do more, reach more, and achieve more.
3. Keep Learning, Keep Leading
Upskilling isn’t just about certificates it’s about building stronger volunteers, stronger groups, and stronger communities. Encourage everyone to take part and pass on what they learn!
Top Tips for Good Governance
1. Keep your board on the same page
Clear roles, regular meetings, and open communication make a big difference. Everyone should understand their responsibilities and how their role supports the organisation’s purpose.
2. Don’t let policies gather dust
Key policies such as safeguarding, GDPR, and equality should be up to date and actively used in everyday practice. Regular training helps keep everyone confident and compliant.
👉 Training opportunities are available via SCVS / WAM Get Involved
3. Be open, community‑led, and prepared
Good governance means being transparent, listening to your community, and making sure your work reflects what people in RBWM and Slough actually need. Ensure you have public liability insurance to cover your organisation’s activities and volunteers.
If your income is over £5,000 and you are not already registered, seek advice on whether you should register as a CIO, CIC, or consider another suitable legal structure. For more governance information contact eram@wamgetinvolved.org.uk
Top tips for keeping your organisation on track
1. Keep your “why” in sight”
Every so often, pause and check: Are we still doing what we said we exist to do? If not, it might be time for a quick reset and review of your constitution.
2. Keep it simple, not stressful 📋
Governance doesn’t need to be heavy. Regular meetings, short clear notes, and an annual check-in on key policies (safeguarding, equality, health & safety) will keep you in great shape.
3. Ask before you’re stuck 🙋♀️
You don’t need to wait for things to go wrong. If something feels unclear—funding, policies, structure, volunteers—ask early. That is exactly what support we offer via WAMGI: Reach out to info@wamgetinvolved.org.uk
We will help you to ensure good governance isn’t about ticking boxes—it’s about confidence, clarity, and keeping your group strong enough to do the work that really matters in the community!