This online learning resource, divided over 10 modules, is designed to build the skills, confidence and knowledge of refugee-led organisations and refugee supporting organisations, although most of the materials will be useful to any community group.

This short guide explains the benefits of forming a community group, and provides some advice and links to help you on your way.

Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations (SCVO) has a support section on their website to help you think through some of the key issues relating to starting and managing a voluntary sector organisation in Scotland. You can also find support and advice in relation to the climate emergency, the cost of living crisis and digital technology.

Volunteer Scotland is a national charity which supports people to get involved in volunteering as well as providing organisations with guidance, training, disclosure services and other support to recruit and manage volunteers.

Find out more about the PVG scheme, which is important if your community group does paid or unpaid work with children, young people and vulnerable adults. The scheme is designed to make it easier to protect vulnerable groups from people who present a risk to them.

Co-operate is part of the Co-operative Group, and is a website providing information to help local community groups across the UK in their activities, and also for people to find relevant local groups. The website includes a ‘how to’ section with guides to funding, finding a venue, planning activities, getting started and more.

Whatever stage you are at, you could do worse than get in touch with your local organisation that supports voluntary organisations (sometimes called third sector interfaces) to ask about what support is on offer. The Scottish Government provides contact details for TSIs across Scotland.

Getting on Board supports people to become charity trustees, particularly those who are currently under-represented on trustee boards. They have a range of resources that could be useful for ensuring your community group represents your wider community.

The Woodland Trust website contains various resources that can help your community group to promote enjoyment and use of woodland.

Community Food & Health Scotland (CFHS) is part of Public Health Scotland and supports community projects related to food and health. Their advice and resources page will be relevant to many community groups. It includes information on planning & management, funding, working with volunteers, networking and evaluation.