What is a fringe organisation?

Creating An Organisation In The UK?

• As far as i know there is not an organisation in my city(or area of my city) that currently does this. I feel as if there are many people(like other cities) that are currently living on their own who are either ill(e.g. cancer), physically disabled or just elderly, who do not get a huge amount of support, or see family or friends as much as they like, maybe for the pure reason as they are ill and find it difficult to go out etc. What i want to do is run an organisation(which will not need any funding or money) with volunteers from around my area of the city(and hopefully as this organisation works, spread it around the city) to give up time in their day, and week to go and see people who are ill, physically disabled or elderly and just go round to chat to them, help them with any little bits e.g. washing up etc. and be their as someone to listen to the peoples problems, or just go round for a cup of tea etc. (I HOPE THE ABOVE MAKES SENSE) I would do it where i run the organisation as the Founder or owner or whatever id be called. With many areas in the city where i live, i would have a "Area Leader" and "Team Members"(who will all be volunteers) in each area of the city. I would promote this organisation any way that i can and allow people to ring up for us to start visiting someone they know, where we would ask for a name and address, then pass this information on to the relevant "Area Leader" where they will find one of the "Team Members" to start visiting this person and befriend them. No Training will be required. I feel with a strong team who are willing to give their time to be there for someone, then this organisation could go far. I do feel as if this is a good idea for an organisation. But i need some help, i am currently only planning this at the moment, and im going to do a door to door questionnaire to get peoples thoughts around my area. Some questions if people can help - What are your thoughts? Would you call the above an "Organisation" or a "Charity"? Or what would you say it is?(i wouldn't say its a charity as we will not be needing funding from anyone) Do i need to fill out any forms to start this? Do i need to get permission from anyone to start this? If anyone could help, and if anyone actually likes this sound of this and could help me with any advice or suggestions please e-mail me at [email protected] Regards I was going to create a simple website for now, as im still only in the planning page. I was going to share it on facebook etc.. and ask friends and family on their thoughts. But just not sure if i have to fill out anything or get permission to start this? would it be called an organisation or charity? what are your thoughts?

• Answer:

  The first question I'd ask is this: How do you intend to fund your work? Once you've answered this question it would help you to decide which route to take: You could set up as one of the following: 1. Charitable Organization: raise money from donations 2. A Social Enterprise: can trade and raise money from donations 3. A Profit generating business: trades If you decide to go for 2or 3, you have to be able to identify your sources of funding. What are you going to sell? Who would pay for what you intend to sell? Is there a need for what you wish to sell? With regards to training, since you would be working with vulnerable people, you will definitely need to have some form of training. By law, you will also need to develop policies, that will govern your organization. I guess getting the answers for these questions would start you off in the right direction.