Capacity Building

Written by tom@eyespace.co.uk on June 24, 2025. Posted in TSI.

Capacity Building for Community Organisations

Helping local charities and community groups grow stronger! Whether you’re just getting started or ready to take the next step, we can help you set up your constitution, register as a charity and put good governance and policies in place so your organisation can thrive.

About the Capacity Building Team

FAQ

RESOURCE DOCUMENTS

Useful reference files. Simply click to download or view. Files are in various formats: powerpoint, excel, pdf, word doc, and png)

Constitutions

Tendering

Community Interest Companies (CIC’s)

Organisation Support

Policy Templates

Training

The resources listed below have been provided by guest speakers at our forums.

Cost of Living Crisis

Funding

Support to the Sector

Third Sector Interface (TSI)

Written by tom@eyespace.co.uk on June 18, 2025. Posted in TSI.

Community Asset Transfer

Written by tom@eyespace.co.uk on June 18, 2025. Posted in TSI.

The support on offer to Ripple Effect Saltcoats from TACT and their dedicated CAT Development Officer has been excellent. They helped us to understand the CAT process and guided us through each phase of the process, ensuring we were equipped to make informed decisions.
Glenn Turner, Chair of Ripple Effect Saltcoats (RES)

The Ayrshire Community Trust office in Saltcoats

In Scotland, community bodies have been taking control and ownership of assets for many years.

However, Part 5 of the Community Empowerment (Scotland) Act (2015) – henceforth CEA (2015) – introduced a right for community bodies in Scotland to submit asset transfer requests to a wide range of public bodies. Some examples of those designated public bodies under the CEA (2015) are local authorities, National Heath Service (NHS), Scottish Police Authority (SPA) and Scottish Fire and Rescue Services, to name a few.

In order to qualify for a CAT, your organisation must be a community-controlled body. For full guidance on eligibility, see Section 5 of the Scottish Government’s Guidance for Community Transfer Bodies. You can also check out our quick guide, detailing the key requirements that must be present in any community body’s governing documents, i.e. constitution, articles of association or written rules

Finding out More

Our designated CAT Development Officer has been successfully supporting community bodies to take control and ownership of assets in North Ayrshire since 2022.

If you are interested in or want to know more information about CAT, please don’t hesitate to contact John at JohnB@tact.scot

Using the CAT process

A community body can utilise the CAT process to take over publicly owned land or buildings in a way that recognises the public benefits that the community use will bring. The transfer can either be outright ownership, a long-term lease or management rights. This can also be done at a discounted price to reflect the social benefits of the work our community bodies do.

Is a CAT the right way forward for your organisation? Check out our Pros and Cons of Community Asset Transfer in our useful documents section:

Useful Documents

Volunteering with TACT

Written by tom@eyespace.co.uk on June 12, 2025. Posted in TSI.

Organisations
and volunteering
Individuals
and volunteering
Young People
and volunteering
PVG
Disclosure Act 2020

Find Volunteering Opportunities in Ayrshire Now

For Organisations

Training & Support

We offer a wide range of services to help organisations run effective, positive volunteering programmes.

DOCUMENTS

Volunteer Wiki

The VolunteerWiki has been developed by Volunteer Edinburgh with support from partners, to give volunteer managers access to high quality, reliable and up to date information on managing volunteers.

VIEW

Governance Wiki

The GovernanceWiki, a free open resource for voluntary organisations and social enterprises operating in Scotland and people working with them. This resource will give you information on the many topics that will help you to run an organisation effectively with good governance in mind.

VIEW

For Individuals

1. Volunteering changes lives
Why not change yours today?
There are hundreds of ways to volunteer across North Ayrshire, with tens of thousands of people already doing so. Why not join them?
CLICK TO REGISTER AN ORGANISATION
2. People volunteer for many reasons:
- To gain new skills and work experience
- To increase confidence and self-esteem
- To build a CV and gain references
- To meet new people
- To feel a sense of achievement
- To reduce isolation or boredom
- To explore new interests
- To use talents or hobbies to help others
- And of course — to have fun!
CLICK TO REGISTER A VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITY
3. Opportunities for everyone
We promote volunteering opportunities for hundreds of organisations across North Ayrshire. Roles change month-to-month, and you can choose from many kinds of voluntary work in a variety of environments.
CLICK TO REGISTER A VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITY
4. Volunteer your way
You decide the time you give — once a month, once a week, or occasionally. Some people volunteer with one organisation, others with several. You can volunteer locally, near your workplace, or even from home.
CLICK TO REGISTER A VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITY
5. Help choosing the right role
Some people may need a little extra help to start volunteering — whether due to confidence, disability or other challenges that create barriers.
TACT can help you:
- find a role that fits your interests and abilities
- learn about organisations and opportunities
- navigate practical issues such as travel expenses
- understand volunteering while on benefits
If you’d like support, call 01294 443044 or email ann@tact.scot
CLICK TO REGISTER A VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITY
6. Extra Support
Where additional support is needed, we are here to help remove barriers and make volunteering accessible to everyone.
CLICK TO REGISTER A VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITY

Young People

What counts as volunteering?

Why Volunteer?

You can volunteer with charities, not-for-profit organisations, youth groups or community projects. Many young people also volunteer at school or college — through fundraising, buddy schemes, paired reading, environmental work and more.

If you’re not paid, don’t have to do it, and it benefits others — it’s volunteering!

Help others and make a positive difference
Gain experience for work, college or future careers
Discover whether a job or sector suits you
Boost confidence and self-esteem
Make new friends and broaden your horizons
Have fun
Earn recognition through Saltire Awards

You can register and log your hours online through the Saltire Awards website, or ask your volunteering placement if they are already signed up. For more help, contact TACT for details.