The government is to publish improved guidance to make it easier for people to organise voluntary events in their communities, removing inconsistencies and confusion highlighted by a review of existing guidance.
The ‘Can Do’ Events Guidance will contain easy-to-understand information on planning, health and safety, access issues, budgeting, booking and licensing, insurance and use of public land. It will provide useful links to specialist information and advice for sporting and other specialist events, and a ‘myth-buster’ to overcome misconceptions around volunteering.
The commitment follows a Focus on Enforcement review, published today, which examined barriers that hinder the organisation and running of volunteer-led events, such as street parties, charity fundraisers or school fetes.
The review found a lack of clear advice and little consistency in the guidance provided by central and local government bodies. Current guidance often focused more on telling organisers what they cannot do, rather than what they can. Confusing information along with additional burdens sometimes imposed by non-regulatory third parties such as landlords acts as a deterrent to public participation.
It also found that the absence of clear, universal guidance leads to the perception that volunteer events are subject to greater legal and regulatory requirements than is actually the case. This presents a real deterrent to people who would like to organise events.
UK Government News: LINK
