Helpful Tips

Make your events and activities safe

Make sure it’s legal

COLLECTIONS

• Public collections: Street collections in a public place require a permit from your Local Authority. All collectors must be over 16, wear an identification badge and carry a certificate from VSO. You need to state clearly who and what you are collecting for and use official VSO collecting tins with security stickers. Check who owns the site, as you only need a collection permit for a public place?
• Private collections: If collecting on private property, such as in a pub, church hall or the forecourt of a supermarket, always seek permission from the owner. Collecting from pub to pub counts as a public street collection (see above). 

RAFFLES

• Always state the price of the tickets. No discounts are allowed on tickets.
• Tickets can only be sold on the night of your event. (If tickets were sold in advance it would be a public lottery and subject to further regulations. We recommend against organising a lottery for your fundraising as it must be registered with the Gaming Board and strict guidelines must be adhered to.)
• State what prizes are on offer and when the raffle will be drawn 

LIQUOR LICENSING LAWS

• If you wish to sell alcohol at an event you must be licensed.
• If you need to apply for an occasional liquor license, it’s easier to approach an existing licensee and ask them to apply for you.
• You do not need your own license if you are holding an event in a building that already has a licensed bar and the licensee is in charge of the bar during the event. 

PUBLIC ENTERTAINMENT LICENSES

• You will need a public entertainment license if two or more people are performing or dancing.
• Public buildings like a church hall or community centre will probably have a license and you will have to comply with the terms previously agreed.
• If, however, you want to hold a barn dance in a farmer’s barn, for example, you must apply for a temporary public entertainment license from your Local Authority. 

Paying in your money

• BY POST – if you collect all your donations and send us the total amount in a single payment we can claim GIFT AID provided you send your sponsor forms at the same time. Include your name and your registration number (on your registration confirmation letter) or your volunteer number*. Make your cheque payable to VSO and send it with any forms to: VSO RESPONSE UNIT, 317 Putney Bridge Road, London SW15 2PN, UK (See 'Contact us' for Republic of Ireland contact details). Please do not send cash
• BY PHONE – you can call us on 0208 780 7500* and use MasterCard, VISA or Maestro, but paying over the phone means we cannot claim GIFT AID. 

How to pay money to VSO from outside the UK

If you are an outgoing volunteer or wish to pay money from outside the UK, please contact us or visit the the Volzone.