Following the launch of the 2020 – 2025 Strategic Framework in 2020, RLSS UK Trustees commissioned a member-wide consultation, with the clear purpose to engage with stakeholders to propose community infrastructure that:

a) increases RLSS UK’s footprint in a community, growing our community
b) creates a sense of belonging for all RLSS UK member groups

This volunteer-led working group delivered a report to trustees, which included a number of recommendations and a mandate for change. You can view and download the full report and summary of the work. The recommendations included running a contained pilot to understand new ways of working and providing branches with clear guidance to repurpose against the new strategic framework.

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Guidance for Operating a Branch

Both the pilot and new guidance to branches outline a renewed purpose for local community infrastructure:

The purpose of an RLSS UK Branch is:
a) To raise the profile of RLSS UK by responding to locally identified needs and opportunities

b) To raise the profile of clubs and members

c) To provide networking opportunities for ALL members, including clubs (both face-to-face and digital)

Branches are now required to plan a transition to the new purpose, making active steps to increase their capacity and capability to deliver an agreed branch plan. Guidance has been developed to support branches with this transition. This guidance should act as the operating manual for increasing branch-led activity.

Download your Guidance for Operating a Branch

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Branch Planning and Funding Application Process

The Branch Guidance supports branches to create a ‘Branch Development Plan’ that is submitted and reviewed on an annual basis. This includes setting clear and recorded deliverables.

We have created an Application Form to support you to create you plan and submit your funding requirements for the following year.

Funding Application dates are as follows:

• Submission by 04 January 2023 - funding allocated by 31st January 2023
• Submission by 05 March 2023 - funding allocated by 31st March 2023
• Exceptional Funding Requests to be submitted by 1st July and 1st October 2023

Download the Branch Funding Allocation - Application Form

Download the Branch Funding Allocation - Application Guidance

Download the example branch plan

Download the example progress report 

Should you have any questions or require support please contact [email protected]