When you fundraise in aid of Centrepoint, you are organising your activity independently. This means you are responsible for making sure your event is safe and legal. Centrepoint cannot accept liability for any loss, damage, or injury arising from your event.
Risk management
You must carry out a risk assessment for your activity and put appropriate safety measures in place. For public events, you may need to notify your local authority.
If you’ve never done a risk assessment before, have a look at the guidance on the Health and Safety Executive website and download a free risk assessment template.
Health and Safety Executive advice on managing risk
Download HSE risk assessment template and examples
First Aid
Consider everything you might need for you event, whether it's a First Aid kit or a qualified First Aider. For larger events or activities involving physical risk, you may need trained first aiders or professional medical cover.
Food safety
If you are serving food, you must follow the Food Standards Agency’s hygiene guidance. Make sure there are suitable facilities to prepare and serve food safely. Avoid the risk of contaminating food and make sure everyone handling food has the instruction or supervision needed.
Security
Make sure all participants will be safe and secure throughout the event. If children and/or vulnerable adults are involved, you must ensure appropriate supervision and safeguarding measures.
Have a think about whether you'll need crowd control measures or if you'll need any extra security plans if you're collecting cash at the event.
Raffles and lotteries
Raffles and lotteries are regulated by the Gambling Act 2005. Small, incidental lotteries at events do not require a licence, but online raffles or prize draws usually do. Please contact us before running any raffles to ensure it complies with the law.
If you have a raffle or prize draw, make sure tickets are all the same price and that you name the winner during the event. If you want to sell tickets at more than one place and announce the winner later, you'll need a local lottery licence from your council.
Collections
You must not carry out street or house to house collections without the appropriate licence from your local authority. Collections on private property require the manager's or owner's written permission. Keep this with you while you're collecting. Public collections require a licence from the council, or the Metropolitan Police if you're in London.
Selling alcohol
As per the Licencing Act 2003, if you plan to sell alcohol you may need a Temporary Event Notice (TEN) from your local council.
Find out about temporary event notices on gov.uk
Insurance
Centrepoint’s insurance does not cover independent fundraising events. If your activity involves the public, you may need public liability insurance. If you're holding your event at a place with public liability insurance (like a school or workplace), check the cover you'll need with them.
Marketing
If you collect personal information (for example names, emails, ticket details), you are responsible for complying with data protection law. Only collect information you need, keep it secure, and delete it when no longer required. Do not share supporter data with Centrepoint unless they have given explicit consent.
When advertising your fundraiser, remember to include these words at the bottom of any advertising:
Centrepoint Soho, operating as Centrepoint, is a charity registered with the Charity Commission of England and Wales under number 292411 whose registered office is at The Rowe, 59-63 Whitechapel High St, London, E1 7PF and a company limited by guarantee registered in England and Wales under number 01929421.
For more information
Guidance on running events safely from the Health and Safety Executive