Health and safety guidelines for event organisers

It is always a good idea to complete a risk assessment for your events. This is to help you think through any potential risks and how you can take reasonable steps to mitigate them. If you've never done a risk assessment before have a look at our example risk assessments for a coffee morning and a dance. Please refer to your parish health and safety representative with any queries.

Make sure you know where the fire exits are. Check that all entrances and exits are safe. If you are using equipment ensure that the person operating it has read the manufacturer’s instructions. If you are using a kitchen check if there are any faults which might pose a risk.

Have a contingency plan or alternative venue in the event of severe weather.

In the event of hot weather advise attendees to wear sunscreen and appropriate clothing e.g. sun hat. Perhaps have some sunscreen available at the event for attendees to use.

If people are arriving by car make sure you consider how to avoid congestion.

If your event involves the use of vehicles it is essential that organisers advise participants to take rest stops and plan journey timetables that recognise road safety, especially speed limits. 

For large events involving around 500 people, there should be a minimum of two qualified first aiders.

If you are running an active event where people could injure themselves, such as a fun run or bike ride, you must have trained first aiders present. Organisations such as St John Ambulance can help provide cover. 

For smaller events, such as a coffee morning, ensure that you have access to a first aid kit. 

Check you know where the fire exits are and that they can be easily opened, and make everyone attending the event aware of them.

Make sure you have a simple exit plan and assembly point in the case of a fire.

Check if the venue has fire extinguishers and if possible have someone attend who knows how to use them. In the event of a fire, if there is no one present who can use a fire extinguisher, do not attempt to fight the fire. Exit the building calmly and call the emergency services (999).

If there is a fire and you exit the building make sure you check that everyone is out of the building – make sure you check all rooms including the toilets.

Before the event, organisers should conduct a final check to ensure everything is in place, especially fire exits, first aid and equipment provisions.

Please check with your local authority if permission is required to hold your event. If the event is being held on private property or open access land organisers should seek permission from the landowners.

The maximum number of participants may be set by permissions/licences or local conditions. It is important to ensure that these numbers are not exceeded.

If your local authority or the landowner gives any relevant local guidance or site specific information, please ensure that this is followed.

The Countryside Code in England and Wales must be observed by all.

If you are holding a film night outside your own home or the cinema, you will need a screening licence to ensure that you are not breaching any copyrights.  There are many independent film distributors in the UK which may offer a licence with the film that you are seeking, a good place to start is ‘Filmbank’ or ‘Dogwoof’.

Filmbank promotes the opportunities and the benefits of film screenings in every sector of the community as well as raising awareness of licensing issues. 

Dogwoof allows you to become an ambassador to show regular new-release documentary films in your area or show a film on your own terms through the 'do-it-yourself' section of their website.

If you play music at a public event you need a Music Licence to show that you have permission from the owners of that music. You can obtain a licence from The Performing Rights Society.

The following events do not need entertainment licences between the hours of 8am and 11pm:

• performances of live unamplified music for audiences

• performances of live amplified music in licensed premises for audiences of up to 200 people

• performances of plays and dance for audiences of up to 500 people

• indoor sporting events for audiences up to 1,000 people

Other examples of performances that generally don’t need a licence are:

• karaoke – between 8am and 11pm in licensed premises for audiences of 200 or less if there is any amplification

• incidental music - live music that is incidental to other activities

Your local authority or police may have local byelaws, which require you to inform them if you are holding a public meeting or event or to gain a 'public entertainments licence'. If you are unsure of anything, it is important that you get in touch with their licensing department as they will be able to advise you. It is a good idea to check with them, in case there are things you are unaware of.

If you are organising this type of event then you must inform the local police of the proposed date, route, starting time and at least one organiser of the event at least six days before the event is due to occur.

It is important to check that your raffle or fundraising activity abides by the following rules:

• It must be run for charitable, sporting or cultural purposes

• Proceeds must not be used for private gain

• No more than a specified amount of money can be spent on purchasing prizes

• No money prizes can be awarded

• Tickets can only be sold during the course of the event or entertainment and on the premises in which the event is being held

Always check that anything being sold (e.g. toys) comply with relevant safety standards.

Where possible, try to avoid gathering and storing personal data from others. However, there may be instances where you need to request personal information, such as email addresses, to share important event updates.

In such cases, it is essential to ensure that any data collected from those participating in or involved with your event is securely stored and complies with the Data Protection Act and the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). Email us or call 020 7733 7900 if you're unsure.

Absolutely! We love seeing your photos and videos from your event. But please make your attendees are aware you're taking them.

Food hygiene certificates are not a legal requirement. If you are selling or handling food at a charity event, you need to do so safely. Here are some simple tips:

• Wash your hands and any equipment you are using in hot soapy water

• Keep food out of the fridge for the shortest time possible

• Even if people are waiting to eat, don't reduce cooking times

• Always make sure food is properly cooked before you serve it

• Keep raw and ready-to-eat foods apart

• Do not use food past its ‘use by’ date

• Know what is in the ingredients and display or provide information about allergens (e.g. provide a ’contains nuts’ label for cakes. Only label food as nut free etc. if you are 100% sure that this is the case

If you are unsure check the government's catering advice for charity and community groups providing food.

You need an alcohol licence from your local authority to sell alcohol at an event. You may also need a temporary event notice. 

If you are selling or providing alcohol, the local licencing laws apply. Age limits regarding the sale and consumption of alcohol must be adhered to.

You can give alcohol away at events or meetings without a licence, but you must make it clear that the value of the alcohol is not included in any ticket price or entrance fee.

If selling or providing alcohol, the local licencing laws apply. Age limits regarding the sale and consumption of alcohol must be adhered to.

If you are unsure please see the government's advice on alcohol at charity events.  

If you would like people to sponsor you please use the CAFOD sponsorship form. This form ensures that we treat data correctly and allows people to opt in or out of further communications from CAFOD. We are unable to claim Gift Aid if the correct forms are not used.  

If you need to collect personal data during your event (e.g. names, email addresses) these must be kept safe at all times. You should not share personal details with others without permission.

Contact your local CAFOD office for collection tins and stickers.

You will need to get different permissions depending on where you hold your collection.

• If you are holding a collection on private property, for instance in a supermarket. you will need to get permission from the supermarket manager

• If you are planning a collection on public land, for instance in a town centre, you will need to get permission from your local authority. This may include applying for a permit, so check your council’s website for details

• Children under 16 should not be involved in collecting as part of a street collection 

For more information on keeping your collection legal, please visit the Institute of Fundraising. If you have any questions please get in touch at events@cafod.org.uk or on 0303 303 3030.

• Have a secure place to keep the cash e.g. a lockable cash box.

• Do not leave cash unattended.

• When counting cash have another person with you to verify and witness the amount. You should record the details of your cash count and both sign it.

• Make sure you break the seal on your collection tin with somebody else and ask them to count the cash you have collected with you

• Once you have the cash counted, the simplest way to send your funds into CAFOD is to first pay them into your own bank account

• You can then call our brilliant Supporter Care team on 0303 303 3030 to pay over the phone using a debit or credit card

• You can also send us your payment through the post by making a cheque or postal order out to CAFOD and posting it to: CAFOD,Romero House, 55 Westminster Bridge Road, London, SE1 7JB

• Remember to send us your sponsorship form, collection envelopes or Gift Aid declaration slips so that we can claim any applicable Gift Aid as well.

• Please include a cover note with your name and when and where you held your collection

• Please don’t send us cash through the post! We want to make sure all of your donations go to our projects overseas and cash sent in this way too often gets lost

• When you have finished with your collection tins, please send them back to our office. We can send them out with new seals so that other supporters can hold collections with them

• If you have any questions or queries about paying in the money you have raised, please call our Supporter Care team on 0303 303 3030