ProHelp for charities and voluntary groups
Free professional advice and support to strengthen your organisation
We recognise that charitable organisations often require more than just financial support. That’s why we provide our ProHelp service, which connects the specific needs of charitable organisations with the professional skills and expertise generously offered by local individuals and organisations.
Our ProHelp service is offered completely free of charge, using invaluable local professional expertise within the communities of Bristol, Bath and North East Somerset, North Somerset, and South Gloucestershire. Whether you need, for example, HR guidance, legal advice or branding assistance, we partner with a diverse group of dedicated experts who donate their time and knowledge to make a positive impact in our communities.
What skills can ProHelp support with?
Legal
Contracts, data protection, property leases, employment law.
HR
Policy reviews, recruitment advice, HR health checks.
Finance
Business planning, non-detailed tax and VAT advice.
Marketing and comms
Branding, copywriting, PR, digital strategy.
IT and digital
Software training, CRM systems, cyber security.
Property and buildings
Design, engineering, structural and project management advice.
How do I request ProHelp support?
If your charitable organisation is seeking support, please contact me with a brief description of your organisation and the assistance you require. We can discuss your needs and see how we can work together.
Contact:
John Stienlet
Frequently asked questions
Our volunteers bring a wide array of skills and expertise, offering extensive support in various areas. For example:
- Legal – contract reviews, governance, data protection.
- HR – employment advice, policy reviews, recruitment.
- Finance – business planning, financial systems advice.
- Marketing and comms – branding, PR, digital strategy, website support.
- IT and digital – CRM training, cyber security, software support.
- Property and planning – surveys, valuations, planning advice.
If your charitable organisation is seeking support, please contact john.stienlet@quartetcf.org.uk with a brief description of your organisation and the assistance you require. We can discuss your needs and see how we can work together.
These are some examples of support we may be able to match you with:
- HR – health checks, policy and procedure reviews, employment advice.
- Legal – commercial property lease reviews and negotiation, data protection and privacy policy updates, intellectual property protection, changing legal structures, updating Articles of Association.
- Professional building services – design, surveys, property and market rates advice, capital project management advice, structural engineering, valuations, planning advice.
- Communications and creative design – branding, copywriting, website design, digital strategy, SEO and Google analytics training.
- IT – software training and advice on CRM systems and cyber security.
- Business planning – strategy, coaching and mentoring, facilitation, financial management systems.
- Non-detailed financial, tax or VAT advice.
- Recruiting trustees, treasurers or other general longer-term volunteer positions.
- Completing annual accounts or audits.
- Providing detailed financial, tax or VAT advice.
- Internal disputes, mediation.
- Actual building/construction work or project management.
- Fundraising or sourcing corporate sponsorship.
We welcome applications from charities, voluntary groups, and community organisations that are:
- Based in the West of England (Bristol, Bath and North East Somerset, North Somerset, or South Gloucestershire).
- Working to strengthen communities and support people facing inequality, hardship, or disadvantage.
- Not-for-profit, including registered charities, CICs (limited by guarantee), and social enterprises.
- Those solely supporting animal welfare.
- Arts projects with no community or charitable element.
- Where the government and other public bodies currently have a statutory responsibility to provide.
- Medical research.
- Groups or activities that are giving support to a political party.
- Activities intended to influence people’s religious choices.
- Sports projects with no community or charitable element.
- Individuals with any private matters (e.g. family law, employment, financial or consumer disputes).
You can request up to two ProHelp matches in a 12 month period. Priority may be given to groups that haven’t received support before or sectors that are underrepresented.
- Charities and community groups contact us with their support needs.
- Businesses and professionals offer time us their skills and expertise.
- We work with our ProHelp Volunteers to understand the skills, services and time being offered; alongside any social issues they may be passionate about supporting.
- We match the needs of the charity with the skills of the professional, ensuring the right fit for our volunteers and the organisation.
- We keep in touch throughout the length of the project, providing ongoing reassurance and support.
- We gather feedback from our volunteers and the organisations we support on completion of a project.
- Formal recognition is presented to the professional(s) who have donated their skills and knowledge.
We do our best to match organisations with the right expertise, but as ProHelp relies on volunteers, we can’t guarantee a successful match, especially for urgent requests.
Organisations are offered support if they agree that they have the time and resources to work effectively with our ProHelp volunteers.
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