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, accounting software training, budgeting spreadsheets.
Marketing and comms
Branding, copywriting, digital strategy.
IT and digital
Software training, advice on CRM systems and cyber security.
Property and buildings
Design, engineering, structural and project management advice.
How do I request ProHelp support?
Please read through our frequently asked questions below to find out more and check eligibility to apply for support. Then contact me with a brief description of your organisation and the support your are looking for. We can then discuss your needs and see how we can work together.
Contact:
John Stienlet
Frequently asked questions
- Once you’ve read through these ‘frequently asked questions’, please email our Pro Bono Manager, John Stienlet john.stienlet@quartetcf.org.uk with a brief description of your organisation and the support you are looking for.
- We will then contact you to arrange an initial online call to discuss your request and explore whether or not we may be able to match you with some assistance.
- Even if you do not have a current pro bono request in mind, we still encourage you to contact us if you’d like to find out more about Quartet ProHelp and also tell us more about your organisation.
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, building surveys, property and market rates advice, capital project management advice, structural engineering.
- Communications and creative design – branding, copywriting, 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.
- Non-technical financial management processes e.g. accounting software training, improving budgeting spreadsheets.
- If you have a query about a type of professional support that is not mentioned above, we still encourage you to contact us in case we may be able to assist or signpost.
- Recruiting trustees, treasurers or any other general longer-term volunteering positions.
- Completing annual accounts or audits; providing technical financial, tax or VAT advice.
- Fundraising or sourcing corporate sponsorship.
- Internal disputes and disputes between charitable organisations, mediation.
- Actual building/construction work or project management.
- Creating new websites or bespoke IT software solutions such as CRM’s.
- We are unable to assist individuals with any private matters (e.g. family law, employment, disputes).
We welcome applications from both new and established charities and community organisations that meet the following criteria:
- Are based and operating in the West of England (Bath and North East Somerset, Bristol, North Somerset, South Gloucestershire).
- The majority of their work is focused on strengthening communities experiencing inequalities and disadvantage; and or improving the lives of local people who face difficulties and have limited access to appropriate or affordable services and support, in the West of England.
- The group or organisation does not have to be a registered charity but must be not-for-profit and have charitable aims.
- We will support organisations set up as Community Interest Companies (CIC) where their work has a demonstrable social benefit; the CIC is limited by guarantee (not limited by shares); we cannot support a CIC where one or two directors have overall significant control.
- Quartet ProHelp aims to support small local charities and community organisations which may not be able to afford some professional services. This means we will prioritise those with an income under £1 million, particularly those with an income under £0.5 million.
- Organisations that are part of a larger regional or national organisation which may have the financial or professional resources to support the work being requested through ProHelp.
- 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.
- Organisations can make separate requests for ProHelp support on up to two occasions in any 12 month period. To help ensure Quartet ProHelp is equitable, we may prioritise requests from groups which have not previously received ProHelp support or areas and sectors that have been under-represented to date.
- There may be occasions when a more complex project needs a range of ProHelp support on a longer-term basis. In this case, we may be able to provide ongoing support and will look at this on a case-by-case basis.
- Charities and community groups contact us with their support needs.
- Businesses and professionals offer us their time 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 has donated their skills and knowledge.
We do our best to match organisations with the right expertise, but as ProHelp relies on voluntary support, we can’t guarantee a successful match, especially for urgent requests.
- Make sufficient time available to work with and communicate in a timely manner with our volunteers.
- Complete our ProHelp online feedback survey on completion of any support received though ProHelp.
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