ProHelp provides free professional advice and support to local community groups and voluntary organisations. We had a chat with Michelle Dickinson, the Yorkshire and Humber Regional ProHelp Manager, to find out more information on how Prohelp may support groups….

What is ProHelp?

ProHelp is a national network of over 1,000 professional firms each of which has offered to provide professional advice and strategic support free of charge to community groups and voluntary organisations in their local area.
Collectively, ProHelp is the largest provider of free professional support to local communities. Member firms provide £6m worth of free support each year which is delivered through 40 local groups.

Professional firm members include surveyors, architects, consulting engineers, accountants, solicitors, consultants (management, property and IT), public relations, marketing and design agencies.

What can they provide?

The professional firms undertake one-off projects which can include feasibility studies, structural surveys, marketing and business plans, legal and accountancy advice and property valuations. The guiding principle of ProHelp is that members approach this sort of work in the same way as they would any other fee-paying clients. The only difference is that the community client is not charged for the work undertaken. In some areas ProHelp also offers general advice surgeries and workshops on specific topics impacting on local community groups.

Will my group be eligible?

You must be a community based, not-for-profit group working for the social and economic regeneration of your local area and should fit within the following criteria:

• Have a track record of working successfully with the local community
• Have no funding available for the specific project and
• No paid advisors retained to do the work
• If part of a national organisation, your branch must be locally constituted, and prove that neither the expertise nor the funding to pay for the work is available centrally
• Your project must be realistic and viable
• Your governing body must be willing to authorise the involvement of ProHelp.

When will a request for help not qualify?

Applications for assistance with litigation will not be considered.

Help is generally not given to animal welfare organisations, to organisations whose primary focus is overseas aid assistance or to religious groups will only be offered if the project benefits the wider community.

Why do Business get involved?

Professional firms join ProHelp to make a difference by putting something back into their local community.

What do I do now?

If your community group or voluntary organisation might benefit from ProHelp support, please get in touch with Michelle Dickinson, Y&H Regional ProHelp Manager.

What will happen next then?

You will probably be asked to complete a simple application form to let us know what type of support you require. It may be necessary for you to meet with a representative from ProHelp to develop a
fuller brief for the assignment. A summary of your request will then be taken to ProHelp members who will consider it. If a firm is available to help, a meeting will then be arranged to take things further.

For more information contact:

Contact: Michelle Dickinson
Telephone: 0114 201 3307

Email: michelle.dickinson@bitc.org.uk
Website: www.prohelp.org.uk