ProHelp
Page Contents
Introduction Business Benefits
Business Who will I be supporting?
Business - How do I get involved?
3rd Sector - Getting Support
3rd Sector - What we Offer
Current Business Members
Contact details
Introduction:
Professional firms can make a real difference to their local communities by providing some of their services for free. Practical advice and support is invaluable in helping community organisations realise their goals, and achieve sustainability in the long term. ProHelp provides a simple and effective way of ensuring that support goes to where it's most needed, by bringing together businesses, social enterprises and the third sector, and linking a network of like-minded firms.
ProHelp is a national network of over 1,000 professional companies, and is the largest provider of free professional support to local communities. Member organisations provide £6m worth of free support each year which is delivered through 40 local groups.
In Brighton & Hove the ProHelp programme is managed by BCP. The national programme is overseen by Business in the Community.
BCP acts as a 'broker' and matches the needs of the community organisation with the professional firm that has offered their support. There is an application process and also criteria that need to be met to be eligible for support.
As Architects we thrive to understand the community in which we work. By committing to help community and voluntary organisations through ProHelp we experience at first hand the diverse cultural groups that make Brighton & Hove such a unique place to work. The benefits to our company and staff of working with ProHelp is far reaching; experience in community based projects does undoubtedly lead to other commissions within the wider sector, is influential when securing work, but most importantly we have a great sense of achievement when a project is complete and you know that local people will benefit from your help, it may even change someone's life.'
Giles Ings - Director ABIR Architects Ltd.
ProHelp Brighton & Hove Chair.
Case Studies
Business Benefits
ProHelp is committed to ensuring that the time and expertise given for free (pro bono) by professional firms is used efficiently and effectively to maximise the positive impact on local communities in need. Being a member of ProHelp gives your business the opportunity to make a difference in the local community and develop the skills of your employees through a managed pro bono programme.
ProHelp provides a quality service that benefits the business, its employees and the community and can help you:
- Build new business contacts locally and regionally, and network with other firms committed to social responsibility.
- Communicate your achievements to internal and external audiences, and build your profile in the local community.
- Provide your employees with opportunities to use their professional skills outside their day-to-day environment.
- Provide your firm with a source of quality pro bono opportunities.
- Enable your firm to prioritise which voluntary and community groups need support and target those with the greatest need.
- Link pro bono work to your Continuing Professional Development (CPD) programme.
- Develop your understanding of key social issues in your local community and how they affect your firm.
- Work collaboratively with other firms that need a range of professional skills and expertise.
- Your firm will be featured on the BCP ProHelp webpage.
- Feel good factor, giving back and personal satisfaction.
- Potential of projects to become fee earning clients.
- Potential press and media coverage.
- BCP acts as a broker' for requests for free support. It facilitates, moderates, and offers support in a structured process. At the same time as managing realistic expectations.
- Looking at the business and 3rd sector in a holistic way.
Every project is discussed with the manager and a project application submitted which is then matched with a member firm.
Professional firms undertake one-off assignments, and projects are treated no differently than an instruction from a commercial client - the only difference is that the community client is not charged for the work undertaken. There is no pressure to take up any assignment.
Business Who will I be supporting?
Community groups requesting support from ProHelp have to satisfy certain eligibility criteria, which restricts the service to those who:
- Have a track record of working with the local community
- Are locally constituted
- Are unable to pay for professional services
Business - How do I get involved?
Join up: Contact Ruby at BCP to let them know you are interested in joining ProHelp.
Commit: Your company will be asked to confirm how much professional support you are committing to for the year and the type of service you are making available.
Pick up projects: You will have access to a range of pro bono opportunities and are encouraged to share these across your firm.
3rd Sector - Getting Support
ProHelp provides free professional advice and support to local community groups and voluntary organisations.
Our aim is to ensure that local community groups can access free professional help and advice with issues that might otherwise hinder their work and projects. We focus our support in areas of greatest need, and examples of the sorts of projects we help with are:
- How can I adapt our building to comply with the Disability Discrimination Act?
- Does my organisation need a brand identity?
- How can I improve our website?
- How can I develop a business plan?
- When and how should I negotiate a new lease for my building?
- Are my employment contracts in good order?
3rd Sector - What we offer
Access to a range of professional expertise: BCP's current ProHelp members include architects, surveyors, web agencies, public relations, press agencies, marketing and management consultants, business advisors who undertake one-off projects.
A professional service: Community organisations receive the same level of service as a fee-paying client - the only difference is that the community client is not charged for the work undertaken.
An experienced broker: BCP will process your application for support and help match you with a professional firm member of ProHelp.
Events: BCP's ProHelp runs events throughout the year encouraging engagement between the business and 3rd Sector, often themed on specific topics impacting on local community groups.
FREE ProHelp Surgeries: business planning, legal, HR, accountancy
BCP's ProHelp programme are hosting FREE tailored surgeries for 3rd sector organisations and social enterprises. Businesses are donating their expertise in business planning, legal issues, HR and accounts. To benefit from this support email ruby@bhbcp.org.uk
This is part of BASIS Capacity Building Project; a partnership of Impetus, The Working Together Project, the Volunteer Centre and BCP.
Current Business Members:
ABIR Architects
Architectural, Access (DDA), Planning, Listed Buildings, etc.
Frank! Communication Solutions
Frank! Can help you identify your marketing needs as well as provide recommendations and advice on all marketing and communication materials. We can help establish a long term marketing strategy or plan a short term campaign. We can help put together design or PR briefs to ensure you get the best value out of your suppliers. We can offer no-nonsense practical advice that can provide an excellent framework for moving forward.
MacConvilles Ltd
Cost consultancy on building projects.
Sparkhouse Consultants Ltd
Human Resources Support, including - Employment Contracts, Policies and Procedures, Job Evaluation and Salary Benchmarking, Restructuring and Redundancy.
Whole Being
Leadership, Coaching and Facilitation.
Phil Jones Training and Development
Leadership, Coaching and Facilitation.
Boxharry
Website advice and planning, guidance and assistance with producing a website brief, advice on web technology and best practice.
7Creative
Strategic communications consultancy, concept development and communications planning, Design and production of communication tools, including image making and copywriting.
Diosa Media Ltd
Marketing plans - Developing marketing objectives aligned with commercials/sales strategy. Tactical marketing - helping to co-ordinate and deliver marketing activities as per the plan. Publicity - helping to develop a publicity plan and regional activities that compliment marketing objectives. Events - concepts, design, planning and co-ordination, promotional materials and related publicity.
Martin Searle Solicitors
Employment/Landlord and Tenants/Community care.
Springboard Coaching
Executive coaching, leadership and team development
Mazars
Accountancy, bookeeping, general financial advice and taxation services.
Contact Ruby Egau or call 01273 770075 for more information.
