Businesses in Somerset are being invited to get involved in a project that connects local grassroots groups with professional support and expertise.
Somerset Chamber of Commerce has teamed up with charity Spark Somerset to promote the initiative.
The organisations are hoping the partnership will make it easier for Somerset firms to share their time, skills, space, or resources.
SkillShare matches offers of help with groups that need them – from marketing, HR, IT, finance, and web development, to mentoring, volunteering, providing meeting space, or donating equipment and other resources.
James Landamore, head of volunteering development at Spark Somerset, said: “With SkillShare, groups and charities benefit from skills and resources they might otherwise struggle to access, while businesses can enhance their brand reputation, engage their employees, and make a real difference in their local area. It’s a win-win for our communities."
David Crew, Somerset Chamber of Commerce managing director, said the "exciting" new partnership would provide a "vital link" between the business and charity sectors, and allow firms to deliver their corporate social responsibility goals.
“The Somerset Chamber business community is a great supporter of the county’s charity sector but all too often members are not always sure how best to match their professional skills and expertise with the right charitable cause," he said.
“We have already been able to link businesses with charities following our very first Business and VCSE Leaders’ Forum which was held in Somerton in June and are looking forward to being able to share updates on the projects in due course.”
The Somerset VCFSE SkillShare project is supported by funding from the Ƶ Government, provided through the Ƶ Shared Prosperity Fund.
All businesses are being encouraged get involved - whether or not they are chamber members. For more information, visit the SkillShare page on the Spark Somerset website or email james.landamore@sparksomerset.org.uk.
