Peterborough ProHelp set up in 2005 is made up of 27 professional member firms that offer a range of free professional advice and guidance support to local voluntary and community organisations within the north Cambridgeshire region.  Peterborough ProHelp members include a varied group of professional firms encompassing all professions, from architects, surveyors, structural engineers and property consultants to solicitors, accountants, IT, HR and Health & Safety specialists, business advisers and PR and marketing consultants all willing to give their time free of charge to the local community.

During the last 12 months Peterborough ProHelp has given over £53,000 worth of pro bono support to local community and voluntary organisations equating to 488 hours of the members’ professional time. 

Helen Haynes from Positive Media Consultancy and Manager of the Peterborough ProHelp Group commented: 

ProHelp is the Business in the Community’s national pro bono campaign and a network of over 800 professional member firms. ProHelp is the only multi-sector pro bono network that brings together professional firms to work collaboratively by giving their service free of charge to local voluntary organisations and community groups – in a bid to make a real difference.

Peterborough ProHelp is also a delivery partner for the “Building for the Future” in Peterborough initiative funded by Big Fund – Transforming Local Infrastructure Fund awarded to Peterborough Council for Voluntary Service which aims to ensure frontline Civil Society organisations receive the best possible local support to help them prepare for the many new opportunities and challenges they face today.

Mind is the leading mental health charity for England and Wales. Mind helps people take control of their mental health.

They do this by providing high-quality information and advice, and campaigning to promote and protect good mental health for everyone.

ProHelp members Critical Action Limited and Keeping HR Simple Limited are helping with advice on project management and HR systems respectively.

Emily Gray of P&F Mind was impressed with how much ProHelp members could offer. She said:

“We have been so impressed with the help and support we have been receiving from our first application to Peterborough ProHelp, that we thought we’d see if we could try our luck again and have put in another application!”

Our group welcomes applications for all the services we provide, so don’t be shy! To find out how your charity or not-for-profit could share in the pro-bono, free professional services on offer, take a look at what we offer, and how to apply.

If your charity, voluntary group or not-for-profit needs professional services, then you could apply to get some of that value for your own organisation. You might need help from an accountant, a solicitor, a bank manager, an architect, an IT company, an HR advisor or many other professions.

Find out more about what we do, and how to apply.

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Nigel, Carolyn, Sarah and Keith at the BITC Awards, 2010. [Photo courtesy of Pictures365

Three hundred and eighty guests attended the East of England Awards Gala Dinner on Tuesday 8 June at Hengrave Hall, Bury St Edmunds. Sponsored by London Stansted, the awards act as a celebration of the success of local businesses that have achieved the required standard to win a prestigious award.

The evening commenced with the Adnams Champagne and Beer Reception on the front lawn. This was followed by a sumptuous, locally sourced, dinner with the vegetables supplied by Produce World using their ‘From My Farm’ range prior to the Awards Ceremony.

With the Football World Cup just days away, tables were given World Cup teams and invited to participate in the ‘East of England World Cup Challenge’ to raise money for Wintercomfort for the Homeless, a Cambridge based charity.

To read more about the awards ceremony, the judges’ recommendations and the worthy winners, please see the BitC website.

Nigel Moore (left) receiving Pro Bono Company of the Year Award from Ashley Riley of BAA London Stansted alongside Farrows Ltd

Pro Bono Company of the Year

Joint Winner: Buckles Solicitors

Nigel Moore of Buckles Solicitors recently accepted the prestigious East of England Pro Bono Company of the Year award at an Awards Gala Dinner held at Audley End House sponsored by BAA London Stansted (watch video). 

The award recognises the contribution made by Nigel, and the staff at Buckles, to ProHelp projects.

Their time and professional advice, given for free (pro bono), has directly supported a number of local not-for-profit organisation who are working to towards the social and economic regeneration of their communities.

Over a third of all of the Peterborough Group’s projects have received involvement from Buckles staff members.

More About Buckles Solicitors

Buckles Solicitors has been in existence for almost two centuries and is now a regional law firm with over 80 employees based in Peterborough.

 Buckles, through partner Nigel Moore, were a founding member of the Peterborough ProHelp Group and have been instrumental in getting the group established and recruiting member professional firms.  Nigel also took on the role of chairman until 2008.

Over the years, Buckles have lead by example in supporting the community and voluntary projects received by the Peterborough Group. Last year alone they took on 13 projects relating to legal advice equating to 35% of the total projects received.

Buckles are keen to use their in house expertise and resources to support projects whilst also using the opportunity to give junior members of the firm valuable experience in developing their own client engagement skills.

Impacts:

• Community organisations have received valuable legal advice free of charge meaning that they can utilise their income to benefit the work they do instead
• Morale and staff motivation is enhanced knowing the company support ProHelp
• 35% of ProHelp Projects received support from Buckles in 2008

See more detail on the award, or watch it on YouTube.