A CHARITY that bridges the gap between Cheshire’s voluntary sector and businesses is set to benefit from a free six-month campaign from one of the region’s leading PR and SEO agencies.

Cheshire SkillShare is embarking on a New Year publicity drive to accelerate the number of voluntary, community and faith sector (VCFS) groups signing up to benefit from expert professional advice.

Founded in 2011 by the Lord-Lieutenant of Cheshire – and Mobberley resident – David Briggs MBE, the charity Cheshire SkillShare, helps good causes develop by facilitating free professional support from the region’s leading businesses.

It has set a target of supporting 500 good causes by the end of 2015.

And now, PR and SEO specialist Outwrite is to carry out a ‘brand-building’ campaign to help Cheshire SkillShare achieve its aim.

Voluntary organisations can benefit from a variety of areas of expertise via the free services sourced by Cheshire SkillShare. These include business mentoring, planning, marketing support, IT, legal help, financial advice, and HR guidance.

Businesses contribute by donating skills and experience without charge. They benefit from supporting good causes across the region, strengthening their links with the local community.

David Briggs said: “We often speak to community and voluntary groups that either have a particular organisational or management problem, or are just keen to explore new ways to grow and develop.

“By putting them in touch with established Cheshire businesses, SkillShare enables them to access free expert advice they may not be able to afford to buy in.

“We have a list of businesses signed up ready to give free expert time to good causes.

“Now we are launching a publicity drive to let voluntary, community, and faith groups know this service is available.

“We’re delighted that Outwrite has committed to carry out a promotional campaign free of charge.”

Based near Chester, Outwrite has donated an initial six months’ worth of support to help Cheshire SkillShare reach its ambitious goal.

Tracy North, managing director of Outwrite, said: “We’re looking forward to promoting a very worthwhile service that will in turn help charities across the county to do more good work.

“In 2013, we adopted the Domestic Abuse Safety Unit, a not-for-profit organisation that helps victims of domestic abuse in North Wales, and carried out fundraising.

“We’ve decided this time to support a good cause by donating staff time free of charge.”

For more information on how Cheshire SkillShare can help, visit cheshireskillshare.org.uk, email mail@cheshireskillshare.org.uk, or call 01244 688 436.