Charities in Lancashire offered free support for business functions

The organisation will provide 60 free health check reviews which will audit the current business landscape for third sector organisations and support them in building a roadmap to survive in these challenging conditions.

Many organisations have been unable to access funding or fundraise over the past six months, so income has severely reduced. The support package will help with key areas including finance, marketing, sales and provide a detailed response highlighting options for change and improvement.

As well as the health checks, Spring North will also provide training via an online knowledge hub, delivering free 30-minute business builder sessions, supported by practical tools and

fact sheets.

The team of mentors will be led by business development manager, Martin Hartley-Smith. A business graduate, Martin is a former Deputy CEO of a children’s charity and ex Business Link advisor has spent many years working with a wide range of charities and SMEs on business growth.

He said: “As an organisation, we work collaboratively with partners so have an extensive network of experts within the sector to call on for support. CEOs and leaders are running their

organisations on limited resources, often working in complex areas and with an ever- changing landscape.

"The health checks will provide valuable time away from the day to day challenges, giving a knowledgeable sounding board to look at ways to navigate these short-term issues and build plans for longer term success.

“We will also be running a peer support programme so organisations can access help from people who exactly understand the challenges they are facing."

Health checks are on a first come, first served basis and all the support is free of charge. For more information about obtaining one of the health check places, visit www.springnorth.org.uk