| Q: Where can we get free legal advice (e.g. on copyright, business law, setting up a charity)? |
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A solicitor or lawyer will usually be able to provide advice in these areas and guide you through what action you need to take if necessary. There is also lots of information available through the Charity Commission for England and Wales, the National Council for Vountary Organisations and the Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations. |
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Visit the Ask NCVO website |
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| Q: So, we never have to pay a penny? |
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In most instances the service you receive through the brokers will be free, however in some cases a small charge may be made, details of which should appear on the broker information page. Some professional firms may need to make a charge for expenses associated with the work they are doing for you, you should discuss this with them at your initial meeting. |
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| Q: What’s the point of going through a broker, why don't we just do it ourselves? |
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Using a broker means that a lot of the legwork and potential 'door knocking' is done for you. Many firms prefer to channel their free professional support through brokers instead of responding to lots of ad hoc requests from charities. Brokers understand the how professional firms and voluntary organisations work, their skill is helping the two sides work together productively. They are experienced in making sure you are matched with the right professional skills and they have access to a network of professionals who have offered their skills. There is some helpful information in the Guides & Information section of this site. |
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| Q: Aren’t the free services just a way of getting you to sign up for paid work later on? |
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No, not the ones you’ll find through this website. ‘Free Professional Services’ means just that, so the service you are offered has to be useful and complete in itself, and there must not be any pressure to buy other services. |
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| Q: What if we get poor advice from one of the sources listed here? |
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Each of the brokers has their own system of quality control and a process for gathering feedback from groups who use their services. You will need to ask the broker who arranges help for you, what the procedure is if you have concerns about the service you have received. |
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| Q: Do we just ring up and then get some help straight away? |
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It depends what kind of help you need and where in the country you are, the skill of the broker is to match you up with the professional firm best able to help, this can sometimes take a little time. The broker will explain the process with you. |
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| Q: What do we need to think about before we apply for help? |
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Think about what you're trying to achieve and then look at the specifics of the support you are seeking. The more precise you can be about the project or task you want help with, the easier it will be to find the right type of professional help e.g. you may think you need an architect to draw up plans for an extension to your community centre when in fact you need a surveyor to come first and see if this type of work is feasible. Brokers of free professional services are usually happy to discuss your project and help you work up a brief. Have a look at our guide which explains What Different Professions do. |
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| Q: Who can help me decide whether to register our organisation as a charity and help us through the process? |
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The Charity Commission is a really good place to start whether you are at in the decision phase or are ready to register. They have booklets, a telephone helpline (0870 333 0123) and lots of useful information, advice and a checklist on their website to help you make your decision. Before you apply you will need to have a 'constitutional document' (sometimes known as a set of rules or trust deed), this doesn't have to be complicated but should detail the name and objectives or your organision and details of your governing body. A solicitor can also advise and support you through the registration process. |
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Visit the Charity Commission website |
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| Q: How many times can we apply for help? |
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There is no limit to the number of times you can apply for free professional services. Many voluntary organisations use this type of support strategically to help them develop a project or grow their organisation and receive help from different professions at each stage of the process. |
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| Q: How quickly can I get support? |
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Brokers will try and match you with a suitable professional firm as soon as possible. Sometimes the skills you require may not be immediately available but the broker should be able to discuss how best to take things forward. |
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| Q: How much help can I be given? |
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The broker will explain the degree of help that is available from the professional firms offering their support. The firms commitment is usually (but not entirely) suited to discrete one-off projects rather than ongoing, longterm support. It is worth investing some time thinking through what you really need help and possibly breaking your project down into manageable chuncks before you contact the broker. |
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| Q: What happens if we get bad advice from the professional firm that the broker puts us in touch with? |
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If you feel that you have received poor advice you should discuss your concerns with the professional firm as early as possible, it is certainly not in their interest to have an unhappy client! It is really important at the outset that you and the professional firm agree a clear working brief which will help with the quality of advice you receive. It is helpful to let the broker know if you have an issue with quality of advice or support, they may be able to assit with discussions if required. |
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| Q: Does anyone give money to implement projects as well as advice? |
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The broker will be able to link you to a professional firm who is able to help by providing free professional advice and support, this does not include cash donations. However, some firms may be able to offer advice on fundraising. |
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| Q: Why use a broker when I can go direct to the voluntary organisation? |
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A broker will use their community contacts to make sure your offer of support is directed to where it's needed most, they will clarify the details of the type of support requested before matching with the most appropriate firm - this saves time and helps ensure maximum benefit to both professional and client. The broker is also on hand to discuss any issues that may arise during the assignment period. |
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| Q: What happens if I start a project which I can't complete? |
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We would encourage you to complete the project once you have committed to it, just as you would for a paying client. If you have any issues in this regard, speak to the broker who is there to support you if problems should arise. |
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| Q: If I have a problem with an organisation I am helping, what are my responsibilities? |
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Your first port of call if you have any issues arise is the broker who put you in touch with the client, they will work with you and the client to resolve them where possible. It is good practice to agree the terms of the project with the community group at the outset, this will help manage expectations of all concerned. |
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| Q: How much administration and reporting is required if I get involved? |
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This may vary from broker to broker but is generally kept to a minimum. The value of your time and supoprt is in helping the community not in doing admin! |
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| Q: What sort of time commitment is normal - is it hours, days or weeks? |
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It's as much as your'e prepared to commit and may be different in each case. Let the broker know how much time you are prepared to offer and they will work around that. It is important to think about your time commitment before taking on a job so that you can see it through. You will also have opportunity to clarify your commitment with the community group at the outset. |
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| Q: What sort of organisations need my help? |
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A whole range of local groups which would not be able to afford to pay for professional services. A very rewarding aspect of giving free professional support is being able to make a real impact in the community. |
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| Q: Can I select the community organisation I want to work with? |
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Let the broker know where your interests lie and they will prioritise suitable organisations/projects for you to work with. |
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| Q: We have several offices and would all like to get involved with giving free professional service - what's the best way of doing this? |
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A good place to start is by speaking with the broker, when doing your search on professionals4free you will see which brokers operate across the UK, they will be able to help link you nationally. |
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| Q: I'd like to encourage my company to provide this type of support - how do I sell it to my employer? |
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There is a range of evidence and resources to support the business case for supporting the community in this way. Most brokers are experienced in selling the business case and will be able to help you. You may also find it helpful to visit the Business in the Community website for statistical data, research materials and reports. |
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Visit Business in the Community |
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