Watford MP Richard Harrington is launching the Watford Community Exchange, a new initiative that allows individuals, businesses and organisations to swap skills in Watford for the benefit of local charities and community groups.
The Community Exchange will be an ongoing project with a charity surgery, a hub of professional advice and support donated by local people. Many charities in Watford don’t have access to the professional skills and services that they desperately need, something that could be met with the help of Watford residents or businesses.
By joining the Community Exchange people with skills will be linked to a charity or organisation that need their help for as short or as long a time as they can give. The project is aimed at businesses with skilled workers or teams looking to help a local charity, or individuals with experience that would like to get involved with anything from HR advice, social media training or even some office space.
The Community Exchange is being run in co-ordination with local company Freedom Communications who have already donated 100 hours of staff time to the exchange, to include advice on IT, HR and admin. Richard is encouraging as many people as possible to get involved with the exchange to share skills and help the local community.
Richard will be holding a charity Action Day on February 15th to showcase the exchange alongside a live charity surgery hosted by West Herts College. All charities in Watford are invited to attend the Action Day to attend advice sessions, receive practical help and hear about how to apply for funding. Charities Minister Nick Hurd MP will also be speaking at the day, to be held at the YouthPoint Centre on Lower High Street, Watford.
Richard said:
“Over the last few years I have visited many charities across Watford and they tell me there is a real problems accessing some of the skills they need. Smaller charities just do not have the resources to cover all their bases, at times meaning they can’t carry out all the work they would like to.
“At the same time I know there any many people and businesses across Watford who would like to help local charities but don’t necessarily know the best way to get involved. By setting up this skills exchange I hope to bridge this gap and bring together skilled people with the organisations that will benefit.
“The Community Exchange is a simple and effective way of bringing the community together and I am encouraging as many people as possible to get involved. Myself and my office will be following the great example set by Freedom Communications and will be offering our time and skills for local charities.
“The Action Day in February will be a great showcase for the exchange and will offer charities in Watford the chance to come together, share their skills, take part in practical advice sessions and hear from people ready to help them.
“There are so many great charities and organisations working in Watford, helping the most vulnerable people in our community and this exchange will help the charities go from strength to strength.
Further details can be found at the website: www.watfordcommunityexchange.co.uk
Twitter: @watfordexchange
Facebook: facebook.com/watfordcommunityexchange