Support

This support service is available to all existing and emerging voluntary and community organisations/groups (VCOs) in the Maidstone area.

The main aims of the service are:

•	to provide support and development to groups
•	to encourage and establish new groups and activities to meet identified needs
•	to support, develop and enable capacity building for existing groups
•	to facilitate opportunities for consultation, liaison and networking between groups and the statutory sector

What is available to groups?

•	information and advice (e.g. on funding, drafting a business plan, financial matters, publicity)
•	assistance with start up and initial development
•	over 140 short guidance notes on a wide range of useful topics (see Guidance Notes on left)
•	opportunity to input into local, regional and national consultations/policy debates (see Consultations on left)
•	access to our Resource Centre (see Other Resources on left)
•	opportunity to be part of our Voluntary and Community Sector Focus Group (see Other Resources on left)
•	partnership working with local statutory bodies
•	contacts with regional and national bodies
•	photocopying, faxing and laminating service

We will try to help you with any query you have, no matter how simple or complex.