We have partnered with experts to provide personalised advice to voluntary and community organisations in Kingston through our 'Ask the Expert' programme. This service is free of charge and entails 3 sessions of 45 minutes each. 

Core areas of support

  • Setting up Organisations

  • Charity Registration

  • Fundraising

  • Income Generation

  • Finance Support

  • Governance

  • Safeguarding Advice

  • Communication and Marketing

  • Digital, Data and Tech Support

  • Business and Strategic Planning

  • Managing People and HR

  • Volunteer Development

 

If you need personalised help we will connect you with the right expert for a free session either online or in person. 

 

Book here

 

Please note: If you need to cancel your appointment, do this at least 48 hours in advance to avoid a £30 charge. Should you need to see an expert more than three times on the same topic and the work becomes very time-consuming, we will approach you to discuss a reasonable fee in order for the support to continue. 

Our Experts

Claudia is a highly versatile coach and business advisor to the voluntary and statutory sectors and focuses on supporting a wide range of communities, enterprises and individuals to achieve transformational change. With over 20 years’ experience in helping organisations and individuals to strengthen their impact and direction, she currently works for Croydon Voluntary Action, Richmond Council for Voluntary Services, and Kingston Voluntary Action; as well as acting as an Enhance Partner at Lloyds Bank Foundation, being an Associate for the Law Centres Network, and helping various enterprises directly. She is used to working pro-actively on large-scale funding bids, programme management, and delivering training / facilitation contracts.

Hilary set up and ran a charity for 25 years and raised funding from Trusts and Foundations on a day-to-day basis; ensuring the organisation’s growth from a local project to a national charity. On the way, she has gained a wealth of knowledge which she is keen to share with smaller organisations in our borough.

Helena has been a Trustee of Kingston Voluntary Action for 6 years. She specialises in HR and is a Chartered Member of the CIPD. She is an HR Generalist and works across each of the key HR disciplines.  Her strengths are employment law, growth, and turnaround situations.  She has a particular interest in employee relations, culture and employee development.

Hiba is Volunteering Kingston’s new Volunteer Development Coordinator. She has worked in the charity sector for over 20 years, with extensive experience in accomplishing positive results achieved through strategy development and implementation, focusing on new development opportunities, forward planning, end-to-end project management, and exceptional service delivery. In her role, she runs the brokerage service, supports volunteers to find roles, and provides advice and support to both volunteers and organisations.

Jacky has worked for KVA since 2013, supporting local charities with various financial queries. He has an Accounting and Finance BA (hons) degree, is a member of the Association of Certified Chartered Accountants (ACCA), and has achieved level 1, 2 and 3 on Sage 50Cloud.

Karen has worked for KVA as the Children and Young People Project Officer for the past 6 years. Karen was seconded onto the Kingston Local Safeguarding Children Board (LSCB) while working in family support 17 years ago and has been the KVA voluntary sector representative covering Kingston for the past 10 years, both on the main board of the LSCB, and now on various subgroups for the Kingston & Richmond Children’s Safeguarding Partnership (K&RSCP)

Whatever stage of your digital, tech and data journey, the Superhighways team with expertise across each of these areas, as well as digital inclusion, can help. Support includes:

  • using digital tools and platforms for better communications
  • collaborating and working with partners online
  • reviewing your website or writing better copy
  • creating designs and infographics for publicity materials and social media
  • developing an eNewsletter
  • exploring Microsoft 365's toolbox of great software
  • protecting your IT-systems and data
  • developing digital services
  • supporting your members / communities with basic data skills & internet access