Voluntary organisations are clubbing together to support each other and share expertise.

Harrow Borough Council has given £75,000 to commission a support service for charities.

Harrow Community Action (HCA), has been created from representatives of organisations including Mind in Harrow, Age UK Harrow, and Harrow Mencap, to help charities recruit volunteers and raise money.

The service was commissioned after the council ran a consultation to identify what support was needed to help the voluntary sector survive and deliver vital services to a wide range of communities for the future.

Councillor Manji Kara, who is responsible for community and culture, said: “Voluntary groups told us that they wanted one central organisation they could turn to for advice and support that was made up of people who had insight into the third sector.

“We have helped them to achieve this through good partnership working and commissioning the services they required.

"Charities and voluntary organisations provide vital support to residents, and hopefully this new service will strengthen the brilliant job they are already doing.”

HCA director Mark Gillham said his organisation was “delighted” to be awarded the contact.

He added: “We are pleased that the council has continued to invest in the local voluntary and community sector, which runs Harrow Community Action.

The funding awarded means that HCA’s vision for a stronger, more cohesive and sustainable local voluntary and community sector can take an important leap forward.”