A NEW website has launched to provide a helping hand to the more than 6,000 charities in the county.

The Hampshire Council for Voluntary Service (CVS) Network is an alliance of 10 organisations working together to provide development services and the specialist skills needed for Hampshire-based charities to grow and meet the challenges facing their communities.

In a recent survey of its members, over 50 per cent reported an increase in demand for their help from Hampshire residents with many charities also reporting it is becoming harder to find people who are able to volunteer their time and talents to help.

In response, the Hampshire CVS Network has launched a new website designed to help charities and community groups connect with partners to provide clear and easy access to the skills and resources they need.

The site provides access to information on Hampshire’s volunteering development services, information on training available across the county and a toolbox of resources for groups and charities that covers everything from governance to raising funds to carry out work.

Tom Belshaw, development manager for Community First, which coordinated the website project team, said: “As a network we recognise that we can do more by working together to make it easier for Hampshire charities and community groups to find and access the help they need, how and when they need it.

“The new website is a significant step in us demonstrating that we’re responding to the views and experiences of our stakeholders and will ensure we make the best use of the specialist expertise of partners in the network.”

For more information, go to hampshirecvs.org.uk.