A new three-year partnership between the Coalfields Regeneration Trust (CRT) and Cranfield Trust has been launched to provide free support to voluntary organisations in six coalfield regions.

Backed by funding from The National Lottery Community Fund, this initiative will provide intensive and tailored support to improve the resilience and sustainability of voluntary organisations in the East and West Midlands, North East, North West, Yorkshire and Kent.

The partnership builds on nine years of informal collaboration between CRT and Cranfield Trust. Together, they will deliver management advice, funding guidance, and strategic management support to voluntary organisations working in the areas of: community, health, skills, jobs and climate.

Amanda Tincknell, chief executive of Cranfield Trust, said: “We’re delighted to be working in partnership with the Coalfields Regeneration Trust to provide management support to charities in coalfield communities as they provide such vital services to some of the most vulnerable people in their local areas. Through our network of expert volunteers, we’ll be providing professional advice and strategic support to help these organisations become more resilient and better equipped to tackle the pressing issues facing former coalfield areas.”

Andy Lock, chief executive of the Coalfields Regeneration Trust, added: “The six coalfield communities that we’ll be targeting are home to many of the most deprived communities in the country. Through this partnership, we’ll strengthen the community organisations working within these areas, improving their sustainability, resilience, and impact. This initiative is about preventing further decline and ensuring these voluntary organisations receive the support they need to enable them to reach their full potential.”

Support available to the voluntary organisations will include:

- Cranfield Trust’s consultancy support, helping in areas such as strategy, financial planning, reviewing the charity’s operations
- Access to free webinars and online resources
- Face-to-face meetings to identify specific support needs
- Insight data reports to understand local challenges and strengthen funding applications
- Grant finder support to identify and maximise potential funding sources
- Tailored guidance on funding applications to improve success rates
- Peer connections to foster collaboration and knowledge-sharing between charities
- Strategic networking to create partnerships and secure further support

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