A civil society support organisation looking to increase the number of experienced professionals available to offer mentoring, business strategy and consultancy support to small charities.

Cranfield Trust, which offers pro-bono support to the sector is aiming to bolster its "diverse community of skilled volunteers" to support good causes.

The aim has been revealed in its four-year strategy that pledges the organisations will "help more small charities access expert support".

It aims to develop a "clear and structured volunteer journey" and invest in training for volunteers.

Also, it pledges to broaden the range of expert volunteers available, to attract more with lived experience and from a range of backgrounds.

Other pledges made in the strategy include stronger support for charity leaders, making it easier for small charities to access help and to share insight into “what works for small charities”.

“We will make it easier for charities to find the right support at the right time, creating clearer pathways and connecting them with skilled volunteers whose experience, insight and generosity enable us to provide the tailored support they value so highly,” said Trust chief executive Dan Francis.

“We will develop and extend our volunteer community and use the insight from their work to help the wider sector understand what makes a lasting difference.

“Technology will help us reach further and do more, but the human relationships at the heart of our work will remain central to delivering lasting impact.”

The Trust’s chair Charmaine Griffiths added: “Small charities form the very fabric of communities across the UK. Every day they respond to need and improve lives, often with stretched leadership, limited resources, and growing pressures.

“We know from listening to our clients and partner organisations that what most leaders need most is not more information, but access to trusted expertise, practical support, and sound judgement when it matters most.

“Our new strategy is about meeting that need. By connecting more charities with skilled volunteers and focusing support where it can make the greatest difference.”

Last month the Trust announced it had received a three-year grant of £450,000 from the Garfield Weston Foundation to expand its support for leaders of small charities.

It aims to deliver more than 8,000 free learning and support opportunities for charity leaders within the next three years.

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