A CHARITY has launched a project to provide help for new and small voluntary community groups.

The Chester-le-Street and District Council for Voluntary Service (CVS) and Volunteer Bureau has started the scheme with financial backing from the Neighbourhood Learning in Deprived Communities (NLDC).

The CVS development team said it had noted such groups needed very individual support and with a particular need to ensure that all paperwork was in place when competing for funding.

This is where groups can struggle - a catch-22 when limited resources can slow things down.

The Funding Advice, Support and Training (Fast) project aims to quickly develop a file of facts for groups so they have a directory of information at their fingertips, specific to their aims and objects.

The project will also give groups the opportunity to recognise what they have achieved, by accrediting the efforts of the representatives involved in developing the file through Open College Network North East Region.

Karen Graham is the new Fast development worker who will guide groups through the process.

It is hoped to secure further funding for the project in June 2006 when the NLDC grant runs out.

Senior development worker Christine Blakey aims to develop the project further, so that any voluntary organisation or community group across the district can benefit from the file of facts in the future.

Anyone wishing to find out more about the Fast project is asked to contact Ms Graham or Ms Blakey on 0191-387 1192.