A new voluntary sector hub has been secured in Portsmouth which is set to enable local charities and voluntary organisations to share facilities, reduce costs and collaborate on projects.
Last week HIVE Portsmouth signed the lease on Aggie Weston House in Edinburgh Road.
The premises will house a much-needed facility that will deliver important support to local charitable and voluntary organisations. The hub will be created thanks to funding from BAE Systems, which made a £250,000 donation to HIVE Portsmouth to help set up two such hubs in the city.
HIVE Portsmouth’s partnership with BAE Systems aims to address one of the main challenges faced by voluntary, community and social enterprise (VCSE) organisations: namely, the cost of operating premises. The hubs aim to provide greater resilience within the local voluntary sector and will offer valuable support to organisations serving local people.
Revd Canon Bob White, Chair of HIVE Portsmouth Trustees said: “Portsmouth is lucky to have an active and committed VCSE sector with hundreds of organisations providing a wide range of essential services to those who need support.
“We know that the sector is crying out for a space which can be used as needed, somewhere to share ideas and make connections, for meetings and as back-office space.
“I’m thrilled that we have been able to sign the lease to secure this facility which will support local organisations to continue their amazing work providing essential services to the people of Portsmouth.”
In addition to the financial support, there is potential for BAE Systems employees to volunteer for projects run from the hubs as well as the company offering professional advice and mentoring to VSCE organisations in Portsmouth.
Scott Jamieson, Managing Director of BAE Systems Maritime Services, said: “We’re delighted that HIVE Portsmouth has secured the first premises for one of the voluntary sector hubs we’re funding. Portsmouth and all its communities are hugely important to our company and it’s great for us to be able to support the voluntary sector organisations and charities that do a wonderful job in our city.”
With a long history supporting the Royal Navy at Portsmouth Naval Base, BAE Systems has strong ties to the city and local communities that are supported through the organisations that this hub will serve.
It is hoped that the new hub will open for local groups and organisations in early 2023.