CHARITIES and voluntary organisations across Bolton are being invited to attend free sessions to help them gain useful media coverage.

Award-winning journalist Angela Kelly and digital marketing expert Val Dickinson have teamed up with Bolton CVS to put on an online workshop and a day of one-to-one sessions.

The two-hour workshop takes place on Zoom on Monday,November 29 with the day of individual sessions, held at The Bolton Hub on Bold Street set to place on Monday December 6.

Ms Kelly said: "They are each tailored differently, the workshop is aimed at local charities and voluntary organisations which may not yet have gained much media coverage.

"The day of individual 45-minute sessions with us is for probably larger charities and organisations which already have some experience with the media, including social media, but want to improve it."

She added: "We both know how hard the past 18 months have been for charities and voluntary groups and how they need to regain ground now and get the public to understand the importance of what they do."

According to a recent report, Bolton's voluntary, community and social enterprise brought the equivalent of £106 million worth of service to the borough in 2020.

Ms Kelly and Ms Dickinson believe they have the skills to impart that could build on this further still.

Ms Dickinson said: "We want to help charities and voluntary organisations to understand how easy it is to get free coverage right across the media if they do the right things.

"This applies to getting the best from social media with informative posts and blogging."

Their efforts have been encouraged by Bolton CVS.

Lauren McKechnie, Bolton CVS Deputy CEO Lauren McKechnie said: "We’re delighted that Val and Angela will be sharing their expertise to help strengthen Bolton’s voluntary, community and social enterprise (VCSE) groups.

"This will help propel the groups’ relationship with the public and showcase the amazing work they do and the opportunities they create."

To find out more, phone 07510 079784.