VOLUNTARY groups in Medway learnt that charity begins in the office with a crash course in business in the last few weeks.

Nine representatives from charities across Medway and Kent attended the Business and Enterprise Skills Project seminar at the Medway Chamber of Commerce last month. It is part of a new initiative by CVS Medway and Business Link Kent, sponsored by the Learning and Skills Council, to help out the voluntary sector.

Selected guests were given valuable ideas, suggestions and plans by Maurice Cowling of the Chamber of Commerce during the daylong event. They were able to take back what they had learned and start implementing new marketing ideas immediately.

Cynthia Spicer, of Age Concern in Gillingham, said: "It was a very interesting day. The most important thing I learned was how to market and promote ourselves as a business. It's important that you manage to get the charity's name in the public eye, and I have already used one of the suggestions from the seminar."

David Readhead, learning development officer with CVS Medway, said: "We were very pleased to have this opportunity to enable private businesses and voluntary organisations to work together and share expertise and experience."

Two more similar events have now been held. For more information on the Business and Enterprise Skills Project call Mr Redhead on 01634 815636.