A new umbrella organisation to help and support voluntary groups in the borough will be launched next week.

The first meeting of Harrow Community Action (HCA) will take place on Wednesday June 18, at the Harrow Civic centre.

HCA is consortium aiming to strengthen the voluntary and community sector, with its board including representatives of different voluntary groups.

These include Age UK Harrow, Harrow Association of Disabled People, Harrow in Business, Harrow Inter Faith Council, Harrow Women's Centre, Mind in Harrow, and Voluntary Action Harrow.

The new organisation has been given support from Pinner MP Nick Hurd who said: “As Minister for Civil Society and local MP, I believe that the creation of such not-for-profit organisations are an asset to the local community.

“Through working in the voluntary and community sectors, the infrastructural support that HCA provides will become invaluable for members, in order to create a stronger sense of local identity, engagement and collaboration in these sectors.

“I would like to pay tribute to all those who have shown commitment, time and effort in building the foundations of HCA, which I believe demonstrates the great communitarian spirit of Harrow.

“I wish HCA every success in the future and look forward to collaborating further with HCA.”

At the launch next week voluntary and community groups will be able to learn about the work of Harrow Community Action and how they can benefit from partnership bidding and funding.

Those interested in attending the meeting which starts at 5.30pm can email info@harrowca.org.uk for more infomation.