A DARLINGTON hospice is set to benefit from free expert HR advice thanks to a partnership with a local firm.

Outsourced HR, a human resources consultancy, will work in tandem with St Teresa's Hopice's HR department, providing a range of pro bono support services.

Sasha Warr, the managing director of Outsourced HR, said the company is looking forward to working with St Teresa’s.

She said: “We thought long and hard about which local charity we could best support and we’re delighted that St T’s have agreed to work with us.

“Although we will develop fund-raising initiatives in the future, we also wanted to give practical help to our chosen charity from day one.”

Initially, Outsourced HR will provide the hospice with free advice and training on employment law. Ms Warr hopes that this will be the beginning of a long and successful relationship.

She said: “St T’s has a very able and efficient HR department, but it operates on a tight budget and has to juggle a complex structure of employees, agency workers, volunteers and consultants.

“We’re more than happy to give the hospice free consultancy, training and support services, if it needs them.

“If we can save St T’s money and strengthen their HR offering, we’ll be happy.”

Hospice chief executive Jane Bradshaw said: “I’m delighted that Sasha has offered to share the benefits of her experience with us.

“Our HR staff do an excellent job, and with the assistance and resources of Outsourced HR I’m confident we’ll be able to offer an even better service.

“We look forward to progressing with this exciting and valuable partnership.”