Communications Support for Charities
Helping small charities find their voice and connect, with over 20 years of experience supporting North East charities.
No comms staff?
No problem.
I provide consultancy, mentoring, and support services to the charity sector.
How I help
My current and previous clientsYou might not have a dedicated comms person. You know your communications aren’t where they need to be – and it’s holding you back. I get it.
Funders aren’t seeing your impact. Volunteers are hard to recruit. People are missing out on your services, and key stakeholders are out of the loop. Your social media doesn’t sound like you, and it doesn’t reflect the brilliant work you’re doing.
That’s where I come in.
I’ve worked in the charity sector for over 20 years, so I understand the pressures: small teams, tight budgets, and no time to do everything.
I can slot in where you need me – whether that’s light-touch strategy support to get things on track, or more hands-on help week to week. You might need someone you can trust for a few days a month, or a more regular presence.
I’ll take a look at where things are, suggest some quick wins, and help you plan for the long term.
Practical ways I help
Compiling and sending a regular newsletter, with a branded template
Running your social media channels, with a simple strategy your team can feed into
Creating digital content – from templates and graphics to short videos
Producing printed materials like leaflets, flyers or brochures
Writing blogs, press releases or campaign content that tells your story well
Reviewing your communications and helping you shape a simple comms strategy
Training and mentoring staff in comms skills and confidence
Running an AI workshop for your team and setting up a custom GPT that sounds like you
You don’t have to do it all yourself. I can work alongside you – or take things off your plate entirely.
About me
I’m Carrie – a communications consultant who helps charities get their comms sorted.
For the past 10 years, I’ve worked freelance, supporting loads of brilliant charities across North East England and beyond.
I offer personalised advice, hands-on help, and over 20 years’ experience in the charity sector. Whether you need a fresh pair of eyes on your messaging or someone to jump in and write your next newsletter, I’ll bring practical, thoughtful support that fits your needs and budget.
After a degree in Communication Studies and a short stint in London working in TV, this homesick Geordie moved back to the North East. I took a Master’s in computing and worked in IT consultancy for a few years. I paused my work to travel the world and landed, by happy accident, in a charity communications role just as social media was taking off. I’ve stayed in the sector ever since.
I love my ‘job’ if you can call it that. It’s so varied - from writing a book for a charity, to creating short films for another, and helping many more find their voice online.
I also run Charity Freelancers, a friendly co-working group for freelancers and people thinking about going solo in the sector.
Most of my work comes through referrals – I’m proud of the strong relationships I build with clients. You can read some of their testimonials below.
When I’m not working, I’m usually found outdoors - cycling, hill walking, running or camping under the stars. I live by the sea in Whitley Bay with my husband Paul, our four teenagers, and our wonderfully eccentric cat, Darwin.
If you think I might be a good fit for your charity, I’d love to hear from you.
Over 20 years of charity comms know-how, at your side.
Testimonials
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![Photo of Susan Tron]()
Susan Tron MBE, Durham Community Action
“Working with Carrie has been a game changer. She has an incredible ability to take my ideas, truly understand my goals, and turn them into creative, relatable, and highly effective marketing campaigns.
What I value most is how she listens, gets the essence of what I want to achieve and then translates this into something that delivers amazing results. She combines creativity with clarity and professionalism and an infectious enthusiasm and I couldn’t recommend her more highly.”
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![Andy Dean]()
Andy Dean, Community Action Northumberland
" Carrie has really helped us get to grips with our marketing. As a small, local charity, it was proving difficult for us to focus on our communications in any sort of meaningful way.
Carrie has transformed our approach, making sure that we no longer miss out on relevant opportunities and that people have no excuse not to know all about us. From websites and social media to press releases and marketing materials, Carrie has been an absolute star!"
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![Anne Fry]()
Anne Fry, Eating Distress North East
"If you're a charity, especially a small one, looking for expert communications support I can't recommend Carrie Brookes highly enough.
She's knowledgeable, talented and really understands the pressures on small charities."
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![Search Newcastle logo]()
Simon Luddington, Search Newcastle
“Carrie has been brilliant helping us to design a new website which shows the range of services we offer in a fresh and simple way. She helped us discover our “USP” and supported us develop a new approach to our marketing.
Carrie offers a professional service which I would have no hesitation in recommending.”
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![Bridge Northumberland logo]()
Anne Lyall, Northumberland CVA
“Carrie worked for us on our Employability project and was instrumental in turning the project around.
Her excellent marketing skills and ability to relate so well to our client group ensured our marketing strategy was successful, culminating in Bridge Northumberland successfully achieving its targets. I can’t recommend Carrie highly enough."
Blog
Calling all charity freelancers
Are you a freelancer or consultant working in the Charity sector in North East England?
Join us for our co-working/slow networking meet-ups in Newcastle!
Contact me
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