Why choose Communities 1st for your next course?
We are dedicated to providing a high-quality training opportunities for local organisations, especially those in the voluntary, community, faith and social enterprise (VCFSE) sector. Staff and volunteers are welcome to attend.
Training prices differ depending on the format it is being delivered in and any bursaries available.
"I am so happy to be doing this course and feel prepared to take my next steps."
Our Courses
Click on each course for information about course content, price and upcoming sessions.
Business Planning
A well-crafted business plan is the backbone of any successful organisation. Join our training session to develop effective business plans that align with your goals and aspirations. Whether you’re starting a new venture or looking to revamp your current plans, this session with equip you with the tools you need to succeed.
Members can join this course for £25, and non members can join this course for £40.
Contact the training team for more information: training@communities1st.org.uk or call 01727 649960.
Case Study training with the Royal Literary Fund
This training course, delivered by the Royal Literary Fund, will help teach you everything you need to know about effective case study writing, helping your organisation to develop all the skills you need to write great case studies which illustrate the work you do.
Members can join this course for £25, and non members can join this course for £40.
Contact the training team for more information: training@communities1st.org.uk or call 01727 649960.
Cyber Security
Many voluntary sector groups think they are safe from cyber crime because they have a low income or few assets. This mistaken belief can put you at risk. A 2023 survey found that 24% of charities and voluntary sector groups had experienced a breach or attack int he last 12 months.
Don't put yourself at risk! Join this session to learn:
- What cyber security is
- What the biggest risks are to VCFSE groups
- Simple, practical steps to improve your cyber security.
This session is particularly suitable for those with limited IT or cyber security knowledge.
Members can join this course for £25, and non members can join this course for £40.
Contact the training team for more information: training@communities1st.org.uk or call 01727 649960.
Demonstrating your Impact
By the end of this session, you will be able to:
- Describe the links between objectives and outputs, specific aims and outcomes, and strategic aims and impact
- Turn objectives into outputs
- Turn specific aims into outcomes
- Specify at least three ways to collect data
- Understand how to develop monitoring and evaluation framework
Members can join this course for £25, and non members can join this course for £40.
Next session:
Date: Thursday 25 September from 10 AM - 4 PM.
Location: online.
Click here to book your place.
Contact the training team for more information: training@communities1st.org.uk or call 01727 649960.
Evaluation Essentials
Knowing how to evaluate your organisations progress is essential for ensuring your group is constantly improving. Evaluating your projects and services is necessary to analyse outcomes, helping to inform your future steps and feedback to funders, trustees and the communities you serve.
Members can join this course for £25, and non members can join this course for £40.
Contact the training team for more information: training@communities1st.org.uk or call 01727 649960.
Facilitating Team Building
This in person Facilitating Team Building training session will help your organisation establish a strong teamworking ethos.
Members can join this course for £25, and non members can join this course for £40.
Contact the training team for more information: training@communities1st.org.uk or call 01727 649960.
Full Cost Recovery
This session is an introduction to full cost recovery and how to apply this knowledge to funding applications. No previous knowledge is needed to attend the course.
Join this session to understand:
- What is meant by full cost recovery
- Your direct costs and overhead costs, and how to factor these into an applications
- How to apply the full cost recovery concept to future grant and funding applications.
Members can join this course for £25, and non members can join this course for £40.
Contact the training team for more information: training@communities1st.org.uk or call 01727 649960.
General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR)
Every organisation which handles private data is obligated to follow General Data Protection Regulation law. This training course will outline clearly for you your legal obligations, how to comply with the laws and how to handle client data safely and confidently.
Members can join this course for £25, and non members can join this course for £40.
Contact the training team for more information: training@communities1st.org.uk or call 01727 649960.
Introduction to Bookkeeping
This in person course will cover everything you need to know about bookkeeping for your small organisation. The six modules will cover:
- Module 1: introduction to bookkeeping
- Module 2: setting up your bookkeeping system
- Module 3: templates of financial records
- Module 4: understanding self-assessment and national insurance
- Module 5: VAT
- Module 6: universal credit for the self-employed
Members can join this course for £25, and non members can join this course for £40.
Contact the training team for more information: training@communities1st.org.uk or call 01727 649960.
Introduction to Governance
Even small groups need to ensure a board of Trustees is in place. Come to this session to find out about Trusteeship, as well as how to ensure your group complies with obligations such as policy formulation, safeguarding, and accountability correctly.
Members can join this course for £25, and non members can join this course for £40.
Contact the training team for more information: training@communities1st.org.uk or call 01727 649960.
Introduction to Marketing for Small Organisations
This course will cover
- How a good marketing strategy can benefit your organisation
- How to utilise different forms of marketing, from physical to digital
- How to use social media to your advantage
- How to evaluate your marketing success, and continue improving as your organisation grows
Members can join this course for £25, and non members can join this course for £40.
Contact the training team for more information: training@communities1st.org.uk or call 01727 649960.
Professional Boundaries
This in-person Professional Boundaries training session will help you to understand how to develop and maintain professional relationships that adhere to appropriate boundaries.
Members can join this course for £25, and non members can join this course for £40.
Next session:
Date: Wednesday 17 September from 10am - 1pm.
Location: online.
Click here to book your place.
Contact the training team for more information: training@communities1st.org.uk or call 01727 649960.
Recruiting, Retaining & Managing Volunteers
This interactive and engaging one-day course will explore the challenges of recruiting, retaining and managing volunteers. It is ideal for staff who have this responsibility as their role.
If you have not already achieved 6 Point Promise accreditation, this is an ideal opportunity to get started!
Areas covered include:
- Volunteer motivation
- Writing role descriptions and recruitment adverts
- Selection process
- Induction and support
- Volunteer supervision
- Managing changing motivations
- Dealing with challenging or difficult behaviour
- Saying 'goodbye'
- Rewarding and recognising volunteers
- The Six-Point Promise
The cost for Hertfordshire voluntary organisations is £70. For statutory and non-Hertfordshire organisations it is the full value at £400.
Next session:
Date: Wednesday 17 September 2025
Location: Ver House, Park Industrial Estate, Frogmore, AL2 2WH
Time: Recruiting and Retaining Volunteers 10am - 1pm; Volunteer Management 2pm-5pm
Contact the training team for more information: memberservices@communities1st.org.uk or 01727 649940.
Report Writing
This in person Report Writing training session will be delivered by the Royal Literary Foundation. The course will cover everything you need to know about creating effective and informative reports, covering things like structure and techniques.
Members can join this course for £25, and non members can join this course for £40.
Contact the training team for more information: training@communities1st.org.uk or call 01727 649960.
Sustainable Funding
This online course will provide insights into financial sustainability and equip you with tools to improve your organisation's financial stability. The session will also help you understand the best tools and approaches to improve fundraising and identify potential funders.
The next course will be held on Tuesday 21 October 2025 from 10am - 1pm.
Contact the training team for more information: training@communities1st.org.uk or call 01727 649960.
Writing Grant Applications with the Royal Literary Fund
By the end of this training session, you will feel confident in how to write strong applications for funding for your small organisation. Come along to find out how to design, edit and check over bid applications, to increase your organisation's chances of success in securing funding.
Members can join this course for £25, and non members can join this course for £40.
Contact the training team for more information: training@communities1st.org.uk or call 01727 649960.
Safeguarding Children
This training session is for staff and volunteers working with children and young people in any setting.
During this course, you will learn:
- What abuse is and how to recognise the signs,
- To understand the key words and phrases used in safeguarding work,
- Accountability - including confidentiality, disclosure, reporting concerns, and working with statutory agencies,
- What happens next - the investigation process.
Members can join this course for £25, and non members can join this course for £40.
Contact the training team for more information: training@communities1st.org.uk or call 01727 649960.
Contact us
If you are interested in our services or have any additional questions, please get in touch with our training team, via email: training@communities1st.org.uk, or call 01727 649960.
Our phone lines are open Monday - Fridays, 09:00- 17:00.
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