Training Track

There are only eight days to go until our annual  Conference and AGM! If you haven't yet booked, it is not too late to register. The Conference is free and again open to anyone with an interest in the VCSFE sector, including volunteers. There will be a wide range of workshops tailored for volunteers as well as for voluntary sector organisations. It is a great opportunity to provide volunteers, and staff alike, with personal development, so please do pass on this information to your volunteers.

The conference takes place on 26 June at The Vineyard, Unit 7, Brick Knoll Park, Ashley Road, St Albans, AL1 5UG.  You can book using this link. All the information you need about the day is below.

Also in this month's newsletter, we have information on one of our introduction to volunteering courses, this is useful for anyone thinking of volunteering or newly recruited volunteers.

Finally, Small Charities Week 2025 is next week and to celebrate, we are hosting a series of online events around helping you get the best out of your membership with us, giving you a better understanding of how business can support your group and an introduction to our Let's Give volunteering platform. Booking details are below. 

Best wishes

Sadie M Charles
Assistant Manager, VCFSE Partnerships

If you wish to take your first steps towards volunteering, this one-hour session will aim to answer the how, where, when, why and what of volunteering. The session will cover an understanding of volunteering and its roles, volunteering with benefits, researching volunteering roles and identifying skills. This in person session is for anybody who is looking to embark on their volunteering journey.

Where: Ver House, Park Industrial Estate, Frogmore, AL2 2WH
When: Monday, 23 June 2025
Time: 10am - 11am

This session is free to attend

Even small groups need to ensure a board of Trustees is in place. Come to this online 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.

Where: Online
When: Thursday, 3 July 2025
Time: 10am - 12pm

Member fee £25
Non-member fee £40

This online Professional Boundaries training session will help you to understand how to develop and maintain professional relationships that adhere to appropriate boundaries.

Where: Online
When: Wednesday, 17 September 2025
Time: 10am - 1pm

Member fee £25
Non-member fee £40

This Sight Loss awareness training is designed to equip participants with a comprehensive understanding of the challenges faced by individuals with sight loss, along with practical skills to better support them. 
The session is aimed at families, carers and professionals to raise awareness about barriers people with sight loss experience, including mobility challenges and social isolation. 

Monday, 23 June 2025 11am- 12pm
This session is free to attend

Come and learn about effective ways to communicate with deaf people, as well as some basic sign language, at this deaf awareness online workshop. Participants will gain the confidence and basic skills to communicate with those who are living with deafness and hearing loss. It will enable them to understand deafness, signs that someone can’t hear you, body positions and communicating.

Wednesday, 25 June 2025 10am - 12pm
This session is free to attend

There is an increasing acknowledgement of the importance of the role of mental health in the wellbeing of individuals and the community as a whole. Being aware of your mental health can substantially reduce long term physical and mental health conditions and the stigma around it. 

Tuesday, 1 July 10am - 11.30am
This session is free to attend

This workshop, delivered by Social Brand Developer & Designer, Adam Piggot, has been specially created for common good organisations – social enterprises, charities, voluntary associations and community groups. It’s designed to help you stand out, engage and connect with the people you need to reach.

Friday 4 July 2025, 9.30am-1pm