Training Track September

We have been busy putting in place our training programme for next year. As you will see below, we are offering a wide range of training sessions. If you have any particular training that you would like to see included in our programme, do let us know and we will see if we might be able to include it.

Alongside our formal training we also have plenty of free online awareness sessions which you and any of your volunteers are more than welcome to sign up to.

A final reminder that this is your last chance to register for our Recruiting, Retaining, and Managing Volunteers training session next week. Taking part in this course will put you on track for achieving 6 Point Promise Accreditation.

Best wishes,

Helen Ives-Rose
Deputy Chief Executive Officer

This one-day course will explore the challenges of recruiting, retaining and managing volunteers. It is ideal for staff who have this responsibility as part of their role. If you have not already achieved 6 Point Promise accreditation this is an ideal opportunity to get started!

Where: Ver House, Park Industrial Estate, Frogmore, AL2 2WH
When: Wednesday, 17 September 2025
Time: 10am - 1pm: Recruiting & Retaining Volunteers 2pm - 5pm: Volunteer Management

Herts voluntary organisations: £70
Statutory and non-Herts organisations: £400

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 online session is for anybody who is looking to embark on their volunteering journey.

Where: Online
When: Tuesday, 23 September 2025
Time: 11.30am - 12.30pm

This session is free to attend

In this session, learners will explore the relationships between objectives, outputs, specific aims, and outcomes, highlighting their connections to strategic goals and overall impact. Participants will gain skills in converting objectives into tangible outputs and transforming specific aims into measurable outcomes. The session will also cover at least three effective methods for data collection. Lastly, it will provide an insight on developing a comprehensive monitoring and evaluation framework to support these processes.

Where: Online
When: Thursday, 25 September 2025
Time: 10am - 4pm

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, 2 October 2025
Time: 10am - 12.30pm

Member fee £25
Non-member fee £40

Every organisation that handles private data is required to comply with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). This training course will clearly outline your legal obligations, explain how to adhere to these laws, and guide you on how to manage client data safely and confidently.

Where: Online
When: Thursday, 16 October 2025
Time: 10am - 4pm

Member fee £25
Non-member fee £40

In this training, you will learn important strategies to achieve financial sustainability for your organisation. The session will cover effective tools and methods to improve your fundraising efforts. You will find out how to identify potential funders who share your mission and explore different ways to diversify your income sources. This approach will give you the knowledge needed to ensure your organisation’s financial stability.

Where: Online
When: Tuesday, 21 October
Time: 10am - 1pm

Member fee £25
Non-member fee £40

If you're a new or aspiring trustee, this course will equip you with essential knowledge about trusteeship. It covers the fundamental aspects of the role within a charity, highlighting the motivations and rewards that come with being a trustee. You'll learn why trusteeship is crucial to the charity sector and gain a realistic understanding of what serving on a board entails. This includes an overview of the responsibilities, challenges, and the significant impact you can have as a trustee.

Where: Online
When: Tuesday, 4 November 2025
Time: 10am - 2pm

Member fee £25
Non-member fee £40

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: Wednesday, 26 November 2025
Time: 10am - 2pm

Member fee £25
Non-member fee £40

This online 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 application
• How to apply the full cost recovery concept to future grant and funding applications.

Where: Online
When: Wednesday, 10 December 2025
Time: 10am - 2pm

Member fee £25
Non-member fee £40

By the end of this session, learners will have a solid understanding of the fundamentals of fundraising and be able to identify and apply various fundraising techniques effectively. We will cover essential legal and ethical considerations and focus on building strong donor relationships. Additionally, participants will develop a tailored fundraising strategy and engage in practical activities to enhance their confidence and skills in fundraising.

Where: Online
When: Tuesday, 20 January 2026
Time: 10am - 1pm

Member fee £25
Non-member fee £40

This summer, we’ve been hard at work preparing an exciting upskilling programme for our member organisations and the broader VCFSE sector. We can’t wait to share the schedule of new courses in the next edition of the Training Track, which will include highly anticipated sessions like Cyber Security, Basic Bookkeeping, Strategic Social Media Planning, and many more!

If any of these upcoming sessions catch your interest or if you’re looking for a tailored session for your staff or volunteers, we’re here to help! 

This upcoming webinar will remind our long-standing members what they have access to and inform new organisations about the benefits available to them.

Participants will learn about exclusive networking events, essential tools for professional development, and targeted support services that can boost their mission and impact.

Don’t miss this chance to understand how to make the most of your membership and unlock the many advantages ahead. Join us to start maximising your organisation’s potential! 

Tuesday, 30 September 2025, 1pm - 3pm
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.

The course aims to equip participants with the ability to recognise stress, anxiety, and various mental health conditions. It seeks to provide a comprehensive understanding of the support available for individuals facing these challenges. Additionally, the course will focus on strategies for effectively managing stress in daily life.

Wednesday, 8 October 2025, 10am - 11.30am
This session is free to attend

The Sight Loss awareness training provides participants with insights into the challenges faced by individuals with sight loss, equipping them with practical skills for better support. The session covers the causes of sight loss, its emotional and functional impacts, and effective communication strategies. Aimed at families, carers, and professionals, the training raises awareness of barriers like mobility challenges and social isolation.

Participants will learn how to assist and communicate effectively with those affected, as well as gain knowledge about resources and services that can improve quality of life.

Monday, 13 October 2025, 11am - 12pm
This session is free to attend

The Regional Youth Work Unit is pleased to announce an additional Level 2 Youth Work award course funded through the Governments Bursary scheme. The training provider is Free2Talk. 

The course will be delivered online on Tuesday mornings from 9:30am to 12:30pm on the following dates: 

• Theory of Youth Work - 30 September and 7 October
• Safeguarding in a Youth Work Setting - 14 October and 21 October
• Young People's Development - 28 October and 4 November
• Engaging and Communicating with Young People - 11 November and 18 November

Time of Course: 9:30am - 12:30pm

Start Date: Tuesday, 30 September

To book a place please fill in the attached application form and return it to robin.konieczny@youthfocuseastandeastmids.org.uk by 19 September. There are 12 places available.