CVS Workshops 2024

Building on the success of our popular training workshops earlier this year, we have reviewed and improved all our training content based on what you have told us is important as well as what we know you need to know.

We are delighted to launch our new training offer starting February 2025.

Fit for Funding Starting Right

All of the basics you will need to get 'Fit for Funding'.

The workshop will cover all the basics you will need to get ‘Fit for Funding’, including your governing document, policies, budgeting, and a brief introduction to outcomes and demonstrating need. This interactive workshop is based on real examples of funding applications and includes guidance on finding the right funder for you. By the end of the workshop, you’ll be able to:

• Know the right building blocks to have in place to start applying for funding
• Know how best to prepare in advance to make effective funding applications
• Understand the importance of matching funder priorities & meeting their criteria
• Better understand funder application processes & what they are really asking
• Know where to search for funders

Fit for Funding Outcomes & Impact

A session designed to help you to make clear links to your aims, outcomes and activities, in your funding applications.

This free workshop will help you to clearly link your aims, outcomes and activities in your funding applications. Many funders now require you to do this, and if you’re not, or not doing it well, it could affect your chances of success.

We will explore a systematic approach to planning how you present your projects in your funding applications to help you to:

• Be able to apply the theory of change to your own organisation / project
• Identify & explain the need for your work
• Understand the importance and application of: aims, outcomes, activities, milestones and impact
• Be able to construct robust outcomes for your organisation / project
• Use the theory of change framework to link outcomes and impact to needs

Board Development and Leadership

Designed to help you understand your role and be effective as a board member – relevant for both charities and social enterprises.

Whether you are new to your Board or you just want a refresher, this workshop is for you. We will cover all the essentials on what Board members need to consider and how to get the right people involved. There should be plenty of time to ask questions.

The structure of our workshop will cover:

• How to recruit and retain the trustees / directors you need

• The importance of lived experience and ongoing engagement with beneficiaries
• The importance of balancing the skills of your board
• How to make effective & timely decisions
• The building blocks of good governance

Safeguarding Awareness

This safeguarding awareness session will enable those working or volunteering in small voluntary organisations and community groups to understand what is meant by safeguarding and what to do if you suspect there is an issue.

This session is a practical introduction to safeguarding which aims to raise awareness of the issues for voluntary and community groups working with children, or vulnerable adults.

The workshop is suitable for staff and volunteers, including trustees, within organisations to understand that they have a responsibility for safeguarding and to take appropriate action when the need arises.

By the end of this workshop you will:

• Understand what is meant by safeguarding and abuse
• Know what to do if you think abuse is occurring
• Gain the capacity and confidence to deal effectively with safeguarding issues
• Know who to contact for support and information
• Recognise signs and symptoms of abuse

Follow the links below to book:

Fit for Funding Starting Right
4 March 11:30am – 2pm, Luton
26 March, 2:00pm – 4:30pm, Bedford
 
Safeguarding Awareness
12 March, 2:00pm – 4:30pm, Bedford
15 April, 11:30am – 2pm, Luton
 
Board Development and Leadership
26 February, 2:00pm – 4:30pm, Bedford
1 April, 11:30 – 2pm, Luton
 
Fit for Funding Outcomes & Impact
18 March, 11:30pm – 2pm, Luton
9 April, 2:00pm - 4:30pm, Bedford