Training and development
We provide more than training courses. We provide a range of relevant, practical learning and development opportunities that will benefit you and your organisation for today, tomorrow and beyond.
All our sessions are delivered by experts in their fields, with practical hands-on experience.
How to navigate this page and find what you are looking for
1. If you know the session you are looking for…
You can either click on the calendar icon below or click here to go to the events calendar from there you can find the available dates and book your place(s).
2. If you are looking for inspiration or browsing...
Scroll down to the ‘Learning and development opportunities by subject’ section to browse by subject and click on any of the subject headings. Each subject has a range of resources ranging from virtual ‘live’ in real time courses to ‘On demand’ resources you can work through at your own pace and time. each subject is divided into two parts, ‘Live’ events and after that section is the ‘On demand’ events section. Each session has a short description of its purpose and content.
How to book onto a session
- Search or browse our offer on this page
- When you find a session(s) you are interested in click on it and it will take you to our events calendar
- If there is not a scheduled delivery date you will be able to register your interest for a session on the Events Calendar page or by clicking here to register your interest.
Learning and development opportunities by date
Click on the calendar icon above to view the Events calendar. You can filter and sort our calendar by subject, category, date or by keyword e.g Trustee, Management, Finance or Safeguarding.
COVID-19 Notice: Due to current government guidelines all our events are being delivered online
Training and development opportunities by subject
COVID-19 Notice: Due to current government guidelines all our events are being delivered online
Click on the headings below to jump to the options for the subject, or scroll down the page.
Each section is divided into two parts. The first part is ‘Live’ events which is followed by On demand resources.
🔴 Sustainability: Funding, finance and business planning
🔴 Finance and sustainability 1 to 1 surgeries – page coming soon
🔴 Governance, Law and Trustees
🔴 Safeguarding
🔴 Management and leadership of staff and volunteers
🔴 Youth work
🔴Volunteer Passport
🔴 Suffolk ProHelp sessions
🔴Sustainability: Funding, finance and business planning
In this section you will find a range of resources to equip you with the knowledge and skills you require to run a sustainable organisation including how to obtain funding, manage your finances and evidence the impact and success of your organisation.
‘Live’ events
All of our events in this section are interactive and are delivered ‘live’ in real time by experts in their fields, with practical hands-on experience.
How to check for dates and to book:
Where the event has a scheduled delivery date(s) when you click on the images below you will go to the events calendar. There you will be able to search for the event by title or key word and book. If there is not a date set for delivery you will be given the option to register your interest in a future course.
Learn the foundations of writing successful funding applications.
The course provides practical bid writing techniques enabling participants to produce focused proposals and increase their success rates in funding applications.
For delivery dates and booking click here to go to the Events Calendar.
Crowdfunding can be a way of easily securing funds for projects.
This interactive course will explore in more detail the concepts of this funding option. Bonus: The course also covers an intro to Social investment
For delivery dates and booking click here to go to the Events Calendar.
Learn more about the financial responsibilities required for a charitable organisation.
The course covers a range of financial topics incl: Record keeping, preparing financial statements, Charity Commission needs, policies, annual accounts and much more
For delivery dates and booking click here to go to the Events Calendar.
How to find and use meaningful data to support funding applications
An introduction to the functions and purpose of the Suffolk Observatory An overview of other common sources of local data, such as the Healthy Suffolk website
For delivery dates and booking click here to go to the Events Calendar.
Measuring impact is the recognised way in which you show the value your organisation is delivering to its beneficiaries and society as a whole, as well as to funders. The course will cover the following subjects:
Why measure Social Impact – how to plan for implementation – how to collect evidence – outputs v. outcomes – the role of performance indicators
For delivery dates and booking click here to go to the Events Calendar.
Business plans are a key document and step in your organisation’s success. They are living documents that guide your organisation's direction, maximise your organisation's talents, resources and prevent mission drift.
This will equip you with the immediate information needed to begin the business planning process, understand your organisation’s value and plan for the future.
For delivery dates and booking click here to go to the Events Calendar.
Valuable 1 to 1 funding surgery
1 to 1 Online 1 hour funding surgery with a funding expert from Community Action Suffolk or Suffolk County Council.
For delivery dates and booking click here to go to the Events Calendar.
https://www.smallcharities.org.uk/training
Visit their website to view their range of finance related courses.
You can also find these courses on the calendar using any 'event category' below
Sustainability Finance Governance
For delivery dates and booking click here to go to the Events Calendar.
https://booking.ncvo.org.uk/training/event_series/ncvo-zurich-webinar-steps-to-building-organisational-resilience-key-things-to-consider
To respond to future challenges, charities must be able to adapt to a changing environment. This webinar will explore key considerations for making your charity resilient.
This online course will help you understand and analyse the current funding situation of your organisation and teach you how to plan for the future. We’ll use key strategic tools, a funding strategy template (that you’ll adapt and tailor) and help you consider various sources of funding that are most suitable for your organisation including looking at diversification.
https://booking.ncvo.org.uk/training/event_series/online-training-funding-strategy-and-diversification-post-covid-19
Copy and paste the web address above into your browser
On demand resources: Sustainability, funding, finance and business planning
If you can’t find what you are looking for or need the flexibility to learn at different times and at your own pace this section is for you.
Click on the images below to go direct to the resource or relevant webpage.
Webinars
Giles Kerkham, MHA Larking Gowen, Chartered Accountants will lead you through 3 seminars:
- How to come back from lockdown: practical steps
- Risk Management: keeping it current
- Resilience: building back reserves
In partnership with Suffolk ProHelp
Webinar
Elizabeth Pearce of EJPearce Ltd, Chair of the Suffolk Institute of Directors and member of Suffolk ProHelp will guide you through some key strategy issues. In this current climate planning now is vital to ensure firm foundations for an agile organisation with solid roots on which to base long term sustainability.
Webinar
As members of Suffolk Pro Help Studio Brand Up are actively supporting local charities and social enterprises to help understand and improve their brand strategy, brand identity design and web presence. Join them for this special webinar.
Webinar
Join Lorna Rose, a Suffolk ProHelp member, to learn how you can use Microsoft Teams and Microsoft Live events to communicate with your staff and spread your message.
e-learning
Search over 1000 free courses, interactives, videos and more from The Open University.
e-learning and toolkits
NCVO’s resource centre of e-learning for the VCSE.
e-learning
Learn 100% online with world-class universities and industry experts. Develop your career, learn a new skill, or pursue your hobbies with flexible online courses.
Webinar
Hear from leaders in the social enterprise and third sector, as well as mission-driven space, on their reflections and thoughts on how to navigate through these unprecedented times
Online funding portal
Welcome to Funding 4 Suffolk the search tool that allows you to search for funding for your project, organisation or group quickly and easily.
Video
A brief overview of What is social investment from Big Society Capital
e learning
A brief guide to Social Investment from Community Action Suffolk
Various
CAS has a range of videos, bogs, audio bursts on Social Investment
This workshop was originally offered as part of Community Action Suffolk’s Fundraising Suffolk 2020 conference and is available to watch on demand.
This workshop was originally offered as part of Community Action Suffolk’s Fundraising Suffolk 2020 conference and is available to watch on demand.
This workshop was originally offered as part of Community Action Suffolk’s Fundraising Suffolk 2020 conference and is available to watch on demand.
This Key Note was originally offered as part of Community Action Suffolk’s Fundraising Suffolk 2020 conference and is available to watch on demand.
This workshop was originally offered as part of Community Action Suffolk’s Fundraising Suffolk 2020 conference and is available to watch on demand.
This workshop was originally offered as part of Community Action Suffolk’s Fundraising Suffolk 2020 conference and is available to watch on demand
Can’t find what you are looking for?
We may be able to create a bespoke course to meet your needs. Please contact us to discuss your organisations training needs. training@communityactionsuffolk.org.uk
🔴Governance, Law and Trustees
In this section you will find the resources you need to equip you with the knowledge and skills you require to help you fulfil both your own and your organisation’s legal responsibilities.
‘Live’ events
All of our events in this section are interactive and are delivered ‘live’ in real time by experts in their fields, with practical hands-on experience.
How to check for dates and to book:
Where the event has a scheduled delivery date(s) when you click on the images below you will go to the events calendar. There you will be able to search for the event by title or key word and book. If there is not a date set for delivery you will be given the option to register your interest in a future course.
This foundation course is an excellent way of helping both existing and new Trustees to understand what their role and responsibilities are in governing an effective organisation.
The course covers a range of areas, incl. governing legislation; 6 essential Trustee duties; who can be a Trustee; resignation/ removal; decision-making; reporting requirements etc
For delivery dates and booking click here to go to the Events Calendar.
Learn more about the financial responsibilities required for a charitable organisation.
The course covers a range of financial topics incl: Record keeping, preparing financial statements, Charity Commission needs, policies, annual accounts and much more
For delivery dates and booking click here to go to the Events Calendar.
A bespoke course for VCSE Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL), Deputy DSL or Safeguarding Trustee.
This course provides the foundations to support you to fulfil your safeguarding responsibilities. incl. Charity Commission reporting, creating a safe culture, role boundaries etc
For delivery dates and booking click here to go to the Events Calendar.
Volunteers enrich and enhance our community services but do you know the legal implications that organisations need to be aware of?
This session introduces your statutory obligations in relation to: Employment law and volunteers, Under 16 year olds, expenses, insurance liability
For delivery dates and booking click here to go to the Events Calendar.
The session covers the first stages of volunteer management from preparing for involving volunteers, attracting the right volunteers through to getting them started. This course includes:
What is Volunteer Management and why people get involved? How to prepare your group to involve volunteers and attract the right kind of volunteers? How to turn interest into action
For delivery dates and booking click here to go to the Events Calendar.
Do you know how to support and keep volunteers engaged with you? Volunteers are priceless so learn how to keep them , their knowledge, skills and passion engaged with your organisation.
Participants will be challenged to think beyond what’s needed and gain an understanding of today’s volunteers and what your organisation needs to do
For delivery dates and booking click here to go to the Events Calendar.
On demand resources: Governance, Law and Trustees
If you can’t find what you are looking for or need the flexibility to learn at different times and at your own pace this section is for you.
Click on the images below to go direct to the resource or relevant webpage.
Webinar
Lucy Pakes, Ashtons HR Consulting and Suffolk ProHelp member talks you through the furlough scheme, bringing staff back from furlough and the impact on employment contracts.
e-learning and resources
NCVO’s resource centre of e-learning for the VCSE.
Resources
Visit the MHA Trustee hub, their hub of downloadable templates and information for the Charity sector.
The CAS Quality Standard is an award which your organisation can achieve to demonstrate its effectiveness and efficiency.
The CAS Quality Standard is endorsed and supported by Suffolk County Council and the Suffolk Safeguarding Partnership. It is externally assessed by the Quality Standards Awards Panel comprised of Community Action Suffolk, Suffolk County Council Commissioning, Suffolk Safeguarding Partnership. It was developed in 2005 by VCSE sector organisations, for VCSE sector organisations.
The Community Action Suffolk Healthcheck is an online tool for Trustees and staff to assess the internal processes of their organisation
e-learning
This website has been produced by Community Action Suffolk to provide Trustees with easy access to a self paced training system. In addition to providing training we hope that you will find this website a useful source of reference information.
Download
Community Action Suffolk’s Volunteering Team have created a useful 1 page guide
Download
Community Action Suffolk’s Volunteering Team have created a useful 1 page guide
Can’t find what you are looking for?
We may be able to create a bespoke course to meet your needs. Please contact us to discuss your organisations training needs. training@communityactionsuffolk.org.uk
🔴Safeguarding
Safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility. The Charity Commission also make it clear that safeguarding is a key governance issue for charities to comply with.
However, compliance with legislation is often not the main reason people attend training; they do it because they want to stop abuse. Our courses equip you recognise and report abuse correctly. This helps to stop abuse.
‘Live’ events
All of our events in this section are interactive and are delivered ‘live’ in real time by experts in their fields, with practical hands-on experience.
How to check for dates and to book:
Where the event has a scheduled delivery date(s) when you click on the images below you will go to the events calendar. There you will be able to search for the event by title or key word and book. If there is not a date set for delivery you will be given the option to register your interest in a future course.
Safeguarding is everyone's responsibility, including yours. You have a safeguarding responsibility to your staff, volunteers and service users. This course helps you fulfil those requirements.
Introductory training for you to: identify signs & indicators of different types of abuse -respond appropriately to safeguarding issues – understand where abuse can occur
For delivery dates and booking click here to go to the Events Calendar.
A bespoke course for VCSE Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL), Deputy DSL or Safeguarding Trustee.
This course provides the foundations to support you to fulfil your safeguarding responsibilities. incl. Charity Commission reporting, creating a safe culture, role boundaries etc
For delivery dates and booking click here to go to the Events Calendar.
Safeguarding is everyone's responsibility, including yours. You have a safeguarding responsibility to your staff, volunteers and service users. This course helps you fulfil those requirements.
Introductory training for you to: identify signs & indicators of different types of abuse -respond appropriately to safeguarding issues affecting Adults at Risk of harm
For delivery dates and booking click here to go to the Events Calendar.
Safeguarding is everyone's responsibility, including yours. You have a safeguarding responsibility to ensure that no-one who comes in to contact with your organisations suffers harm. This course helps you fulfil those requirements.
Introductory training for you to: identify signs & indicators of different types of abuse -respond appropriately to safeguarding issues – understand where abuse can occur
For delivery dates and booking click here to go to the Events Calendar.
You can also find these courses on the events calendar using the event categories below
Safeguarding
For delivery dates and booking click here to go to the Events Calendar.
On demand resources: Safeguarding
If you can’t find what you are looking for or need the flexibility to learn at different times and at your own pace this section is for you.
Click on the images below to go direct to the resource or relevant webpage.
On demand VCSE Safeguarding Conference 2020
Pre recorded workshops from local and national safeguarding experts include:
🔴Keeping children and young people safe from criminal exploitation: A Suffolk picture
🔴Keeping safe: Domestic abuse and Covid 19
🔴Keeping safe from scams
🔴Keeping Safe from Hate crimes.
Basic introduction to safeguarding for informal community groups e.g. collecting and dropping off shopping or prescriptions
Topics include:
What is safeguarding? What might we see or hear that could concern us? How do we report our concerns?Estimated time to complete: 30 minutes
Introduction to safeguarding for village halls and community buildings
Topics include:
What is safeguarding? What are our responsibilities? Do we need a DBS check?Estimated time to complete:
1 hour
Downloadable guide
Community Action Suffolk’s Volunteering Team have created a useful guide
Downloadable guide
Community Action Suffolk’s Volunteering Team have created a useful guide
Downloadable guide
This booklet demonstrates the clever tactics used by romance fraudsters. It also dispels the myths of shame and embarrassment often associated with this crime by highlighting the link to coercive control.
The CAS Quality Standard is an award which your organisation can achieve to demonstrate its effectiveness and efficiency.
The CAS Quality Standard is endorsed and supported by Suffolk County Council and the Suffolk Safeguarding Partnership.
The Community Action Suffolk Healthcheck is an online tool for Trustees and staff to assess the internal processes of their organisation
e-learning
This course offers an introduction to the Prevent duty, and explains how it aims to safeguard vulnerable people from being radicalised to supporting terrorism or becoming terrorists themselves
Toolkit
Need to protect Children online?
Online Compass is free to use and helps you to:
- Review Online Safety in your group or organisation.
- Improve your group’s Online Safety using expert advice.
- Celebrate your provision through a series of awards.
e-learning and resources
NCVO’s resource centre of e-learning for the VCSE.
Can’t find what you are looking for?
We may be able to create a bespoke course to meet your needs. Please contact us to discuss your organisations training needs. training@communityactionsuffolk.org.uk
🔴Management and Leadership of staff and volunteers
Our staff (paid or unpaid Volunteers) are vital to the success of our organisations and our most important asset. Supporting them is a key role in any organisation if it wants to become or remain successful. This section is where you will find the Learning and Development opportunities to help provide the skills and knowledge you need.
‘Live’ events
All of our events in this section are interactive and are delivered ‘live’ in real time by experts in their fields, with practical hands-on experience.
How to check for dates and to book:
Where the event has a scheduled delivery date(s) when you click on the images below you will go to the events calendar. There you will be able to search for the event by title or key word and book. If there is not a date set for delivery you will be given the option to register your interest in a future course.
This practical and empowering introductory course is for newly appointed first time managers and for those who are considering taking the next step and going into management for the first time. Topic include:
What is a manager? – What does a manager do? – What makes you an effective manager? – Reflection, planning and preparation for the role
For delivery dates and booking click here to go to the Events Calendar.
Do you spend your days jumping from one urgent task to another? Does your organisation live from one funding pot to another? Does time to lead your organisation seem like an impossible dream? This course has been developed to help you see why leadership, and not just management, are needed in order to be sustainable.
This course will help you to see the way forward, organise yourself, realise your strengths and plan for the future. We will explore why so often Leadership rather than management
For delivery dates and booking click here to go to the Events Calendar.
Volunteers enrich and enhance our community services but do you know the legal implications that organisations need to be aware of?
This session introduces your statutory obligations in relation to: Employment law and volunteers, Under 16 year olds, expenses, insurance liability
For delivery dates and booking click here to go to the Events Calendar.
The session covers the first stages of volunteer management from preparing for involving volunteers, attracting the right volunteers through to getting them started. This course includes:
What is Volunteer Management and why people get involved? How to prepare your group to involve volunteers and attract the right kind of volunteers? How to turn interest into action
For delivery dates and booking click here to go to the Events Calendar.
Do you know how to support and keep volunteers engaged with you? Volunteers are priceless so learn how to keep them , their knowledge, skills and passion engaged with your organisation.
Participants will be challenged to think beyond what’s needed and gain an understanding of today’s volunteers and what your organisation needs to do
For delivery dates and booking click here to go to the Events Calendar.
This session will offer ‘best practice’ methods in dealing with these difficult situations while providing suggestions on potential preventative measures
This course covers the following topics: Disruptive behaviours and common niggles Confronting the issue Implementing a structured volunteer programme Ending the relationship
For delivery dates and booking click here to go to the Events Calendar.
This session will be an exploration into how organisations engage and galvanise volunteers and what can be done to change this current approach in order to address the exciting response currently seen in our communities
As our communities continue to ‘do things differently’ how can we adapt our approach to volunteering as a response to this emerging need?
For delivery dates and booking click here to go to the Events Calendar.
A great chance to get and give support if you are a Volunteer Manager in Suffolk
For dates and booking click here to go to the Events Calendar.
Pour yourself a cup of tea or coffee and join our Good Neighbour Network Development Officer Jane for a relaxed virtual coffee morning via Zoom to have a friendly chat, network, talk about community volunteering, and being neighbourly.
Open to you if you’re already volunteering in your community, interested in getting involved, already a Good Neighbour, or are part of a community response or Mutual Aid group
For dates and booking click here to go to the Events Calendar.
On demand resources: Management and leadership of staff and volunteers
If you can’t find what you are looking for or need the flexibility to learn at different times and at your own pace this section is for you.
Click on the images below to go direct to the resource or relevant webpage.
e-learning
This website has been produced by Community Action Suffolk to provide Trustees with easy access to a self paced training system. In addition to providing training we hope that you will find this website a useful source of reference information.
Webinar
Lucy Pakes, Ashtons HR Consulting and Suffolk ProHelp member talks you through the furlough scheme, bringing staff back from furlough and the impact on employment contracts.
e-learning and resources
NCVO’s resource centre of e-learning for the VCSE.
Downloadable guide
Community Action Suffolk’s Volunteering Team have created a useful 1 page guide.
Downloadable guide
Community Action Suffolk’s Volunteering Team have created a useful 1 page guide
Downloadable guide
Community Action Suffolk’s Volunteering Team have created a useful 1 page guide
Downloadable guide
Community Action Suffolk’s Volunteering Team have created a useful guide
Downloadable guide
Community Action Suffolk’s Volunteering Team have created a useful guide
Downloadable guide
Community Action Suffolk’s Volunteering Team have created a useful guide
🔴Youth work
‘We must view young people not as empty bottles to be filled, but as candles to be lit‘
Robert H. Shaffer
In this section you will find invaluable training courses to support you in your role with working/volunteering with young people. The Level 2 Youth Work courses is nationally accredited by the National Open Collage Network (NOCN).
‘Live’ events
All of our events in this section are interactive and are delivered ‘live’ in real time by experts in their fields, with practical hands-on experience.
How to check for dates and to book:
Where the event has a scheduled delivery date(s) when you click on the images below you will go to the events calendar. There you will be able to search for the event by title or key word and book. If there is not a date set for delivery you will be given the option to register your interest in a future course.
An introduction to youth work: gain the knowledge, skills and qualities required to work with young people within a youth worker role. This is a four session course and learners will need to attend all parts and complete the necessary assignments in order to receive a certificate. Must be age 16+ to register
This course is nationally accredited by the National Open College Network (NOCN) and gives participants the practical youth work skills and knowledge to build confidence and skills
For delivery dates and booking click here to go to the Events Calendar.
A brief introduction to youth work: It is ideal for those who already work with young people in other settings (Police Officers, Library staff and volunteers, those working in Retail, Leisure and Service outlets etc.) who want to include youth work approaches in their professional repertoire.
The course covers practical youth work skills and knowledge, building confidence & understanding in using youth work methods and how you can engage effectively with young people.
For delivery dates and booking click here to go to the Events Calendar.
🔴Volunteer Passport
Are you interested in volunteering? The Volunteer Passport is an Accredited level 1 short course to encourage new people into volunteering. The Passport will help learners to build their confidence, gain new skills and understand the variety of volunteer roles out there.
‘Live’ events
The passport is interactive and is delivered ‘live’ in real time by experts in their fields, with practical hands-on experience.
How to check for dates and to book:
Where the event has a scheduled delivery date(s) when you click on the image below you will go to the events calendar. There you will be able to search for the event by title or key word and book. If there is not a date set for delivery you will be given the option to register your interest in a future course.
Accredited level 1 short course to encourage new people into volunteering. The Passport will help learners to build their confidence, gain new skills and understand the variety of volunteer roles out there.
The sessions include: Equality, Diversity and Inclusion, Keeping yourself and others safe ,Health and safety, Intro to 1st Aid, Volunteer placement brokerage available from CAS
Click here for more information
🔴On demand resources: Suffolk ProHelp
If you can’t find what you are looking for or need the flexibility to learn at different times and at your own pace this section is for you.
Suffolk ProHelp Podcast
Love a podcast? Suffolk ProHelp have a brand new podcast. You can find them in conversation with their network of professionals and the community organisations they have helped, as well as question and answer sessions around a range of themes which draw on the expertise of their network. Subscribe on Spotify and usual podcast channels here. To find out more about Suffolk ProHelp and how they support organisations across Suffolk everyday, visit Suffolk ProHelp.
Click on the images below to go direct to the resource or relevant webpage.
Click here 
Click here
Webinars
Giles Kerkham, MHA Larking Gowen, Chartered Accountants will lead you through 3 seminars:
- How to come back from lockdown: practical steps
- Risk Management: keeping it current
- Resilience: building back reserves
In partnership with Suffolk ProHelp
Webinar
As members of Suffolk Pro Help Studio Brand Up are actively supporting local charities and social enterprises to help understand and improve their brand strategy, brand identity design and web presence. Join them for this special webinar.
Webinar
Elizabeth Pearce of EJPearce Ltd, Chair of the Suffolk Institute of Directors and member of Suffolk ProHelp will guide you through some key strategy issues. In this current climate planning now is vital to ensure firm foundations for an agile organisation with solid roots on which to base long term sustainability.
Webinar
Lucy Pakes, Ashtons HR Consulting and Suffolk ProHelp member talks you through the furlough scheme, bringing staff back from furlough and the impact on employment contracts.
Webinar
Join Lorna Rose, a Suffolk ProHelp member, to learn how you can use Microsoft Teams and Microsoft Live events to communicate with your staff and spread your message.
Contact Information
If you cannot find what you want within our current training programmes please talk to us and we see if we can help you further.
Email: training@communityactionsuffolk.org.uk
Frequently Asked Questions
Click on the ‘Events’ tab below and that will take you to all of our upcoming training and events. When you find a session you want to know more about or attend click on the title of the event and it will open a new page with more information and a link to an online booking page.
For future events that are still scheduled there’s nothing you need to do. If anything changes, we will contact you with updates.
If your event has been postponed, we are working to identify new dates, and we will contact you as soon as we have confirmation and more information this.
If your event has been cancelled, there’s also nothing you need to do. We’ll get in touch with you directly with more information.
Click on the link below to read the Terms and Conditions and Cancellation policy