Welcome to the E-Training Bulletin - a listing of training opportunities and consultation events of interest to voluntary organisations and community groups in the Bedfordshire and Luton area. If your organisation provides training opportunities for voluntary sector staff, trustees or volunteers and you would like a listing in this bulletin, please click here.

January 2008

10/01/08 ASDAN Certificate in Community Volunteering - 12 week course

ASDAN is a qualification for volunteers that recognise the general skills that volunteers need and use when carrying out voluntary activities. It can provide a stepping stone to vocational qualifications and employment. It appears as a Level 2 Qualification in the National Standards Framework.

Delivered by: Voluntary and Community Action South Bedfordshire
Date/Time/Venue: 10th January, (9.30am to 12.30pm), Kingsland Campus, Houghton Regis
More info: Chris Daniels, 01525 850559, e-mail, website

15/01/08 - SOUL Record

The SOUL (Soft Outcomes Universal Learning) Record is an effective method of measuring soft outcomes / informal learning in a way which benefits the client. It is useful for the client to help them to see the progress they are making, the worker as an ice breaker and a diagnostic tool; identifying where a client or learner may need some extra help or support, and for an organisation in providing evidence of the fantastic work being undertaken with their clients.

Delivered by: Voluntary and Community Action South Bedfordshire
Date/Time/Venue: 15 January, (10am to 4pm), Leighton Buzzard
More info: Chris Daniels, 01525 850559, e-mail, website

15/01/08 - Promoting Equal Opportunities and Diversity

Anybody who works or volunteers in the voluntary and community sector, who wants to know more about the practical aspects of equal opportunities in organisations.

Delivered by: Community and Voluntary Service Mid and North Bedfordshire
Date/Time/Venue: Tuesday 15th January, (9.45am to 4.30pm), 43 Bromham Road, Bedford
More info: Jan Warnier, 01234 354366, e-mail

15/01/08 Children’s Services Commissioning Workshop

The Commissioning Team including Wendi Ogle-Welbourn BedsCC and Hilary Laughton PCT, will be attending.  There will be an opportunity for networking over lunch.

The presentations will give a hands on walk through the commissioning process in Bedfordshire from both the commissioners viewpoint and from a voluntary organisations viewpoint.  After each presentation there will be a short workshop to address some of the key issues and identify “what next”.

Several areas which will be highlighted by these presentations are within the area of workforce development and include training, core induction standards and quality assurance.  All issues which will have a considerable impact on the voluntary sector and commissioning criteria. 

There will also be a presentation covering some of these issues.

Delivered by: Children and Young People's Strategic Partnership Date/Time/Venue: Tuesday 15th January (12.30pm to 4.30pm), Saturn Business Centre, Bedford Heights, Manton Lane, Bedford More info: Paula Tomlin, 01234 354366, e-mail.

16/01/08 or 17/01/08 - Managing Emotional Clients

This course designed to help you do just that, it is particularly suitable for line managers, personnel managers, police, doctors, social workers, medical staff, and care staff and for those who, in their personal and working lives, may find themselves having to cope with the emotions of others. Free to staff and volunteers of charitable/voluntary agencies.

Delivered by: Relate
Date/Time/Venue: Wednesday 16 February, in Bedford or Thursday 17 January in Luton 9.30am to 4.30pm.
More Info: 01234 342503, e-mail

17/01/08 - Building a Culture of Participation

They are currently delivering an England-wide training programme; to help support organisations embed the active involvement of children and young people within the organisation.  Courses are FREE for Voluntary, Community and other Third Sector organisations whose work or services impact on the lives of children and young people (1 person per organisation). This course explores how an organisation’s culture can be established to embed the effective involvement of children and young people. 

Delivered by Participation Works
Date/Time/Venue Thursday 17th January, Cambridge Arts Centre, Cambridge
More info: 0845 6036725, e-mail, website

17/01/08 – Planning and Implementing Change

This workshop is about the planning needed to make a specific change or put into practice a programme of change. It involves developing and putting into practice a strategy to make the change that is needed, taking note of barriers and risks. It also addresses the need to put in place the necessary resources and supporting systems, including monitoring and communications, to turn the ‘vision’ into a practical reality.

Delivered by: Voluntary Action Luton
Date/Time/Venue: Thursday 17 January, (10.00am to 3.30pm), Luton
More info: Jennifer Saunders, 01582 733418, e-mail, website

17/01/08 and 31/01/08 - Two Day Computer Training: Excel

The workshops are aimed at those who are beginners or need a refresher course and who want to progress through to being confident and competent users Although you need have no previous experience of the programme, you must have computer, mouse and keyboard skills and you must commit to the complete two-day programme.

Delivered by: Voluntary and Community Action South Bedfordshire
Date/Time/Venue: Thursday 17 January and Thursday 31 January, (9.45am to 4.00pm), Leighton Buzzard
More info: Chris Daniels, 01525 850559, e-mail, website

22/01/08 and 29/01/08 – Safeguarding Children (Child Protection Awareness)

Due to requests we have organised this course to run over two evenings on consecutive weeks.

These workshops would be an ideal opportunity for volunteers, trustees and staff who work with children, take part in any activities involving children, organise playgroups, after school clubs, run a crèche or Sunday School or are responsible for setting up a child protection policy. Content Includes: why you need a child protection policy; forms of abuse; what should you do if you suspect abuse is happening; abuse and children with additional needs; public liability insurance, your responsibilities; what should a good child protection policy contain; and model policies and agreements. 

Delivered by: Voluntary and Community Action South Bedfordshire
Date/Time/Venue: Tuesday 22 January and Tuesday 29 January (7pm to 9pm), Bossard House, West Street, Leighton Buzzard, LU7 1DA
More info: Chris Daniels, 01525 850559, e-mail, website

23/01/08 - Effective Management Committees

The course is aimed at Trustees (who may be called Managers, committee members, Directors, Executives) - new or established and those who work directly with and support Boards (usually CEO/Senior Management)

Delivered by: Community and Voluntary Service Mid and North Bedfordshire
Date/Time/Venue: Wednesday 23rd January, (9.45am to 4.30pm), 43 Bromham Road, Bedford
More info: Jan Warnier,  01234 354366, e-mail

24/01/08 and 07/02/08 - Two Day Computer Training: Publisher

The workshop is aimed at those who are beginners or need a refresher course and who want to progress through to being confident and competent users. Although you need have no previous experience of the programme, you must have computer, mouse and keyboard skills and you must commit to the complete two-day programme.

Delivered by: Voluntary and Community Action South Bedfordshire
Date/Time/Venue: Thursday 24 January and Thursday 7 February, (9.45am to 4.00pm), Leighton Buzzard
More info: Chris Daniels, 01525 850559, e-mail, website

30/01/08 – Charity Secretaries Conference and Exhibition 2008 – governance for professionals

This one-day conference has been designed to meet the information needs of the company secretary in a range of non-profit making organisations including charities, social enterprises. The programme will bring together leading speakers from government, regulatory bodies and leading practitioners providing both theoretical and practical understanding to the challenges introduced by the industrial and provident society legislation.

Delivered by: ICSA Events
Date/Time/Venue: 30 January, London EC2N
More info: Simon Hooper, 020 7612 7032, e-mail, website

31/01/08 - Secrets of Successful Tendering

Effective tendering requires an understanding of the legislative and practical background within which procurement is currently taking place, and the processes, which drive the tendering procedure. 

Delivered by: Community and Voluntary Service Mid and North Bedfordshire
Date/Time/Venue: Thursday 31st January, (9.45am to 4.00pm), 43 Bromham Road, Bedford
More info: Jan Warnier, 01234 354366, e-mail

05/02/08 - Protecting Vulnerable Adults

This is for you if you work with groups of adults who: are older; have a disability or life limiting illness; experience mental health issues; suffer domestic violence; vulnerable in any other way; and you want to develop a policy and guidelines for their protection and safety

Delivered by: Voluntary and Community Action South Bedfordshire
Date/Time/Venue: 5 February, (10am to 4pm), Leighton Buzzard
More info: Chris Daniels, 01525 850559, e-mail, website

05/02/08 - Introduction to Diversity and Equality – Working towards Cultural Competence

This half day course covers the six strands of diversity in relation to domestic legislation and the Human Rights Act. It also serves as an introduction to our modular higher level Diversity & Equality training. The course covers:

• disability discrimination act
• race relations
• age legislation
• sexual orientation
• gender 
• faith (religion & belief)
• historical background
• reason for diversity & equality
• the six strands of diversity
• how to write policies and procedures in relation to current legislation.

Delivered by: Bedfordshire Rural Communities Charity
Date/Time/Venue: 5 February, (9.30am to 12.30pm), The Community Room, BRCC Offices, Cardington
More info: David Maxwell, Training Co-coordinator, 01767 626466, e-mail

Delivered by: Relate
Date/Time/Venue: Wednesday 6 February, (9.30am to 4.30pm), Luton
More Info: 01234 342503, e-mail

12/02/08 - Empowering the Voluntary Sector

The aim of the workshops is to equip voluntary and community sector organisations with the skills to negotiate effectively with public bodies on issues such as funding cuts, policy change consultation and local authority decisions concerning the provision of services.

Delivered by: Community and Voluntary Service Mid and North Bedfordshire
Date/Time/Venue: 12 February, 43 Bromham Road, Bedford
More info: Jan Warnier, 01234 354366, e-mail

19/02/08 – Social Enterprise Awareness Event

If you are involved with a voluntary organisation, community group or a charity this event endeavours to clear confusions around the term and get you thinking about how your group or charity activities fit with the social enterprise agenda.
The benefits are less reliance on grants and traditional funding, opportunities to form partnerships, ability to compete for local authority and other public sector contracts and a chance to develop and sell your organisation’s products and services.

Delivered by: Voluntary and Community Action South Bedfordshire
Time/Date/Venue: 19 February, (9.30am to 12.30pm), Leighton Buzzard
More info: Chris Daniels, 01525 850559, e-mail, website  

20/02/08 – Big Lottery Fund Funders Briefing

Aimed at voluntary organisations and community groups this briefing is based on the current programmes of the Big Lottery Fund and how to make a good application to the Lottery.
It will provide an opportunity for local groups to meet the funders and discuss the suitability of your project. 

Delivered by: Voluntary and Community Action South Bedfordshire
Time/Date/Venue: 20 February, (10am to 12.30pm), Leighton Buzzard
More info: Chris Daniels, 01525 850559, e-mail

21/02/08 – Time Management

This course is for you if;

• there are never enough hours in the day to complete all your important work tasks!
• you need help organising and prioritising your work schedule to be more effective.
• you would like the opportunity to reduce work pressure by changing work practices.
• you would appreciate the opportunity to take a step back and analyse your current work issues preventing you from meeting optimum performance.

Delivered by: Voluntary Action Luton
Date/Time/Venue: Thursday 17 January, (10.00am to 3.30pm), Luton
More info: Jennifer Saunders, 01582 733418, e-mail, website

26/02/08 - Health and Safety At Work

This workshop is about managing the overall health and safety process in your area of responsibility. It is intended to go beyond meeting health and safety legislation and move towards a situation where health and safety considerations are firmly embedded in the planning and decision making processes and the culture of your area of responsibility.

Delivered by: Voluntary and Community Action South Bedfordshire
Date/Time/Venue: 26 February, (10am to 4pm), Leighton Buzzard
More info: Chris Daniels, 01525 850559, e-mail, website

27/02/08 – Adopting a Social Enterprise Approach

A workshop to give participants the skills and knowledge necessary to consider whether their organisation wants or needs to make the move from grant dependency to self-sufficiency by taking a social enterprise approach.

Delivered by: Voluntary and Community Action South Bedfordshire
Date/Time/Venue: 27 February, (10am to 4pm), Leighton Buzzard
More info: Chris Daniels, 01525 850559, e-mail

27/02/08 - Criminal Records Bureau Checks

The majority of CRB forms that are returned to applicants with common errors are easily avoidable. This course is designed to enable those responsible for administering the CRB process, to minimise errors which will in turn avoid delays and additional costs. It is ideal for those responsible for ensuring that Criminal Records Bureau checks are undertaken for their staff and volunteers.

After completing this course you will be able to:

• gain a better understanding of the need for CRB disclosures and the correct levels of checking for different categories of work
• accurately complete CRB forms to the required standard
• gain a better understanding of why CRB checks form part of a recruitment process.
• use the correct procedures for confirming identity of applicants
• gain a better understanding of CRB policies and procedures in relation to umbrella body guidance and best practice
• identify common errors and causes for application forms to be returned.

Delivered by: Bedfordshire Rural Communities Charity
Date/Time/Venue: 27 February, (10.00am to 12.00pm), The Community Room, BRCC Offices, Cardington
More info: David Maxwell, Training Co-coordinator, 01767 626466, e-mail

Delivered by: Voluntary and Community Action South Bedfordshire
Date/Time/Venue: 28 February, (7pm to 9pm), Leighton Buzzard
More info: Chris Daniels, 01525 850559, e-mail

04/03/08 - Manual Handling

If, during your daily work tasks, you lift, carry or move objects you should know how to do this correctly to help prevent avoidable back injuries, sprains and strains. This workshop will cover this and also include employer/employees responsibilities under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974.

Delivered by: Voluntary and Community Action South Bedfordshire
Date/Time/Venue: 4 March, (10am to 1pm), Leighton Buzzard
More info: Chris Daniels, 01525 850559, e-mail, website

04/03/08 - Risk Assessment

This is for you if you want or need to know how to carry out a health and safety risk assessment in your workplace.
 
Delivered by: Voluntary and Community Action South Bedfordshire
Date/Time/Venue: 4 March, (2pm to 4pm), Leighton Buzzard
More info: Chris Daniels, 01525 850559, e-mail, website

06/03/08 – Reducing the Risks – a guide to trustee liabilities

A chance to find out what your legal responsibilities are as a trustee and how you can minimise any liabilities and risks to yourself and your organisation. This session is suitable for trustees and managers.

Delivered by: Voluntary and Community Action South Bedfordshire
Date/Time/Venue: 6 March, (7pm to 9pm), Leighton Buzzard
More info: Chris Daniels, 01525 850559, e-mail

11/03/08 and 18/03/08 – An Essential Guide to Involving Volunteers

This two day workshop is for organisations who are considering involving volunteers in their activities or services or for volunteer co-ordinators new to their role. 
It will give advice on how to manage volunteers and resources more effectively and assist you in developing a framework for planning future strategy and action. 
The workshop will teach you what to consider when planning volunteer involvement and give you a clearer grasp of management and identifiable procedures for involving volunteers.

Delivered by: Voluntary and Community Action South Bedfordshire
Date/Time/Venue: 11 March and 18/03/08, (10am to 4pm), Chalgrave
More info: Chris Daniels, 01525 850559, e-mail

11/03/08 – Trustee Recruitment

This is for trustees and managers. It will cover all stages in the process of attracting, recruiting and involving new committee members.

Delivered by: Voluntary and Community Action South Bedfordshire
Date/Time/Venue: 11 March, (7pm to 9pm), Leighton Buzzard
More info: Chris Daniels, 01525 850559, e-mail

11/03/08 – The Financial Management Conference 2008

This workshop covers the subject of managing finances in an enterprising Age; information and skills for a sustainable future. You are able to do two out of the four workshops available.

• The financial implications of working in collaboration
• Managing risk for new activities
• Investment: overview, update and spotlight on socially responsible investment
• Lawful earning – keeping on the right side of the Charity Commission

During the morning session they will be covering managing finances across the income spectrum and the afternoon session going beyond full cost recovery.

Delivered by: NCVO’s Sustainable Funding Project
Date/Time/Venue: 11 March, (9.30am to 5pm), London NW1
More info: Kat Smith, 020 7520 2519, e-mail
 
20/03/08 – Making a Successful Funding Application

This workshop is for anyone who may be involved in writing a funding bid. It will provide participants with an insightful look at the grant writing and awarding process, with information and tips on how to apply successfully.

Delivered by: Voluntary and Community Action South Bedfordshire
Date/Time/Venue: 20 March, (10am to 4pm), Leighton Buzzard
More info: Chris Daniels, 01525 850559, e-mail