Voluntary Sector Training Alliance
Supporting the voluntary sector
The Volunteer Centre West Berkshire and Connecting Communities Berkshire have partnered together to provide a training resource for the voluntary sector in West Berkshire.
Training isn’t always about developing new skills, our workshops will help you to better understand problems you may be having and will support you with planning and implementing solutions to them. Please contact Rachel or Tim to discuss further.
If your training need is not being met please let us know what course you are looking for. Please fill out this form to let us know your training needs.
Local West Berkshire Training
Fundraising Workshop - broaden your range of fundraising approaches
Tuesday 29th September 2026, 10.30 am - 12.30pm
Online
We will explore Online fundraising platforms, Crowdfunding, Direct appeals to local philanthropists, and village lotteries .
Aim
To broaden trustees' fundraising knowledge and confidence by exploring a wider range of fundraising opportunities.
Description
Looking for new ways to fund your community building or village hall project? This practical session introduces a range of often underused but highly effective fundraising approaches. Hear from expert speakers on online fundraising platforms, crowdfunding campaigns, village lotteries, and how to successfully engage local philanthropists and supporters. Discover fresh ideas, real-life examples, and practical tips that could unlock new income streams for your organisation.
Speakers
- Emma (easyfundraising) – Generating unrestricted income through online shopping donations
- David Jennings, Chaddleworth Village Hall – Village Lotteries: how local lotteries can benefit community organisations
- Kate Meads, CCB – Crowdfunding and approaching local philanthropists
Outcomes By the end of the session, trustees will:
- Have a broader understanding of fundraising opportunities available to community buildings and village halls.
- Be more confident in exploring alternative income streams.
- Understand how crowdfunding, online fundraising platforms, village lotteries and philanthropic giving can support their projects.
- Leave with practical ideas to diversify their fundraising efforts.
Hallmark Level 2
Tuesday 3rd November 2026, 7.00 pm - 8.30 pm
Online
Level 2 focuses on health, safety, security and licences for halls that have already achieved their Level 1.
Aim
To help trustees strengthen their hall's management by embedding best practice in health and safety, security, compliance and licensing.
Description
Building on the strong foundations established through Hallmark 1, this session focuses on the practical steps trustees can take to ensure their hall remains safe, secure, compliant and welcoming for everyone who uses it. We will explore recognised good practice, review common policies and procedures, and highlight opportunities for continuous improvement. Achieving Hallmark 2 demonstrates a commitment to high standards of management and provides valuable recognition of your hall's quality and resilience.
Outcomes
By the end of this session, trustees will:
- Understand best practice in health and safety, security, safeguarding and licensing.
- Identify opportunities to strengthen existing policies, procedures and day-to-day management practices.
- Be better equipped to maintain a safe, well-managed and welcoming community facility.
- Understand the requirements and benefits of achieving Hallmark 2 accreditation.
- Gain recognition for meeting good standards of hall management, helping to enhance their hall's reputation, resilience and community confidence.
Insurance Compliance, valuations & navigating your policies
Wednesday 7th December 2026, 11.00 am - 12.30 pm
Brimpton Village Hall
Overview
Free upcoming Safeguarding Training
3rd September 9.30am for 3 hours at Shaw House - Safeguarding Training for the VCS
18th November 1.30pm for 3 hours at Shaw House - Safeguarding Training for the VCS
12th January 9.30am for 3 hours at Shaw House - Safeguarding Training for the VCS
17th March 9.30am for 3 hours at Shaw House - Safeguarding Training for the VCS
If anyone would like to book on please can they email Rhys at rhys.lewis@westberks.gov.uk to be added to the their chosen date.
The online help sessions will take place every 3rd Monday of each month with hourly sessions starting from 11am and ending at 3pm.
Individual one-to-one sessions are also available online or by telephone at other times.
Individuals who wish to participate in the help sessions need to e-mail to book a place and a time
help@s-b-s.org.uk or telephone 0800 7720723
have funding through West Berkshire Council to support adults (19+) to achieve English and Maths functional skills.
There is no cost and the funding is based on the individual, not an employer – so it is open to all in West Berkshire.
Family Transitions Triple P parenting course
This group assists parents who need extra support to adjust and manage the transition from a two-parent family to a single-parent family. It focuses on skills to resolve conflicts with former partners and how to cope positively with stress. Groups are run monthly.
To book your place, please call or email : 01635 503090 RPC@westberks.gov.uk
At Risk
Programme
The At Risk Programme (ARP) is a fire safety guide for those involved in the care of the community. It lays down the minimum recommendations for the protection of residents who are at risk from fire. As part of the partnership approach Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service can supply the following resources to support agency partners, families and the end user.
This training package is designed to enable you to work with Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service to protect vulnerable residents living in the community from the risks of fire. It has been designed for use by anyone that supports residents of Berkshire The aims of the At Risk Programme the increased risk of fire to vulnerable residents living in the community Who is more at risk The protection measures and additional equipment that is available When to make a referral to the Fire Service How to make a referral to the Fire Service To book onto one of upcoming At Risk courses, please follow the link Sign up for the At Risk Programme.
To find out more about the courses or book yourself and members of your organisation on to one of the training programmes, contact the Prevention Team at prevention@rbfrs.co.uk.
Stroke: Early Recognition and Emergency Treatment public talk
This talk explores the critical early stages of stroke care, from recognising the warning signs to delivering life-saving emergency treatment. Learn how rapid identification and prehospital care can significantly improve outcomes, followed by an overview of hospital-based interventions including thrombolysis, thrombectomy, and specialist stroke unit care.
Agenda:
6:30 CPR and defib demonstrations - Foyer 3, Academic Centre
7:00 Welcome and introduction: Damian Haywood, Oxford City Public Governor, Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
7:10 Professor Gary A Ford, CBE, FMedSci
7:20 Dr Kirubananthan Nagaratnam
7:40 Q&A
8:00 End
To find out more and book:
Email: ouhmembers@ouh.nhs.uk
Telephone: 01865 231472
National Trainings
The Centre for Voluntary Sector Leadership (CVSL), an Academic Centre of Excellence in the OU Business School. It provides learning opportunities and resources to help you develop and strengthen your leadership practice in the voluntary sector.
Courses include:
Developing leadership practice in voluntary organisations
Level 1: Introductory Free Course 15 hours study
This course provides an opportunity for people who work within voluntary organisations, as paid employees or staff, to develop energetic, practical and thoughtful leadership practice.
Collaborative leadership in voluntary organisations
Level 1: Introductory Free Course 24 hours study
This course will help you to reflect on and develop collaborative leadership practices that will make a difference. It is aimed at people who work within voluntary organisations as paid staff or as volunteers, or for people who work regularly with voluntary organisations, such as public sector staff or politicians.
Involving Volunteers
Level 1: Introductory 14 hours study
This short course on volunteering has been developed by Volunteer Scotland and the Centre for Voluntary Sector Leadership (CVSL) and the main driving spirit comes from the volunteer’s perspective. The course is about the essential things you need to consider to ensure a positive experience for individuals engaging in volunteering.
Free Safeguarding Awareness Training for Workers
Who Enter People's Homes
Free Safeguarding Awareness Training for Workers
Who Enter People's Homes
Recognise the signs of possible abuse and neglect in homes you visit and help keep children safe
Do you know how to recognise the possible signs of child abuse and neglect?
Every day, thousands of children and young people are normally seen by lots of different adults like family members outside of the home, teachers, health and social workers and neighbours.
Due to COVID-19 and social distancing measures, children and young people are spending much more time at home and we know isolation can put some children at a greater risk of abuse and neglect.
Postal workers, delivery drivers and workers who regularly visit homes are well placed to spot any emerging safeguarding concerns or signs of possible abuse and neglect.
To support you, we're temporarily making our paid-for online safeguarding course (It's your call) free for you to access.