Equipping charitable organisations across North Herts and Stevenage with the tools to thrive is at the heart of everything at North Herts & Stevenage CVS.

As well as expert advice from our Community Capacity Builder, Andy Nazer - charities, social enterprises, community and faith groups across our community can access a whole host of support to aid the set up and running of their charitable project.

Listening to the needs of those working in the charity sector is vital for us in understanding exactly how we can help. And our new training program aims to address specific areas of interest and knowledge gaps, highlighted to us through recent surveys and focus groups.

April sees the launch of our 2024 training programme, with an introduction to Safeguarding for children and adults on April 22. The wide range of two-hour long workshops will be held both in-person and online and are aimed at those working in the charity sector; for people and organisations who work to benefit the lives of those living in North Herts and Stevenage.

Educating on topic areas we’ve been told are barriers to success, the courses will be delivered by both internal experts and external partners experienced in their field. The sessions also enable local organisations to meet likeminded people and to build stronger bonds and connections.

North Herts and Stevenage CVS CEO Hannah Gray says: "The need for useful and informative training has never been more vital.

"As the charity sector faces a volunteer recruitment crisis and diminished funding, our work to encourage, help and support in the great work they do has never been more needed. Our aim is for attendees completing a training session to feel uplifted, inspired and knowledgeable about their next steps."

Training courses to be delivered this year include; Introduction to Writing Funding Applications, Charity Finance Essentials for Beginners, Volunteer Leadership: Volunteers and the Law and Building Successful Purchase Tenders. The program will also deliver training in areas covering governance, marketing and sustainability.

Safeguarding Essentials is just one of the workshops taking place in our Hitchin office this April. Hosted by our very own Clare Bernardin, up to 10 attendees will learn how to recognise signs of abuse, fear or neglect, the tools to communicate with those vulnerable and how to report and record safeguarding concerns.

For more information and to register, go to nhcvs.org.uk, email info@nhcvs.org.uk or call 01462 689400.