Training

  • Mon
    08
    Jan
    2018
    14:00 - 17:00Reading Voluntary Action

    Third Floor, Reading Central Library, Abbey Square, Reading RG1 3BQ

    The purpose of this session is to prepare a group of volunteer focus group facilitators to run focus groups so we can gain a greater understanding into how people experience loneliness. The information will help us work with local voluntary sector organisations to meet the needs of residents in Reading who are lonely and socially isolated.

    If you would like to take part as a volunteer focus group facilitator then the training is free. If you are interested in the training but do not want to help out with the focus groups, we can keep you on a waiting list and offer spaces that are available closer to the time.

    The training will cover
    -What is a focus group and what can it be used for?
    -Structure of focus groups
    -Types of questions
    -Creating an environment that encourages people to speak
    -Flexibility and structure – when to stick to plan and when to deviate
    -Set up and administration of your focus group

    The training is targeted at people who are used to working with groups and leading group activity and we will ask participants to demonstrate a level of experience before offering a place on the training.

    Please email ready.friends@rva.org.uk to express interest in the workshop.

  • Thu
    08
    Mar
    2018
    10:15 - 13:15Reading Voluntary Action

    Third Floor, Reading Central Library, Abbey Square, Reading RG1 3BQ

    If you are new to the role of treasurer, have done it for a while but would like to be sure you’re doing the right thing, or would like to find out more about being a treasurer this course is for you.

    Aims of the workshop
    -To build understanding of the role of a treasurer in a small voluntary organisation
    -To ensure the ability to deal with the specifics of the finances of a small voluntary organisation
    -To leave the workshop confident about the issues that are likely to face the treasurer of a small organisation

    Learning outcomes
    The content covered will be tailored depending on the needs of delegates on the day. However typically attendees will:
    -Understand their financial responsibilities as trustees
    -Understand the particular requirements for the accounts of a small voluntary organisation
    -Be aware of corporate governance issues facing small voluntary organisations
    -Be ready to resolve issues with record keeping and know where to get help if they need it
    -Be able to determine if the organisation they volunteer with needs an audit or independent examination of their accounts

    The workshop will be open to up to 12 delegates. It will be aimed primarily at new volunteers who wish to act as treasurers in Reading’s voluntary sector.

    The course is at our reduced rate of £40 for Reading-based charities and community groups. There are a limited number of FREE places for RNN members using the usual promotional code - please contact us at info@rgneighbours.net if you need this code.

    Please register at www.eventbrite.co.uk.

  • Mon
    26
    Mar
    2018
    09:30 - 13:00Gateley PLC

    The Blade, Reading RG1 3BE

    Making Every Contact Count (MECC) is an approach to behaviour change that utilises the millions of day-to-day interactions that organisations and individuals have with other people to support them in making positive changes to their physical and mental health and wellbeing. If you or your team works directly with members of the public, MECC could help you make a bigger difference to the residents you serve.

    Reading Borough Council are offering a free training session on MECC, specifically for voluntary sector partners and volunteers who are in contact with members of the public. This interactive session will help you to develop practical skills to reduce loneliness, support people to stay well and to enjoy healthier, happier lives.

    Please arrive 15 minutes before the start time for registration and refreshments. RSVP to Michelle.berry@reading.gov.uk or Suzie.watt@reading.gov.uk to secure your place. A maximum of 18 places are available.

  • Tue
    10
    Apr
    2018
    18:00 - 21:00Reading Voluntary Action

    Third Floor, Reading Central Library, Abbey Square, Reading RG1 3BQ

    RVA and Barnabas Fellowship of Churches are holding another workshop for voluntary sector groups in Reading on the Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS).

    The workshop will cover:
    -Background and policy context
    -Regulated Activity and the role
    -Levels of DBS disclosure
    -Completing the DBS form
    -Organisational processes and the update service
    -Working with individuals with unspent convictions
    -Responsibilities and liabilities
    -Help, support and advice available

    Who should attend? This course is for anyone who works or volunteers for a voluntary and community group and is responsible for processing DBS checks, or supervises or manages others. It is also useful for Trustees and Managers of charity's to gain an overview of the DBS system to inform their safeguarding procedures.

    Cost: The course is free but please register at www.eventbrite.co.uk to confirm your place. If you are unable to attend, please cancel within 5 working days to enable someone else to attend.

  • Wed
    02
    May
    2018
    11:00 - 16:15Green Park

    100 Longwater Avenue, Green Park, Reading RG2 6GP

    The Equality and Human Rights Framework is a free digital toolkit and learning programme for voluntary and community sector (VCS) organisations. It’s been designed by the Equality and Diversity Forum (EDF) to help organisations explore how equality and human rights can help achieve your core purpose, and how you can integrate equality and human rights into your work.

    The learning programme combines three training workshops with online resources and a webinar to make it easy for you to participate. It aims to support community groups and organisations understand how to use the Equality and Human Rights Framework to make a difference. It provides topic overviews, addresses key themes identified by VCS organisations, and gives you the opportunity to explore how you could apply the learning to your own organisation’s work in a supportive context.

    The three learning programme workshops are coming to Green Park on 2 May (full day) and 11 June (2 half day workshops). The workshops are free (with a £50 refundable deposit) and the deadline for registration is 27 April 2018.

    For more information about the learning programme workshops see the EDF website at www.edf.org.uk.

    Click here to Register

  • Tue
    15
    May
    2018
    10:00 - 12:00Reading Deaf Centre

    131-133 Cardiff Road, Reading RG1 8JF

    Deaf Awareness Week is an opportunity to celebrate deaf culture and raise awareness that over 11 million people in the UK (1 in 6) are deaf or have a hearing loss.

    Reading Deaf Centre are marking the importance of this celebration by holding a free Deaf Awareness Course on 15 May 2018, between 10:00 and 12:00.

    This course will give some helpful tips and advice on how to communicate with someone who is deaf or has hearing loss, information on technology, and the opportunity to learn some simple British Sign Language.

    To book your place please email: info@readingdeafcentre.co.uk or call Bernie Prizeman on 01189 594969 (Tuesday, Thursday and Friday 9:30 – 15:30).

  • Tue
    24
    Jul
    2018
    10:15 - 13:15Reading Central Library

    Third Floor, Abbey Square, Reading RG1 3BQ

    All charities, voluntary and community groups have a duty to keep their service users safe from harm. As most charities and community groups run through the hard work and dedication of volunteers, it is important that volunteers as well as paid staff receive basic safeguarding training.

    This course will cover

    • Basic information on Child Protection and Safeguarding Children and Young People
    • Types of abuse, including child trafficking, child sexual exploitation and FGM
    • How to recognise abuse: the signs and symptons
    • What to do when you recognise abuse: the referral process
    • The importance of a multi-agency approach in safeguarding children and young people
    • Safe practice

    Who should attend: Anyone who works or volunteers with a charity, community or voluntary sector group in Reading whose work or volunteering brings them into contact with children or young people in whatever circumstances, whether they are new to the role or require a refresher.

    The trainer: These sessions are hosted by RVA and will be delivered by approved Safeguarding Trainers, who have received training via Reading Borough Council, Safeguarding Children Services.

    Please book online at www.eventbrite.co.uk. The cost is £10 per person and includes refreshments and handouts.

  • Thu
    20
    Sep
    2018
    10:15 - 13:15Reading Voluntary Action

    Third Floor, Reading Central Library, Abbey Square, Reading RG1 3BQ

    If you are new to the role of treasurer for a charity, if you would like a refresher of the role, or if you would simply like to find out more about being a treasurer, this course is for you. If you aren’t yet volunteering as a treasurer but would like to, RVA can then help place you with an organisation to put your new skills into practice

    Aims of the workshop

    • To build an understanding of the role of a treasurer in a small voluntary organization
    • To ensure the ability to deal with the specifics of the finances of a small voluntary organization
    • To give confidence about the issues that are likely to be faced by a treasurer of a small voluntary organisation

    Learning outcomes - The content covered will be tailored depending on the needs of delegates on the day. However typically attendees will:

    • Understand their financial responsibilities as trustees
    • Understand the particular requirements for the accounts of a small voluntary organisation
    • Be aware of corporate governance issues facing small voluntary organisations
    • Be ready to resolve issues with record keeping and know where to get help if they need it
    • Be able to determine if the organisation they volunteer with needs an audit or independent examination of their accounts

    The workshop will be open to up to 12 delegates. It will be aimed primarily at new volunteers who wish to act as treasurers in Reading’s voluntary sector, but will also be suitable for volunteers who are stepping up to the role of treasurer.

    The course is at our reduced rate of £50 for Reading based charities and community groups. There are a limited number of FREE places for RNN members using the usual promotional code - please contact us at info@rgneighbours.net if you need this code.

    Please register at www.eventbrite.co.uk.

  • Tue
    16
    Oct
    2018
    18:00 – 21:00Reading Voluntary Action

    Third Floor, Reading Central Library, Abbey Square, Reading RG1 3BQ

    Trustees play an essential role in our society, making our charity sector work. It’s a hugely rewarding role but it’s not always easy to get all the information you require to be sure you are carrying out your role as effectively as possible. This training will help give you an overview of what’s expected of trustees as well as providing a networking opportunity with your fellow trustees from the area.

    The areas covered will include:
    -Basic structure of a voluntary organisation
    -Trustee duties and liability
    -Trustee Roles
    -Choosing/understanding your organisation’s structure
    -Your constitution
    -Reporting
    -Organisational policies

    The training is suitable for new and existing trustees and will also give a valuable introduction to anyone thinking of taking on the role. You will leave with an improved knowledge of what the position entails along with how to limit any liability you might face.

    Register at www.eventbrite.co.uk to confirm your place.

  • Thu
    08
    Nov
    2018
    10:15 - 13:00The Barn

    Purley Lane, Reading RG8 8AT

    Don’t miss this fantastic training opportunity and networking event for volunteers and groups that run community buildings and village halls in Berkshire.

    With funding cuts and a huge squeeze on resources the Community Council for Berkshire are very fortunate to have secured the offer of Fire Safety training and Fire Risk assessment advice from the Royal Berkshire Fire & Rescue Service on Thursday 8 November at The Barn, Purley on Thames from 10:00.

    The training will cover:

    • Practical session on Risk Assessing your community building
    • National guidance in Fire Safety Risk Assessment – Small and Medium Places of Assembly.
    • Using community buildings as Emergency Rest Centres
    • Emergency Rest Centre – case study – what happened when our facility was used during an emergency
    • Focus on maximum occupancy
    • Opportunity to put Q&As to the Royal Berkshire Fire & Rescue

     

    Cost: The training session costs £10, please book your place online at https://ccb2017.wordpress.com

    This training is supported by West Berkshire Council Adult Community Learning.

  • Sat
    17
    Nov
    2018
    09:30 - 12:30New Directions South Reading

    All charities, voluntary and community groups have a duty to keep their service users safe from harm. As most charities and community groups run through the hard work and dedication of volunteers, it is important that volunteers as well as paid staff receive basic safeguarding training. This course is for anyone whose work or volunteering brings them into contact with children or young people.

    This course will cover:

    • Basic information on Child Protection and Safeguarding
    • Types of abuse
    • Signs and symptons of abuse
    • The referral process
    • The multi-agency approach
    • Safe practice

    At the end of the session you will:

    • Understand the importance of Child Protection and your role within it.
    • Have improved understanding of signs and indicators of abuse.
    • Understand local Child Protection procedures and what to do if you are concerned about abuse.
    • Be clear about sharing information with others.
    • Have developed confidence in dealing with Child Protection issues appropriately.

    How to book: This course is free of charge.

    Please register online by completing the application form at www.reading.gov.uk/safeguardingchildren to confirm your place.

  • Tue
    04
    Dec
    2018
    18:00 - 21:00Reading Voluntary Action

    Third Floor, Reading Central Library, Abbey Square, Reading RG1 3BQ

    RVA and Barnabas Fellowship of Churches are co-delivering this workshop for voluntary sector groups in Reading on the Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS), previously CRB. This is a practical workshop and you will have the opportunity to apply what you have learnt.

    The workshop will cover:

    • Background and policy context
    • Regulated Activity and the role
    • Levels of DBS disclosure
    • Completing the DBS form
    • Organisational processes and the update service
    • Working with individuals with unspent convictions
    • Responsibilities and liabilities
    • Help, support and advice available

    Who should attend? This course is for anyone who works or volunteers for a voluntary and community group and is responsible for processing DBS checks, or supervises or manages others. It is also useful for Trustees and Managers of charity’s to gain an overview of the DBS system to inform their Safeguarding Procedures.

    Cost: Please book online at www.eventbrite.co.uk. The cost is £10 per person.