Training

Compass Recovery College are commencing their free voluntary sector mental health and wellbeing training in January, these workshops are open access to staff, volunteers and befrienders alike. Throughout the pandemic volunteers and community groups have been vital in supporting those who need it, Compass recognises the importance of this work and wants to give back to those who do so much for others. The goal of this free training is to boost voluntary sector mental health and wellbeing knowledge and help those supporting others to take control of their own mental well-being.

We would like to continue developing this training based on the needs and interests of the voluntary and community sector. If you have any experiences or interests we can help with please contact Ashley at ashley.hitchman@reading.gov.uk to discuss future opportunities.

Self-care: In this wellbeing session we will use yoga tools and practices, such as breathing, movement and self-massage to care for ourselves. We will listen to our needs as supporters with kindness and begin to care for those needs as a priority both for ourselves and the people we support.

Registration: If you are interested in attending the above workshop please use this sign up form forms.office.com/r/G2XzCBvznz.

Compass Recovery College are commencing their free voluntary sector mental health and wellbeing training in January, these workshops are open access to staff, volunteers and befrienders alike. The goal of this free training is to boost voluntary sector mental health and wellbeing knowledge and help those supporting others to take control of their own mental well-being.

Professional boundaries: This session explores how voluntary sector staff and volunteers can set professional boundaries when working with mental health challenges. These boundaries can support our work and provide a safe and secure environment from which to work with our service users. These sessions will support us to be mindful of when it is appropriate to self-disclose, the danger of too much self-disclosure and the risks of transference and counter transference. The aim is to enable service users to take charge of their wellbeing by providing opportunities for growth and self-development.

We would like to continue developing this training based on the needs and interests of the voluntary and community sector. If you have any experiences or interests we can help with please contact Ashley at ashley.hitchman@reading.gov.uk to discuss future opportunities.

If you are interested in attending the above workshop please register here: forms.office.com/r/G2XzCBvznz.

The Cranfield Trust are offering a free introductory webinar on Problem Tree Analysis and the Theory of Change to charity trustees, managers and leaders.

We all face problems trying to achieve our organisational goals, big and small. But how do you tackle them? What strategy is likely to be most successful? If a problem seems too large or complex to handle, where do you start looking for solutions?

Solving problems isn’t always easy. It can be difficult to understand the root causes of a problem and how they impact different parts of your organisation. But with a clearer understanding of what’s causing the problem, you can start to form a theory of change.

This is a 1-hour introductory webinar, you will learn practical techniques and tools to help you with your strategy, decision-making, monitoring and evaluation, as well as communication, so you can see the big picture—and make decisions with confidence.

You will build knowledge on:

• Exploring and articulating problems, their causes and effects by using problem tree analyses;
• The basics of what is meant by a theory of change;
• The different shapes it can take;
• The process of developing one and pitfalls to avoid;
• Choosing an approach that works for you.

Book your place with the Cranfield Trust directly through this link.

Berkshire Vision offer a training session on Sight Loss and Eye Health, which is now open to the general public. This takes the form of an informative video by our Trustee, Jane Veys, an Optometrist and an opportunity for any comments afterwards.

The training lasts approximately 45 minutes and is free. Book onto this session by emailing volunteering@berkshirevision.org.uk.

A flyer for this training can be downloaded here.

Getting on Board is offering affordable onboarding induction training for newly appointed trustees on various dates in 2022. Sessions will take place online and they are offered at a very affordable rate of £10 per session.

Details of the session from Getting on Board
In this one hour session, we’ll take you through your trustee duties in a clear and engaging way. There will be a chance to ask questions and we’ll signpost you to further support. This session is also suitable as a refresher for existing trustees.

By the end of this introductory webinar you will understand:

• The role of a trustee
• The main duties and responsibilities of a trustee
• How to carry out your trusteeship duties effectively

2022 dates:

• Wednesday 16 March, 17:30-18:30
• Wednesday 27 April, 17:30-18:30
• Wednesday 18 May, 17:30-18:30

Please register online at www.eventbrite.co.uk to book your place or email info@gettingonboard.org.

Further support from RVA

• RVA free Advice Service for 1:1 confidential advice on legal and governance matters, including advice on trustee roles and responsibilities. Please email advice@rva.org.uk or telephone us on 0118 937 2273.
• RVA Knowledge Base, which has a wealth of resources on trusteeship and governance that you can browse at your convenience.

Our free course will prepare you for job applications in the digital age and help you upskill for work itself. Running from 21 March, Mondays and Wednesdays, for 6 weeks, with a 2-week Easter break. Learn new skills, gain confidence, write a brilliant CV.

We are a small charity in Reading and our online course is for anyone struggling with barriers to employment in Berkshire. We support people with disabilities, learning difficulties, gaps in their CV, for example. So if you feel that applying for work is a struggle and that you need support then get in touch, we are happy to answer any questions that you have.

Join us for help with your CV, we will teach you how to think about your strengths and weaknesses and put your best foot forward with renewed confidence. Lessons in Word, Excel and further to help you get work when every job has an element of it where technology is used.

With some homework each week, the course is either online or if you have no access to the internet, at our office in Reading centre. Our mantra is for you to ‘know yourself’, you will be more prepared for job searching and interviews no matter your barrier to employment.

For more information or to sign up please contact Graft Thames Valley using the details below.

Contact details
Email: info@graft.org.uk
Phone: 01183 805950

Berkshire Vision offer a training session on Sight Loss and Eye Health, which is now open to the general public. This takes the form of an informative video by our Trustee, Jane Veys, an Optometrist and an opportunity for any comments afterwards.

The training lasts approximately 45 minutes and is free. Book onto this session by emailing volunteering@berkshirevision.org.uk.

A flyer for this training can be downloaded here.

Getting on Board is offering affordable onboarding induction training for newly appointed trustees on various dates in 2022. Sessions will take place online and are free to attend with an option to make a donation of your choice at checkout.

Details of the session from Getting on Board
In this one hour session, we’ll take you through your trustee duties in a clear and engaging way. There will be a chance to ask questions and we’ll signpost you to further support. This session is also suitable as a refresher for existing trustees.

By the end of this introductory webinar you will understand:

• The role of a trustee
• The main duties and responsibilities of a trustee
• How to carry out your trusteeship duties effectively

Please register online at www.eventbrite.co.uk to book your place or email info@gettingonboard.org.

Getting on Board is offering affordable onboarding induction training for newly appointed trustees on various dates in 2022. Sessions will take place online and are free to attend with an option to make a donation of your choice at checkout.

Details of the session from Getting on Board
In this one hour session, we’ll take you through your trustee duties in a clear and engaging way. There will be a chance to ask questions and we’ll signpost you to further support. This session is also suitable as a refresher for existing trustees.

By the end of this introductory webinar you will understand:

• The role of a trustee
• The main duties and responsibilities of a trustee
• How to carry out your trusteeship duties effectively

Please register online at www.eventbrite.co.uk to book your place or email info@gettingonboard.org.

The GDPR expects organisations to keep their teams up to date with best practice for compliance with the regulations. Keeping the GDPR front of mind is essential and made even more relevant as changes take place to ways of working, communication and technology.

This session is ideal as a ‘refresher’ or part of annual training for people who already have a baseline knowledge of the GDPR. It explains the practical implications of processing personal data as part of your everyday role, and understanding the risks with handling and storing personal data.

Learning Outcomes:

• An explanation of what is personal data and special categories of personal data that voluntary sectors organisations typically.
• An Introduction to the principles of the GDPR, providing relevant examples.
• An explanation of how voluntary sector organisations can demonstrate that they are being fair, lawful and transparent with the personal data they are processing.
• An explanation of what needs to be considered when the person whose data you want to collect needs to give their consent.
• An explanation of when a voluntary sector organisation can rely upon legitimate interests for processing personal data.
• How to understand and respect the rights of the person whose data you are collecting, in particular how to respond to requests.
• What operational and technical security measures you need to follow when processing personal data, including working remotely.
• How to keep personal data safe and secure, including good password management, identifying phishing scams, how to delete/shred data.
• The importance of data protection impact assessments when introducing a new system into the organisation.
• How and when to report a personal data breach.

Who should attend: Anyone who works or volunteers in a charity or community group who processes the personal data of others. You might be a volunteer, staff member or trustee.

Cost: RVA has partnered with Databasix to offer subsidised training to those working or volunteering for charities and community groups in Reading. The session is £18.00 per person. This offer is restricted to groups in Reading.

Please book online at www.eventbrite.co.uk, or contact asha.mehboob@rva.org.uk for further information and to book your place.

Are you a school, charity or Non-profit?

Connect Reading are proud to announce a new partnership with WhatImpact making social value partnerships and match-making much easier than before.

Whatimpact is the social value platform that:

• Connects your organisation with companies and grantmakers aligned with your cause and goals.
• Provides transparent data on the impact made, validating your efforts and helping you to find new donors for future projects.
• Streamlines grant applications to alleviate the burden of paperwork.
• Generates project video greetings which you can share publicly to increase awareness of your work.

WhatImpact will be taking you through the platform, showing you just how easy grant-giving can be and how to bring social value into the everyday of your organisation.

Please register online at: www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/pitch-your-ask-with-whatimpact