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Introduction

There are a number of specialist training organisations (as well as individual trainers) working in the sector. One of the advantages of using these is that their courses are often very valuable ways of making contact with others, with similar interests and problems. The trainers may also offer participants the chance to contact them on real life 'on the job' issues after the course - why not ask!

Those listed below are generally providing 'stand alone' training, without a vested interest in selling you something else alongside. We have separated out those which are also interested in providing consultancy or do training as a spin-off.

Also check locally - many CVS, Community Accountancy Projects and some local councils provide basic training for community organisations and others. See Local Contacts, and not just those where we have mentioned course availability.

Short courses - key players

• Directory of Social Change A comprehensive range of training courses covering most issues that are on VolResource, and also fundraising. Most are held in London at the Charity Centre, with the more popular also run regionally (by the Liverpool office).
  London: 24 Stephenson Way, London, NW1 2DP. Phone 020 7209 4949, email: training@dsc.org.uk
  Liverpool: Federation House, Hope Street, Liverpool, L1 9BW. Phone 0151 708 0117, email: north@dsc.org.uk

• The Management Centre Provides a wide range of management and fundraising training, in-house courses and consultancy for the not-for-profit sector. Blue Jay Works, 117 Gauden Road, London, SW4 6LE, phone 020 7978 1516, email: c.norton@managementcentre.co.uk

• NCVO Mainly conferences and seminars. Regent's Wharf, 8 All Saints Street, London, N1 9RL. Phone 020 7713 6161.

• Northern Ireland CVA Phone 028 9087 7777, email: training@nicva.org

• Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations A good selection of short courses, plus other training services - our link takes you to the Learning and Development front page. The Mansfield Traquair Centre, 15 Mansfield Place, Edinburgh, EH3 6BB, phone 0131 556 3882, email: enquiries@scvo.org.uk

• The Centre for Strategy and Communication "We help public sector and non profit organisations transform the way they communicate". Courses in Media and Communication, Leadership and Management, Administration. 140 Old Street, London, EC1V 9BJ, phone 020 7490 3030, email: info@the-centre.co.uk

• Wales Council for Voluntary Action Phone 029 2043 1721 (Wendy Gilbert), email: enquiries@wcva.org.uk

Regional/local

Many regional and local voluntary sector infrastructure bodies such as CVS run some sector-specific training courses - see Local Contacts. The quality can vary greatly, especially if delivered by their own staff.

• London Voluntary Service Council Various management and other courses. From 2010, delivered in partnership with Happy Ltd (best known for computer training).

• Greater Manchester Centre for Voluntary Organisation Range of both accredited and non-accredited training on management, business development, development for trainers and assessors, Supporting People training. Contact Training Centre Coordinator, phone 0161 277 1019/1009, email: ben.warren@gmcvo.org.uk

• Voluntary Sector Training operates in partnership with local CVSs to offer training to charities and voluntary groups in Essex.

• Working Together Project provides training to charities, community groups, social enterprises and the public sector in Sussex.

Other Suppliers

Note: those with clear and relevant web sites are more likely to get a listing here!

• AM Training has a volunteer management speciality.

• Advocacy Resource Exchange runs a range of courses to support independent advocacy schemes for disabled and disadvantaged people in England and Wales.

• Age UK (was Age Concern) Runs "short open and in-house courses to people currently engaged in the care sector" including Management Skills, Basic Welfare Benefits etc. After merger (2010) training info still to appear online - check Professionals section.

• BHT Training A spin-off from a Sussex homelessness charity, offering a range of courses for similar/local organisations - from front-line issues to management and IT.

• Careers for a Cause Leadership and management development courses for early career managers of charities.

• CILIP (Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals). Management skills as well as more specific courses such as 'How to set up a library or information and resource centre'. 7 Ridgmount Street, London, WC1E 7AE, phone 020 7255 0560, email: training@cilip.org.uk

• Clinks Courses for voluntary organisations that work with offenders and their families.

• Clore Leadership Trust aims to train and develop leaders for the cultural and charity sector.

• Communique Bid writing, fundraising, presentation skills, public speaking, management and personal development courses specifically for the voluntary sector, plus short courses in central Birmingham. Phone 01384 895633, email: Lindacressey@aol.com

• Community Development Foundation provides 1 and 2 day courses for managers and experienced practitioners working in the fields of Regeneration, Capacity Building, Social Inclusion, on such topics as Engaging Communities, Sustainable Communities, Local Strategic Partnerships. Training Queries, 73 Churchgate, Leicester, LE1 3AN, phone 0116 262 2110, email: midlands@cdf.org.uk

• Community Matters. Training for community organisations managing community buildings.

• Cultural Industries Development Agency provides a range of professional development workshops for those working in arts or cultural organisations. Based in East London (courses may be free to those in their area). Phone 020 7247 4710, email: events@cida.co.uk

• deafPLUS 'Deaf Awareness', 'Total Communication' and 'Sign Language and Communication Skills' course for those working with the public. Also fully accessible training to deaf people on a variety of topics including 'NEBS Management Training'. See web site for regional office contacts.

• Environmental Trainers Network run a varied training programme. Subject areas include Working with Communities; Supervision, Management and Safety; Fundraising. Phone 0121 358 2155, email: ETN@unite.net

• Federation for Community Development Learning Skills for Change Community Development Training Programme.

• Fircroft College Short residential courses for Voluntary Sector take place at Fircroft College of Adult Education, set in six acres of attractive gardens and grounds in Selly Oak, Birmingham.

• Get Connected Community Interest Company in Hertfordshire providing workshops on areas such as diversity, environment, ethical trading and community engagement.

• The Glass House offers design courses, advice and support to tenants, residents and professionals working in neighbourhoods undergoing change and renewal. Courses held at Trafford Hall, Chester.

• Greater London Enterprise (GLE) provides training focused on organisations delivering publicly funded projects.

• Henry Stewart Conference Studies has a division providing briefings, conferences and training for the non-profit sector. Phone 020 7404 3040.

• Hillcroft College, based in Surbiton, runs residential courses for women including Community Leadership and Capacity Building.

• Homeless Link provides training in key frontline skills to those working directly with homeless people, with short courses at venues in London, Manchester and Leeds, as well as tailored in-house training.

• Housing Rights Service Northern Ireland.

• Inclusion (Centre for Economic and Social Inclusion). As well as course on their core area (benefits, regeneration etc) some organisational stuff too.

• Institute of Fundraising 'Developed by Fundraisers for Fundraisers'. Market Towers, 1 Nine Elms Lane, London, SW8, phone 020 7978 2768.

• Interchange Training Some good organisational management courses. Hampstead Town Hall Centre, 213 Haverstock Hill, London, NW3 4QP, phone 020 7692 5800, email: training@interchange.org.uk

• LEAP Confronting Conflict"addresses issues of conflict, violence and mediation in the lives of young people and those who work with them". Some training course titles: Setting Up a Peer Training Programme, Young Men and Anger, Facilitating Confronting Conflict Work. London.

• Legal Services Agency Seminars on homelessness and the law, education law etc. Based in Glasgow and Edinburgh.

• Levelheaded Based in London's docklands.

• Relate Northern Ireland Short and fully accredited courses include relationship education; counselling skills; personal and emotional development; pre-marriage; pre-retirement; coping with transitions etc. Relate N.I, 76 Dublin Road, Belfast, BT2 7HP, phone 028 9023454, email: info@relateni.org

• Seeds for Change providing free training on all aspects of campaigning work for grassroots groups involved in Environmental and Social Justice issues.

• Shelter Training Inhouse or public programmes (central London, Manchester and York). Course topic include: Housing Aid and Advice; Housing Law and Rights to Housing; Homelessness; Arrears, Benefits and Welfare Rights; Court Proceedings; Working with Clients; Communication and Inter-personal Skills; Management and Supervision. From £85 per day, phone 020 7490 6720.

• Telephone Helplines Association Full programme of open courses across the UK and Ireland for helpline volunteers, staff and managers. Phone 0845 120 3767, email: training@helplines.org.uk

• Women's Resource Centre run a range of useful courses (e.g. Introduction to Business Planning) at very reasonable cost for women's groups in London. (NB funding for this may run out.)

• Working For A Charity (part of NCVO) offers a foundation course for those wanting to enter the sector and an induction course designed to meet the needs of newcomers to the voluntary sector. Phone 020 7520 2512 / 2493.

• Working with Men has a programme of workshops and seminars which aim to benefit and equip professionals whose work impacts upon young people.

• YMCA Training Most of their training is geared to youth, but they also run courses on such things as appraisals, health and safety etc. in connection with running 'an association' which are open to other organisations.

Courses and Consultancy

• Adept Has accredited training course, Working In Community Organisations, available at various levels via different accrediting bodies.
  
  
• bss, the helpline and information distributors, provide tailored training courses in related areas, such as telephone and e-contact skills. Phone 0161 234 9131, email: pete.edwards@bss.org
  
  
• Chapel and York Seminars on US fundraising opportunities.
  
  
• Charity Consultants Ltd 'Prospecting for Gold, Fundraising Training Courses' General and 'sector specific' courses at Basic and Intermediary levels, mainly held in London, WC1. Little Holme, Station Road, Shiplake, Henley on Thames, Oxon, RG9 3JS. Phone 0118 940 1016, email: andrew.thomas@charityconsultants.co.uk
  
  
• Charities Evaluation Services 'Training in approaches to monitoring, self-evaluation and quality assurance.' Prices are very reasonable for small organisations. 4 Coldbath Square, London, EC1R 5HL. Phone 020 7713 5722, email: enquiries@ces-vol.org.uk
  
  
• Company Solutions runs over a 100 fundraising courses a year.
  
  
• Re-Gen. Development Foundation provides training, technical assistance and consulting services, particularly around Community Development. Includes NVQ accreditation, online courses, training resource packs. 41 Suffolk Road, Belfast, BT11 9PD, phone 028 9062 8006, email: brian@re-gen.org
  
  
• RTI Publications run various fundraising courses/seminars in Coventry, Edinburgh and Nottingham as well as London. Mainly for subscribers to Funding Digest, which is what the web link describes. Phone 0191 232 6942, email: admin@rtipub.co.uk
  
  
• Smee and Ford The 'specialists in all areas of legacy fundraising' run regular workshops on Legacy Marketing and Administration (max 12 delegates). Smee & Ford, Paulton House, 8 Shepherdess Walk, London, N1 7LB, phone 020 7490 0049.

Other Consultancy Services providers will often provide training, so see that page too.

Other sources of trainers

Management Development Network A source of independent management trainers and consultants working in the sector. Directory costs £15, but much of the info is also on the web site. Phone 020 7232 0726.

NAVCA has created a directory, Trainers and Consultants Direct (includes temporary/interim managers).

Also see the regional course directories mentioned on Professional Development page.