Training & Events

We are excited to have you here and to introduce you to our training programs and events.

We offer a range of specialist training courses designed to develop the skills and knowledge of the diverse Voluntary and Community Sector in Bolton. All our courses are tailored in line with what you tell us you need and are designed to be accessible to all levels of staff and volunteers.

We offer a range of specialist training courses designed to develop the skills and knowledge of the diverse VCSE sector in Bolton.

  • High quality
    All our training is delivered by suitably qualified trainers who offer a wealth of experience and up to date knowledge on current issues in their field – this way, you can be confident of a positive learning experience that aims to help your organisation be the best it can be.
  • Relevant
    We have listened to what you tell us and have designed our specialist courses to meet the challenges of the sector. We believe in utilising the skills and knowledge that already exist within voluntary and community organisations in Bolton and where appropriate, will offer training delivered by our member organisations.

Our courses are designed to be accessible to all levels of staff and volunteers.

Listing of current and upcoming public events.

Tuesday 29 April 2025 at 10.00am

Thinking about volunteering and changing lives?  Don’t know where to go? No idea where to start from?  Searching for the right roles to volunteer for?

Are you thinking about volunteering but not sure what it is or how to go about it? Come along to  session Benefits of Volunteering session led by our Bolton Volunteer Centre, to find out how what you can get out of volunteering and how you can impact  your local community and  across the town of Bolton

Volunteering can help you to develop new skills and try something new.  It can help you prepare for paid work by increasing your confidence and experience.

When: 29th April, 2025 10:00 AM through 11:00 am Where: Bold Street Bolton, BL1 1LS

Book Now

Tuesday 6 May 2025 at 10.00am

Are you an organisation or group who recruits volunteers or thinking about recruiting volunteers? Have you ever faced any barriers? And are you struggling to overcome them? Then this session is definitely for you.

 

This session will cover:

 -To understand the existing barriers to volunteering from the organisation’s perspective as well as volunteers.

– To build confidence when accepting non-traditional volunteers. – Insight of the journey of the volunteers who might need extra support. – Evaluation of your recruitment process and what can be possibly changed. – Peer-to-Peer Support.

By the end of the session, you will be able to understand how to overcome some of the barriers to working with volunteers who might need extra support.

When: 6th May, 2025 10:00 AM through 12:00 pm Where: The Bolton Hub Bold Street Bolton, BL1 1LS

Book Now

Wednesday 14 May 2025 at 12.30pm

Safeguarding is everyone’s business, and it is important that we all work together to protect people who need help and support. Staff and volunteers in voluntary organisations have a key role to play in making sure that people using their services are protected and kept safe from harm. This session is suitable for staff and volunteers, including committee members and trustees, who are responsible for safeguarding good practice, as well as anyone responsible for volunteers and who support volunteers and staff as part of their role.

 

This session will help you to: 

Understand what safeguarding is and your role in safeguarding adults at risk

Recognise an adult who may be in need of safeguarding and how to take appropriate action

Understand how to raise concerns about someone

Understand dignity and respect when working with individuals

Be aware of the policy, procedures and legislation that support safeguarding adults processes

Be able to identify how you can take learning from the session and use it in your organisation.

When: 14th May, 2025 12:30 PM through 03:00 pm Where: The Bolton Hub, Bold Street, Bolton, BL1 1LS

Book Now

Thursday 15 May 2025 at 10.00am

This session is suitable for any current Trustees wishing to refresh their knowledge and for those considering becoming a Trustee.

The session will cover:

– The role of the Trustee board and the six main duties as stated by the Charity Commission

– Trustee liability

– Conflicts of interest

– Eligibility 

When: 15th May, 2025 10:00 AM through 11:30 am Where: The Bolton Hub Bold Street Bolton, BL1 1LS

Book Now

Thursday 15 May 2025 at 1.15pm

Would you like to explore a business planning approach that will centre your social impact as well as your economic development? Then this session is for you!

As social entrepreneurs, we’re often so busy delivering impact that we struggle to find time for strategic planning or building systems to measure the difference we make. Traditional business planning methods are often profit-driven, leaving little room to communicate the social mission at the heart of our work.

This interactive session introduces social impact-driven business planning, a practical approach that helps you align financial sustainability with meaningful impact. You’ll gain simple tools to measure, track, and communicate your social value, integrating these insights into a business plan to attract funding, investors, and key stakeholders. 

Whether you’re a start-up or an established social enterprise, this session will give you the breathing space to focus on what truly matters—maximising the difference you make in the communities you serve.

When: 15th May, 2025 1:15 PM through 04:00 pm Where: The Bolton Hub Bold Street Bolton, BL1 1LS

Book Now

Tuesday 27 May 2025 at 10.00am

Thinking about volunteering and changing lives?  Don’t know where to go? No idea where to start from?  Searching for the right roles to volunteer for?

Are you thinking about volunteering but not sure what it is or how to go about it? Come along to  session Benefits of Volunteering session led by our Bolton Volunteer Centre, to find out how what you can get out of volunteering and how you can impact  your local community and  across the town of Bolton

Volunteering can help you to develop new skills and try something new.  It can help you prepare for paid work by increasing your confidence and experience.

When: 27th May, 2025 10:00 AM through 11:00 am Where: Bold Street Bolton, BL1 1LS

Book Now

Wednesday 28 May 2025 at 10.00am

This interactive course will enable participants to obtain basic knowledge about safeguarding children and young people and share learning and good practice. This course is suitable for anyone with responsiblity for ensuring children and young people’s safeguarding in their voluntary group or organisation. It is suitable for those new to the role or those wishing to refresh their skills and knowledge.

By the end of the session, participants will be able to:

  • Identify different types of abuse
  • Be aware of procedures to be followed when they believe a child or young person has been, or is at risk of being abused.
  • Record information and know how to share it properly
  • Understand how to raise a concern with Bolton Safeguarding Children's Partnership 
When: 28th May, 2025 10:00 AM through 12:30 pm Where: The Bolton Hub Bold Street Bolton, BL1 1LS

Book Now

Wednesday 4 June 2025 at 9.30am

his interactive session is designed to explore and understand social value and how it can unlock new opportunities for your VCSE.

 

Join us for an insightful session exploring the power of social value in the VCSE sector. This workshop will cover key aspects of social value, including:

  • What is Social Impact and Social Value
  • Social Value Matters Now: Learn why measuring and articulating social value is more critical than ever for the future of your VCSE.
  • How to Measure Social Value: Gain practical insights into the methods and tools available to measure and showcase your social value impact.
  • The Story of Success: Case study of a local VCSE which won contracts by effectively measuring and demonstrating their social value.

 

When: 4th June, 2025 9:30 AM through 11:00 am Where: The Bolton Hub Bold Street Bolton, BL1 1LS

Book Now

Friday 6 June 2025 at 9.30am

This full-day accredited training course is for people who have a specific responsibility at work, or in voluntary and community activities, to provide basic first aid to a range of people in first aid emergencies. Cost: £70 per participant.

The Health and Safety (First Aid) Regulations 1981, state that all employers must assess the need and supply appropriate first aid provision – this one day Emergency First Aid at Work course meets with this regulation. Although anyone can be ‘appointed’ – will they have the knowledge to effectively Prevent injuries becoming worse, Promote recovery, Preserve life?

This course is delivered by Bolton based Bright Direction Training.  Bright Direction Training has a strong focus on social value we have chosen to support the community and voluntary sector through provision of training for volunteers and staff to give them qualifications to support their roles and benefit the wider community.

Just some of the feedback from previous participants:

"It was a very enjoyable and informative course which brought me right up to date with what I had previously qualified in a few years ago."

"That was the best training I’ve ever been on – I learnt loads and the day went really quickly."

Course Objectives: This one day course is a fun-packed training day where practical participation is essential – so come prepared to get down on the floor and act out injuries! This exciting course has been developed to help learners retain information better by relating it to individuals work space and everyday life. This course covers:

• The Law relating to First Aid

• Dealing with the incident

• Artificial Ventilation’s and CPR

• Recovery Position

• Shock

• Choking

• Bleeding, Breaks

• Burns

• Epilepsy

On successful completion of the Emergency First Aid course each delegate will receive a certificate which is registered with the awarding body.

Terms and Conditions

Payment of fees

To secure your place or places, fees must be paid in advance – please do not register before you have arrangements in place to pay.

Payment for this training should be made no later than 21 days before the course start date by BACS / bank transfer only to the following account:

 

Bolton CVS,

Sort Code 16-00-06

Account Number 11725108

(Royal Bank of Scotland)

Where course fees are not received 21 days prior to the course start date, the registration will be cancelled, except where the registration is made after this time when fees must be paid within 24 hours.  We reserve the right to restrict future registrations onto paid-for training courses where payments are late.

Refund Policy

Refunds will be made in accordance with the following arrangements where a registration is cancelled

  • Over 6 weeks before date of training 100% refund
  • Between 6 and 5 weeks before the date of training 75% refund
  • Between 5 and 4 weeks before the training 50% refund
  • Between 4 and 3 weeks before date of training 25% refund
  • 21 days before date of training 0% refund
When: 6th June, 2025 9:30 AM through 04:30 pm Where: The Bolton Hub Bold Street Bolton, BL1 1LS

Book Now

Monday 9 June 2025 at 1.00pm

Level Up your organisation with a digital plan and the tools to support it!

2025 is set to be a very competitive year, and staying ahead requires a clear, strategic approach. Join Scruffymonkey—a multi-award-winning company with over a decade of experience—as we share easy-to-follow processes and tools to elevate your marketing and promotional efforts. In this workshop, you’ll learn key strategies to help you stand out, and reach your audience effectively for the entire year. The best bit? Everything you need will not cost a single penny.

Get ready to take your organisation to the next level, maximising your impact and your profit!

When: 9th June, 2025 1:00 PM through 04:00 pm Where: The Bolton Hub Bold Street Bolton, BL1 1LS

Book Now

Tuesday 10 June 2025 at 10.30am

Partnership working involves collaboration to achieve shared goals. It allows each organisation to use its strengths to make a bigger impact. Strong partnerships are built on clear communication, trust, and shared values. When done well, they can benefit everyone involved and the communities they support. This session will help you think about what to consider before starting a partnership. We’ll look at how to choose the right partners, set clear goals together, and build a strong, effective working relationship. Whether you’re new to partnerships or want to improve an existing one, this session will give you helpful advice and tools to guide you. This session will cover: – A definition of partnership working and the types of partnership working. – What to look for in a partner organisation. – Completing your due diligence. – Charity Commission Expectations. – Recording how will you work together. When: 10th June, 2025 10:30 AM through 12:00 pm Where: The Bolton Hub Bold Street Bolton, BL1 1LS

Book Now

Thursday 12 June 2025 at 1.00pm

Would you like to understand the key principles of a solid cashflow forecast, and be supported to develop a framework for your own? If so – this is the session for you!

Join Adrian Ashton – social enterprise and charities consultant for over 15 years – to explore cash flow forecasting for your social enterprise. 

The key to operating a successful social enterprise is a diverse and robust model of income generation; including trading, investment and some grant funding. Key to developing that model is a solid plan – a cashflow forecast. 

Investors and funders alike need to see that your business has a forecast that makes sense – Adrian can talk you through the best approach to achieving this, ensuring your forecast complements and builds on your business plan.

This will be a small group workshop, providing lots of opportunity for chat, both with Adrian and other social enterprise peers

When: 12th June, 2025 1:00 PM through 04:00 pm Where: The Bolton Hub Bold Street Bolton, BL1 1LS

Book Now

Thursday 19 June 2025 at 1.00pm

Wondering which is the right legal structure for your Social Enterprise? These sessions will explore the options available and, using real world examples, help you to evaluate what might be the right legal structure and governance for your organisation.

This on-line workshop will be led by Adrian Ashton, an award-winning Charity and Enterprise consultant. Drawing on over 15 years of experience in the sector, Adrian will inform, inspire and support you to explore the different options available for your organisation.

You can expect:

 – A potted history of Social Enterprise (and why it’s important)

 – The ‘Select-a-Structure’ quiz – What do you need from your legal structure, what legal structures are available and what are their pros and cons

 – Governance – what is it, why is it important and what might be right for you

The workshop will be interactive, with lots of opportunity to discuss your business, in a forum with peers from the local Social Enterprise sector.

The Zoom link to join the session will be sent to you via email the day before the workshop.

When: 19th June, 2025 1:00 PM through 03:00 pm Where: Online via Zoom

Book Now

Tuesday 24 June 2025 at 11.00am

Join us IN PERSON at our next Volunteer Development Network at Sapphire Partnership, St Georges House St George’s Road Bolton BL1 2DD, 11:00 – 12:30.

Does your organisation have volunteers? Would you like an opportunity to meet other volunteer managers and share good practice? Then book a place at our Volunteer Development Network!

This forum will give you the chance to connect, collaborate and cultivate new relationships with other organisations in Bolton that are recruiting and managing volunteers.

We’ll be using this time to share our headaches, highlights, and horizons around volunteer recruitment through an open discussion facilitated by Bolton CVS.

When: 24th June, 2025 11:00 AM through 12:30 pm Where: St Geroge’s house 2 St Georges’s Road Bolton, Bl1 2DD

Book Now

Wednesday 25 June 2025 at 10.00am

Thinking about volunteering and changing lives?  Don’t know where to go? No idea where to start from?  Searching for the right roles to volunteer for?

Are you thinking about volunteering but not sure what it is or how to go about it? Come along to  session Benefits of Volunteering session led by our Bolton Volunteer Centre, to find out how what you can get out of volunteering and how you can impact  your local community and  across the town of Bolton

Volunteering can help you to develop new skills and try something new.  It can help you prepare for paid work by increasing your confidence and experience.

When: 25th June, 2025 10:00 AM through 11:00 am Where: Bold Street Bolton, BL1 1LS

Book Now

Thursday 26 June 2025 at 10.00am

Safeguarding is everyone’s business. Effective safeguarding is more than just having a safeguarding policy, particularly in the current climate. This face to face session will look at the wider issues that come under the safeguarding umbrella, including recruitment, health and safety, and much more. 

This session will help you to:

  • Be more confident in understanding the wider context of safeguarding within the sector.
  • Be aware of best practice, current issues and policies and how they can be embedded within your organisation.
  • Reflect on current practice and identify areas of development. 
  • Share knowledge and experience.

This is a face to face session, we look forward to seeing you at The Bolton Hub.

When: 26th June, 2025 10:00 AM through 12:00 pm Where: The Bolton Hub Bold Street Bolton, BL1 1LS

Book Now

Tuesday 8 July 2025 at 10.00am

This session explores the basics of what is meant by equity, diversity, inclusion and belonging, looks at related legislation and includes time to discuss what this looks like in your organisation and what more could be done.

The session is aimed at volunteers and members of staff who want to know more about  equity, diversity and belonging.  

By the end of the session attendees will be able to define what equality, equity, diversity, inclusion and belonging means, why it is important and understand what this looks like in their own organisation and what more can be done.

When: 8th July, 2025 10:00 AM through 11:30 am Where: The Bolton Hub, Bold Street, Bolton, BL1 1LS

Book Now

Thursday 17 July 2025 at 10.00am

Safeguarding is everyone’s business, and it is important that we all work together to protect people who need help and support. Staff and volunteers in voluntary organisations have a key role to play in making sure that people using their services are protected and kept safe from harm. This session is suitable for staff and volunteers, including committee members and trustees, who are responsible for safeguarding good practice, as well as anyone responsible for volunteers and who support volunteers and staff as part of their role.

 

This session will help you to: 

Understand what safeguarding is and your role in safeguarding adults at risk

Recognise an adult who may be in need of safeguarding and how to take appropriate action

Understand how to raise concerns about someone

Understand dignity and respect when working with individuals

Be aware of the policy, procedures and legislation that support safeguarding adults processes

Be able to identify how you can take learning from the session and use it in your organisation.

When: 17th July, 2025 10:00 AM through 12:30 pm Where: The Bolton Hub, Bold Street, Bolton, BL1 1LS

Book Now

Wednesday 30 July 2025 at 10.00am

Thinking about volunteering and changing lives?  Don’t know where to go? No idea where to start from?  Searching for the right roles to volunteer for?

Are you thinking about volunteering but not sure what it is or how to go about it? Come along to  session Benefits of Volunteering session led by our Bolton Volunteer Centre, to find out how what you can get out of volunteering and how you can impact  your local community and  across the town of Bolton

Volunteering can help you to develop new skills and try something new.  It can help you prepare for paid work by increasing your confidence and experience.

When: 30th July, 2025 10:00 AM through 11:00 am Where: Bold Street Bolton, BL1 1LS

Book Now

Tuesday 19 August 2025 at 10.00am

This session is suitable for any current Trustees wishing to refresh their knowledge and for those considering becoming a Trustee.

The session will cover:

– The role of the Trustee board and the six main duties as stated by the Charity Commission

– Trustee liability

– Conflicts of interest

– Eligibility 

When: 19th August, 2025 10:00 AM through 11:30 am Where: Online via Zoom

Book Now

Wednesday 27 August 2025 at 10.00am

Thinking about volunteering and changing lives?  Don’t know where to go? No idea where to start from?  Searching for the right roles to volunteer for?

Are you thinking about volunteering but not sure what it is or how to go about it? Come along to  session Benefits of Volunteering session led by our Bolton Volunteer Centre, to find out how what you can get out of volunteering and how you can impact  your local community and  across the town of Bolton

Volunteering can help you to develop new skills and try something new.  It can help you prepare for paid work by increasing your confidence and experience.

When: 27th August, 2025 10:00 AM through 11:00 am Where: Bold Street Bolton, BL1 1LS

Book Now

Thursday 28 August 2025 at 12.30pm

This interactive course will enable participants to obtain basic knowledge about safeguarding children and young people and share learning and good practice. This course is suitable for anyone with responsiblity for ensuring children and young people’s safeguarding in their voluntary group or organisation. It is suitable for those new to the role or those wishing to refresh their skills and knowledge.

By the end of the session, participants will be able to:

  • Identify different types of abuse
  • Be aware of procedures to be followed when they believe a child or young person has been, or is at risk of being abused.
  • Record information and know how to share it properly
  • Understand how to raise a concern with Bolton Safeguarding Children's Partnership 
When: 28th August, 2025 12:30 PM through 03:00 pm Where: The Bolton Hub Bold Street Bolton, BL1 1LS

Book Now

Wednesday 24 September 2025 at 10.00am

Thinking about volunteering and changing lives?  Don’t know where to go? No idea where to start from?  Searching for the right roles to volunteer for?

Are you thinking about volunteering but not sure what it is or how to go about it? Come along to  session Benefits of Volunteering session led by our Bolton Volunteer Centre, to find out how what you can get out of volunteering and how you can impact  your local community and  across the town of Bolton

Volunteering can help you to develop new skills and try something new.  It can help you prepare for paid work by increasing your confidence and experience.

When: 24th September, 2025 10:00 AM through 11:00 am Where: Bold Street Bolton, BL1 1LS

Book Now

Thursday 9 October 2025 at 12.30pm

Safeguarding is everyone’s business, and it is important that we all work together to protect people who need help and support. Staff and volunteers in voluntary organisations have a key role to play in making sure that people using their services are protected and kept safe from harm. This session is suitable for staff and volunteers, including committee members and trustees, who are responsible for safeguarding good practice, as well as anyone responsible for volunteers and who support volunteers and staff as part of their role.

 

This session will help you to: 

Understand what safeguarding is and your role in safeguarding adults at risk

Recognise an adult who may be in need of safeguarding and how to take appropriate action

Understand how to raise concerns about someone

Understand dignity and respect when working with individuals

Be aware of the policy, procedures and legislation that support safeguarding adults processes

Be able to identify how you can take learning from the session and use it in your organisation.

When: 9th October, 2025 12:30 PM through 03:00 pm Where: The Bolton Hub, Bold Street, Bolton, BL1 1LS

Book Now

Tuesday 14 October 2025 at 10.00am

This session explores the basics of what is meant by equity, diversity, inclusion and belonging, looks at related legislation and includes time to discuss what this looks like in your organisation and what more could be done.

The session is aimed at volunteers and members of staff who want to know more about  equity, diversity and belonging.  

By the end of the session attendees will be able to define what equality, equity, diversity, inclusion and belonging means, why it is important and understand what this looks like in their own organisation and what more can be done.

When: 14th October, 2025 10:00 AM through 11:30 am Where: The Bolton Hub, Bold Street, Bolton, BL1 1LS

Book Now

Thursday 30 October 2025 at 10.00am

Thinking about volunteering and changing lives?  Don’t know where to go? No idea where to start from?  Searching for the right roles to volunteer for?

Are you thinking about volunteering but not sure what it is or how to go about it? Come along to  session Benefits of Volunteering session led by our Bolton Volunteer Centre, to find out how what you can get out of volunteering and how you can impact  your local community and  across the town of Bolton

Volunteering can help you to develop new skills and try something new.  It can help you prepare for paid work by increasing your confidence and experience.

When: 30th October, 2025 10:00 AM through 11:00 am Where: Bold Street Bolton, BL1 1LS

Book Now

Tuesday 4 November 2025 at 1.00pm

This session is suitable for any current Trustees wishing to refresh their knowledge and for those considering becoming a Trustee.

The session will cover:

– The role of the Trustee board and the six main duties as stated by the Charity Commission

– Trustee liability

– Conflicts of interest

– Eligibility 

When: 4th November, 2025 1:00 PM through 02:30 pm Where: The Bolton Hub Bold Street Bolton, BL1 1LS

Book Now

Tuesday 11 November 2025 at 12.30pm

This interactive course will enable participants to obtain basic knowledge about safeguarding children and young people and share learning and good practice. This course is suitable for anyone with responsiblity for ensuring children and young people’s safeguarding in their voluntary group or organisation. It is suitable for those new to the role or those wishing to refresh their skills and knowledge.

By the end of the session, participants will be able to:

  • Identify different types of abuse
  • Be aware of procedures to be followed when they believe a child or young person has been, or is at risk of being abused.
  • Record information and know how to share it properly
  • Understand how to raise a concern with Bolton Safeguarding Children's Partnership 
When: 11th November, 2025 12:30 PM through 03:00 pm Where: The Bolton Hub Bold Street Bolton, BL1 1LS

Book Now

Tuesday 11 November 2025 at 12.30pm

This interactive course will enable participants to obtain basic knowledge about safeguarding children and young people and share learning and good practice. This course is suitable for anyone with responsiblity for ensuring children and young people’s safeguarding in their voluntary group or organisation. It is suitable for those new to the role or those wishing to refresh their skills and knowledge.

By the end of the session, participants will be able to:

  • Identify different types of abuse
  • Be aware of procedures to be followed when they believe a child or young person has been, or is at risk of being abused.
  • Record information and know how to share it properly
  • Understand how to raise a concern with Bolton Safeguarding Children's Partnership 
When: 11th November, 2025 12:30 PM through 03:00 pm Where: The Bolton Hub Bold Street Bolton, BL1 1LS

Book Now

Wednesday 26 November 2025 at 10.00am

Thinking about volunteering and changing lives?  Don’t know where to go? No idea where to start from?  Searching for the right roles to volunteer for?

Are you thinking about volunteering but not sure what it is or how to go about it? Come along to  session Benefits of Volunteering session led by our Bolton Volunteer Centre, to find out how what you can get out of volunteering and how you can impact  your local community and  across the town of Bolton

Volunteering can help you to develop new skills and try something new.  It can help you prepare for paid work by increasing your confidence and experience.

When: 26th November, 2025 10:00 AM through 11:00 am Where: Bold Street Bolton, BL1 1LS

Book Now

Thursday 18 December 2025 at 10.00am

Thinking about volunteering and changing lives?  Don’t know where to go? No idea where to start from?  Searching for the right roles to volunteer for?

Are you thinking about volunteering but not sure what it is or how to go about it? Come along to  session Benefits of Volunteering session led by our Bolton Volunteer Centre, to find out how what you can get out of volunteering and how you can impact  your local community and  across the town of Bolton

Volunteering can help you to develop new skills and try something new.  It can help you prepare for paid work by increasing your confidence and experience.

When: 18th December, 2025 10:00 AM through 11:00 am Where: Bold Street Bolton, BL1 1LS

Book Now