Spark Training programme 2024
An affordable programme of online and classroom-based training sessions for Somerset charities and community groups.
Somerset Mental Health Network Monthly Meetings
A monthly, themed networking event for groups and organisations in Somerset that offer mental health support to collaborate, receive peer support, and connect with commissioners and decision-makers.
Coming up:
Training and networking session, Friday 26 April, 10.30am - 1pm, St. Andrew's Church Hall, Taunton
LGBTQ+ awareness, Wednesday 22 May, 9.30am - 11am, via Teams
Lunch & Learn: an introduction to social impact measurement
A free, online, bite-sized session for VCFSE staff and volunteers, exploring the benefits of social impact measurement and how you can develop a Theory of Change. Facilitated by the Reflect Recover Renew project.
This training session takes place on Wednesday 1 May, 1pm-2pm, via Teams.
Children and Young People's Mental Health Network meeting
Join the Somerset Mental Health Network to explore the future of mental health services for children and young people. This follows a well attended meeting in March where began to shape the direction of this work and explored opportunities to collaborate.
This meeting takes place on Wednesday 1 May, 2pm-3.15pm, via Teams
Coporate Fundraising: creating a compelling case for support
Join Julia Worthington, MInstF (Dip), from Amber Consulting for this 2-hour, in-depth look into how you can create a compelling fundraising proposition for your organisation.
This training session takes place on Thursday 9 May from 1-3pm, via Teams.
Introduction to Youth Work
A training course delivered by South Gloucestershire Playscheme, aimed at new youth workers and youth volunteers, or those who volunteer with children and young people and want to find out if youth work is for them.
Takes place on:
Monday 13 and 20 May in Minehead, 10am - 3pm
Monday 8 and 15 July in Bridgwater, 10am - 3pm
Wednesday 18 and 25 September in Taunton, 10am - 3pm
Saturday 16 and 23 November in Langport, 10am - 3pm
Research in Somerset: learning and networking event
Save the date for our upcoming event, as part of our work for the Somerset VCFSE Assembly, where you will learn how research can help your organisation to develop and shape services.
This learning and networking opportunity takes place on Tuesday 14 May, 10am - 3pm, in Ilminster.
Debt and Money Management Workshop
Join Kim Watts from Citizens Advice Somerset and Janet Gillett from Taunton Area Debt Advice at this workshop for VCFSE organisations. You will learn key budgeting principals, how to have conversations about money, and where to signpost those in crisis. Facilitated by the Somerset Mental Health Network.
This training session takes place on Thursday 16 May, 9.30am - 11.30am, via Teams.
Capturing the Impact of your VCFSE Group
Join Jack Brazier and Amy Harwick from Somerset Public Health to learn impact reporting best practice, and discuss how we might develop an evaluation framework to enhance mental health services across the county. Facilitated by the Somerset Mental Health Network.
This training session takes place on Thursday 23 May, 2pm - 3.30pm, via Teams.
Drugs and Alcohol Misuse: information gathering
Facilitated by the Somerset Mental Health Network and hosted by Somerset Public Health, this meeting aims to assess training needs for better supporting those affected by drug and alcohol misuse and mental health issues. Insights gathered will help inform a training session scheduled for Thursday 13 June.
This training session takes place on Monday 30 May, 9.30am - 11am, via Teams.
Level 1 Safeguarding Awareness: Children and Young People
Learn about current legislation around safeguarding children and young people, how to recognise signs of abuse and neglect, how to report a concern, and where to find further information and advice.
This training session takes place on Thursday 6 June, 9.30am - 10.30am, via Teams.
Meet the Funders: social investment special
Hear from Somerset Community Foundation and Resonance Ltd, and learn about their social investment funding and whether it might work for your organisation.
This training session takes place on Thursday 6 June, 11.30am-12.30pm, via Teams.
Somerset Food & Growing Forum
A free, online forum for anyone in Somerset involved with initiatives that use food, growing and gardening to support positive change.
This forum takes place on Tuesday 11 June, 7-8.30pm via Teams.
Level 1 Safeguarding Awareness: Adults
Learn about current legislation around safeguarding adults, how to recognise signs of abuse and neglect, how to report a concern, and where to find further information and advice.
This training session takes place on Thursday 20 June, 9.30am - 10.30am, via Teams.
The Mental Capacity Act
Join Dameon Caddy, Mental Capacity & Deprivation of Liberty Strategic Lead for NHS Somerset to take a closer the look at the legislation and its key principles.
This training session takes place on Wednesday 10 July, 2pm - 3pm, via Teams.
Suicide Prevention and the Orange Button Scheme
Learn more about Somerset’s Orange Button scheme and the training you can undertake to support those at risk of suicide.
This training session takes place on Thursday 11 July, 10am - 11.30am, via Teams.
In the meantime, if there's a specific topic you would like us to cover, please email training@sparksomerset.org.uk.
Just wanted to let you know I did the ‘Train the Trainer’ session on ‘Five Ways to Wellbeing’ that Gill Harrison delivered yesterday as part of the partnership between Spark Somerset and Open Mental Health. I was very impressed not only with the standard of training but with the course itself.
Training participant, April 2023