Spark Training programme 2024
An affordable programme of online and classroom-based training sessions for Somerset charities and community groups.
Woodland Wellbeing Day for Men Supporting Men
Spend a day in the woods with Neroche Woodlanders to learn how connecting with nature can benefit you and the people you work with. Places for this day are fully funded thanks to the Winston Innovation Fund.
Takes place on Thursday 25 April, 10am-3pm, near Taunton.
Find out more and register your interest
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.
Takes place on Wednesday 1 May, 1pm-2pm, via Teams.
Nature Wellbeing Day
The Somerset Mental Health Network have teamed up with Neroche Woodlanders to offer a free, nature wellbeing day for voluntary, community, faith and social enterprise (VCFSE) staff and volunteers in Somerset.
Takes place on Thursday 9 May from 10am - 3pm at Young Wood, near Taunton.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Takes place on Thursday 6 June, 9.30am - 10.30am, 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.
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.
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.
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