Are you thinking about recruiting volunteers, new to volunteer management or would like a refresher on best practice? Then join us for this introductory session.

This session will –

outline good practice in volunteer management

explore volunteer motivation and barriers to volunteer recruitment

help you to recognise which policies and procedures are recommended to effectively manage volunteers

help you to understand best practice to retain volunteers and improve their experience. 

When: 19th August, 2025 10:00 AM through 12:00 pm Where: The Bolton Hub Bold street Bolton, BL1 1LS

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

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

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

Have you got a query about your social business or idea? Wondering where to start, who to talk to or what to do next? Then come and have a chat with Karen Smith, Director of Turn up the Value.

This session offers a space to explore ideas and queries with an experienced coach, social accountant, and business owner. There’s no need to book for this, just drop-in to the Business Zone at Bolton Central Library any time between 10am and 1pm.

When: 3rd September, 2025 10:00 AM through 01:00 pm Where: Bolton Central Library Le Mans Crescent Bolton, BL1 1SE

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. 

“I found the session with Adrian very interesting. He managed to keep my interest whilst talking about finances and spreadsheets so he must have been good!”

 

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: 11th September, 2025 1:00 PM through 04:00 pm Where: The Bolton Hub Bold street Bolton, BL1 1LS

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 us will be sent out to you a few days before the session.

When: 16th September, 2025 10:00 AM through 12:00 pm Where: Online via zoom

This interactive workshop is designed especially for VCSEs to explore the difference between social impact and social value – and why understanding both is key to strengthening your organisation’s future.

Join us for an engaging and practical session where we will:

Understand the Basics: Unpack the difference between social impact and social value, and why both matter.

Social Value Matters Now: Discover why demonstrating social value is more important than ever – especially in the current commissioning landscape.

Measure What Matters: Learn practical ways to measure and communicate your organisation’s social impact and social value.

 

 

When: 17th September, 2025 9:30 AM through 11:30 am Where: The Bolton Hub Bold Street BL1 1LS

Are you a social enterprise or trading charity interested in public sector procurement and contracts? If so you do not want to miss this workshop with leading procurement and bid writing expert, Jim Cheetham-Potts.

In this practical workshop Jim will outline and explain the fundamentals of the procurement landscape. He will also help you explore and develop some key tools, frameworks and templates for writing successful tender submissions. You can expect to explore:

• Starting early and the benefits – making tough bid/no-bid decisions
• Typical processes and documents 
• Understanding the instructions – navigating the rules and asking the right questions 
• Breaking down the requirements and understanding/addressing key issues and risks
• Storyboarding – how to structure your response and highlight potential weaknesses early
• Developing win themes – the golden threads that bind your bid together
• Populating the response – why evidence is king
• Front-loading the benefits – the hard truths everyone needs to know
• Writing dos and don’ts – styles and general rules to sharpen your messages
• Formats and templates – signposting, graphics, spacing, fonts, and layouts 
• Reviewing and finessing – avoiding embarrassing omissions or typos
• Chasing and using feedback

This is a rare opportunity to get some intensive input from Jim and is not to be missed. Attendees from previous Intro to Procurement sessions have shared how insightful and impactful Jim’s knowledge has been for their organisation.

When: 23rd September, 2025 10:00 AM through 01:00 pm Where: The Bolton Hub Bold street Bolton, BL1 1LS

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: 24th September, 2025 10:00 AM through 12:30 pm Where: The Bolton Hub, Bold Street, Bolton, BL1 1LS

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

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

Join us IN PERSON at our next Volunteer Development Network at Bolton Adult Autism Support 1st Floor Nelson House Bolton BL1 1JT

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.

 

When: 30th September, 2025 11:00 AM through 12:30 pm Where: 1st Floor Nelson House Nelson Square Bolton, BL1 1JT

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

Join us for a session on Information Governance (IG) and the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). This session is suitable for anyone in an organisation who collects, stores, uses, or manages personal data.

By the end of the session, participants will understand :

Key principles, legal responsibilities, and best practices to protect personal data and handle information securely. Essential for anyone working with sensitive data.

When: 15th October, 2025 10:00 AM through 02:00 pm Where: The Bolton Hub Bold Street Bolton, BL1 1LS

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: 21st October, 2025 1:00 PM through 03:00 pm Where: The Bolton Hub Bold Street Bolton, BL1 1LS

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

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

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: £90 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 and 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. By the end of the course the learner will

• Understand the role and responsibilities of a first aider
• Be able to assess an emergency situation safely
• Be able to provide first aid to an unresponsive casualty into the recovery position
• Be able to provide first aid to a casualty who is choking
• Be able to provide first aid to a casualty with external bleeding
• Know how to provide first aid to a casualty who is suffering from shock
• Know how to provide first aid to a casualty with minor injuries

This will include content about the law relating to first aid, dealing with the incident, artificial ventilation and CPR, the recovery position, shock, choking, bleeding, breaks, burns and seizures.

On successful completion of the Emergency First Aid course each delegate will receive a certificate, sent by email, which is registered with the awarding body, Highfield Qualifications.

 

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.

On registration, we will arrange for an invoice to be sent to your email address.  Please pay this within 14 days of its receipt to reserve your place on the course.  Should you register within 21 days of the course start date we would require payment within 48 hours.  If payment is not received the registration will be cancelled.  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

 

Assessment

In order to gain the accreditation, learners are required to pass two assessments.  A practical assessment and a multiple choice theory assessment.  If you feel you need any reasonable adjustments to support you to do this, please let us know on your registration form and discuss this with the training provider during your initial assessment. 

 

Onboarding

All learners must undergo an initial assessment conducted by the training provider to ensure the course is suitable for their needs.  This will be in the form of a short (5-10 minute) phone call.  We will share your name and contact details with Bright Direction for this purpose. They will use this information for this purpose only and will not share it with any third parties. 

If a phone call is difficult for you, the training provider can alternatively meet you at The Bolton Hub if you wish.  Please let us know on your registration form is this an adjustment that we can make for you. 

This assessment includes, but is not limited to, an evaluation of language proficiency (a minimum level 1 in English is advised) and any additional support requirements.

While we are committed to making our courses as inclusive and accessible as possible, there may be instances where the training provider determines that they are unable to safely and effectively meet a participant’s specific needs or provide necessary adjustments.  In such cases, the training provider reserves the right to withdraw a learner’s registration from the course.

Should this occur, we will provide a full refund.

 

ID requirements

The training provider is required to see proof of each learner’s identity on the day of the course. This could be

• a valid passport (any nationality)
• a signed UK photocard driving licence
• a valid warrant card issued by HM forces or the police
• another photographic ID card, e.g. employee ID card, student ID card, travel card etc.

Please do let the training provider know ahead of the day if this is a problem for you so that you can discuss alternative forms of identification. 

 

When: 7th November, 2025 9:30 AM through 04:30 pm Where: The Bolton Hub Bold Street Bolton, BL1 1LS

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

Want to set up a Community Group but don’t know where to start? Join us to explore your ideas and discuss the key steps to set up a group with a strong foundation.

This session is aimed at individuals who want to learn how to set up a community group, including defining its purpose, awareness of different legal structures and assigning roles. You will leave with the knowledge and confidence to take the first steps toward building a successful group.

When: 18th November, 2025 10:00 AM through 12:00 pm Where: The Bolton Hub Bold Street Bolton, BL1 1LS

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

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: 9th December, 2025 1:00 PM through 02:30 pm Where: The Bolton Hub Bold Street Bolton, BL1 1LS

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

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: 4th February, 2026 10:00 AM through 12:00 pm Where: The Bolton Hub Bold Street Bolton, BL1 1LS

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: 24th February, 2026 1:00 PM through 02:30 pm Where: The Bolton Hub, Bold Street, Bolton, BL1 1LS

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: 12th March, 2026 1:00 PM through 02:30 pm Where: Online via Zoom