Learning to Leading: Developing training skills across the VCFSE

What happens when you bring together staff from across the VCFSE sector, give them the skills to deliver training and support them to create something that benefits volunteers across Wirral?

Over the past 10 months, a group of staff from Wirral Mind, Age UK Wirral, Wirral Mencap, Wirral CVS and Positivitree have been working together to co-produce an accredited Adult Safeguarding training course specifically for volunteers.

The programme began with the Level 3 Award in Education and Training (AET). This nationally recognised qualification helps participants develop the skills and confidence to plan and deliver effective learning. However, this cohort set out to achieve something more than an individual qualification. They wanted to use their learning to develop practical training that would benefit volunteers across the sector.

Co-producing training that makes a difference

Safeguarding is an essential part of volunteering. Volunteers need to understand how to recognise concerns and know what action to take if they are worried about someone's safety or wellbeing. Yet accessing appropriate training can be challenging for some organisations, particularly smaller groups with limited resources.

By working together, the group has been able to draw on its collective experience to develop training that reflects the realities of volunteering. The course has been designed specifically for volunteers, with a focus on helping them understand their role in keeping adults safe.

The process has also created opportunities for staff from different organisations to share knowledge, learn from one another and develop their training skills. Rather than working in isolation, participants have collaborated over an extended period to turn their learning into a shared resource for the wider sector.

The result is an accredited Adult Safeguarding training course that the group is now preparing to deliver to volunteers across Wirral.

More than a qualification

The value of the AET programme goes beyond gaining a recognised qualification. Participants have had the opportunity to develop their confidence as trainers and put their learning into practice through a real project with a clear purpose.

For the organisations involved, the programme also represents an investment in local capacity. Developing staff who can deliver effective training helps build skills within the sector and creates opportunities to share learning more widely.

Rebekah, a Peer Support worker at Positivitree, completed her AET training with the group and has been part of the co production team developing bespoke Safeguarding training for volunteers. She applied for the course because she wanted to develop skills around delivering workshops.

“I’ve taken so much away from the training and feel a lot more confident, not only in delivering workshops but in taking ownership and brining my own ideas to the way I facilitate them.”

The next cohort: could this be for you?

Following the success of this first cohort, Wirral CVS will be facilitating another fully funded Level 3 Award in Education and Training with Amber Button CIC, starting on Thursday 15th April 2027.

There are 10 places available for staff working in Wirral-based VCFSE organisations with active volunteers who deliver some form of training to volunteers.

Not everyone who trains volunteers has the job title of Volunteer Manager. Training may be delivered by a Volunteer Coordinator, a project worker, a community development worker or a member of staff with specialist knowledge. In some organisations, it may simply be one part of someone's wider role.

This opportunity is open to staff who deliver some form of training to volunteers, whatever their job title. 

You do not need to teach a particular subject. AET focuses on how to plan and deliver learning, rather than what you teach, making it relevant to a wide range of roles that support volunteers in the VCFSE sector.

The training will take place over 12 weeks, with a face to face training day taking place every other week (venue will be confirmed nearer to the time).

The training days will take place 10:30am - 3:30pm on the following days:

• Thursday 15th April

• Thursday 29th April

• Thursday 13th May

• Thursday 27th May

• Thursday 10th June

• Thursday 24th June

Participants will need to allow for 3 - 5 hours’ worth of independent study and preparation time between training days. The course is assessed through coursework and a practical teaching session that takes place during the 12-week period.

The course is an opportunity to invest in your own development while strengthening the support available to volunteers across Wirral.

Interested in finding out more? Contact Jen at Wirral CVS on jenpaton@wcvs.org.uk for an informal conversation about the course.

Interested in Safeguarding training for your volunteers?

We have courses running in January, February and March - check our website for dates and how to register!