Voluntary Support North Surrey

Volunteering and the Law
2024-04-30 10:00 - 13:30 (Europe/London) | VSNS Chertsey Office, 6 The Sainsbury Centre, Chertsey, Surrey, KT16 9AG, United Kingdom
This workshop will provide an opportunity to learn about or refresh your knowledge on volunteering and the law.
Areas covered during the workshop are:
• the definition of volunteering and volunteers’ rights• the difference between a contract and an agreement• the impact on volunteering of Health & Safety, Insurance, the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 & the Equality Act 2010• the current DBS checks situation• volunteering and benefits• the guidelines around volunteer expenses• Volunteer Management Policies• Good Practice Measures
There is no charge for this workshop however places are limited so booking is essential.

Surrey Heath Mental Health Forum
2024-04-23 10:30 - 12:00 | Online via Zoom
Our Surrey Heath Mental Health Forum continues to meet on a quarterly basis and we are delighted to announce the date for our next forum in April.
This event is for groups based in or operating across Surrey Heath with a connection to mental health, whether that’s through tackling isolation, age-related mental health or disability.
Each meeting has one or two speakers, followed by a roundtable session where people can give an update on their service and share anything new for discussion. It’s a great way to network with other organisations and share information.
This session will be meeting on Zoom. If you’re interested in attending, please contact libby@voluntarysupport.org.uk for more details.
Alternatively, you can call Libby at our Camberley office on 01276 402789.

Theory of Change Workshop
2024-03-19 10:00 - 15:00 | The Hythe Centre, 36 Thorpe Rd., Staines-upon-Thames, Egham, TW18 3HD
The theory of change is a way for a charitable organisations to think about and describe what they aim to achieve and how they hope to achieve it. The NPC see the theory of change as the foundation of charity strategy, evaluation, and communication.
On March 19th, Elliot Trevithick from New Philanthropy Capital will be hosting a workshop for organisations in North Surrey on the Theory of Change following a terrific presentation on the topic at our September Charity Networking Event.
In this session, you will be working on your own Theories of Change and are encouraged to bring more than one person from your organisation to take full advantage of the workshop. If this isn’t possible, individuals are just as welcome too.
If you have any questions about the workshop, please email: jordan@voluntarysupport.org.uk.

Charity Networking Event - March 2024
2024-03-12 10:00 - 12:00 | Enterprise, Enterprise House, Vicarage Road, Egham, TW20 9FB, Enterprise House, Egham, TW20 9FB, United Kingdom
Our popular quarterly charity networking event for charities and community groups that will equip you with ideas you can take back to your organisation is a wonderful opportunity to connect with like-minded groups and build relationships with third-sector colleagues and funders alike.
For our first networking event of the year, our speakers will include Hannah Dirks from Surrey County Council who will be sharing the work underway to develop a system-wide framework for prevention. The aim of this is to provide a shared basis for an increasingly preventative approach across health and care, community support and safety, the economy, education, and the natural and built environment.
We are also welcoming Grant Harris from Keep it Simple to deliver a presentation on cybersecurity and Voluntary Support Deputy CEO, Alison Morey, and Development Manager, Sally Mills, will be discussing the importance of planning when it comes to fundraising.

Spelthorne Older People's Forum - March 2024
2024-03-05 11:00 - 12:30 | Staines Community Centre, Thames Street, Staines-upon-Thames, Spelthorne, TW18 4EA, United Kingdom
Our Spelthorne Older People’s Forum meets every three months. With over 60 people invited, the forum attracts professionals from both statutory and voluntary services, and has proved a valuable way for people to connect and share practice and information. Anyone who works for an organisation with a connection to older people (there’s no defined aged, but approximately 55+) is welcome, whether their focus is tackling isolation, age-related physical or mental health or another service.
Email Elaine for more details.

Grants and trusts fundraising applications - 27th February
2024-02-27 09:30 - 15:00 | VSNS Chertsey Office, 6 The Sainsbury Centre, Chertsey, Surrey, KT16 9AG, United Kingdom
There are no longer any spaces available on the Grants and Trusts Fundraising Applications Training on 27th February.
If you would be interested in our future sessions, please contact alison@voluntarysupport.org.uk.
This one-day training is an introduction to structuring and writing charity applications for grants and trusts (national and local):

Researching the need for your project
Planning
Measuring impact
Finding the appropriate funder
Application structure
Funding Strategy

Ukraine: Two Years On
2024-02-23 18:00 - 20:00 | St. John’s Church, Manor Farm Lane, Egham, Surrey, TW20 9HR, United Kingdom
On 23rd February, we will be holding an event at St. John’s Church, Egham, where Ukrainians will be coming together to mark two years since the invasion of Ukraine.
Under the theme of ‘Being Together’, this event will bring the community together to celebrate the strength and courage of the Ukrainian people.
Oksana Belcher, who oversees Ukrainian Support at VSNS, said: “Let us come together to honour the resilience of our people during this challenging time. Your presence and support will be deeply appreciated as we gather to reflect, share, and support one another.”
We will be sharing stories, sharing food, lighting candles, tying ribbons on the wish tree and more.
Soft drinks and nibbles will be provided and you can also bring your own food with you to the event.
Please confirm your attendance below so we have an idea of numbers. If you require any more information, please contact Oksana at: oksana@voluntarysupport.org.uk.

Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) for small charities
2024-02-21 10:30 - 13:30 | VSNS Chertsey Office, 6 The Sainsbury Centre, Chertsey, Surrey, KT16 9AG, United Kingdom
Ensuring equality, enabling equity, and promoting diversity and inclusion can often help define your services better and enhance your governance and management. It can even lead to new funding opportunities.
How do you ensure you are diverse and inclusive and offer all the same opportunities and outcomes?
How do you ensure you don’t offend with the wrong language, and how can you avoid being tokenistic?
This course provides an introduction to EDI. It will signpost to practical resources and provide templates and ideas for developing your own EDI strategy for your organisation and monitoring its impact.

Surrey Heath Networking Event
2024-02-20 10:30 - 12:00 | Camberley Theatre, Knoll Road, Camberley, Surrey, GU15 3SY
Our next networking event in Surrey Heath in partnership with Surrey Heath Borough Council is taking place in Camberley Theatre on Tuesday, 20th February, 10.30am to 12 noon with a focus on funding. Voluntary Support will be giving an overview of funds, ways we can support you in accessing funding and the importance of a funding plan. Surrey Heath Borough Council Development Team will give an update on Council grants.
There will also be the opportunity to network over tea/coffee after the presentations.
Please email libby@voluntarysupport.org.uk if you require more information.

Spotlight on Fundraising: Heathrow Community Trust
2024-02-06 10:30 - 12:00 | Online via Zoom
For our February Spotlight on Fundraising we’ll be joined by Claire Knight, Heathrow Community Trust CEO, who will give a 30 minute presentation about the fund.

Spotlight on Fundraising: easyfundraising
2024-01-23 11:00 - 12:00 | Online via Zoom
Our January Spotlight on Fundraising sees easyfundraising’s Community Fundraising Manager Becky Coleman joining us to talk about how your organisation can raise free unrestricted funds.
This session is suitable for all third sector organisations including voluntary groups, CICs, social enterprises, churches, schools, sports clubs and charities of all shapes and sizes.
easyfundraising is a free to use fundraising platform which your organisation can use to receive unrestricted funding on an ongoing basis.
This session will:

explain and demonstrate how easyfundraising works
show you how to get started
show you how to make the most of it
answer all your questions!

This is an easy and effective way to boost your funds so do come along to find out more!
easyfundraising has to date raised over £50m for 100,000+ community groups charities and voluntary organisations.

Surrey Heath Mental Health Forum - January 2024
2024-01-17 10:30 - 12:00 | High Cross Church, 1 Knoll Road, Camberley, Surrey, GU15 3SY, United Kingdom
Our Surrey Heath Mental Health Forum continues to meet quarterly with over 40 people invited.
Anyone who works for an organisation operating in Surrey Heath with a connection to mental health is welcome, whether that’s through tackling isolation, age-related mental health or disability.
Each meeting has one or two speakers, followed by a roundtable session where people can give an update on their service and share anything new for discussion.
Email Libby for more details.

Charity Law for Trustees - Egham
2023-12-07 10:00 - 15:00 | Enterprise, Enterprise House, Vicarage Road, Egham, TW20 9FB, Enterprise House, Egham, TW20 9FB, United Kingdom
It is essential that trustees stay up to date with their legal and other responsibilities. Whether you’re a new trustee or have been serving for some time and would like to refresh and update your knowledge, our trustee training on Charity Law and the roles and responsibilities of trustees is for you.
This in-person event will be led by charity law expert, Helen Harvie.

Volunteer Managers' Forum - 6th December via Zoom
2023-12-06 11:00 - 12:00 | Online via Zoom
Our Volunteer Managers Forum is open to anyone who works or volunteers in North Surrey and is involved in recruiting or managing/supervising volunteers. Volunteer management can be a solitary role within an organisation. Our Forum is a great way to meet other people doing a similar role and to share experiences.
We are pleased to have Tribe, an online care and support platform, coming to talk about how to advertise volunteering opportunities and manage volunteers on their platform.
We will also look at the importance of role descriptions, examples of good practice when it comes to role descriptions, and guidance for creating effective role descriptions. There will be a chance to network with other organisations too.

Spelthorne Older People's Forum - December 2023
2023-12-05 11:00 - 12:30 | Staines Community Centre, Thames Street, Staines-upon-Thames, Spelthorne, TW18 4EA, United Kingdom

Surrey Heath Volunteer Awards 2023
2023-11-30 13:30 - 16:00 | Chobham Golf Club, Chobham Road, Knaphill, Woking, GU21 2TZ
Winners of this year’s Surrey Heath Volunteer Awards will be announced at a ceremony held in partnership with Surrey Heath Borough Council.

Charity Networking Event - November
2023-11-28 10:00 - 12:00 | Enterprise, Enterprise House, Vicarage Road, Egham, TW20 9FB, Enterprise House, Egham, TW20 9FB, United Kingdom
Our popular quarterly networking event for charities and community groups that will equip you with ideas you can take back to your organisation is a wonderful opportunity to connect with like-minded groups and build relationships with third-sector colleagues and funders alike.
Speakers at our November event include:

A senior member of the NW Surrey Alliance talking about plans around hubs and neighbour, teams and what’s happening in Community;
Emma Ewing from Big Fish Training talking about the influence of AI on the third sector;
Jordan Farrell, VSNS Head of Volunteering, reporting on the findings of the Time to Change Project.

Create your 2024 communications plan
2023-11-23 10:30 - 13:00 | VSNS Chertsey Office, 6 The Sainsbury Centre, Chertsey, Surrey, KT16 9AG, United Kingdom
A good communications plan helps your organisation reach its goals. Having a plan gives you an overview of why you’re doing what you’re doing, so that you can effectively reach your audiences.
In this workshop, you will cover:

Your communications objectives
Your audiences and how you’ll reach your audiences
Your messages: what you’re going to say
Putting your plan together
Your impact: measuring your success
A make-it-easier toolkit

Recruiting and managing volunteers - 14th November
2023-11-14 10:00 - 15:00 | Staines Community Centre, Thames Street, Staines-upon-Thames, Spelthorne, TW18 4EA, United Kingdom
This workshop is aimed at voluntary organisations who want to improve how they recruit and manage volunteers, and establish good practices to help retain the volunteers that they have.
Areas covered during the workshop are:

Evaluating and planning the recruitment process
Advertising and promoting your volunteer opportunities
What should be included in a volunteer policy/agreement
Understanding what motivates and de-motivates volunteers
Methods of recognising and rewarding volunteers.

Grants and trusts fundraising applications - 26th October
2023-10-26 09:30 - 15:00 | VSNS Chertsey Office, 6 The Sainsbury Centre, Chertsey, Surrey, KT16 9AG, United Kingdom
This one-day training is an introduction to structuring and writing charity applications for grants and trusts (national and local):

Researching the need for your project
Planning
Measuring impact
Finding the appropriate funder
Application structure
Funding Strategy

Volunteering and the Law - 2nd October
2023-10-02 10:00 - 13:30 | High Cross Church, 1 Knoll Road, Camberley, Surrey, GU15 3SY, United Kingdom

Charity Law for Trustees - Staines
2023-09-26 10:00 - 15:00 | Goddard Room in Knowle Green Council Offices Staines, Goddard Room in Knowle Green Council Offices, Staines, Surrey, TW18 1XB, United Kingdom

Charity Networking Event - September 2023
2023-09-21 10:00 - 12:00 | Surrey Heath
Our quarterly networking event for charities and community groups will equip you with ideas you can take back to your organisation. Think tank and consultancy for the social sector New Philanthropy Capital will speak to us about what should charities measure and how you can make the most of data.
Did we make a difference? That’s what every charity wants to know. Answering this question can be tricky. It’s hard to collect reliable data about things that have changed. And even if you can, how do you know it was down to you?
Measuring means using data and evidence, both quantitative and qualitative, to gain useful insights about your charity’s work. It’s about understanding whether your project or service made a difference in people’s lives. If yes, how so? If not, why not?
NPC explain how to plan for measurement, the five types of data you will need to pay attention to, and how to prioritise what to measure.
Other speakers include a business perspective from Enterprise on the benefits of employee volunteering and what companies are looking for. We’ll also look at how a communications plan underpins the work that you all do and helps you achieve your objectives.
This is a wonderful opportunity to connect with like-minded groups and build relationships with third sector colleagues and funders alike.

Surrey Heath Mental Health Forum - September 2023
2023-09-19 10:30 - 12:00 | Online via Zoom

Digital fundraising - 19th September 2023
2023-09-19 10:00 - 13:00 | VSNS Chertsey Office, 6 The Sainsbury Centre, Chertsey, Surrey, KT16 9AG, United Kingdom
Our digital fundraising training will look at how to attract donors through social media, looking at:

your audience
telling your story using digital channels
your donor journey

**This event is now sold out. To join our waiting list, please email louise@voluntarysupport.org.uk**

Spelthorne Older People's Forum - September 2023
2023-09-12 11:00 - 12:30 | Staines Community Centre, Thames Street, Staines-upon-Thames, Spelthorne, TW18 4EA, United Kingdom

Grants and Trusts Fundraising Applications - 10th July 2023
2023-07-10 09:30 - 15:00 | Surrey Heath

Grants and Trusts Fundraising Applications - 7th March 2023
2023-03-07 09:30 - 15:00 | Surrey Heath

Volunteering and the Law - 3rd May 2023
2023-03-05 10:00 - 13:30 | Surrey Heath

First Steps to Successful Volunteer Management Tuesday 12th July 09:30 – 3:00
2022-12-07 09:30 - 15:00 | Surrey Heath
This one-day course covers the basics for developing a successful volunteer programme.
The course includes interaction and practical activities to allow participants to practise the skills needed to manage volunteers.
