Learning and Networks
We provide a range of learning and networking opportunities to the charities we support to help them build their skills, develop relationships and facilitate collaboration.
We provide networking opportunities to our partner charities through local peer forums across England and Wales. These forums enable small charity leaders to share learning and knowledge while establishing a support network of individuals facing similar work-based challenges within the charity sector.
Through the forum sessions charities work together to address a variety of issues with the support of an independent facilitator. Benefits of attending these forums include building a network of local charities, boosting confidence to tackle common challenges and gaining practical leadership skills. Our networking opportunities are available to existing grant holders.
If you’re interested in taking part in the peer forums, please contact your Regional Manager.
The peer forum has helped us think differently and to see issues from other people’s perspectives, making me more efficient in my own organisation. Life as a Chief Executive is difficult and often without much organisational support, the peer forum bridges this gap and ensures that valuable and relevant support is available from people that you trust and respect
Shaun England, Chief Executive, Too Good To Waste
We also provide regional and national learning opportunities and events for the charities we partner with. These include research events for us to share our learnings, regional workshops to respond to specific challenges identified by charities within a local area and learning events for sector-specific groups who are funded through our National Programmes.
Supporting Charities to Influence
As part of our commitment to helping charities to Influence more effectively, we're developing a number of training, networking, development and funding opportunities.
If you’re interested in developing your ability to influence and accessing support, please contact your Regional Manager.
“I find the [peer forums] very useful because I get lots of information from other CEOs, and also it’s very good for my wellbeing – because we’re all in the same boat! You know what it is? It’s time to check in with yourself. A couple of people have shared some really quite difficult things, and because we go round and we all offer something, they may just pick something out. It’s a good support network for one of the loneliest jobs.”
- Lesley Herniman, CEO The Vine Centre
