Action Learning Matters

Action Learning Matters (ALM) is a national resource for action learning in the voluntary and community sector across England.

The ALM national resource has something in it for anyone and everyone who works in the voluntary and community sector. Action learning can work for volunteers, staff and trustees in large, medium and small voluntary sector organisations. ALM will make action learning accessible to, and effective for, all levels and roles within organisations.


Our aims

  • To promote action learning as a key tool for the learning and development of the voluntary and community sector workforce.
  • To provide easily accessible information and other resources that will support the use of action learning at all levels.
  • To provide encouragement, support and information to local, regional and sub-regional infrastructure organisations so that they can help to spread action learning throughout the voluntary and community sector.


Our services and products

  • A dynamic web resource to provide a single source of information on what action learning is, where it is happening, its links to other types of learning activities, and how to get involved.
  • Advice and information on setting up and funding action learning programmes, including written and phone guidance, advice networks and mentoring.
  • Training for people who work in the sector to become action learning facilitators.
  • Introduction/taster sessions to demonstrate the benefits of action learning.
  • A consultancy service to support and promote action learning across the sector.
  • Action learning products, such as the ALM resource pack, a toolkit for action learners, facilitators and those who run action learning programmes.
  • Pilot action learning sets which will enable more people to experience the benefits of action learning.
  • A bursary scheme which provides match funding for organisations wishing to run action learning programmes.

We know that there's already a lot of good stuff going on around action learning in the sector. We don't want to duplicate effort or reinvent the wheel so we'll be collaborating and working in partnership where it makes sense to do so. We would like to hear from individuals and organisations already involved in action learning.


How does action learning work?


Action learning is an energetic, action-focused way of learning and development that is based in real-life work and challenges rather than abstract theory. Action learning occurs in a group called a 'set' - a space where peers work, advised by a facilitator, in a supportive and collaborative way around real issues that each are facing in their work. The focus of the group is in finding solutions to these challenges. The learning comes from both arriving at our own action plans and through hearing others' challenges and solutions.

The sum of an action learning set is greater than its parts.
  • ChangeUp and other key initiatives have recognised that skills and knowledge are not just developed through formal courses or training but through a range of learning and development activities. Action learning is one of a group of experiential learning methods which can be highly effective in capability development - for example managing change; using critical analysis and skills; creative problem solving and enhanced communication skills.
  • ALM is a NAVCA project, but is for all infrastructure organisations from CVS, Rural Community Councils and Volunteer Centres to community forums and development trusts.
  • ALM is funded by ChangeUp, via the Workforce Hub, with funding initially until March 2007.


The ALM team


For further information, contact
Ruth Townsley, Project Manager
Wendy McDermott, Project Administrator
or check www.alm-vol.org.uk for updates

Contact us if you:
  • want to know more about the benefits of action learning
  • want to know how to set up an action learning programme
  • want to join an action learning set
  • want to train as an action learning facilitator
  • are looking for an action learning facilitator
  • are looking for ways to fund action learning
  • are an action learning enthusiast who wants to share your experiences
  • are interested in partnership or collaborative working

Pilot programmes


We are running the following action learning pilot programmes:

Action learning sets for third sector leaders


Regions: East of England, North West.

Contact the ALM project team for more information.


SKiLD in action learning


Regions: South Coast
Go to www.skild.org.uk for more information
Programme still accepting applications

Action learning for trustees


Regions: Bristol, London and County Durham
Programme applications now closed

To order a copy of our action learning toolkit, please download the ALM pack order form (Word, 27 KB).