Practical support for NAVCA members: spring/summer training programme

At NAVCA, we know that local infrastructure organisations are operating in an increasingly complex and resource-constrained environment. You are supporting your local VCSE sector, and influencing the statutory sector, while navigating change yourselves, from funding pressures to evolving roles within local systems.

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That’s why our spring/summer training programme is designed with NAVCA members in mind: practical, relevant and affordable support that reflects the realities of your work.

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Each NAVCA training session is designed to offer practical learning you can apply directly, whether within your own organisation or in your work leading and influencing on behalf of the sector, and supporting local groups. We work with expert facilitators who understand and have experience in local infrastructure, and you will be learning alongside your peers from the wider NAVCA network.

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We recognise the financial pressures many members are facing. That’s why we’ve kept the programme affordable, with early bird tickets available for all sessions, ensuring high-quality training is accessible.

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Building skills that matter now

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Our upcoming programme focuses on key areas where members have told us you need support:

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• Choosing an organisational structure (28 May)

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Want to learn more about supporting local groups to register their organisation? This practical session will guide you through the key options — from charities and CICs to other not-for-profit models — helping you understand the benefits, risks and governance considerations of each. You’ll also get a clear overview of how to set up a charity, bust some common myths, and know where to go for further support. Led by governance expert Aggie Taylor (NCVO), this workshop is designed to give you the confidence to help the organisations you support make informed, strategic decisions.

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• Stepping into charity leadership (18 June)

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Thinking about your next step into leadership? This interactive session offers a realistic look at what it takes to lead a charity as CEO. Led by leadership expert Professor Jacqueline Baxter, you’ll explore the challenges and responsibilities of the role, reflect on your own readiness, and identify key development areas. Through practical frameworks and scenario-based discussions, you’ll start to map your own leadership pathway — leaving with greater clarity, confidence and direction for what comes next.

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• Caring for the connectors (23 June)

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Local infrastructure teams are often the “connectors” within their communities - bringing people together, holding relationships and responding to need. This reflective, interactive session is designed for infrastructure staff who are navigating pressure, change and the risk of burnout. Led by Kay Coombs (Peas in a Pod), it offers space to pause, recharge and reconnect with your purpose. Blending practical resilience tools with peer learning and reflection, you’ll explore how to sustain your own energy in challenging times.

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• Dare to be different: Board diversification (22 & 24 June, two half-days)

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Back by popular demand, this two-part workshop is designed for NAVCA members delivering or managing governance support. Led by experienced governance consultant Kathryn Sullivan, it goes beyond the basics of trustee recruitment to explore why board diversity remains a challenge — and what can be done about it.

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Across two interactive half-day sessions, you’ll explore the principles of effective governance support, gain practical tools to help organisations build resilient boards, and test ideas in a safe, peer-learning environment. This isn’t about quick fixes — it’s about developing approaches that work in your local context.

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Feedback from our last session includes:

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“I particularly liked the breakout rooms and case studies, it was good to benefit from the knowledge and experience of others."

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“Great event, well delivered and lots of useful information."
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• Volunteering and the law (30 June)

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Build your confidence in supporting safe, fair and effective volunteering. This practical, interactive session covers the key legal essentials and best practice — from volunteer rights and safeguarding to DBS checks, expenses and avoiding common pitfalls. Using real-life case studies, you’ll explore how to get policies and day-to-day management right, so you can better support local organisations to create positive volunteering experiences. Led by SCVO (Sandwell) in collaboration with Dudley CVS, this workshop is ideal for anyone supporting volunteer-involving organisations.

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Strong local infrastructure depends on skilled, confident and supported teams. Investing in development is essential to sustaining your impact, and NAVCA can support you to do this.

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We’d love to see you at one (or more) of these sessions.

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Find out more and book your place by logging into the NAVCA member hub.

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