Training and events
We run events for volunteers, staff and trustees from third sector organisations in Berwickshire.
We are very happy to be able to offer courses FREE to volunteers, staff members and trustees from community groups, charities and social enterprises.
We ask that numbers are limited to a maximum of two places per organisation per course to ensure parity. Please state which community group, charity, or social enterprise you are with when booking a course – thank you.
For more information about our training programmes, and to discuss ideas for sessions you would like to see us running, please get in touch.
Download our Training Programme for January to March 2023
Events from the programme will be listed below when booking is open
Talk Thursday
Are you a community group, charity, village hall or social enterprise, or do you have in idea about setting up a new group? Bavs can give advice on setting up, as well as advise on governance, legal structures, running your committee, funding, and other areas relating to running a group or organisation.
We are continuing our surgery style scheme to ensure all new enquiries are seen quickly and you are placed with the staff member best placed to give advice or signpost you to other relevant organisations. These will be held every three weeks during the Autumn term. You are welcome to drop in, but if you book a slot we will arrange a time to meet you.
We will be inviting guest organisations along for you to talk with, and Bavs staff will be on hand for other enquiries.
Data Protection for Trustees and Senior Staff
About the workshop
Fines for data breaches can be large, even when your own organisation is the victim of hackers. So, what should trustees and senior staff do to ensure compliance with data protection law? This workshop considers the principles of processing personal data, and in particular, the new principle of accountability. It looks at how you can meet your organisation’s responsibilities; and the steps you can take to demonstrate compliance with data protection law.
Who is it for?
It is aimed at members of trustee boards and senior staff in small charities, voluntary groups and social enterprises.
Outcomes
Participants will:
(a) Be aware of the seven principles behind UK data protection law.
(b) Understand your organisation’s responsibilities when processing personal data.
(c) Know what is needed to demonstrate compliance with the law.
The trainer
David Green has been providing consultancy and delivering courses on data protection since before the introduction of the GDPR. He has written privacy notices and data protection policies; and helped organisation carry out internal data audits.
Format
The workshop will be delivered online using Zoom by David Green, Director of Green Pepper Consulting. To encourage interaction, attendance will be limited to a maximum of 12 participants. The event will last for 1.5 hours.
Meaningful Community Engagement
About the workshop
Place Making or Community Led Planning is a process where people come together to identify and take action on issues that are important to them. This course is a practical approach to helping communities in Berwickshire organise and identify opportunities they want to explore or improvements they want to make. At the heart of all community development is meaningful engagement with the people who live, work or visit the place.
Outcome
A realistic plan for engaging with the people in your community and listening to their needs and aspirations.
Trainer
Anne McNeill is a Trustee of A Heart for Duns and facilitates the Berwickshire Alliance. She grew up in Duns and returned to live in the area after a career as a consultant working internationally on business and economic development.
Networking Blether
Our networking events are for anyone who volunteers, works, or is a trustee for a charity, community group, village hall or social enterprise.
Join us to hear a guest speaker talk about a currently relevant topic, network, enjoy a late breakfast and catch up with friends old and new!
Talk Thursday - with guest from Live Borders
Are you a community group, charity, village hall or social enterprise, or do you have in idea about setting up a new group? Bavs can give advice on setting up, as well as advise on governance, legal structures, running your committee, funding, and other areas relating to running a group or organisation.
We are continuing our surgery style scheme to ensure all new enquiries are seen quickly and you are placed with the staff member best placed to give advice or signpost you to other relevant organisations. These will be held every three weeks during the term.
Graeme Murdoch from Live Borders will be with us from 10am to 1:30pm for groups to meet with about potential social prescribing partnerships, and Bavs staff will be on hand for other enquiries.
This is a drop in event, please come at a time that suits you between 10am and 3pm, and use this registration to let us know your preferred time.
Safeguarding, a Trustee Responsibility
About the workshop
Aimed at charity trustees, this workshop will look at their duties and responsibilities in respect of safeguarding; and the actions they should be taking to meet the requirements of the OSCR (Scottish Charity Regulator).
Who is it for?
Trustees from community groups / organisations in Berwickshire. Maximum 2 spaces per organisation. This workshop is not suitable for frontline staff.
Outcomes
By the end of the workshop, participants will:
(a) Be aware of their duties and responsibilities in respect of safeguarding.
(b) Know the practical measures they should be taking to ensure the effective management of safeguarding.
(c) Be better placed to embed safeguarding into the culture of their organisation
The trainer
David is a former charity trustee. During that time, he was the trustee lead for safeguarding within the organisation.
Format
The workshop will be delivered online using Zoom by David Green, Director of Green Pepper Consulting. To encourage interaction, attendance will be limited to a maximum of 12 participants. The event will last for 1.5 hours.
Emergency First Aid At Work
This course is suitable for people who work in low hazard environments (for example an office, community venue or shop), or where Health and Safety Executive (HSE) guidelines indicate staff should hold a certificate in emergency first aid at work.
It gives learners the skills and confidence to respond to a range of accidents and first aid emergencies they may encounter in the workplace.
Certificates are valid for three years.
Wear loose fitting clothing and bring a packed lunch - hot drinks provided.
First Aid Instructor: Jane Dixon, Inside Out
Data Protection Essentials
About the workshop
What can you and can’t you do with other people’s personal data? This workshop looks at the key rules when it comes to collecting and using personal data; and the type of measures needed to keep such data safe. It will consider the essential elements of data protection law; and the secure handling of personal data. It will be of use to anyone in charities, the voluntary sector and social enterprises that handles personal data.
Who is it for?
Volunteers and staff from community groups / organisations in Berwickshire. Maximum 2 spaces per organisation.
Outcomes
By the end of the workshop, participants will:
(a) Understand what is and is not allowed, in terms of the law.
(b) Understand the importance of, and steps needed to keep personal data secure.
(c) Be more confident in applying best practice to data protection.
The trainer
David Green has been providing consultancy and delivering courses on data protection since before the introduction of the GDPR. He has written privacy notices and data protection policies; and helped organisation carry out internal data audits.
Format
The workshop will be delivered online using Zoom by David Green, Director of Green Pepper Consulting. To encourage interaction, attendance will be limited to a maximum of 12 participants. The event will last for 1.5 hours.
Talk Thursday
Are you a community group, charity, village hall or social enterprise, or do you have in idea about setting up a new group? Bavs can give advice on setting up, as well as advise on governance, legal structures, running your committee, funding, and other areas relating to running a group or organisation.
We are continuing our surgery style scheme to ensure all new enquiries are seen quickly and you are placed with the staff member best placed to give advice or signpost you to other relevant organisations. These will be held every three weeks during the Autumn term. You are welcome to drop in, but if you book a slot we will arrange a time to meet you.
We will be inviting guest organisations along for you to talk with, and Bavs staff will be on hand for other enquiries.
Bavs Members Consultation Session
We would like to share information about our work with partners on the Borders TSI Re-imagined project and consult with our members on Bavs plans to continue working and deliverying services in Berwickshire.
Book on eventbrite: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/510642715107
Meaningful Community Engagement
About the workshop
Place Making or Community Led Planning is a process where people come together to identify and take action on issues that are important to them. This course is a practical approach to helping communities in Berwickshire organise and identify opportunities they want to explore or improvements they want to make. At the heart of all community development is meaningful engagement with the people who live, work or visit the place.
Outcome
A realistic plan for engaging with the people in your community and listening to their needs and aspirations.
Trainer
Anne McNeill is a Trustee of A Heart for Duns and facilitates the Berwickshire Alliance. She grew up in Duns and returned to live in the area after a career as a consultant working internationally on business and economic development.
Risk Assessment, Step by Step
About the workshop
How do you conduct a health and safety risk assessment? Using a workplace hazard chosen by the group as an example, this short workshop will take you through the practical steps needed to ensure that hazards are properly assessed and evaluated; and that you are meeting your legal duties towards others (including the public). It is aimed at anyone responsible for health and safety within their organisation.
Outcomes
By the end of the workshop, participants will:
(a) Understand what is required to conduct a risk assessment.
(b) Be aware of their organisation’s duties towards staff, volunteers and the public.
(c) Be more confident in applying best practice to health and safety.
The Trainer
David Green has extensive experience in the health and safety field, having previously been chair of the national Further Education Safety and Health Forum which brought together employers, trades unions and the Health and Safety Executive. He has run a number of courses on health and safety for small charities.
Format
The workshop will be delivered online using Zoom by David Green, Director of Green Pepper Consulting. To encourage interaction, attendance will be limited to a maximum of 12 participants. The event will last for 1.5 hours.
Energy efficiency advice training
About the workshop
As our communities face the cost of energy crisis, Roxburgh & Berwickshire Citizens Advice Bureau want to arm frontline workers and voluntary community group leaders with some basic energy advice and details of where people can access specialist support.
If you provide a direct service in the community and have some spare time, sign up and come along to find out how you can help. Its on ZOOM so get comfy, grab a brew, blanket and a few biscuits.
Please be aware, there will be open discussion but no individual cases will be discussed.
The Trainer
Annett McGraith - Berwickshire and Roxburgh Citizen's Advice Bureaux
Funded by: Scottish Borders Council
Format: online
Bavs Members Consultation Session
We would like to share information about our work with partners on the Borders TSI Re-imagined project and consult with our members on Bavs plans to continue working and delivering services in Berwickshire.
Book on eventbrite: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/510641451327
Talk Thursday
Are you a community group, charity, village hall or social enterprise, or do you have in idea about setting up a new group? Bavs can give advice on setting up, as well as advise on governance, legal structures, running your committee, funding, and other areas relating to running a group or organisation.
We are continuing our surgery style scheme to ensure all new enquiries are seen quickly and you are placed with the staff member best placed to give advice or signpost you to other relevant organisations. These will be held every three weeks during the Autumn term. You are welcome to drop in, but if you book a slot we will arrange a time to meet you.
We will be inviting experts along for you to talk with, and Bavs staff will be on hand for other enquiries.
Emergency First Aid At Work
This course is suitable for people who work in low hazard environments (for example an office, community venue or shop), or where Health and Safety Executive (HSE) guidelines indicate staff should hold a certificate in emergency first aid at work.
It gives learners the skills and confidence to respond to a range of accidents and first aid emergencies they may encounter in the workplace.
Certificates are valid for three years.
Wear loose fitting clothing and bring a packed lunch - hot drinks provided.
First Aid Instructor: Jane Dixon, Inside Out
Talk Thursday
Are you a community group, charity, village hall or social enterprise, or do you have in idea about setting up a new group? Bavs can give advice on setting up, as well as advise on governance, legal structures, running your committee, funding, and other areas relating to running a group or organisation.
We are continuing our surgery style scheme to ensure all new enquiries are seen quickly and you are placed with the staff member best placed to give advice or signpost you to other relevant organisations. These will be held every three weeks during the Autumn term. You are welcome to drop in, but if you book a slot we will arrange a time to meet you.
We will be inviting experts along for you to talk with, and Bavs staff will be on hand for other enquiries.
Networking Blether (Greenlaw)
As it is Trustees Week from 7-11 November, we will celebrating the role of trustees with guests Volunteer Centre Borders (VCB)
There will be also be a discussion, led by Anne McNeill from the Berwickshire Alliance, on Community Led Planning (also called Place Making) with the opportunity to contribute your thoughts on how to make Berwickshire a better place to live, work and play.
Our networking events are informal, relaxed events with refreshments, for anyone who volunteers, works, or is a trustee for a charity, community group, village hall or social enterprise.
We look forward to seeing you!
Introduction to Trust and Foundations Fundraising
Online Workshop
This workshop will help you to develop the skills you need to increase your chances of making successful grant applications to trusts and foundations.
It will enable you to understand all the work required before you begin to write a grant application, and tips on completing grant application forms and free flowing applications (letters).
Outcomes
By the end of the workshop, participants will:
be able to identify appropriate trusts and foundations
have developed their understanding of how to demonstrate impact and need
know how to demonstrate service user engagement
have increased knowledge about completing application forms and letters.
The trainer
The workshops will be delivered by Karon Phillips from Citrus Consultancy. Karon has 12 years’ experience of running her own consultancy and helping charities to secure £11 million from a range of grant making trusts. Alongside her fundraising expertise, Karon has 23 years' voluntary sector management experience. She fully understands the pressures and challenges that senior managers of charities face.
Talk Thursday
Are you a community group, charity, village hall or social enterprise, or do you have in idea about setting up a new group? Bavs can give advice on setting up, as well as advise on governance, legal structures, running your committee, funding, and other areas relating to running a group or organisation.
We are continuing our surgery style scheme to ensure all new enquiries are seen quickly and you are placed with the staff member best placed to give advice or signpost you to other relevant organisations. These will be held every three weeks during the Autumn term. You are welcome to drop in, but if you book a slot we will arrange a time to meet you.
We will be inviting experts along for you to talk with, and Bavs staff will be on hand for other enquiries.
Trustee Skills and Responsibilities
Online Workshop
This workshop will help you to refresh the skills and knowledge required to be an effective trustee. It will also help those new to being a trustee. Using case histories, it will consider the duties and responsibilities of leading and managing your organisation. It will also help you to identify organisational strengths and areas for improvement.
In the face of challenging times for charities, voluntary groups and village hall committees, the emphasis will be on the practical steps you can take to be more effective; and so help steer your organisation through the recovery from COVID-19.
Outcomes
Participants will:
(a) be more aware of their duties as trustees
(b) be encouraged to reflect upon their organisation’s strengths and weaknesses
(c) feel more confident in their role.
The workshop will cover the following topics:
key trustee duties and responsibilities
conflicts of interest
organisational strengths and weaknesses
working effectively as a committee.
Trainer - David Green, Green Pepper Consulting
Talk Thursday
Are you a community group, charity, village hall or social enterprise, or do you have in idea about setting up a new group? Bavs can give advice on setting up, as well as advise on governance, legal structures, running your committee, funding, and other areas relating to running a group or organisation.
We are continuing our surgery style scheme to ensure all new enquiries are seen quickly and you are placed with the staff member best placed to give advice or signpost you to other relevant organisations. These will be held every three weeks during the Autumn term. You are welcome to drop in, but if you book a slot we will arrange a time to meet you.
We will be inviting experts along for you to talk with, and Bavs staff will be on hand for other enquiries.
Bavs AGM and 50th Anniversary Charity Awards
Bavs is celebrating 50 years of existence and we can't think of a better way to celebrate than by recognising the contribution that the voluntary sector and volunteers make in Berwickshire. Buffet provided!
It is very simple, anyone can nominate a person or a project that you think should receive an award for their contribution in making our communities great. To nominate, use this link.
The deadline for submissions is Friday, 16th September 2022
Meaningful Community Engagement - (Eyemouth)
Focus on supporting people to be involved in local decisions
These training sessions are being delivered by Paul Nelis from Scottish Community Development Centre (SCDC).
Learn how to build capacity for community engagement
Place Standard tool explained!
Elementary Food Hygiene
A 6-hour course which has been independently rated on the Scottish Credit Qualifications Framework (SCQF) at Level 5 with 1 credit. The course may be of interest to volunteers running community cafes and lunch clubs.
The course covers:
the benefits of high standards of food hygiene and food safety legislation
the incidence of food poisoning and its prevention
the role of food safety management systems in managing hazards and risk .
Candidates are required to sit a multiple-choice exam at the end of the course.
The course will be delivered by Annie Casey of Abundant Borders, a registered REHIS trainer.
Lunch will be provided by Abundant Borders.
Meaningful Community Engagement - (Duns)
Focus on supporting people to be involved in local decisions
These training sessions are being delivered by Paul Nelis from Scottish Community Development Centre (SCDC).
Learn how to build capacity for community engagement
Place Standard tool explained!
Meaningful Community Engagement (Coldstream)
*Event cancelled due to state funeral of HM the Queen - other dates available this week*
Focus on supporting people to be involved in local decisions
These training sessions are being delivered by Paul Nelis from Scottish Community Development Centre (SCDC).
Learn how to build capacity for community engagement
Place Standard tool explained!
Talk Thursday
Are you a community group, charity, village hall or social enterprise, or do you have in idea about setting up a new group? Bavs can give advice on setting up, as well as advise on governance, legal structures, running your committee, funding, and other areas relating to running a group or organisation.
We are continuing our surgery style scheme to ensure all new enquiries are seen quickly and you are placed with the staff member best placed to give advice or signpost you to other relevant organisations. These will be held every three weeks during the Autumn term. You are welcome to drop in, but if you book a slot we will arrange a time to meet you.
We will be inviting experts along for you to talk with, and Bavs staff will be on hand for other enquiries.
Networking Blether
Our networking events are for anyone who volunteers, works, or is a trustee for a charity, community group, village hall or social enterprise.
Come along, hear a short talk from Nichola Sewell about the NHS Community Benefits Portal, network, enjoy a late breakfast and catch up with new friends and old.
Talk Thursday - Focus on Place Making and The Children, Young People, Families and Adult Learning Third Sector Fund (CYPFAL)
About this event
In the morning James Purves, Scottish Borders Council’s Berwickshire Community Engagement Officer, will be with us to talk about community engagement. James Lamb (or Naomi Sweeny) will present SBC's Place Making approach. Both will be available to meet attendees.
Bavs staff will be available throughout. We are aware that the CYPFAL deadline is approaching - at 3pm on 5 September - so will be on hand to support with this if required.
This is a drop-in event. Please come at a time that suits you between 10am and 3pm, and use the registration to let us know your preferred time.