Events and training

From Conflict to Closure: Managing Sensitive Volunteer Issues

Date: 19 March 2026
Time: 1pm-4pm
Location: Online Event - via Zoom
Cost: Free

Gain the confidence and tools to address difficult volunteer situations with professional-ism and empathy. This practical course guides you through managing conflict, resolving issues, and building stronger volunteer relationships—even in challenging circumstances.

The course will cover

• Identify common sources of conflict and sensitive issues that arise in volunteering setting
• Demonstrate the ability to approach and structure difficult conversations
• Assess the severity of sensitive scenarios and determine appropriate responses
• Apply conflict resolution and closure strategies
• Understanding the value of ending volunteering well

Where: Online via Zoom
This training is funded by the UK government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund.

Mindfulness Retreat Workshop for Volunteers

Date: 25 March 2026
Time: 11am-1:30pm
Location: Discovery Hub, Warnham Local Nature Reserve, Warnham Road, Horsham, RH12 2RA
Cost: Free (£10 deposit when booking, refundable on attendance)

Recharge & Refresh: Mindfulness Retreat for Volunteers!

Calling all volunteers in the Horsham District! Join us for a Mindfulness Retreat Workshop designed to support your emotional wellbeing and enhance your volunteer experience.

Immerse yourself in a rejuvenating atmosphere where you’ll explore:

• Practical mindfulness techniques and psychological strategies to reduce stress and enhance focus, led by a qualified psychologist and mindfulness coach.
• A guided meditation session to cultivate inner peace and clarity.
• Discussions on the benefits of mindfulness and psychological techniques for personal and community wellbeing.

Attendees will also be permitted free access to explore Warnham Nature Reserve following the training.

This session is for charities, community groups, and not-for-profit organisations working in the Horsham District.

Governance and Structures

Date: 26 March 2026
Time: 9:30am-1pm
Location: Billingshurst Community and Conference Centre, Roman Way, Billingshurst, West Sussex, RH14 9QW
Cost: Free (£10 deposit when booking, refundable on attendance)

This is an interactive training session that will include a mixture of presentation, discussion and case studies. Content focusing on structures includes:

• When to use charities versus social enterprises.
• Different types of charities and other legal structures including community interest companies.
• When to use a trading subsidiary, how to make the structure tax-efficient and hmrc limits.
• Mergers and joint ventures, including issues, advantages and disadvantages.

From this training, you can expect to gain a deeper understanding on the following topics:

• An understanding of when it is most appropriate to use a charity and when a social enterprise.
• How to structure your organisation to ensure that it is attractive to funders and tax-efficient.
• How to change structures and merge with other entities if that is in the best interests of the organisation and its beneficiaries.

Active Bystander Training

Date: 2 April 2026
Time: 10am-12:30pm
Location: Online Event - via Zoom
Cost: Free

The expert-led sessions guide participants through a series of discussions, exploring how they can safely address identity-based harms in their community, or workplace.

You will learn:

• What it really means to be an active bystander - exploring perspectives, responsibilities, and boundaries
• How to intervene safely - practical techniques and scenario-based learning, from discriminatory comments to public harassment.
• A.C.T - Address, Connect, Tell - Immediate tools for real-life situations
• Creating a culture of care - simple, everyday actions that help reduce harm in the long term

This session is for charities, community groups, and not-for-profit organisations working in the Horsham District.

Prevent Training

Date: 23 April 2026
Time: 11am-12pm
Location: Blackbridge Community Centre, Three Acres, Horsham, RH12 1RS
Cost: Free (£10 deposit when booking, refundable on attendance)

Graham White, who is the Prevent Engagement Officer at West Sussex County Council, will be joining us, to provide some training on the Prevent programme and processes; how it works as a safeguarding tool and how to make a referral.

He will also be illustrating different aspects of radicalisation, how people become radicalised and how to spot the early signs of radicalisation.

Lucy Stone Fundraising - Prospecting and Research: How do you find the right funders for you?

Date: 13 May 2026
Time: 10am-11:30am
Location: Online Event - via Zoom
Cost: Free

How can you do great research about Trusts, Foundations and Grants before you make an application? Where do you look for information and vitally – what is that information telling you?

We will explore a range of FREE and paid resources and how to make the most of them. You will also leave the session knowing how to use the Charity Commission website for your Trust fundraising research.

Lucy Stone Fundraising - Measuring your Impact: Making the most of your evaluation and monitoring for your fundraising

Date: 11 June 2026
Time: 10am-11:30am
Location: Online Event - via Zoom
Cost: Free

It is vital that people and organisations we ask to support our work understand what impact their donations will have. Evaluation, monitoring and impact measurement are essential tools for fundraising.

Do you know your outputs from your outcomes? Are you unsure what you need to measure and what people might be interested in? Do you collect lots of information but aren't sure what to do? Do you want to use your data, case studies and stories more effectively in your fundraising?

Then this session is for you! In this session we will explore:

• Why do you need to talk about impact?
• What's the difference between impact, outcomes, outputs and inputs?
• How do you develop an evaluation framework?
• What is a Theory of Change and do you need one?
• What are the different ways you can use the data and stories that you collect?

Lucy Stone Fundraising - Writing for Impact: How can you make your applications and letters to trusts and foundations stand out?

Date: 14 July 2026
Time: 1pm-2:30pm
Location: Online Event - via Zoom
Cost: Free

Writing for funders is a kay part of a fundraisers work.
Do you want to write better letters to funders? Are your applications lacking impact? Could your case for support stand out more?

This session is about how to make your writing and applications clearer and stand out. We will use examples to highlight key information and explore the common traps people fall into. In this session we will explore:

• Using behavioural economics to transform your charity messaging
• Top tips on what works including language and layout
• Funders pet peeves
• Types of writing including Free Form Applications, Letters and Applications
• Case for support: what are the key messages you need to include
• Useful resources