This pilot project aims to support the VCS to deliver training on local needs to council officers and council community researchers over the next two years. Training workshops will build relationships, develop skills, and share experiences.
The call for Expressions of Interest to be a VCS Training Lead and/or VCS Contributor will open from 22 April 2025.
There are six training workshop themes:
- Socioeconomic factors (including financial inclusion, employment, and housing tenure)
- Youth
- Race, ethnicity, culture, and faith
- Disability
- Mental health
- LGBTQ+ communities
The first two themes will be ‘Socio-economic factors’ and ‘Youth’.
Although the training has been organised into six distinct themes, it is important to recognise the concept of intersectionality — the way in which different aspects of a person’s identity (such as race, gender, disability, and socio-economic status) overlap and interact to shape their experiences. It is expected that this understanding will be reflected throughout the training content and delivery.
- Expressions of interest from potential VCS Contributors to each theme will be given to the selected VCS Leads who will choose three groups to work with.
- The VCS Leads will plan, organise and deliver workshops, collaborating with the VCS contributors who will involve service users where appropriate. Workshops need to be engaging, interactive, and give council officers a clear understanding of the experiences of residents and the work of the VCS.
- Three workshops will be delivered for each theme over a three-month period.
- The VCS Leads will be paid £14,000 (this needs to include venue and refreshment costs).
- The VCS Contributors will be paid £2,500 and will contribute to the planning and attend for at least half the training session.
Leads and Contributors must meet requirements around being formally constituted (i.e., a charity or a CIC, not-for-profit based in or operating in Southwark), producing annual accounts, and being London Living Wage employers (if they employ staff).
If you would like to find out more sign up to our Q&A session will take place on Thursday 08th May (11am-12pm) or email syeda@communitysouthwark.org.
Additional Information
The call for expressions of interest will be open from 22 April to 30 May 2025.