News

Training & Tea: The Secrets of Marketing Success

Unlocking Your Marketing Potential: 4-Part Training Series with Kevin Karaca from The House Outside

Marketing is crucial for voluntary, community, and social enterprise (VCSE) organisations looking to stand out and thrive. Derbyshire Voluntary Action (DVA) is excited to offer an exclusive 4-part training series designed to help VCSE members sharpen their marketing skills. This invaluable opportunity, hosted by DVA and presented by Kevin Karaca from The House Outside, will focus on building solid marketing foundations to amplify your organisation’s reach and impact.

Kevin from The House Outside, has worked extensively with organisations across various sectors, bringing expertise that is accessible, practical, and engaging. This series will provide actionable insights to help your organisation connect more effectively with its audience.

Session 1: Identifying Your Audience

Dive into one of the most critical aspects of marketing: understanding your audience. Knowing exactly who you are speaking to is essential to delivering messages that resonate.

Session 2: Developing a Strong Brand

Understand what a brand is and the importance of a strong brand. This goes beyond just a logo—it’s about creating a consistent unified voice, vision, and identity that reflects your organisation’s mission and values.

Session 3: Creating Strong Visuals

Visual content is powerful. Introducing Canva, a user-friendly design platform that allows even the most design-challenged individuals to create stunning visuals. Whether it’s social media graphics, posters, or flyers, seeing the basics of Canva will show how effective visuals can elevate your organisation’s message.

Session 4: Using Social Media Effectively

Social media is an indispensable tool for reaching new audiences, but it can feel overwhelming. Break down strategies for using platforms like Facebook, X, and Instagram effectively.

Who Is This For?

This training series is designed specifically for members of Derbyshire’s VCSE sector, including members of DVA and the Derbyshire Community Hubs Network. Whether you’re just starting out in marketing or looking to refine your existing strategies, these sessions will equip you with the knowledge and tools you need to make your organisation stand out.

Why Attend?

With Kevin Karaca’s expertise and The House Outside’s innovative approach, this series promises to be a game-changer for your organisation or group.

Don’t miss this chance to learn how to take your marketing efforts to the next level. Strengthen your brand, engage your community, and expand your reach by joining this essential training series.

Posted in Derbyshire Community Hubs Network, News, TrainingTagged in , , ,

Connecting Events

Are you involved in community building in Derbyshire?
Are you motivated to create spaces for the community to gather?
From Community Centres to Church Halls, Village Halls and Miners Welfares; Derbyshire has plenty of places that support their communities.
We call all these places Community Hubs.

Derbyshire Community Hubs Network is here for those individuals working hard to maintain and grow these Community Hubs. You may be a member of staff, a volunteer organiser or a trustee. You’re all welcome to our upcoming connecting events.

This network will create a strong community of supportive relationships to unlock the potential of community hubs across our region.

The network will learn from each hub’s experiences, enable peer support, joint training, and knowledge sharing. You will meet others in similar circumstances to you. We will share our stories of working to create spaces for our communities. We’ll find similarities and differences. We’ll find opportunities to support one another. Derbyshire Community Hubs Network is a place to learn from one another and to discover the rich expertise of the people doing this work. We’ll unearth our strengths, our challenges and we’ll problem solve together.

“I was invigorated and inspired, to be in the company of so many people at once, passionate about supporting their communities and overcoming challenges along the way. Managing a community space can be tricky and isolating at times -having a space to normalise some of the difficulties was really helpful, and a really great opportunity to share learning”

Attendee at Derbyshire Community Hubs Network Launch Event

A connected community is a stronger community. Each Hub is a community in itself, our events will bring these Hubs together. We will build a community of communities!

We’ll be travelling across Derbyshire to bring connecting events to your area. These local events will support Hubs to meet one another in the location in which they are based. These events will allow you to find those working near to you and begin to connect and learn from one another. Join our mailing list by emailing hubs@dva.org.uk to hear about each event as it is announced.

Booking for these events is live now, so spread the word and lets connect together!

Erewash https://bit.ly/3AxYjow
Friday 20th September 10:30am-2pm at Cotmanhay Community Network 

High Peak https://bit.ly/4cyPjg3
Monday 23rd September 1pm-4:30pm at The Bureau, Glossop 

Chesterfield https://bit.ly/4dyrS80
Tuesday 24th September 10:30am-2pm at CDC Cosy Hub 

Derbyshire Dales https://bit.ly/3AuuIMF
Tuesday 1st October 10:30am-2pm at Hartington Village Hall 

Amber Valley https://bit.ly/4fQ7OQ5 NEW DATE
Friday 4th October 10:45am-2.15pm at Infinite Wellbeing, Heanor 

NE Derbyshire https://bit.ly/4dOuvlQ NEW DATE
Tuesday 8th October 10:30am-2pm at S45 Hub @ Clay Cross 

South Derbyshire https://bit.ly/3AB4dFy
Tuesday 15th October 10:30am-2pm at Repton Mapletree Cafe, Repton 

Posted in Derbyshire Community Hubs Network, NewsTagged in , , ,

Join Us for the Next Series of Training and Tea: Empowering the VCSE in Derbyshire!

We are thrilled to announce the upcoming series of our much-loved Training and Tea sessions, brought to you by Derbyshire Voluntary Action! These bitesize online training sessions are designed to empower the Voluntary, Community, and Social Enterprise (VCSE) sector in Derbyshire by providing valuable skills and knowledge in a relaxed, friendly environment.

Why Training and Tea?

Our Training and Tea sessions offer a unique blend of professional development and informal networking, so put on the kettle and enjoy a cuppa and settle in for some great training. Whether you’re a seasoned professional or new to the sector, these sessions provide an excellent opportunity to enhance your skills, share experiences, and connect with like-minded individuals.

Meet Our Trainer: A Specialist in People, Team, and Organisation Development

We are thrilled to welcome back Andrew Deighton from AWD Development Solutions for the upcoming Training and Tea series! With 26 years of experience at a FTSE100 company, Andrew brings a unique blend of expertise, specialising in team and organisation development, coaching, and leadership enhancement. Andrew designs and facilitates workshops, away days, and training sessions to help individuals and teams achieve their highest potential.

What Makes Training and Tea Special?

Expert Speakers: Learn from industry experts with years of experience in the VCSE sector.
Interactive Format: Engage in discussions, Q&A sessions, and group activities that enhance learning.
Networking Opportunities: Connect with peers from across Derbyshire, share insights, and build lasting relationships.
Relaxed Environment: Enjoy a cup of tea while you learn together online, making for a comfortable and enjoyable experience.


Who Should Attend?

These sessions are open to all members of the VCSE sector in Derbyshire, including charity workers, volunteers, trustees, and anyone interested in making a positive impact in their community. Whether you’re looking to gain new skills, update your knowledge, or simply network with others in the sector, Training and Tea has something for you. If you’re part of a Community Hub we’re especially eager to see you there and grow our network.

Upcoming Sessions: What’s in Store

  1. Building and Developing Exceptional Teams
    Date: August 27, 2024
    Time: 9:30 AM – 10:15 AM

Discover a practical framework to build and develop a high-performing team. We’ll focus on key areas to prioritize, saving you time and money by concentrating on what truly matters. The session will conclude with a Q&A to address any specific issues you may have.

  1. Working Styles and Preferences
    Date: September 3, 2024
    Time: 9:30 AM – 10:15 AM

Explore the diverse working styles of your team members and learn how to adapt your approach for more effective collaboration. This session will help you understand your style and its impact on others, with tips on how to flex your style to work more effectively with different personalities.

  1. Dealing with People as a Team Leader
    Date: September 17, 2024
    Time: 9:30 AM – 10:15 AM

Gain insights into the key attitudes, skills, and behaviors that will make you a more effective team leader. We’ll share practical tools and techniques to help you lead your team with confidence. The session will end with a Q&A to address any specific challenges you face.

  1. Coaching Skills
    Date: September 24, 2024
    Time: 9:30 AM – 10:15 AM

Learn the benefits of coaching and the skills needed to be an effective coach. This session will introduce a simple framework to structure your coaching discussions, which you can use to develop your team members’ skills and solve problems collaboratively.

How to Register

Registration is simple and free! Visit the booking link for each instance to sign up for the sessions that interest you. Spaces are limited, so be sure to register early to secure your spot.

Join the Conversation

Stay connected and share your Training and Tea experiences on social media using the hashtag #TrainingAndTea. Follow us on Facebook, X (Twitter), and Instagram for updates, tips, and highlights from each session.

We look forward to seeing you there!

At Derbyshire Voluntary Action, we believe in the power of learning and community. Let’s come together, share a cup of tea, and grow stronger as a sector. See you at Training and Tea!

Posted in News, Training

The VCSE Unites at ‘Save Our Sector’ Event

Celebrating Strength and Resilience

In an inspirational display of solidarity, over 100 members of Derbyshire’s Voluntary, Community, and Social Enterprise (VCSE) sector came together at the vibrant ‘Save Our Sector’ event along with service users for the support provided by these groups. Hosted by Wynne Garnett, the Programme Lead for the VCSE Alliance, the gathering was a powerful statement to the resilience and dedication of our community in the face of proposed funding cuts from Derbyshire County Council.

This is not panic, this is strength.

Held with the help and support of Chesterfield Football Club Community Trust, and the African & Caribbean Community Association (ACCA), the atmosphere was charged with a sense of purpose and unity. Despite the looming financial uncertainties, the event was an uplifting celebration of the collective power and indomitable spirit of the VCSE sector. It was a day filled with inspiring stories, shared experiences, and a collective commitment to safeguarding the vital services that support Derbyshire’s communities.

The event featured insightful keynote speeches from Lud Ramsey, Vice-Chair of ACCA and Labour Councillor for the Spire Ward; Sue Wheatcroft, DVA Board Member and Founder of the Borderline Personality Support Group; and Karen Lawson, NHS Social Prescriber and Director at Kakou. Each speaker highlighted the indispensable role of VCSE groups in enhancing community health and wellbeing, and the risk taken in cutting funding to these services.

Lud Ramsey’s passionate address underscored the essential nature of VCSE services, reminding us all of the broader implications of the proposed cuts. “The services provided by our VCSE groups are not just essential; they are lifesaving”.

Sue Wheatcroft looked at the transformative power of community support often relied on by those most at need. “This is the true value of community support. Shouldn’t high salaries come second to making sure people have their basic needs met. These groups are a lifeline to our communities and we need to defend them” she remarked.

Karen Lawson spoke about the critical synergy between social prescribing and the VCSE sector, illustrating how integrated services enhance community health outcomes. “The synergy between the NHS and the VCSE is vital. Together, we can provide holistic care that addresses both medical and social needs. Please take a step back and think of the consequences of what you’re doing to the people of Derbyshire. Find a way that does not target those most in need” she emphasised.

Showcasing Impact and Value

A key focus of the event was gathering and presenting both quantitative and qualitative data to underscore the profound impact and value of VCSE groups. Attendees participated in interactive sessions designed to collect compelling evidence of the sector’s contributions to the community’s health and wellbeing. The data collected will be instrumental in advocating for the preservation of discretionary grant funding.

A Call to Action

The event concluded with a resounding call to action, urging attendees and the wider community to rally together, complete the consultation, and advocate for the preservation of discretionary grant funding.

“The biggest reflection today is this is just the beginning. It’s not just about the organisations that are losing funding, where will it land? It will land in our communities”. Jacqui Willis, CEO of DVA.

We have demonstrated that our sector is resilient, passionate, and indispensable. Now, we must take this momentum and channel it into tangible action to safeguard our future.

Posted in News, Save Our SectorTagged in , , ,