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Free Online Learning Guides for Calderdale VCSE Groups

Voluntary & Community (VAC) has launched a range of FREE online learning guides designed to support voluntary, community and social enterprise (VCSE) organisations across Calderdale. 

Our easy-to-follow learning resources provide practical guidance to help your organisation develop, grow and operate safely and effectively.

Available Learning Guides

Choosing a Structure for Your Organisation

Not sure which organisational structure is right for your group?

This beginner-friendly guide helps VCSE organisations understand the different legal and non-legal structures available and choose the option that best meets their needs.

Whether you’re setting up a new organisation or reviewing your existing structure, this resource breaks down complex information into simple, practical steps.

Topics covered include:

  • Introduction
  • Why Your Organisational Structure Matters
  • Choosing a Structure
  • Useful Links and Resources
  • Where to Get Further Help
  • Knowledge Check Quiz

 

Designed for trustees, staff and volunteers, this guide provides practical advice to help organisations create safer environments for everyone involved.

Health and safety can seem overwhelming, but this resource explains key responsibilities and risk management measures in a straightforward and accessible way.

Topics covered include:

  • Introduction
  • Display Screen Equipment (DSE)
  • Slips, Trips and Falls
  • Electrical Safety
  • Fire Safety
  • Manual Handling
  • Hazardous Substances
  • Office and Lone Working Security
  • Supporting Young People and People with Additional Needs
  • Final Summary and Key Takeaways

 

More guides are on the way! We’re regularly expanding our online learning library, so keep checking back for new resources.

How to Access

Access to these online learning guides is available to:

✅ VCSE organisations working within Calderdale
✅ Current VAC Members

Already a VAC Member?

Simply email us to request access to the online learning platform for your organisation:

info@cvac.org.uk

Not yet a member?

Joining VAC is free, quick and easy, and only takes a few minutes to complete. Once you’ve signed up, you can request access to the learning resources by emailing the above address. 

Sign up today using the form below:

VAC + Membership

What's included?

You will receive a VAC Member welcome pack with useful information on getting the most out of your membership and a few extra treats!

Every member of VAC will be invited to our Annual General Meeting (AGM) and has voting rights for resolutions and proposals either in person or by proxy.

When you sign up to be a VAC Member, you will be assigned a Go-To Contact from the VAC team.

They will be your main point of contact for your membership, helping to answer questions and signposting you to the right place within VAC and/or our partnerships.

We want the VAC membership offer to be responsive to the needs of our members.  Member check ins keep us up to date on your organisation’s news and developments but also on any challenges or support gaps that may be affecting the VCSE sector.

The information we receive during our member check ins will highlight trends and challenges that we can then explore support and solutions for via our membership offer and partnerships with local providers and authorities.

To support VAC members to feel connected and informed, we have created a unique Member Area on the VAC Website.

The online dashboard will keep you and your colleagues up to date on the latest member opportunities, training and news.

The Member Area also has a forum function, allowing VAC Member organisations to interact and support each other.

A quarterly newsletter to keep our members up to date on not only VAC Membership updates and opportunities but also specifically created content on topics of interest to the local voluntary, community and social enterprise sector. 

The Bimonthly Member Network is for VAC Members to connect with other VAC Members!

A perfect opportunity to support one another, find out about other local services and explore new collaborative opportunities and partnerships with fellow VAC members.

40% Discount on VAC Room Hire – We offer a range of flexible rooms for hire located in Halifax, West Yorkshire. Our rooms include a fully equipped, large training room with SMART board and flipchart facilities seating up to 25 theatre style, two smaller meeting rooms seating up to 12 and a small office with computer facilities suitable for one-to-one meetings or rent-a-desk.

25% Discount on Virtual Office – Perfect for start ups or smaller organisations, our Virtual Office service offers a postal address, pigeonhole and reception facilities.

25% Discount on ID Badge Printing – Competitively priced to accommodate for smaller orders, our in-house ID Badge service supports both design and printing.

Based on feedback and insight we gain from our members, our training and events offer will complement local infrastructure support training programmes.

All sessions are cost effective and VCSE sector driven.  As a VAC + Member, you will receive a considerable discount on all VAC Training and Events.

VAC Membership

What's included?

You will receive a VAC Member welcome pack with useful information on getting the most out of your membership and a few extra treats!

Every member of VAC will be invited to our Annual General Meeting (AGM) and has voting rights for resolutions and proposals either in person or by proxy.

When you sign up to be a VAC Member, you will be assigned a Go-To Contact from the VAC team.

They will be your main point of contact for your membership, helping to answer questions and signposting you to the right place within VAC and/or our partnerships.

We want the VAC membership offer to be responsive to the needs of our members.  Member check ins keep us up to date on your organisation’s news and developments but also on any challenges or support gaps that may be affecting the VCSE sector. 

The information we receive during our member check ins will highlight trends and challenges that we can then explore support and solutions for via our membership offer and partnerships with local providers and authorities.

To support VAC members to feel connected and informed, we have created a unique Member Area on the VAC Website.

The online dashboard will keep you and your colleagues up to date on the latest member opportunities, training and news.

The Member Area also has a forum function, allowing VAC Member organisations to interact and support each other.

A quarterly newsletter to keep our members up to date on not only VAC Membership updates and opportunities but also specifically created content on topics of interest to the local voluntary, community and social enterprise sector. 

The Bimonthly Member Network is for VAC Members to connect with other VAC Members!

A perfect opportunity to support one another, find out about other local services and explore new collaborative opportunities and partnerships with fellow VAC members.

20% Discount on VAC Room Hire – We offer a range of flexible rooms for hire located in Halifax, West Yorkshire. Our rooms include a fully equipped, large training room with SMART board and flipchart facilities seating up to 25 theatre style, two smaller meeting rooms seating up to 12 and a small office with computer facilities suitable for one-to-one meetings or rent-a-desk.

Competitive rate on ID Badge Printing – Competitively priced to accommodate for smaller orders, our in-house ID Badge service supports both design and printing.

Based on feedback and insight we gain from our members, our training and events offer will complement local infrastructure support training programmes.

All sessions are cost effective and VCSE sector driven.