Learning Opportunities
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Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion Learning Opportunities
Race Equality Matters: Safe Space Facilitator Training Workshop (Recording)
This event was to help attendees who were facilitating their own internal Safe Space sessions to understand some of the key considerations when hosting these sessions, it includes:
- Enable brave conversations
- Facilitate uncomfortable discussions
- Drive meaningful change
Why you should get involved in #MyNameIs (recording)
#MyNameIs is a simple but highly impactful solution from Race Equality Matters that ensures the correct pronunciation of people’s names.
The aim is to:
- Get people’s names right, which creates the opportunity for people to feel wanted, to feel like they belong, and to be treated with respect.
- Ensure the meaning, heritage, and identity behind our names are not taken away.
This recording explains why you should get involved in the #MyNameIs campaign.
Headspace Training – co-developed and co-delivered with mental health practitioners and peers
Headspace work to break the stigma of mental health and what is portrayed and perceived. They offer a range of bespoke innovative creative training courses.
All workshops are co-developed and co-delivered by Mental Health practitioners and peers with over 20 years experience in front-line NHS services, research and creative facilitation. Our training is engaging and interactive to support the exploration and assimilation of complex issues with an intent to develop jointly generated practical change.
ACAS: Equality, diversity and inclusion training courses
This regularly ran 3-hour digital event looks at the essential aspects of equality, diversity and inclusion that all organisations need to be aware of, including the legal position and best practice for promoting a diverse and inclusive workplace.
Open Learn: Diversity and inclusion in the workplace
Diversity and inclusion in the workplace is a free badged course which lasts 8 weeks, with approximately 3 hours’ study time each week. You can work through the course at your own pace, so if you have more time one week you could push on to complete another week’s study.
HR
Mangates Human Resource Management
The Human Resource Management workshop will give managers the basic tools to handle numerous human resource situations such as interviewing, orientation, safety, harassment, discrimination, violence, discipline, and termination. This workshop will provide your participants those skills and assist them with certain Human Resource situations.
ACAS – Free workplace rights eLearning Modules
Acas Learning Online provides a wide selection of courses and resources focusing on workplace rights, rules and best practice. It caters to managers, HR professionals, and individuals seeking to enhance their understanding in this field. Create a free account and choose which courses you want to take, working at your own pace.
Leadership
Diverse Leadership in Sports and Physical Activity
Greater Manchester Moving, 10GM and Manchester Community Central invite you to join us for an end of programme event to learn about our diverse leadership peer support space. You will have the opportunity to:
- Hear from participants in a panel discussion
- Network with those working in the sector
- Learn about the positive impact of peer support spaces
- Discuss next steps to diversify leadership
- Share your leadership journey and explore barriers
A Brilliant Thing CIC: Facilitation School
This is an experiential learning opportunity for leaders, coaches and educators to add Healing-Centred Design approaches to your facilitation toolkit. You’ll learn and apply Healing-Centred Design, which blends trauma-informed approaches, creative coaching and systems thinking. Learning takes place over two in person days and an online check in.
Deadline for applications is 30 April 2026
A Brilliant Thing CIC: Healing Centred Design Programmes for Leaders and Staff
A Brilliant Thing CIC offers opportunities for Leadership Teams and Staff Teams to help organisations move from control to trust, creating space for autonomy, creativity and purposeful work. They support Leadership and Staff teams to create a healthy, focused and sustainable organisations.
Application Rounds are open in April and October, with space for up to 10 organisations in each round.
10GM VCSE Workforce Development Project Open Online Workshop Recordings
10GM’s Open Workshops are an opportunity to develop your understanding of key aspects of leadership and workforce development. Each workshop features speakers from Greater Manchester’s VCSE sector, sharing their experiences of leadership, and successes and challenges in nurturing and supporting their workforce. These workshops provide a valuable learning space for VCSE staff; reflecting the strengths, joys and challenges of working in GM’s VCSE sector and creating opportunities for peer learning.
Recordings include:
- Using Data to Drive Decisions
- Building Inclusive Cultures
- Leading with Values
- Personal wellbeing and Resilience as a Leader
2026 Greater Manchester Civic and Social Leadership programme
Flourish Together CIC is leading the 2026 Greater Manchester Civic and Social Leadership Programme, supporting leadership pathways for people from Global Majority backgrounds. The Programme is backed by all ten boroughs of Greater Manchester and the Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA). Now in its third year, the programme has already supported over 70 participants, with evaluations showing increased confidence, influence, and access to public leaders. Many alumni have progressed into civic and community roles, including councillors, school governors, magistrates, non-exec directors and charity/community organisation leaders. Leading for Legacy 2026 runs from June to December, is delivered by Flourish Together CIC and wider partners and includes:
- 5 in-person programme days
- 3 online sessions
- A Graduation day
- Access to wider leadership opportunities and an evolving Alumni Network
Expressions of interest are open until 30 April 2026. There are two information sessions on 30 March and 14 April to find out more about the programme (links below). You can also email: [email protected]
Cranfield Trust – Charity Webinars On Demand
A library of past webinars, so you can learn, even if you can’t make it to the live event.
Webinars have been developed to meet the needs of charities – from senior leaders, trustees and managers through to those aspiring to learn and develop their skills. They offer practical skills training, advice & guidance on key management topics in four areas:
- Leadership & strategic direction
- Performance & impact
- Financial management
- People management
They are presented by industry professionals offering advanced thinking & innovative techniques to drive change and new ways of working.
Cranfield Trust – Charity Training Webinars
The Cranfield Trust offer a range of free, live webinars covering a range of topics related to leadership and management in the charity sector.
ACEVO: New CEO programme
This exciting leadership development programme is designed specifically for anyone within three years of their first CEO post in the voluntary and community sector.
The New CEO programme will deepen your understanding of what it takes to be an inspired, impactful and progressive civil society leader, enhancing your abilities at an individual, organisational and systemic level.
On The Level – New Manager Essentials – Open Programme
This programme is designed for people from across sectors who are:
- Newly promoted managers (in their first couple of years of management)
- First-time team leaders
- Technical specialists moving into people management
- Managers who have never received formal training and want to strengthen their foundations
The programme includes One full day interactive course and three 90-minute online masterclasses. Participants can attend the full programme or join individual masterclasses, depending on need.
Leaders Plus Podcast for Parents
Big Careers Small Children helps ambitious parents progress careers they love whilst being present with their children. Through honest and informal conversation, leaders share what they have learnt on their own journey of combining big careers with young children.
The Centre for Voluntary Sector Leadership
The Open University’s Centre for Voluntary Sector Leadership provides a range of free learning opportunities and resources to help you develop and strengthen your leadership practice in the voluntary sector. Their current offer includes online courses on developing leadership practice and collaborative leadership and opportunities to join online leadership learning clubs to connect with and reflect on your learning with other leaders.
NHS North West Leadership Academy
The NHS North West Leadership Academy provides a range of free resources for health and social care leaders and managers including videos, podcasts and webinar recordings, on leadership topics, including systems leadership and transformational leadership.
Their podcast, Leadership Live, explores a range of subjects including authentic leadership, leading high performing teams, creating a coaching culture and more.
They also offer a range of events and workshops and events for leaders and managers in health and social care.
NHS Leadership Academy Mary Seacole Leadership Development Programme
This programme is designed for first time leaders in healthcare. It is open to applicants form the VCSE sector if your organisation has a health/care focus, however, it is designed primarily for an NHS audience, so you may find that some of the content or examples are geared towards NHS contexts.
The programme is for people who are in a ‘formal’ position of leadership with responsibilities for people and services, and are able to relate what they are learning to a workplace. You must be able to commit to a minimum of 5 hours of study per week.
NHS Leadership Academy Edward Jenner Programme
This programme is designed for anyone aspiring to their first leadership or management role within the health and care sector within the next 1-2 years. This programme is for people looking to build a strong foundation of leadership skills that can help enhance your confidence and competence in your role. The programme has been designed to offer flexibility as a suite of online short courses.
It is open to applicants form the VCSE sector, if your organisation has a health/care focus, however, it is designed primarily for an NHS audience, so you may find that some of the content or examples are geared towards NHS contexts.
Coaching for leaders
There are a range of organisations, including several CICs within Greater Manchester, who offer coaching for people working or leading within the VCSE sector. You can find further information about a range of coaching providers within Greater Manchester on the VCSE Workforce Hub Personal Development page.
NHS Leadership Academy Foundation in Systems Leadership
On this five-week course from the NHS Leadership Academy, you’ll explore systems leadership, learn why it’s important in health and care, and develop new capabilities to implement it. You will also recognise where you may already be operating as a systems leader while developing new approaches.
This programme is open to anyone working in health, care, local authorities and voluntary organisations who would like to explore what system leadership means. Whether you’re new to health and care, an aspiring leader at the start of your journey, or interested in finding out more about cross-sector collaboration, you’re the perfect candidate.
NHS North West Leadership Academy 360 Degree Feedback Tool
The 360 Degree Feedback Tool is designed to give you insight into other people’s perception of your leadership abilities and behaviour. The process includes getting confidential feedback from line managers, peers and direct reports. This can be helpful to highlight strengths or areas for development.
Access to this tool is offered by the NHS North West Leadership Academy as part of their Healthcare Leadership Model. Once feedback is compiled a report is developed. An accredited feedback facilitator will work with you in a dedicated feedback session to help you interpret your report.
Learning and Development for Trustees
Trustees play a key role in many VCSE organisations and in some organisations where there are no paid staff, we know that trustees may carry significant responsibilities in terms of leadership and management. Getting on Board offers a range of support to people to become effective charity trustees, particularly those who are currently under-represented on trustee boards. They offer high quality, free training for trustees, to help people grow and develop in their trustee roles and provide governance to VCSE organisations.
Personal Development
Free Skills For Life courses
Access a range of free courses aimed at developing essential skills. From communication to financial management, these courses empower individuals to thrive.
The Growth Company
Discover fully funded adult courses offered by the Growth Company. These courses provide opportunities for adults to enhance their skills and qualifications, some examples include:
- Level 2 Certificate in Principles of Business and Administration
- Level 3 Certificate in Management Principles (Including Project Management)
- Level 3 Certificate in Understanding Mental Health
Directory of Social Change
Visit the Personal Development Page on the Directory of Social Change website for access to online training covering a wide range of topics. Additionally, explore articles and books to further deepen your understanding and skills in personal development.
Recruitment
The New Era of Recruitment
Skill-based recruiting is a hiring method that focuses on a candidate’s skills and abilities rather than their background, education or past work experience. This approach enables organisations to identify and hire candidates based on their ability to perform the job, rather than what is outlined on their resume.
Join Rebecca Percossi, Executive Managing Director at Trimont, as she discusses her own organisation’s strategy on skills-based recruitment and how it was a game changer not just for those who are recruiting, but for all job seekers.
Wellbeing
From Pain to Power: Policy, Practice and Culture for Menstrual Health and Menopause Support
Join us at Manchester Community Central to start the conversation on menstrual health and menopause support in the workplace.
This session will explore why menstrual health and menopause matter at work, and share practical insights from our own journey at Manchester Community Central. We’ll cover:
- How we’ve implemented support that works for everyone
- Cycle syncing and Self-Help Tips
- Addressing medical misogyny and gender pain gap
- Our resources on equitable policies and practices
There will be time for table discussions and connecting with others who are passionate about this important topic.
Everyone is welcome, we hope to see you there. If you have any questions, please contact [email protected]
Personal Wellbeing and Resilience as a Leader
This workshop took place online on 22 January 2024 and explored the importance of personal wellbeing and resilience for Greater Manchester VCSE leaders.
This workshop was part of the GM VCSE Workforce Development Project’s Leadership Open Workshop Series.
Healthy Minds Greater Manchester Online Course
The Royal Society for Public Health and Greater Manchester Integrated Care Partnership have developed a new mental health and wellbeing online course for anyone working or living in Greater Manchester.
This one-hour course encourages us all to take a proactive approach to caring for our mental health and wellbeing through simple steps that are proven to work.
If you are interested in having this course available on your organisation’s learning platform please email: [email protected]
GM Menopause Cafe
Facilitated by GM Menopause Network, the Café is an opportunity to share your menopause experiences and listen to other experiences with curiosity and
support in the virtual room.
This peer session is for anyone experiencing the impacts of menopause, including all ages and genders.
Trauma Informed Training
Gain insights into trauma and its impact through dedicated courses and resources that aim to enhance understanding and provide tools for support.
NHS England’s e-learning for healthcare and Mental Health team have worked together to develop a new e-learning programme about trauma-informed care.
Recovery Academy
The Recovery Academy provides free courses and resources to increase knowledge and understanding of mental health and related issues. The resources are tailored for different needs – individuals dealing with mental health challenges, a family member, a caregiver, or a healthcare professional.