Training and upskilling
What’s on your training wishlist?
Training can build your confidence, advance your career and help your organisation grow. That’s why we work to showcase the most relevant opportunities for the third sector in Perth & Kinross.
Here are some ongoing upskilling and development opportunities for voluntary organisations. These resources are here to help you cultivate the skills and knowledge you need to make an impact.
On this page, you will find general interest and multi-purpose training as well as specific courses and resources that align with your focus area.
We’re always working to build this list, so give us a shout if you have an organisation or course to recommend!
Scroll to the bottom of the page for a snapshot of the most recent training news.
General Training
All types of training
Hone a wide range of skills for your charity, community group or social enterprise.
SCVO organise a wide range of events and training for the Scottish voluntary sector (paid and free). They also provide the SCOPE e-learning platform with modules in governance, finance, fundraising, communications and risk management.
Just Enterprise offers webinars and e-learning to help social enterprises grow.
For support tailored to Perth & Kinross, GrowBiz hold events and online learning sessions.
Business Gateway (Tayside) is here to support small businesses with in-person and online events.
Cyber Security
Protect yourself and your organisation from threats.
The National Cyber Security Centre offers an e-learning course for small organisations and charities.
Cyber Fraud Centre Scotland has a helpful resource library as well as organising online and in-person events.
First Aid and CPR
Proficiency in these areas can prove to be life-saving.
British Red Cross offers fully-funded workshops to community organisations that cover first aid and other topics. You can:
- Book an online workshop addressing first aid, social isolation, and resilience
- Arrange an in-person workshop for youth and adults
- Contact a representative to arrange a series of workshops or discuss other options
St. Andrews First Aid also offers First Aid and other courses to Perth & Kinross.
St. John Scotland offers free, volunteer-led CPR training that can be arranged for your group, school or workplace.
Marketing and Communications
Spread the word about the amazing work you do!
Canva for Nonprofits is an essential graphic design tool for marketing and social media that is free for all registered charities. Canva also offers a Design School to help you make the most of this graphic design resource.
For general digital skills and marketing advice:
- Nonprofit Tech for Good offers practical digital advice and webinars.
- Third Sector Lab is a Scotland-based charity offering training and workshops.
- Catalyst provides support and services to voluntary organisations in the UK.
You can also take inspiration from newsletters such as Harry’s Marketing Examples and The Creative Marketer.
Safeguarding
This is an essential topic if you work with vulnerable groups.
To begin, OSCR offers Safeguarding Guidance that focuses on keeping vulnerable groups safe.
It may also be helpful to review the up-to-date National Guidance for Child Protection.
SCVO frequently holds events and courses on safeguarding.
NSPCC offers an Introduction to safeguarding and child protection training with discounts available for voluntary groups.
Additionally, Volunteer Scotland Disclosure Services offers support and training for organisations to participate in the Protecting Vulnerable Groups (PVG) scheme.
Training by Focus Area
Bereavement and
End-of-Life Care
Cruse Scotland provide free and bespoke training on bereavement to organisations and e-learning courses.
End of Life Aid Skills for Everyone (EASE) is a public education course designed to enable people to be more confident supporting family and community members through dying, death and bereavement. While EASE is delivered by volunteers and intended for the general public, it may be helpful for some professionals and volunteers in the voluntary sector.
Children and Young People
Education Scotland has created a learning programme to support anyone working with children and young people, particularly those who are care experienced. This learning raises awareness of The Promise from Scottish Government to create a better environment for care experienced children and is here to help practitioners understand the needs of children and young people.
Food Security
Get Growing Scotland provides an advisory service for community groups starting or developing a food growing project.
They also offer online support resources to help build your food-growing confidence.
Health Conditions and Illnesses
Alzheimer Scotland offers training programmes to help third sector organisations support people with dementia.
Human Rights
Third Sector Human Rights and Equalities (THRE) offer free courses to organisations seeking to develop a human rights and equalities first approach to their work.
Mental Health and Wellbeing
NHS Tayside run a regular programme of free webinars on Wellbeing at Work and Supporting and Developing Employees. For details, contact: tay.healthandworktraining@nhs.scot
Older Adults
Eat Well Age Well is a project tackling malnutrition in older adults, an issue that affects at least 10% of Scotland’s older population. Employees and volunteers that support older communities can learn to identify and support individuals in these online training sessions, or instead take the e-learning course at their own pace.
Latest Training Opportunities and Events
We regularly offer training in partnership with other organisations to build the capacity of the third sector.
Look out for sessions on topics such as governance, HR, and finance, and let our Development Officers know about your training needs so we can ensure they are met.
Additionally, we promote new and ongoing opportunities in our monthly newsletter and across our social media channels, with an emphasis on free and accessible training. Follow us on your preferred platform to keep up with the latest opportunities.
- Volunteer Managers Forum: Including Refugees and Asylum Seekers (8 October)
Join us at our next Volunteer Managers Forum to discuss how we can better include refugees and asylum seekers in volunteering here in Perth and Kinross. This is your chance to expand your volunteering programme and create a more welcoming Perth and Kinross, to network with other volunteer engagement professionals, problem solve together and learn… Read more: Volunteer Managers Forum: Including Refugees and Asylum Seekers (8 October) - Volunteer Managers Forum: Youth Volunteering (10 July)
Join us at the Volunteer Managers Forum to discuss and share strategies on how to engage and motivate young volunteers effectively! Come join us at The Walled Garden in Perth for our next volunteering forum, focused on encouraging young volunteers! This in-person forum is perfect for volunteer managers looking to inspire the next generation. Share ideas, network, and… Read more: Volunteer Managers Forum: Youth Volunteering (10 July) - Cyber security for your organisation: Cyber Roadshow (16 May)
Here’s a new cyber security event for charities and public sector organisations, taking place on 16 May at 9am in Perth. This in-person training opportunity will be delivered by The Cyber and Fraud Centre and has been organised by our friends at The Gannochy Trust. “These events will focus on discussing some key cyber security… Read more: Cyber security for your organisation: Cyber Roadshow (16 May)