Cheshire West Voluntary Action

At CWVA, our vision is championing the community sector – building trust, influencing, inspiring.

We work with community organisations, as well as partners in other sectors, across west Cheshire.

Our staff have extensive knowledge and skills to help community sector organisations thrive, supporting with things like governance, good practice, volunteering, funding, training, networking and more.

Thanks for booking into the Mental Health Alliance Marketplace event at Civic Hall, Ellesmere Port

A great opportunity for health and social care staff and the public to learn more about the diverse offer from our VCSE sector mental health organisations across the borough. This is organised by the Mental Health Alliance coordinated by CWVA. (Alliance members: this is the right place for you to book in too - just indicate that you would like a table).

Ellesmere Port Civic Hall

CWVA will be hosting a series of Volunteer Managers Network Meetings throughout 2025. These meetings are open to staff AND volunteers, community sector OR public sector, who are involved in recruiting, managing, and coordinating volunteers within their organisation. They are a key chance to network, learn from one another, and share information about what is happening within the sector.&nbsp; In alignment with the <a href="https://cwva.org.uk/visionforvolunteering/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Cheshire West Vision for Volunteering (2025-2030)</a>, each meeting will focus on ONE of the Vision's FIVE themes.&nbsp; This meeting will focus on the theme: 'volunteering is EXPERIMENTAL'. Tea, coffee, and biscuits will be available throughout.

Winsford Wharton Christ Church

Thank you for registering for this webinar. A Microsoft Teams link will be sent out to everyone who has registered nearer the time.

Cheshire and Warrington Infrastructure (CWIP) is holding a webinar on Tuesday 8 July from 3pm to 4pm to introduce a devolution manifesto for the voluntary, community, faith and social enterprise (VCFSE) sector.&nbsp; Cheshire and Warrington is part of the government’s devolution priority programme (DPP), meaning the area's outline plans to set up a Combined Authority and hold mayoral elections in May 2026 have been accepted. CWIP, which is supported by Voluntary Sector North West (VSNW), brings together local infrastructure organisations in the region, including the following.<ul><li>Cheshire Community Action (CCA)</li><li>Cheshire West Voluntary Action (CWVA)</li><li>Community and Voluntary Services (CVS) Cheshire East&nbsp;</li><li>Warrington Voluntary Action (WVA)</li></ul> Since the DPP was announced, CWIP and its members have been gathering feedback from VCFSE organisations and working with public sector partners to make sure the VCFSE is well placed to engage with devolution.&nbsp; Encouraging discussions have taken place with public sector partners, with a clear ask for the VCFSE sector to have a seat on the Combined Authority once it is formed, as well as engagement in all devolution workstreams that have been set up to progress this agenda ahead of the mayoral elections.&nbsp; One key aim for CWIP and its members has been to develop a manifesto, setting out the VCFSE sector’s vision and highlighting the invaluable role the sector can play in achieving the priorities set out for devolution.&nbsp; This webinar will introduce the work that has already taken place to develop the manifesto and how we can all work together, speaking with one voice, to make sure the sector influences devolution as effectively as possible in the coming months.&nbsp;

VCFSE sector devolution manifesto webinar

Thank you for registering your place at this event. We'll be in touch closer to the time with more information.

Cheshire West Voluntary Action (CWVA) is once again holding a large-scale networking event on Friday 17 October. This is an opportunity for community sector organisations and public sector partners to come together and explore ways of working in partnership. Like in previous years, the event will include CWVA's Annual General Meeting (AGM), highlighting the wide range of work CWVA has carried out during the previous year to support community sector organisations and partners. You're welcome to register for a stall at the event, or you can simply turn up to network with others.

CWVA large-scale networking event and AGM

Thank you for booking. If your plans ever change and you are no longer able to attend, please inform us so we can offer your space to someone else.

This free training is for community and voluntary sector professionals involved in managing, coordinating, or overseeing their organisation's volunteering programme. Delivered by CWVA's Social Impact and Policy Lead, this session will equip you with the skills and information you need to demonstrate the difference your volunteers are making in the community, including generating effective reports for funders.

Measuring the Impact of Your Volunteering Programme

St Mary's Handbridge Centre

The aim of this session is to identify the root cause of conflict. How to effectively communication during a challenging situation, using active listening techniques, "I" statements to express concerns and how we can manage our emotions and apply de-escalation strategies more constructively.

Upstairs room available to hire per hour

The Bluecoat

Thank you for booking onto the Positive Boundaries training session. Look forward to seeing you.

This session aims to identify how to maintain positive boundaries in life, setting clear limits to protect our emotional, mental, and physical well-being. It will involves challenging our values, how we communicate our needs assertively, and recognising when to say "no" to people or situations that drain you.

Thank you for booking onto the Communications &amp; Listening Skills training session.

Effective communication starts with active listening. In this session, participants will learn how to enhance their interpersonal skills, build stronger connections, and understand the challengers of communicating effectively and strategies to overcome them.

Are you new to Canva or looking for fresh design ideas? This beginner-friendly training session is the perfect opportunity to explore the basics of Canva and unlock the secrets to crafting stunning visuals.What to ExpectIn this hands-on session, you'll learn:<ul><li>Tips for selecting the right fonts, colours, and layouts.</li><li>Simple tricks to make your designs stand out.</li></ul> What you’ll need·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;A Laptop·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Create a CANVA account: <a href="https://www.canva.com/help/sign-up-log-in/?msockid=2a738ac31de96bec1fe198421c8a6aea" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Create and log in to your Canva account - Canva Help Center</a>

Introduction to Canva – Creating Eye-Catching Designs

This is a free training session for CWVA members and partners. The session will cover: <ul><li>What is our duty in safeguarding adults?</li><li>How to recognise an adult with care and support needs who might be vulnerable in certain situations</li><li>Definitions of abuse</li><li>Signs and symptoms of abuse</li><li>Best practice for recording and referrals</li><li>Safe Practice in your setting</li></ul>

Thank you for booking. We will follow up with more details of the event closer to the time.

CWVA will be hosting a series of Volunteer Managers Network Meetings throughout 2025. These meetings are open to staff AND volunteers, community sector OR public sector, who are involved in recruiting, managing, and coordinating volunteers within their organisation. They are a key chance to network, learn from one another, and share information about what is happening within the sector.&nbsp; In alignment with the <a href="https://cwva.org.uk/visionforvolunteering/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Cheshire West Vision for Volunteering (2025-2030)</a>, each meeting will focus on ONE of the Vision's FIVE themes.&nbsp; This meeting will focus on the theme: 'volunteering is APPRECIATED'.&nbsp; Tea, coffee, and biscuits will be available throughout.&nbsp; We kindly ask attendees to park and meet at the MAIN ENTRANCE of the Zoo by 9:15am. CWVA and Chester Zoo staff will then walk with attendees to the Mottershead Suite. Please be advised that this is a 5-10 minute walk through the zoo, including some gentle slopes.

Chester Zoo (Mottershead Suite)

Building on the first training session where we explored the barriers and enablers younger people face to volunteering, this session will workshop the practical solutions your organisation can use to break down these barriers. Organisations will gain a better understanding of the steps they need to implement to better engage, recruit, and manage younger volunteers.

Implementing strategies to engage younger volunteers

This is a West Cheshire Food Partnership meeting where we will hear updates from each sub-group lead on their respective areas.

A first aid approach to tackling gambling related harm. To equip people with the tools and knowledge to perform brief interventions and to feel comfortable to refer people on to relevant agencies.

This is a meeting for members of the West Cheshire Food Partnership, and sub-group leads, to come together and share progress on key issues.

A Dementia Friends awareness session led by Alzheimer's Society. All that you need to become a Dementia Friend!

Dementia Friends briefing session (Alzheimer's Soc.)

Christchurch, Wharton

Frodsham Parish Hall is an up-to-date hall with wheelchair access and facilities. It has a well stocked kitchen and is in the centre of Frodsham, next door to&nbsp;W H Smiths.

Frodsham Parish Hall

CWVA will be hosting a series of Volunteer Managers Network Meetings throughout 2025. These meetings are open to staff AND volunteers, community sector OR public sector, who are involved in recruiting, managing, and coordinating volunteers within their organisation. They are a key chance to network, learn from one another, and share information about what is happening within the sector.&nbsp; Tea, coffee, and biscuits will be available throughout.

Lion Salt Works Museum

Thank you for booking onto the Local Voices Network meeting, we look forward to have you joining us! If you have any questions or would like to check in about anything before we meet, please contact Tyra on tyra.goodwin@cwva.org.uk

Join us for a collaborative and creative Local Voices Network Meeting bringing together people with lived experience, community members, community organisations, and public sector partners.This session is all about co-producing the future of the Local Voices Network and building on the priorities shared at our last roundtable. What to expect: <ul><li>Welcome and tour of Live! Cheshire</li><li>Meet the Our Chatter Matters Social Action Group</li><li>Recap of the Local Voices Roundtable and the key themes that emerged</li></ul> Three hands-on carousel activities to co-produce the Network: <ul><li>Co-production Marketplace – share ideas and best practice</li><li>Network Mapping – connect people and organisations</li><li>Road to Change – explore how we influence and lead change</li></ul> "Campfire Conversations" to reflect on: <ul><li class="ql-indent-1">What should Local Voices stand for?</li><li class="ql-indent-1">What structure will support it best?</li><li class="ql-indent-1">How can we grow lived experience leadership?</li><li class="ql-indent-1">What big and small wins should we aim for?</li></ul> Updates from the University of Chester, CWVA, and Cheshire West and Chester Council There will also be the time to chat, connect and network. Lunch and refreshments will be provided - please do let us know if you have any dietary requirements

Cheshire West Voluntary Action

Cheshire West Voluntary Action

MH Alliance Market Place

Local Voices Network

Measuring the Impact of Your Volunteering Programme

Dementia Friends briefing session (Alzheimer's Soc.)

VCFSE sector devolution manifesto webinar

CWVA Volunteer Managers Network Morning

West Cheshire Food Partnership meeting

Adult Safeguarding Level 1 and 2

Implementing strategies to engage younger volunteers

Bet You Can Help Now

CWVA Volunteer Managers' Network Meeting

Introduction to Canva – Creating Eye-Catching Designs

CWVA Volunteer Managers Network Meeting

CWVA large-scale networking event and AGM

West Cheshire Food Partnership meeting

Maintaining Positive Boundaries