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.

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

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

The Bluecoat

This session will equip volunteer-involving organisations with the tools and information they need to safely involve volunteers with criminal convictions. Delivered in partnership with the Probation Service, the workshop will cover: <ul><li>Awareness of potential barriers to volunteering for people with convictions</li><li>Information and 'myth-busting' regarding disclosure of spent and/or unspent convictions</li><li>How volunteer managers can create a supportive and nurturing environment for volunteers with convictions</li><li>The practical steps organisations should take to safely accommodate volunteers with criminal convictions</li></ul> In accordance with priorities championed by the <a href="https://cwva.org.uk/visionforvolunteering/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: inherit;">Cheshire West Vision for Volunteering (2025-2030)</a>, this is a great opportunity to look at new ways of expanding the reach of your volunteering programme, and its social impact. Any staff or volunteers are welcome to attend. Tea, coffee, and biscuits will be available throughout.

Supporting Volunteers with Criminal Convictions

King George V Community Sports Hub

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>

St Mary's Handbridge Centre

This is the first of a couple of meet ups we are scheduling for Talking Therapies and VCSFE staff to get together, build relationships, ensure we understand each others' offers/pathways and explore potential collaborations. Please bring any printed info you have about your services. 12 places on this first one due to space. In person at Chapter's base, Stanlaw Abbey Business Centre, Dover Drive, Ellesmere Port.

Talking Therapies <=> VCSE MH providers meet up 1

Chapter is situated inside the centre.

 Stanlaw Abbey Business Centre

Thank you for registering for this online training. We'll be back in touch closer to the training with joining instructions.

Cheshire West Voluntary Action (CWVA) is providing training for community sector organisations that are interested in using Plinth as their community impact system. Plinth has been used by CWVA since the start of 2025, offering a wide range of features, such as case management, event bookings, outcome measurements, surveys and forms, and much more. Community sector organisations linked to CWVA are able to use Plinth for free. This training will provide an overview of the system, how community sector organisations can take advantage of the different features, and how CWVA is planning to use Plinth to aggregate data and show the collective impact being made by the sector.

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.

Positive Boundaries/Basic Adult Safeguarding

Upstairs room available to hire per hour

The Windings

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

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 

Delivered by End of Life Partnership and funded through the West Cheshire Food Partnership, this is a free awareness session available to Cheshire West Voluntary Action's members and partners. This session will help you gain an understanding of what to expect as dementia advances. Learning includes: <ul><li>What is dementia?</li><li>What range of symptoms can it cause?</li><li>Changes in Perception</li><li>Improving communication</li><li>Signposting to support organisations</li></ul> Tea, coffee, and biscuits available throughout.

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

Ellesmere Port Civic Hall

Thank you for booking on to the Local Voices Drop in session. We look forward to seeing you there, if you have any questions about the session beforehand, please do get in touch. Many thanks,Tyra

This online drop-in is a space to come together and have a conversation about lived experience and co-production. The session is designed to be informal giving you the chance to: <ul><li>Ask questions about involving lived experience in your work</li><li>Share successes and challenges your organisation may be facing</li><li>Explore what support is available to help develop participation and co-production approaches</li><li>Connect with others who are on a similar journey</li><li>Exchange ideas, experiences, and practical tips</li></ul> In line with the Local Voices Framework and CWVA’s wider work, this forum is about creating space to listen, learn, and support one another as we strengthen the role of lived experience. Whether you are just starting to think about embedding lived experience, or already have approaches in place, you are welcome to join the conversation.

This is a West Cheshire Food Partnership meeting.

This short training session equips staff and caregivers with essential knowledge and practical strategies to safeguard older adults during cold weather emergencies. Participants will learn to identify signs of cold-related health risks (e.g., hypothermia, frostbite), implement home safety checks, and activate local support networks. The session also covers communication protocols, emergency supply preparation, and how to respond effectively during power outages or severe weather alerts.

Elton Memory Cafe and Friendship Circle

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

Understand the challengers of communicating effectively and strategies to overcome them.

This short training session equips staff and caregivers with essential knowledge and practical strategies to safeguard older adults during cold weather emergencies. Participants will learn to identify signs of cold-related health risks (e.g., hypothermia, frostbite), implement home safety checks, and activate local support networks. The session also covers communication protocols, emergency supply preparation, and how to respond effectively during power outages or severe weather alerts.

Frodsham Parish Hall

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.

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.

This session examines how unconscious bias influences decision-making, interactions, and workplace culture in ways we may not even realise. This session will explore the concept of unconscious bias, its impact on professional and personal relationships, and strategies to mitigate its effects. This session aims to create a more equitable and diverse environment where everyone feels valued and respected.

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.

Come and join us for our annual afternoon of celebration and recognition, reflecting on the past year's achievements by volunteers from across Cheshire West.

Chester Town Hall

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.

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.

Cheshire West Voluntary Action

Cheshire West Voluntary Action

CWVA Volunteer Managers' Network Meeting

Introduction to Canva – Creating Eye-Catching Designs

Supporting Volunteers with Criminal Convictions

Adult Safeguarding Level 1 and 2

Talking Therapies <=> VCSE MH providers meet up 1

Plinth online demo

Positive Boundaries/Basic Adult Safeguarding

CWVA Volunteer Managers Network Meeting

Implementing Strategies to Engage Younger Volunteers

Understanding Dementia

CWVA large-scale networking event and AGM

Local Voices Drop In Session

West Cheshire Food Partnership meeting

Emergency Resilience Training

Communication & Listening Skills

Emergency Resilience Training