Cheshire West Voluntary Action

We are proud to have been supporting the local community since 1914. 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.

<h1>The Summer of Appreciation project is delighted to offer the following...</h1> English Heritage brings exclusive tours of Chester Castle, with a fascinating look at the castle and its insights and history. Steps, spiral stair case in tower. Older building, sensible footwear recommended. This free event is only open to people who formally volunteer with a registered charity, community group, or charitable company which is a member of Cheshire West Voluntary Action, and based or operating in Cheshire West. Please be aware that your personal data will be shared with the organisation running this event. You can <a href="https://cwva.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Summer_of_Appreciation_Privacy_Statement-1.pdf" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">CLICK HERE</a> to read the full privacy statement for this project on our website.

Chester Castle

Please note that we do require attendees to pay a £10 deposit to book on. This will be refunded upon attendance, or cancellation with three working days notice. This qualification is typically delivered over 1 working day. It is designed for those working in lower risk workplaces, or higher risk workplaces with a lower number of staff and visitors. The course fits the following criteria:<ul><li>Regulated qualification</li><li>Meets H.S.E requirements</li><li>6 guided learning hours (1 day)</li><li>Valid for 3 years</li><li>Certificate included</li><li>Assessed by MCQs and practical observation</li></ul> This qualification has been developed to meet the first aid training requirements outlined by the H.S.E. The course includes:<ul><li>What is first aid?</li><li>First aid in the workplace</li><li>Responsibilities of the first aider</li><li>Primary survey</li><li>Unconscious casualty management</li><li>Resuscitation</li><li>Choking</li><li>Shock</li><li>Wounds and bleeding</li><li>Minor burns</li><li>Seizures</li></ul> Schedule for the session:<ul><li>8:45am - arrival</li><li>9am - start and registration</li><li>10:15am to 10:30am - BREAK</li><li>12:15pm to 12:45pm - BREAK</li><li>2pm to 2:15pm - BREAK</li><li>3:30pm - short written assessment and questionnaire</li><li>4pm - departure</li></ul> If you have any additional learning needs or adjustments required, please do contact michael.mitchell@cwva.org.uk.

The Bluecoat Building

<h1>The Summer of Appreciation project is delighted to offer the following...</h1> Free entry to the National Waterways Museum in Ellesmere Port from the Canal and River Trust. Step back in time and see history come to life. The museum tells the story of the fascinating history of our canals and the people who worked and lived on them. <a href="https://canalrivertrust.org.uk/things-to-do/museums-and-attractions/national-waterways-museum-ellesmere-port" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">CLICK HERE</a> for a link to our website. The Canal and River Trust are committed to making the museum as accessible as possible. While our historic dockside setting means some paths are uneven, there is level access to the café, shop, most museum galleries, and the Canalside Function Rooms. Booking on will allow you free access to the museum during opening hours on this specific date only. You will be emailed a ticket to present on the day, where you will need to give your name. This free event is only open to people who formally volunteer with a registered charity, community group, or charitable company which is a member of Cheshire West Voluntary Action, and based or operating in Cheshire West. Please be aware that your personal data will be shared with the organisation running this event. You can <a href="https://cwva.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Summer_of_Appreciation_Privacy_Statement-1.pdf" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">CLICK HERE</a> to read the full privacy statement for this project on our website.

National Waterways Museum

I understand that views shared during the workshop may be included in feedback provided to the Timms Review. Any information shared outside the workshop will be anonymised unless I give permission for my name to be used.

CWVA, West Cheshire Foodbank and the Poverty Truth Advisory Board are hosting a workshop as part of the Timms Review of Personal Independence Payment (PIP), and we would love you to take part. This session is open to anyone with experience whether you receive PIP, have applied for it, support someone who does, or have views on how it works, we'd like to hear from you. This is a chance to share your experiences, talk about what works, what does not and to help shape the recommendations that the steering group take forward to the Secretary of State. This will include your views on what PIP is for, what it is like to apply for PIP and how decisions about PIP are made. The workshop will take place on Wednesday 8th July 10am - 12pm at St Mary's Handbridge Centre, Overleigh Road, Chester, CH4 7HL.

St Mary's Handbridge Centre

<h1>The Summer of Appreciation project is delighted to offer the following...</h1> Free entry to the National Waterways Museum in Ellesmere Port from the Canal and River Trust. Step back in time and see history come to life. The museum tells the story of the fascinating history of our canals and the people who worked and lived on them. <a href="https://canalrivertrust.org.uk/things-to-do/museums-and-attractions/national-waterways-museum-ellesmere-port" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">CLICK HERE</a> for a link to our website. The Canal and River Trust are committed to making the museum as accessible as possible. While our historic dockside setting means some paths are uneven, there is level access to the café, shop, most museum galleries, and the Canalside Function Rooms. Booking on will allow you free access to the museum during opening hours on this specific date only. You will be emailed a ticket to present on the day, where you will need to give your name. This free event is only open to people who formally volunteer with a registered charity, community group, or charitable company which is a member of Cheshire West Voluntary Action, and based or operating in Cheshire West. Please be aware that your personal data will be shared with the organisation running this event. You can <a href="https://cwva.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Summer_of_Appreciation_Privacy_Statement-1.pdf" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">CLICK HERE</a> to read the full privacy statement for this project on our website.

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.

<h1>The Summer of Appreciation project is delighted to offer the following...</h1> Free entry to the National Waterways Museum in Ellesmere Port from the Canal and River Trust. Step back in time and see history come to life. The museum tells the story of the fascinating history of our canals and the people who worked and lived on them. <a href="https://canalrivertrust.org.uk/things-to-do/museums-and-attractions/national-waterways-museum-ellesmere-port" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">CLICK HERE</a> for a link to our website. The Canal and River Trust are committed to making the museum as accessible as possible. While our historic dockside setting means some paths are uneven, there is level access to the café, shop, most museum galleries, and the Canalside Function Rooms. Booking on will allow you free access to the museum during opening hours on this specific date only. You will be emailed a ticket to present on the day, where you will need to give your name. This free event is only open to people who formally volunteer with a registered charity, community group, or charitable company which is a member of Cheshire West Voluntary Action, and based or operating in Cheshire West. Please be aware that your personal data will be shared with the organisation running this event. You can <a href="https://cwva.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Summer_of_Appreciation_Privacy_Statement-1.pdf" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">CLICK HERE</a> to read the full privacy statement for this project on our website.

<h1>The Summer of Appreciation project is delighted to offer the following...</h1> Discovery Tour - an hour long tour exploring the highlights and rich history of Chester Cathedral, followed by the opportunity to enjoy a refreshment in our Refectory. Participants will need to be comfortable with walking for the duration of the tour. This free event is only open to people who formally volunteer with a registered charity, community group, or charitable company which is a member of Cheshire West Voluntary Action, and based or operating in Cheshire West. Please be aware that your personal data will be shared with the organisation running this event. You can <a href="https://cwva.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Summer_of_Appreciation_Privacy_Statement-1.pdf" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">CLICK HERE</a> to read the full privacy statement for this project on our website.

Holiday support to a local School

Chester Catherdral

<h1>The Summer of Appreciation project is delighted to offer the following...</h1> Storyhouse tours offer a chance to explore the backstage areas of our building and discover the history and stories behind it. Whether you have a love of theatre, cinema, history or architecture, there's plenty to enjoy. It's a great way to get an insider's look at everything Storyhouse has to offer. Please meet in the main foyer just before your tour is due to start, where you will meet two of our volunteers running the tour. You can spot them wearing stripy tops and red lanyards. This free event is only open to people who formally volunteer with a registered charity, community group, or charitable company which is a member of Cheshire West Voluntary Action, and based or operating in Cheshire West. Please be aware that your personal data will be shared with the organisation running this event. You can <a href="https://cwva.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Summer_of_Appreciation_Privacy_Statement-1.pdf" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">CLICK HERE</a> to read the full privacy statement for this project on our website.

Storyhouse

CWVA will be hosting a series of Volunteer Managers Network Meetings throughout 2026. 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.

The Joshua Tree

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

Hoole Community Centre

<h1>The Summer of Appreciation project is delighted to offer the following...</h1> All aboard! Enjoy a river cruise from the foot of the iconic lift, courtesy of the Canal and River Trust. Our fully accessible, covered trip boat provides the opportunity to see the Anderton Boat Lift from a unique perspective. Take in the scenery of the Weaver Navigation, once a busy commercial waterway and now a haven for wildlife. River cruises are dog friendly (at the boat crew's discretion). Approx 50 minute experience. Guests need to arrive around 30 minutes before the start time. The Canal and River Trust are committed to making your experience as accessible as possible. https://canalrivertrust.org.uk/things-to-do/museums-and-attractions/anderton-boat-lift-and-visitor-centre-cheshire/access-at-anderton-boat-lift. We have 2 wheelchair spaces available. This free event is only open to people who formally volunteer with a registered charity, community group, or charitable company which is a member of Cheshire West Voluntary Action, and based or operating in Cheshire West. Please be aware that your personal data will be shared with the organisation running this event. You can <a href="https://cwva.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Summer_of_Appreciation_Privacy_Statement-1.pdf" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">CLICK HERE</a> to read the full privacy statement for this project on our website.

Anderton Boat Lift Visitor Centre

<h1>The Summer of Appreciation project is delighted to offer the following...</h1> Storyhouse tours offer a chance to explore the backstage areas of our building and discover the history and stories behind it. Whether you have a love of theatre, cinema, history or architecture, there's plenty to enjoy. It's a great way to get an insider's look at everything Storyhouse has to offer. Please meet in the main foyer just before your tour is due to start, where you will meet two of our volunteers running the tour. You can spot them wearing stripy tops and red lanyards. This free event is only open to people who formally volunteer with a registered charity, community group, or charitable company which is a member of Cheshire West Voluntary Action, and based or operating in Cheshire West. Please be aware that your personal data will be shared with the organisation running this event. You can read the <a href="https://cwva.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Summer_of_Appreciation_Privacy_Statement-1.pdf" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">CLICK HERE</a> to read the full privacy statement for this project on our website.

<h1>The Summer of Appreciation project is delighted to offer the following...</h1> Discovery Tour - an hour long tour exploring the highlights and rich history of Chester Cathedral, followed by the opportunity to enjoy a refreshment in our Refectory. Participants will need to be comfortable with walking for the duration of the tour. This free event is only open to people who formally volunteer with a registered charity, community group, or charitable company which is a member of Cheshire West Voluntary Action, and based or operating in Cheshire West. Please be aware that your personal data will be shared with the organisation running this event. You can read the <a href="https://cwva.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Summer_of_Appreciation_Privacy_Statement-1.pdf" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">CLICK HERE</a> to read the full privacy statement for this project on our website.

Chester Cathedral

<h1>The Summer of Appreciation project is delighted to offer the following...</h1> Our Visitor Engagement volunteers are based at key locations around the zoo, to answer visitor queries, help them connect with our animals and share our conservation campaigns. This session will include a walk round part of the zoo to see some of the volunteer locations, led by our visitor engagement volunteers. Learn about our zoo animals and conservation campaigns. There will also be a chance to sit down with a hot drink and chat to our volunteers. A free hot drink will be provided, but please bring your own lunch, or there are catering facilities on site. Scooter hire is available, please email volunteers@chesterzoo.org if ou will require a scooter. Further accessibility information for the Zoo is available here:https://www.chesterzoo.org/tickets-membership-experiences/plan-your-visit/accessibility This free event is only open to people who formally volunteer with a registered charity, community group, or charitable company which is a member of Cheshire West Voluntary Action, and based or operating in Cheshire West. Please be aware that your personal data will be shared with the organisation running this event. You can <a href="https://cwva.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Summer_of_Appreciation_Privacy_Statement-1.pdf" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">CLICK HERE</a> to read the full privacy statement for this project on our website.

Chester Zoo 

CWVA will be hosting a series of Volunteer Managers Network Meetings throughout 2026. 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; This month, we will be hosted by St Luke's Hospice in Winsford. Tea, coffee, and biscuits will be available throughout.

Cheshire West Voluntary Action

Exclusive Tour of Chester Castle

Level 3 Emergency First Aid at Work

National Waterways Museum - FREE ENTRY

Timms PIP Review Workshop

National Waterways Museum - FREE ENTRY

Plinth online demo

National Waterways Museum - FREE ENTRY

National Waterways Museum - FREE ENTRY

National Waterways Museum - FREE ENTRY

Chester Cathedral: Discovery Tour

Storyhouse: Backstage Theatre Tour

CWVA Volunteer Managers Network

Chester Cathedral: Discovery Tour

Supporting Volunteers with Criminal Convictions

Anderton Boat Life River Trip

Storyhouse: Backstage Theatre Tour