Over the course of the Covid-19 outbreak we’re putting together webinars, videos and digital resources from CAS and other established organisations that are designed to meet the needs of the Voluntary, Community and Social Enterprise sector. The results of the Covid-19 survey, which we are undertaking monthly, enables us to focus on providing the right information, support and training.
Suffolk ProHelp Podcast
Suffolk ProHelp have a new podcast. You can find us in conversation with our network of professionals and the community organisations they have helped, as well as question and answer sessions around a range of themes which draw on the expertise of our network. Subscribe on Spotify and usual podcast channels.
Ask the Experts: Suffolk ProHelp
Enjoy free recordings of expert advice below.
MAD-HR – Job Retention Scheme & Redundancy
Watch Angela Lee-Foster, Suffolk ProHelp Manager, introduce the first recording in our series.
As a result of COVID-19, the voluntary and charitable sector is facing very difficult decisions about how to best manage their resources in order to survive this ongoing, challenging climate. As a result, in many cases, this sadly requires the need to make redundancies. But where to start?
During this session, you will gain an understanding of:
Planning for redundancy
Communication and Consultation
Managing the process of redundancy
Legal requirements
More Podcasts! Funding & Development Support from Suffolk County Council & Community Action Suffolk
We’re here to help! Suffolk County Council have provided a series of short podcasts where you can hear expert advice on developing funding applications. These include what you need to be ‘funding ready’ with handy tips & hints, do’s and don’ts, what to avoid and most importantly how the External Funding Team at Suffolk County Council and the Financial Sustainability Officer at Community Action Suffolk can help you at this time. Whether it be sourcing all-important funds, attending a remote 1-1 Funding & Development Surgery, assistance with developing a potential bid, crowdfunding support or simply acting as a ‘critical friend’ on applications prior to submission, we are here to help!
Community Action Suffolk
[email protected]
Suffolk County Council – External Funding Team
[email protected]
Previous Webinars
Suffolk Prohelp businesses continue to give their time and professional expertise creating webinars and videos to support VCSE organisations in Suffolk. We know that no-one has all the answers right now, but having the support of ProHelp professionals helps us to make sense of this difficult time and the ever-changing environment.
Remember you can also visit the Community Action Suffolk Online Learning page for a range of courses.
All these webinars are free.
If you’ve any suggestions for topics you’d like to see covered, email [email protected]
The Trustee Hub
Enjoyed these webinars? The MHA Larking Gowen Trustee Hub is a resource of information and downloadable templates put together by accountants MHA Larking Gowen to support Trustees in their vital role.
Thursday 15 October 11AM – Risk Management: keeping it current
Thursday 08 October 11AM – How to come back from lockdown: practical steps
Thursday 30 April 11AM – Which virtual platform is right for your organisation
Tuesday 23 June 2PM – Branding: How to raise awareness in your cause
Tuesday 12 May 2.00pm – Through furlough and beyond: an employer’s guide
Several weeks into the current crisis we explore some key HR questions around furloughed staff in this free webinar with Lucy Pakes from Ashtons HR Consulting, member of Suffolk ProHelp.
Monday 18 May 11.00am – Covid 19: Making Strategy Work
In this current climate we are all too aware of the need to develop critical strategy. Time to plan now is vital and will ensure firm foundations for an agile organisation with solid roots on which to base long term sustainability. In this webinar Elizabeth Pearce of EJPearce Ltd, Chair of the Suffolk Institute of Directors and member of Suffolk ProHelp will guide us through some key issues.
Lorna Rose training guides us through functionality found in Microsoft Teams, exploring the chat function, team function and ability to video and Live Events enabling us to hold online webinars and conferences, ideal for training staff and volunteers.
Other digital resources
Cash flow management
Ensors accountants, who are members of Suffolk ProHelp, have shared a webinar with us on Cash Flow Management recorded in 2020. This will provide you with vital information for ensuring you are effectively managing your accounts and forecasting. (Suffolk ProHelp is a countywide network of professional firms providing free support to Suffolk’s charities and community groups).
Business continuity
Giles Kerkham from MHA Larking Gowen Accountants has recorded a special video for the charitable and voluntary sector on business continuity. In this 10 minute presentation, Giles addresses the three key elements of continuity in a crisis: rescue, sustain and recover. Our recent sector survey highlighted that 73.1% of respondents do not have a Business Resilience or Continuity Plan; as such we have provided this presentation to help you.
Online learning and digital resources from CAS
Resources include:
- Trustee e-learning (Free of charge)
- Introduction to PREVENT, e-learning package
- ‘Keeping people safe and sound: A basic guide to safeguarding’. (est. 30 minutes)
Click here to visit our online training page.
Social Investment Scotland: Talking Heads: Leadership & Wellbeing through Social Change [Webinar Series]
Hear from leaders in the social enterprise and third sector, as well as mission-driven space, on their reflections and thoughts on how to navigate through these unprecedented times. These online sessions last around 30 minutes and you’ll hear insight on the challenges, opportunities and support available to these social and mission driven organisations at this time.
Click here to visit their website and view their recorded webinars from a range of leaders including:
- Susan Aktemel, Executive Director, Homes for Good
- Douglas Samuel, Chief Executive, Spartans Community Football Academy
- Celia Hodson, Founder, Hey Girls
- Simon Blake, Chief Executive, Mental Health First Aid England & Trustee at Stonewall
- Jo Halliday, CEO & Founder, Talking Medicines
NCVO Studyzone
Online courses for the voluntary sector. Free to NCVO members, or available to buy. NCVO have made their member-only resources free to everyone because of the current situation.
Courses include:
- Influencing decision makers and Commissioners
- Recruiting and selecting your charity staff
- Introduction to sustainable funding
- Preparing successful bids and tenders for the public sector
Click on any of the titles above our click here to visit their website for a full range of courses.
Free learning from The Open University
You can choose an OpenLearn course from a wide range of subjects for personal and professional interest at a range of levels. Some are based on Open University course materials. Others are written specifically for OpenLearn.
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OpenLearn free courses are available immediately: Our courses do not have a start and end date. You can start right away or at a time that suits you.
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You can work through at your own pace:You can spend as long as you like on an OpenLearn course, plus, if you sign up you can track your progress and work towards a statement of participation.
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There are around 1000 courses to choose from. The courses always focus on a specific area of learning. Some focus on important and fascinating academic subjects, whilst others help you develop skills needed for study or work.
Click here to visit their website and to get started.
Keep learning, wherever you are.
Is Coronavirus affecting your education or work? Explore online courses to continue studying, build professional skills, and connect with experts. Courses are supplied by a range of organisations including University of Leeds, University of York, Purdue University and the Open University. A wide range of subjects is available including:
- Public Health England COVID-19: Psychological First Aid
- The Digital Economy: Success through Market Segmentation
- Digital Skills: Social Media
- Introduction to Cyber Security
- COVID-19: Pandemics, Modelling, and Policy
Click here to visit their website or click on the course above and explore their range of free online courses.
Budgets, Management Accounts & Cash Flow Forecasting
The Small Charity Finance Group (CFG) have provided a webinar with information, templates & checklists on understanding how to develop a budget and how to plan and produce a cash flow forecast & management accounts to give you a snapshot of your finances at any one time.
All templates are customisable for your organisation.
The sessions aims to equip those who work with finances of small groups and small charities.
Viewers will gain an understanding of the key principles and methods to:
- Understand what a budget is and how to develop one
- Learn how you can use budgets to support funding requests
- Be able to understand, plan and develop a cash flow forecast.
- Understand what management accounts are and why they are useful.
Who are these videos aimed at?
Those who work with the finances and money handling in a small charity or a small group. This can be a volunteer, treasurer, finance person, or other manager/CEO.
WATCH NOW:
Webinar 1 – Where to start when writing a budget
Webinar 2 – Cash flow Forecasting
Free resources on this topic:
