Useful information – w/c 27/07/26
July 27, 2026
Events, training, charity news, surveys, research, feedback, reports, services and much more – in one handy place!
This page will be updated with new information as we receive it during the week. Please check back regularly. (Last update: 27/07/26 – items added on this date are marked as [NEW])
You’ll also find the latest Health and Wellbeing news, events and opportunities in the current post on our News page here.
You can view previous Useful Information posts here to catch up on our archive of information.
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If you’ve seen something you think we should be sharing, let us know! Email us: info@cumbriacvs.org.uk
Looking for funding information and news? Check out Focus on Funding here
Every Life Matters – Training
Every Life Matters offer a range of suicide prevention and mental health training, including Suicide Alertness, Safety Planning, Mental Health First Aid and Mental Health Awareness in the Workplace.
There are dates for sessions from now until December in this leaflet, online and around the county in-person: Cumbria Training 2026
Balancing your website’s impact and sustainability
Tuesday 28th July, Online. Join HdK for this free online session.
With sustainability being core to many organisational missions, how can we ensure our website support these aims? This panel will bring together thought leaders from across the sector to discuss the relationship between web and sustainability, and practical steps to manage your carbon footprint.
How to manage charity finances – CPD Accredited
Tuesday 28th July, online. Finance can feel daunting, with the confusing terminology and frustrating processes.
Charities of all shapes and sizes find themselves struggling with finances, which can cause myriad problems: lack of transparency, absent accountability, reduced efficiency, inaccurate reporting, and so on.
This course aims, in just three hours, to help you make sense of your finances. It provides a simple, straightforward, plain-English introduction, covering budgeting, reporting, governance, sustainability, futureproofing, and so much more. In two back-to-back sessions, each lasting approximately 80 minutes, the course offers key insights into the essential elements of charity finance.
How charities can stay visible, trusted and funded with rising costs
Wednesday 29th July, Online. When finances are under pressure, good communications can be one of your most powerful tools. That’s why Media Trust has brought together an expert panel to support charities facing rising costs.
The panel brings together expertise in funding, partnerships and communications. We’ll explore how a thoughtful approach to communications can actively support financial resilience, and what that looks like in practice for smaller charities with limited resources. This session will explore how small charities can use their communications strategically, even with limited time and budget, to strengthen relationships, build trust and support long-term sustainability.
Ctrl+Alt+Defend: What are trustees’ responsibilities in relation to AI and cyber risk?
Wednesday 29th July, online. Artificial intelligence (AI) and cyber threats are rapidly reshaping how charities think about risk. From AI-enabled fraud and increasingly sophisticated phishing attacks to data breaches and operational disruption, trustees are facing growing expectations to ensure their organisations are resilient in an increasingly digital environment.
Alongside these risks, trustees must also consider their governance responsibilities. This involves, balancing oversight, delegation and accountability, while ensuring appropriate safeguards are in place to protect their organisation’s people, data and assets. The potential consequences of getting this wrong can be significant, including financial loss, reputational damage and regulatory scrutiny.
This session is designed for charity trustees and senior leaders, including those with responsibility for finance, governance or risk. It is aimed at people who are seeking clear, practical guidance to support effective oversight of AI and cyber risk—without unnecessary technical complexity.
Picnic in the Park for World Breastfeeding Week
Sunday 2nd August, Kendal. Cumbria Breastfeeding Support are marking World Breastfeeding Week with a Picnic In The Park, for family and friends.
Whether or not you’re currently breastfeeding, join us to support new mums to feel comfortable breastfeeding out and about. Bring a picnic, picnic blanket / chair, and your friends and family.
If the weather’s nice, we’ll picnic on Kendal Green.
Strategic planning for your charity
Tuesday 4th August, online. This half day online course, in two 80 minute sections with a short break, encourages charity trustees and managers to embrace long-term planning. The course will help you to understand what is meant by ‘strategic’, think strategically, understand the importance of strategic planning in charity governance, develop an in-depth strategic plan, understand the tensions that arise between operational and strategic priorities, keep your strategic plan on track, and much more.
In the first session we will explore why your charity must develop a plan, not just to meet governance requirements but to allow effective financial and operational planning. A strategy is not a luxury but a necessity. It ensures your charity meets objectives, practices financial sustainability, and maximises impact. The first session will dive deep to clarify exactly what it means to think strategically and how to separate strategic and operational thinking.
The second session will address the process of generating a strategic plan, from start to finish. Starting with your constitution, vision and mission, and culminating in the production of a tangible document that will guide all areas of your charity’s operations including fundraising, recruitment, operational planning, developing infrastructure, and budgeting.
Introduction to Google Analytics 4
Wednesday 5th August, online. This course aims, in just three hours, to help you get to grips with GA4.
It explores recent changes to the platform, how to ensure you have the best data, the metric that you must know, and a general run-through of the interface, dipping into ‘realtime’ reports.
An introduction to generative AI
Thursday 6th August, online. This one-hour in-depth masterclass shows you how to effectively and ethically use artificial intelligence (AI). Attendees, for just £20 per person, will gain practical advice, using real-world examples, showing you how to actually implement AI from one of the charity sector’s experts.
AI Innovation Lead at Twinkl, James Shamsi, will introduce the basics of generative AI, explore the opportunities and risks, and show you exactly how AI can save you time, reduce costs, and unlock new capacity. You will see real-world use cases from fundraising, marketing, operations, and service delivery, along with frameworks that you can simply copy and adapt.
Attendees will leave with a checklist to start using AI effectively the moment the masterclass ends.
Brunch Bites: Cyber Essentials 2026 – Are You Still Compliant?
Tuesday 11th August, online. In this webinar, Qlic IT will explore explore the key changes introduced in Cyber Essentials 2026, what they mean for your organisation, and the steps you should be taking to remain compliant.
Whether you’re preparing for your next certification or simply want to strengthen your cyber security, you’ll leave with practical advice and a clear understanding of what’s changed.
Making the most of M365 apps – tips and tricks
Tuesday 11th August, online. Microsoft 365 offers huge possibilities. It helps charities with email, file storage, and provides plenty of productivity applications that can streamlines your charity.
This three-hour session shows you how to master 365 apps. The first section will cover an overview of the apps available. It will explore web vs desktop applications, the joys of Copilot, the best way to use Microsoft Forms, and the secrets of Sway. The second section is dedicated to Teams, exploring meeting and channel management, file storage, whiteboards and polls, and so much more.
The final section looks at project management and collaboration. Attendees can expect to explore OneNote, the virtues of To Do and Outlook tasks, the best ways to utilise Planner, tips and tricks around Loop, the core functionalities of Bookings, and so much more.
Understanding Governance: The Trustee Role
Tuesday 11th – Wednesday 12th August, online. Governance fundamentals for both new and experienced trustees.
Join this two half-day course to enhance the value you can bring to your charity trustee meetings. Taking place over Zoom, the sessions cover everything from models of governance and the duties of trustees, to planning the work of the board and managing relationships.
If you are new to the role of being a charity trustee, this course will provide the perfect introduction, while experienced trustees will also benefit from a refresher of their responsibilities and comprehensive updates on evolving elements of the trustee role.
Google Ad Grants for beginners
Wednesday 12th August, online. Is your charity looking to set up a Google Ad campaign, but don’t know where to start?
This 2-hour course is specifically for nonprofit staff who have been awarded the $10,000/month Google Ad Grant, but do not know the basics for setting up their first campaign.
You will learn:
➡️ What is a Google Ad Grant?
➡️ How to structure your charity’s account
➡️ Google Ads & Keywords
➡️ Setting up a conversion with Google Analytics.
➡️ Google Ad Grants compliance and maintenance
How to make Meta keep working for your digital fundraising
Thursday 20th August, online.
Join Fundraising Everywhere where they’ll share practical strategies and tools to navigate the ongoing changes in digital advertising: It’s about bringing your fundraising and your communications closer together, showcasing WHY your charity exists, and bringing your story to life in exciting new ways.
Supercharge your use of social media
Tuesday 25th August, online. The landscape of social media is growing increasingly complex. Legacy platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, and X seem to constantly change their offerings and shift functionality. New platforms arrive every week, perpetually touted as the next big thing, perhaps even commanding time and resources, then fade into irrelevance. It can prove difficult to navigate the social landscape, to find the platforms that suit your organisation, to identify the best demographics, to maximise return on investment.
This course aims, in just three hours, to supercharge your use of social media. You’ll explore how you can pick the right platforms for your charity and how to know whether you should invest, or divest, in other platforms.
You’ll see how to increase social media engagement, how to extend your reach, and how to ensure you target the most rewarding demographics.
South Lakes Youth Work Summit
Saturday 5th September, Kendal. A day dedicated to celebrating, strengthening and championing Youth Work across the South Lakes. Bringing together youth workers, practitioners, volunteers, VCFSE organisations, public sector colleagues and partners (18+), this event will provide an opportunity for inspiration, strengthened connections and discussion.
Aim of the day: To create inspiration, strengthen connections, and reflect on youth work practice and provision, building a collaborative and sustainable future for youth work in the South Lakes.
Understanding Governance: The Trustee Role
Tuesday 8th – Wednesday 9th September, online. Governance fundamentals for new and experienced trustees.
If you are new to the role of being a charity trustee, this course will provide the perfect introduction, while experienced trustees will also benefit from a refresher of their responsibilities and comprehensive updates on evolving elements of the trustee role.
Excel: Essentials and Advanced options
Excel is an incredibly useful tool to help you store, analyse and present your data. Even with basic skills there’s a lot you can do to help with your organisation’s monitoring and evaluation practice – but how do you get started?
➡️ Essentials – Level Up your Skills: Tuesday 8th September, online
➡️ Advanced – Tips and Tricks: Tuesday 15th September online
Influencing the political landscape
Thursday 10th September, Online. Join NPC for this free online session for trustees.
The event will provide a set of clear actions for trustees to takeaway to support them in influencing the political landscape, whether they have a campaigning focus or not.
Find out more and book your place here
Get Media Interview Ready
Tuesday 15th September, online. Build confidence when speaking with the media about your charity.
Media interviews can be a valuable opportunity to raise awareness of your charity, but they can also feel daunting without the right preparation. This interactive half-day online course is designed to help charity staff develop the confidence and practical skills needed to handle media interviews effectively.
Using real-life examples, practical exercises and interview practice in a supportive environment, participants will learn how to prepare for interviews, communicate key messages clearly, respond confidently to challenging questions and make informed decisions about when and how to engage with the media. By the end of the session, attendees will feel better equipped to represent their organisation with confidence, credibility and impact.
Data Protection Training for Charities
Thursday 17th September, online. It is important for every charity leader to ensure their organisation is fully compliant with the latest data protection regulations.
This half-day course will guide you through the key points to consider and what measures you should have in place. You will also learn how to avoid some common data protection pitfalls.
Finance & HR – Behind the Purpose
Thursday 17th September, Online. A charity’s purpose can be measured and felt not only by its external impact, but also through its internal practices and strategies.
This ‘Behind the Purpose’ FREE online event will explore how HR and Finance teams can join forces to make the most of their organisation’s resources and deliver a greater impact – from building staff training strategies and investing in wellbeing, to collaborating on charity risk assessments.
The event will also cover the recent changes to employment law and their effect on charities, how to plan digital projects, and talking finances with funders.
Contract Training for Charities – Managing Contracts with Confidence
Tuesday 22nd September, online. For a charity entering into a contract with any other party, there are a number of key factors to consider.
In this half-day session Ed Rimmell, partner at VWV, will share his expertise on managing charity contracts effectively to ensure risks are mitigated, all parties fully understand what has been agreed and what to do if a dispute arises. Ed will also guide you through some common and important contract clauses which are often poorly understood.
Preventing Charity Fraud
Tuesday 6th October, online. Combining 25 years’ expertise as a charity lawyer and governance trainer with frontline experience from various voluntary leadership sector roles, Claris D’cruz will lead this half-day training course to help your charity prevent and deal with fraud or suspected fraud.
This training is relevant to charity trustees, CEOs, finance directors, finance managers, charity advisors and anyone with responsibility for dealing with fraud in their charity.
Throughout the morning we will explore the types of fraud and financial crime to be aware of, the controls and procedures to prevent fraud and how to handle a fraudulent incident.
Get Grants FREE Virtual Conference
Tuesday 6th & Wednesday 7th October, online. Join Get Grants for two days of expert fundraising advice, top tips, Q&As, networking, peer-support, and lots of chat!
The Conference is a celebration of fundraisers, with a programme designed around the topics you want to talk about.
Bringing together thousands of fundraisers from across the UK every year, this fun and heart-warming event with lots of practical advice is not your typical fundraising conference!
Faith-Based Governance Training
Wednesday 7th – Thursday 8th October, online. Faith-Friendly Governance: Making good governance work for you.
Good governance is often seen as a burden – but it can be one of a charity’s greatest assets. This faith-friendly course helps senior leaders and trustees understand what good governance really looks like and how to make it work in a faith context. It explores how to clarify roles, strengthen decision-making, and build confidence around risk. Scenarios and case studies help participants develop skills in practical, relevant ways.
NIHR ARC North East and North Cumbria: Launching our next phase of work
Thursday 8th October, Newcastle. This event will bring together our key partners to celebrate the start of our new programme of work (2026 until 2031).
We will share details of our refreshed research themes, new priorities, and opportunities for collaboration across the region. There will also be opportunities for networking and conversation, and light refreshments will be available.
A full agenda will be shared ahead of the event.
Please complete this short form to register
Understanding Governance: The Trustee Role
Tuesday 13th – Wednesday 14th October, online. Governance fundamentals for new and experienced trustees.
If you are new to the role of being a charity trustee, this course will provide the perfect introduction, while experienced trustees will also benefit from a refresher of their responsibilities and comprehensive updates on evolving elements of the trustee role.
Conscious AI Summit
Thursday 15th October, Online. How can charities build an ethical future? This FREE event focuses on helping charities to use AI ethically.
Together, explore how charities can champion fairness, inclusion and awareness while navigating the risks and challenges associated with AI. The event will examine the vital role the sector can play in shaping the future of a technology that is too powerful to be defined by a select few alone.
Through thought-provoking discussion and practical insight, attendees will be encouraged to adopt AI with intention, purpose and creativity, leaving with the confidence to harness its potential responsibly and effectively within their organisations.
Understanding Governance: The Trustee Role
Wednesday 25th – Thursday 26th November, online. Governance fundamentals for new and experienced trustees.
If you are new to the role of being a charity trustee, this course will provide the perfect introduction, while experienced trustees will also benefit from a refresher of their responsibilities and comprehensive updates on evolving elements of the trustee role.
Disclaimer
The information above is provided in good faith. Whilst every care is taken to ensure that it is correct, Cumbria CVS cannot accept liability for any omissions or inaccuracies and does not take responsibility for the quality for any services or products mentioned.
