About us
training for the voluntary sector, by the voluntary sector

in Basildon, Braintree, Brentwood, Castlepoint, Chelmsford, Epping, Harlow, Maldon, Rayleigh/Rochford and Uttlesford.

Voluntary Sector Training (VST) is an independent charity working to support the development of a strong, effective and diverse voluntary and community sector in Essex.

VST began in 1999 with a Lottery grant providing affordable, relevant and accessible training for voluntary sector workers and volunteers in Uttlesford. VST has expanded in the nine years since then and now delivers training across the ten local authority districts detailed above. Voluntary and community organisations (paid staff and volunteers including Trustees) from other parts of Essex, Southend and Thurrock are of course welcome to attend any of the training sessions!

VST offers a service to voluntary and community organisations, paid staff and volunteers including management committee members/ trustees.

The open programme of training covering key topics of relevance to the voluntary and community sector.

• Tailored training specifically arranged to meet particular needs of organisations (large or small). Take advantage of our expertise and knowledge of local and national trainers! Did you know that VST are able to bring a course to your organisation if one of our open courses is not appropriate for your needs? This could be on anything from "Awaydays", organisational development, confidence building, IT skills training to more practical subjects such as First Aid, Child Protection or Food Hygiene. We can do as much or as little as you would like. We can organise the trainer, venue, equipment, facilitation and catering............or we can offer discounts if you would like to take on some of the support work yourselves. Phone us to discuss your needs and we will quote you an all inclusive price (minimum numbers no longer apply - maximum numbers will depend on subject, trainer and room size).
  Tel 01371 876747 and speak to one of the team!
  
• Development support for new and small groups and for larger organisations facing change or challenge.
  
• Training delivered at convenient accessible venues across a wide area.
  
• Trainers used are experts in their subjects and have experience of working with the voluntary sector.
• VST seeks funding to subsidide the true cost of training places and in the past nine years we have gratefully received funding from the Lottery, Learning and Skills Council, Essex Community Foundation, Essex County Council, Job Centre Plus, Capacity Builders, COVER and EEDA.