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

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 twelve local authority districts detailed on the map below. Voluntary and community organisations (paid staff and volunteers including Trustees) from other parts of Essex/Thurrock and indeed anywhere else if you are willing to travel here, 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 can also be arranged on request to meet particular needs. More details available here.
  
• 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 ten 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.

Social Accounts - Read more about VST's performance in the year ending August 2008 here

Full Impact Analysis Report y/e August 2009 available here
Summary Report y/e August 2009 available here