I would like to thank you again for the training, which was absolutely superb and has really helped me, not only as a volunteer but as someone who is having to look after volunteers.
Community CVS is offering free, expert-led training for volunteers in Blackburn with Darwen through our Community Volunteer Training.
Who is it for?
Community Volunteer Training is designed for anyone who wants to get involved in their community as a volunteer. It is ideal for volunteers and community groups who provide support to members of the public, for example in recovery, mental health, health and social care, volunteer-led community support, sports and culture, environment and children and young people.
How is it delivered?
We give volunteers the knowledge and awareness they need through four friendly face-to-face informal workshops delivered through our Volunteer Centre. Sessions take place on successive Mondays and Tuesdays over the course of two weeks.
What will I gain?
By taking part, volunteers will gain confidence and the key skills they need for volunteering.
Certificates will be provided for the workshops volunteers attend.
What will volunteers be learning?
Our workshops will cover these areas: –
Day 1 – Introduction to Volunteering
- What is volunteering & why is it important
- Volunteer roles
- Benefits of volunteering
- Volunteering & Skills for Work
- Expectations
- Volunteer responsibilities
- Confidence & Self esteem
Day 2 – Volunteering Safely
- GDPR, Data protection & Online Safety
- Confidentiality,
- Professional Boundaries & Supervision
- Equality, Diversity & Inclusion
- H&S and Volunteering safely
- Safeguarding
- Reflective Practice
Day 3 – Communication & Interpersonal Skills
- Team working & Communication
- Volunteering & Professional Behaviour
- Attitudes, Values & Beliefs
- Respecting Diversity & Challenging inequality
- Reflective practice in action
- Dealing with Conflict
- Lone working
Day 4 – Volunteering in Recovery Services
- Roles and responsibilities of a Recovery Service Volunteer
- Understand the SPARK Cooperative & support services
- Skills & Attributes of Recovery volunteer
- Maintaining Professional Boundaries
- Addiction & Recovery
- Health & Wellbeing
When will the Community Volunteer Training Programme run?
The programme is delivered on a rolling basis. It is a 4 day training delivered over 2 weeks (2 days per week) in the Conference Room at our Boulevard Centre, with sessions taking place from 10am to 1.30pm.
2026’s dates are as follows. Click the dates to book or for more information: –
| Introduction to Volunteering | Monday 13th April | Monday 15th June | Monday 28th September |
| Volunteering Safely | Friday 17th April | Monday 22nd June | Monday 5th October |
| Communication & Interpersonal Skills | Monday 20th April | Monday 29th June | Monday 12th October |
| Recovery | Friday 24th April | Monday 6th July | Monday 19th October |
Places will be available on a first come first served basis.
For more information or if you have any questions, please feel free to get in touch with Denise: –
Last update: Monday 9th February 2026