York CVS training and events
29 June - In person - Neurodiversity Community Projects VCSE Small Grants Fund
Monday 29 June, 10am – 11:30am, Priory Street Centre, York
Are you considering applying for the VCSE Small Grants Fund for Neurodivergent Community Projects? Join one of our informal in person drop-in sessions to ask questions, explore the application criteria and process, and chat with us about how your work may align with the fund aims.
These sessions are designed to support York’s voluntary, community and social enterprise (VCSE) organisations to apply for the fund.
We welcome applications from neurodivergent-led groups, as well as organisations working alongside neurodivergent communities.
29 June - Online drop-in - Neurodiversity Community Projects VCSE Small Grants Fund
Monday 29 June, 1pm – 2pm, online via Teams
Are you considering applying for the VCSE Small Grants Fund for Neurodivergent Community Projects? Join one of our informal online drop-in sessions to ask questions, explore the application criteria and process, and chat with us about how your work may align with the fund aims.
These sessions are designed to support York’s voluntary, community and social enterprise (VCSE) organisations to apply for the fund.
We welcome applications from neurodivergent-led groups, as well as organisations working alongside neurodivergent communities.
2 July - Conversation Cafe
Thursday 2 July, 10am – 12:30pm, Yor Community Wellbeing Hub @Acomb Garth
Be part of the conversation to shape the future of the Yor Community Wellbeing Hubs
Conversation Cafés – Yor Community Wellbeing Hubs
Conversation Cafés are held monthly at the Yor Community Wellbeing Hubs, alternating between our two hubs in the city at Clarence Street and Acomb Garth. Firstly (and most importantly!) there’s always plenty of refreshments, sandwiches and cake available.
The sessions usually bring together around 15–20 people. We sit in a circle and have open, facilitated discussions focused on three key topics relating to the Yor Community Wellbeing Hubs. These conversations are led by the Co-Production Champion, Ben, and are designed to be inclusive, respectful and honest.
Sometimes we break into smaller groups to explore particular questions in more depth, depending on how many people attend. We sometimes tackle tricky or challenging subjects, but we always approach these with kindness and respect. While the discussions are meaningful, we also keep the space as light, friendly and enjoyable.
Questions are shared a week before the session so that no one feels put on the spot and everyone has time to reflect beforehand. Everyone has an equal opportunity to share their views, because every perspective matters. If you’d prefer not to speak, that’s absolutely okay too.
We understand that group settings don’t work for everyone. If you would rather share your thoughts in a different way, Ben also offers one-to-one conversations about changes you’d like to see at the Yor Community Wellbeing Hubs, as well as opportunities to get involved in smaller co-production working groups. If you would like more information about these options, please contact Ben directly.
If at any point during a session you feel overwhelmed, staff are always on hand to offer support.
5 August - York VCSE Homelessness Support Network Meeting
This meeting is for voluntary, community and social enterprise (VCSE) organisations and key partners working with and supporting people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness in York.
Please contact [email protected] if you have any questions about this event.
14 October - York VCSE Homelessness Support Network Meeting
This meeting is for voluntary, community and social enterprise (VCSE) organisations and key partners working with and supporting people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness in York.
Please contact [email protected] if you have any questions about this event.
2 December - York VCSE Homelessness Support Network Meeting
This meeting is for voluntary, community and social enterprise (VCSE) organisations and key partners working with and supporting people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness in York.
Please contact [email protected] if you have any questions about this event.
3 February 2027 - York VCSE Homelessness Support Network Meeting
This meeting is for voluntary, community and social enterprise (VCSE) organisations and key partners working with and supporting people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness in York.
Please contact [email protected] if you have any questions about this event.
VCSE sector training and events
The training and events below are hosted by various organisations and may be relevant for your voluntary, community or social enterprise (VCSE) sector organisation.
For more York events, please visit Live Well York’s website.
June - July - Latest free Cancer Champion Awareness sessions
Humber and North Yorkshire Cancer Alliance’s free cancer awareness sessions can teach you about what to look for, cancer prevention, the national cancer screening programmes, and much much more.
If you have any questions, please email the team at [email protected] or call 07519 120809.
Dates for the virtual sessions, which lasts 90 minutes:
- Friday 1 May at 2:00 pm
- Thursday 14 May at 3:00 pm
- Tuesday 19 May at 11:00 am
- Wednesday 3 June at 12:00 noon
- Monday 15 June at 09:30 am
- Thursday 25 June at 10:00 am
- Tuesday 7 July at 1:00 pm
- Friday 17 July at 10:00 am
23 June - Move Beyond “Silver Bullets” in Social Enterprise Innovation - Enterprise Works
Tuesday 23 June | 10:00am – 12:30pm | Innovation Centre, Heslington
Working on complex social challenges? Join this dynamic, hands-on workshop designed to help social enterprise founders move beyond single solutions and take a smarter, systems-led approach to innovation.
You’ll gain practical frameworks, work through real challenges with peers, and leave with a clear action roadmap that balances quick wins with long-term, systemic impact.
Perfect for founders ready to strengthen strategy, spark innovation, and scale impact.
25 June - Yorkshire Funders Annual Conference
Thursday 25 June | 9.30am – 4pm, Horizon, Leeds LS10 1JR | Tickets: £70 Member, £140 Non-member
A full conference including In Conversation with ……… David Holdsworth (Chief Executive, Charity Commission).
30 June - Funded Sensory Impairment Awareness training
Tuesday 16 June, Tuesday 30 June 2026, 9:30am – 13:30pm
The Wilberforce Trust is offering funded places for their well-regarded Sensory Impairment Awareness training. During the session you will explore the main eye conditions which cause visual impairment and the subsequent impact. You will have an opportunity to use visual impairment simulation glasses, learn the correct method of guiding and experience what it is like to guide and be guided. There will also be an opportunity to look at the causes of hearing impairment, alternative methods of communication and complete an exercise in lip reading.
3 July - An introduction to barriers to education attendance
Friday 3 July | 1pm – 4.30pm | West Offices, Station Rise | Free
City of York COuncil Educational Psychology Service (EPS) are inviting staff who support the education, engagement and attendance of children and young people in York to attend this free training session.
Please note: You will need to create a MyLo account to access the training
Recurring VCSE sector training and events
The training and events below are hosted by various organisations and may be relevant for your voluntary, community or social enterprise (VCSE) sector organisation, or the people who access your services.
Monthly - Peer-Led Aphasia Support in York
Aphasia Support in York provides a welcoming, peer-led environment for people living with aphasia, which is a communication disability often following a stroke or brain injury. The group serves as a vital “safety net” once clinical speech and language therapy has ended.
When: 2:30 pm – 4:30 pm, 1st and 3rd Tuesday of every month.
Where: Gateway Centre, Front Street, York, YO24 3BZ.
Accessibility: The venue has wheelchair access, disabled toilets, and disabled parking nearby.
Cost: We focus on making our sessions accessible to all.
The groups are unique because they are peer-led, run by people who are living with aphasia themselves. They focus on rebuilding confidence and social connections in a safe, non-judgmental space where there is no pressure to speak perfectly. Carers and partners are highly encouraged to attend.
Contact us:
If you have any questions about any of our training sessions or events, or if you have a suggestion for future training, please get in touch with us at: [email protected]
Safeguarding Week 2026
18 June - Preparation for Adulthood and Learning Disabilities
Thursday 18 June | 2pm – 3pm | MS Teams
This session provides an overview of York’s evolving Preparation for Adulthood (PfA) model, focusing on how we are strengthening outcomes for young people with SEND as they move towards adulthood. It will highlight our strategic direction, operational delivery, and the impact of multi-agency collaboration across education, health, and social care.
18 June - Learning from Multi-Agency Case Reviews and Audits
Thursday 18 June | 3.30pm – 4.30pm | MS Teams
This session will provide an overview of national updates including recent publications from the National Panel and will also cover thematic learning and practice recommendations from local case reviews in York that have been conducted when a child dies or is seriously injured and abuse or neglect are suspected.
19 June - Private Fostering
Friday 19 June | 12pm – 1pm | MS Teams
The aim of this workshop is to raise awareness of private fostering. We will achieve this by discussing the definition of private fostering, exploring differing scenarios to put the definition in practice, and feeling confident in your responsibilities when you identify a private fostering arrangement.
Jess will share her experience and expertise of Private Fostering both within the Social Care and Education settings, linking the procedures to frontline practice.
Jess will talk about some of the lessons learnt through the death of Victoria Climbié and how The subsequent Laming Report prompted a strengthening of the legal framework around private fostering.
We hope to inspire professionals to feel confident in recognising private fostering arrangements, know what to do and how to support children and young people in these arrangements.
19 June - Transitional Safeguarding
This session explores the principles and practice of transitional safeguarding, focusing on how services can effectively support young people as they move from adolescence into adulthood. It will highlight the unique risks faced by those approaching 18, particularly where vulnerabilities such as exploitation, mental health needs, or instability remain present beyond childhood frameworks.
The session will encourage practitioners to think beyond traditional service boundaries and consider developmentally appropriate, person-centred approaches that ensure continuity of care and protection. This session is informed by the new Transitional Safeguarding Practice Guidance introduced in March this year.