See below what’s on offer and book today via Eventbrite
Safeguarding Group B Training
Safeguarding Group B on 10th February
Lunch Included
Naylor Leyland Centre, Ruthin
These courses are most suitable for organisations whose primary client group is adults.
Trainer: Groundwork North Wales
If a practitioner sits in:
Group B – this is for people who work directly with people. They should have a higher knowledge of safeguarding, know who to talk to if they notice something is wrong and how to report a concern. In the third sector this is likely to be staff or volunteers in roles with direct contact with service-users or customers, or present when activities are undertaken
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/1961407896819?aff=oddtdtcreator
Selling with Stories
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/selling-with-stories-tickets-1981575005183?aff=oddtdtcreator
This short, practical training course shows you how to communicate impact, purpose and value through stories that truly connect.
Title: Selling with Stories
Dates: 19th Februaury 2026
Time: 9:30am – 12:30pm
Trainer: Aaron Sussex
Understand what selling with stories means and why it works – especially for people working in the third sector who often need to portray their work to funders in an exciting and refreshing way. This short, practical training course shows you how to communicate impact, purpose and value through stories that truly connect.
Delivered by external expert, Aaron Sussex, you will learn the elements YOU need when selling with stories and understand what storytelling does to the audience’s brain. Discover why stories are remembered long after facts and figures are forgotten, and how the right story helps funders feel emotionally connected to your work.
Selling with stories isn’t about exaggeration or hype. It’s about clarity, authenticity and meaning. You’ll understand what selling with stories means and why it works, and how to use it ethically and confidently in funding bids, presentations and conversations.
Learn a tried and tested structure to make your stories sell with a zing! Understand how storytelling builds trust, grabs attention and engages your audience. By the end of this 90-minute session, you’ll have a simple, repeatable structure and the confidence to tell stories that help your work stand out and succeed. A must for successful fundraising!
How to Win Business and Influence People
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/how-to-win-business-and-influence-people-tickets-1981575260948?aff=oddtdtcreator
You will begin to understand the science of persuasion and how funders and commissioners assess risk, value for money and impact.
Title: How to Win Business and Influence People
Dates: 4th March 2026
Time: 1pm – 4pm
Trainer: Aaron Sussex
This focused training session helps you clearly and confidently communicate the value, impact and outcomes of your work in language that resonates with decision-makers. Learn about persuasive wording and how to embellish your pitch when speaking to funders and commissioners, without overstating or losing authenticity.
Delivered by external expert, Aaron Sussex, you will begin to understand the science of persuasion and how funders and commissioners assess risk, value for money and impact. You’ll explore why certain wording, structure and framing techniques influence funding decisions, and how to apply them ethically in bids, presentations and funding conversations.
Learn the 5 stages of the negotiation process and how to use them when working with funders and commissioners to ensure a genuine ‘win, win’ situation. From funding levels and outcomes to reporting requirements and delivery expectations, you’ll gain practical tools to negotiate with clarity, professionalism and confidence.
By combining persuasive wording, an understanding of the science of persuasion and the 5 stages of the negotiation process, this session provides a clear, repeatable framework for stronger pitches, better funding conversations and more successful commissioning outcomes.
Safer Staff Training
DVSC is committed to providing practical support and training for its member Organisations, and in March we are promoting Safer Staff bespoke training.
These in-person workshops will give Organisations clear, usable skills to manage difficult conversations, set boundaries confidently and stay safe both at work and in everyday life.
The training is trauma-informed, inclusive and practical, ensuring participants feel supported and able to apply what they learn immediately.
These half day workshops will take place on the following dates:
9th March at the Fforddlas Centre, Rhyl – 9.30am – 2pm
10th March at the Naylor Leyland Centre, Ruthin – 9.30am – 2pm
🔗Rhyl : https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/1981567343266?aff=oddtdtcreator
🔗Ruthin: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/1981567549884?aff=oddtdtcreator
How to get the most out of your board
(for staff and chairs)
17th March online 12-2pm | https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/1977502841231?aff=oddtdtcreator
An effective board can be transformative for a third sector organisation, while a dysfunctional one can hold it back. So how do you make sure your board is working at its best?
This practical workshop explores the features of effective boards and the factors that support or undermine their performance. We’ll look at board and staff relations, how to address unhelpful board behaviours, and how to support board members to fulfil their responsibilities. Participants will also learn approaches to reviewing trustee performance and will explore real-life scenarios to apply their learning.
This session is designed for anyone working with or supporting a board, whether as a staff member, chair or board/committee member. The workshop will be delivered by Penny Wilson, an expert in board development and governance.
How to write a high quality grant application
DATE: 12th February 2025
ARRIVAL TEAS & COFFEES: 9.30am
TIME: 9:30am – 2pm
LOCATION: ASK Centre, 9 Water St, Rhyl LL18 1SP
LUNCH INCLUDED? Yes
Although individual grant funding sources have their own eligibility and assessment criteria, the principles for producing a robust application are broadly similar. It is these principles that will be explained to enable you to write and develop an exceptional grant funding application.
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/1977020101343?aff=oddtdtcreator
Strategic Mental Health and Wellbeing at Work
Title: Strategic Mental Health and Wellbeing at Work.
Dates: 24th Februaury 2026
Time: 9:30am – 4pm
Trainer: Pauline Bowe
Lunch included
Join us for an interactive one-day masterclass designed to deepen your understanding of mental health and wellbeing.
Explore how organisational culture, job demands, and other workplace factors can influence mental health, and gain greater awareness of common challenges individuals may experience.
Through discussion, reflection and practical exercises, you’ll be introduced to a tiered approach to supporting wellbeing: primary strategies that focus on creating healthy working environments and reducing risks; secondary strategies that help individuals build resilience and manage stress; and tertiary strategies that support those experiencing mental health difficulties.
Ideal for managers, teams, and individuals looking to take a more informed and proactive approach to mental health in the workplace’.
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/1960672166229?aff=oddtdtcreator
The Great Trustee Hunt: How to find (and keep) trustees for your board
(for anyone involved in trustee recruitment)
2nd March face-to-face 10am-1pm | https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/1977503756970?aff=oddtdtcreator
24th March online 10am-2pm | https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/1977504000699?aff=oddtdtcreator
Recruiting trustees is one of the biggest challenges facing charities, with many struggling to find people with the right skills, experience and commitment. 85% of charities find it difficult to fill vacancies on their boards (NCVO). Keeping trustees engaged and ensuring that they are effective is equally challenging.
This practical workshop provides step-by-step guidance on how to recruit and retain trustees. From identifying skills gaps and drafting effective adverts, to advertising, shortlisting, interviewing and induction, participants will learn how to run an effective and inclusive recruitment process.
The session will then explore practical strategies for trustee retention and effectiveness.
Anyone involved in trustee, board member or management committee recruitment is welcome to attend.
The workshop will be delivered by Penny Wilson, an expert in trustee recruitment and retention.
Essential Recruitment Skills for All
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/essential-recruitment-skills-for-all-tickets-1982512690826?aff=oddtdtcreator
Discover best practice in recruiting effectively and safely, making sure you find the best candidate to strengthen your team.
9am– 12:30pm
27th March 2026
Naylor Leyland Centre, Ruthin
‘Essential Recruitment Skills for All’
How important is it to make sure the right candidate joins your team?
Are you worried the wrong person might change the dynamics of the team?
Can you afford to get it wrong?
Our ‘Essential Skills for All’ recruitment workshop is an excellent way to discover best practice in recruiting effectively and safely, making sure you find the best candidate to strengthen your team. We will explore:
✅ Writing effective Job Descriptions that entice the best applications
✅ Using selection criteria fairly and without discrimination
✅ Viewing interviewing as a two-way process – the candidate selling to you AND you selling to the candidate
✅ Making the decision
✅ Pre-employment checks such as DBS, references and evidence of right to work
✅ Starting work on the correct foot!
