Community Action Network

Bournemouth Information Station
2026-02-06 10:00 - 15:00 (Europe/London) | Pavilion Dance South West, Pavilion Theatre, Bournemouth, BH1 2BU
Connect with community services, discover volunteering opportunities, or get support for your charity or community group. No need to book; just drop in.
We can help with:

Finding volunteering roles
Befriending
Social activities
Transport services
Food and finance
Advice for community groups & charities.

Growing Communities Networking
2026-02-09 09:30 - 11:00 | Cherry Tree Nursery, Cherry Tree Nursery, Off New Rd, Northbourne, Bournemouth, BH10 7DA
Join Plants & Mind on Monday 9th February for their next Growing Communities Networking at Cherry Tree Nursery – It’s FREE to attend and there will be CAKE!! But please do remember to register your places so that we make sure there is enough for everybody!
As we will be heading into Emotional Health Week, 19th to 23rd February, Lorraine from SWAD (Sex With A Difference – https://www.swaddorset.org/ ) will be talking about how Emotional Health is shaped – not only by how we think and cope, but by how we connect. Intimacy and sexuality play a meaningful role in helping people feel seen, soothed, and emotionally regulated—yet they are often left out of conversations about wellbeing.
“Depression and anxiety can profoundly affect how we experience connection—changing our desire for closeness, our comfort with touch, and our relationship with our own bodies.”
This talk explores how intimacy and sex can support emotional health by fostering connection, reducing loneliness, enhancing self-worth, and supporting nervous system regulation. It also acknowledges that emotional health is not dependent on sexual activity, and that experiences of desire, closeness, and touch naturally change with stress, anxiety, depression, trauma, and life circumstances.
Lorraine from SWAD’s down-to-earth approach towards a topic that’s often treated as taboo, will move you from dreading opening a “can of worms” to “embracing the squelch!”
Book your free place

Developing Policies & Procedures
2026-02-09 10:00 - 12:30 | Kinson Community Centre, Pelhams Park, Millhams Road, Bournemouth, Dorset, BH10 7LH, United Kingdom
Understanding what policies and procedures are, and choosing the right ones required by law for your organisation, can be difficult. This training is designed to help your organisation develop policies and procedures to meet the minimum legal requirements.
This training has been designed for VCS organisations and groups currently without, or who are starting to develop, their policies and procedures. The training and the asset-based workbook will enable you to start, review or develop the specific policies needed to manage risk for your organisation.
Training will cover:

What are policies and procedures, and why do you need them?
Types of policies and procedures
Types of Insurance you might need
Your legal responsibilities
How will you be accountable for your organisation?
How will you put your policies into practice?
Developing systems that enable your organisation to run smoothly.

By completing this training, you will be on your way to developing the systems to help you effectively manage risks in your organisation and service delivery.
Book your free place

Diverse Abilities network event
2026-02-11 08:30 - 10:00 | The Treehouse, Merritown Lane, Christchurch, BH23 6DT
Join Diverse Abilities for a spot of networking over a coffee and a pastry. These networking mornings are a fantastic chance to meet and mingle with other businesses, get to know like-minded people in the area, and start your day right.
It’s free to attend but you must register your space in advance.
Book your free place

Getting started with legacy and in memory programmes
2026-02-12 14:00 - 15:30 | Online
Legacy and in-memory giving can be some of the most meaningful, impactful, and sustainable areas of fundraising yet many charities aren’t sure where to begin. In this practical online session, The Saltways team will guide you through the foundations of building or strengthening your legacy and in-memory programmes, with a focus on compassionate communication and storytelling that truly resonates.
Saltways will be joined by Katie Wimpenny – Octopus Legacy, Emily Grint – Legacy Futures and Yvonne Roberts – Free Wills Network.
Together, they will explore:

What legacy and in-memory giving really mean for supporters
How to create safe, sensitive messaging that honours emotion and experience
The role of storytelling and video in deepening long-term supporter relationships
Simple first steps for small teams getting started
How to speak confidently about legacies without feeling uncomfortable
Opportunities to introduce these programmes across your existing comms and touchpoints

Designed to be warm, accessible, and jargon-free, this session will give you the confidence to take your next steps – whether you’re launching a new programme from scratch or refining an existing one.
Book your free place

Volunteer Coordinators Meeting
2026-02-13 10:00 - 12:00 | Kinson Community Centre, Pelhams Park, Millhams Road, Bournemouth, Dorset, BH10 7LH, United Kingdom
Do you manage volunteers – whether it’s just a few or over 100? Whether you’re brand new or have years of experience, this meeting is for you.
Book your free place

Creative brainstorming drop in session
2026-02-17 12:00 - 13:00 | Online
Join Pete and Emma from The Saltways for a relaxed, idea-fuelled online drop-in designed to help you shape and refine your content plans.
Whether you’re a charity looking to amplify your impact, a small team juggling storytelling on limited time, or simply feeling stuck on where to begin, this session is your space to ask questions, share ideas, and get practical guidance from filmmakers who specialise in purpose-driven content.
There’s no formal presentation – just an open, supportive Q&A where you can:

Bounce ideas around and explore fresh creative angles
Get advice on story structure, filming approaches, or platform-specific content
Sense-check your plans for upcoming campaigns or events
Identify opportunities you may be overlooking
Leave with renewed clarity and direction for your content strategy

Whether you stay for 10 minutes or the full hour, you’ll walk away with practical, doable ideas that meet your organisation where it is.
Book your free place

Finding & Attracting Volunteers
2026-02-19 10:00 - 11:30 | Online
Practical strategies to reach a diverse range of potential volunteers.
You’ll learn:
· How to identify the most effective low-cost or no-cost tools and channels for volunteer recruitment
· Tips for writing compelling role descriptions that highlight impact and benefits
· How to design and deliver targeted and inclusive approaches
· How to use storytelling to showcase volunteer impact and attract sign-ups
Book your free place

Christchurch Information Station
2026-02-20 10:00 - 13:00 | Christchurch Library, 29 High Street, Christchurch, BH23 1AW
Connect with community services, discover volunteering opportunities, or get support for your charity or community group. There is no need to book; just drop in.
We can help with:

Finding volunteering roles
Befriending
Social activities
Transport services
Food and finance
Advice for community groups & charities.

Marketing, Networking & Digital Confidence
2026-02-23 18:00 - 20:00 | Online
Are you looking to enhance your community group’s visibility, build valuable connections, and confidently navigate the digital world? Our training on Marketing, Networking, and Digital Confidence is designed specifically for community groups.
In this training, we will cover:

Discover how to promote your group and its activities to reach a wider audience
Learn how to build and maintain meaningful relationships with stakeholders, partners, and supporters
Gain the skills to effectively use digital tools and platforms to enhance your group’s online presence.

Why attend?

Increase Visibility: Learn techniques to make your group stand out and attract more attention
Build Connections: Develop networking skills that will help you forge strong partnerships and collaborations
Enhance Digital Skills: Become confident in using social media, websites, and other digital tools to engage with your community.

Who should Attend?
This training is ideal for community group members who want to enhance their marketing efforts, expand their professional network, and increase their digital confidence. Whether you’re new to these concepts or looking to refine your skills, this course offers valuable insights and practical tips.
Book your free place

Boundaries in the Workplace
2026-02-24 09:30 - 13:30 | Online event
Professional and personal boundaries are key to keeping service users, staff, and organisations safe, effective and professional. They help us to utilise our skills in the most appropriate way within our professional roles, and to ensure consistency of service and manage the expectations of service users. But what are boundaries, and what can make it difficult to maintain them?
This workshop is designed to support staff and organisations in voluntary, community, and social enterprises (VCSEs) to consider, plan, and implement personal and professional boundaries in the workplace.
By the end of this workshop, participants will:

Understand their personal and professional boundaries
Be confident in how to manage boundary issues
Have explored situations that can occur and how they can be managed
Consider implementing boundary policies and how they can support staff and service users.

This workshop is for staff and volunteers of organisations that provide supportive services across the UK, especially those in public-facing roles. Participants will not require any prior knowledge of boundaries to participate. There will be a maximum of 15 participants per workshop to allow for meaningful engagement.
Book your ticket here: https://peerpartnership.org/challenging-behaviour/

Volunteering: Your Ultimate Career Hack
2026-02-24 16:00 - 17:00, 2026-03-03 17:00 - 18:00, 2026-03-10 18:00 - 19:00 | Online
Aged 16 – 25? Got the drive, but do you have the receipts? Join us for a deep dive into why volunteering is the most underrated tool in your professional toolkit.
We’re moving past the feel-good vibes and getting into the real results. From discovering your hidden talents to landing your dream gig, we’ll show you how spending time on a cause you care about pays dividends for your bank account and your brain.
Join us to learn:

How to find opportunities that actually match your vibe.

The science of why doing good makes you feel (and work) better.

Real stories of 16–25-year-olds who turned volunteering into full-time careers.

Book your free place

Group Dynamics and Facilitation
2026-02-26 09:30 - 13:30 | Online event
Group support can be a valuable and effective intervention for people living with complex or difficult circumstances but group dynamics – the interplay between members – can offer challenges as well as benefits.
The ability to share your knowledge and experiences with others while also learning from the knowledge and experience of others can lead to new ways of thinking and approaching situations, as well as supporting a reduction in feelings of isolation.
Groups can be organic and unpredictable, with each instance bringing new personalities and new complications. By learning how groups form, engage, and resist, and by understanding how to create an environment that emphasises the needs of the group as well as those of the individuals within it, support groups can maintain focus, cohesion, and effectiveness.
To purchase your ticket visit: https://peerpartnership.org/group-dynamics-and-facilitation/
Aims
This workshop is designed to support staff and organisations in voluntary, community, and social enterprises (VCSEs) to understand group dynamics within a support setting and to manage and coordinate groups or supervise volunteers to do so.
Objectives
By the end of this workshop, participants will:
Understand where and why group support is desirable
Be confident in how groups form and develop
Have explored situations that can occur and how they can be managed
Have considered how to overcome challenges in a group situation
Cost
£75 per person. To purchase your ticket visit: https://peerpartnership.org/group-dynamics-and-facilitation/
Our workshop includes:
Formats: discussions of the different forms of support groups
Stages of group development: the stages of group formation
Group factors: the various elements that affect group dynamics
Interventions: how to manage challenging behaviour in a group setting
Who is it for?
This workshop is for staff and volunteers of voluntary, community, and social enterprise organisations (VCSEs) across the UK that provide support groups. Participants do not have to have been previously involved in group activities as this workshop can work as an introduction to the theories of group dynamics. There will be a maximum of 15 participants per workshop to allow for meaningful engagement.
Paying by invoice
If you can’t pay by card or would rather pay by invoice, please call us on 0117 955 5038 or email info@peerpartnership.org and we can reserve your space and organise this.
If you would like to arrange a session specifically for your organisation or would like more information about this workshop or The Peer Partnership, please contact us on 0117 955 5038 or email info@peerpartnership.org

Aging Well Exhibition & Community Stories
2026-02-26 12:00 - 14:00 | Bobby’s Department Store, First Floor, Bournemouth, Dorset, BH2 5LP, United Kingdom
A free exhibition sharing the findings from our Voices of the Future research project – exploring what matters to people aged 60-75 and what helps us age well.
Thursday 26 February, Midday – 2pm
First Floor of Bobby’s Department Store, Bournemouth Square, BH2 5LP.
Drop in, browse the exhibition and discover what younger older adults across BCP told us about wellbeing and everyday life!
The venue is fully accessible, with lift access and disability-friendly toilet facilities. There are good public transport links and parking nearby. If you require assistance with transport, please contact us as soon as possible.
Book your free place

AI Generated Images: Guidelines & Panel Discussion
2026-02-26 14:00 - 15:30 | Online
Join Saltways for a, practical online session exploring how charities can navigate this evolving landscape with confidence and care.

As AI-generated imagery becomes more common across the charity sector, organisations are facing new questions around ethics, accuracy, representation, and responsible use. Join The Saltways for an open, practical online session exploring how charities can navigate this evolving landscape with confidence and care.
This session will cover:

Key guidelines for using AI-generated images safely and ethically
Risks to be aware of – from bias and misinformation to safeguarding concerns
When AI imagery can be helpful (and when it shouldn’t be used)
How to maintain authenticity and trust in supporter communications
Real examples from the sector and emerging best practices

You’ll also hear from a panel of experts sharing their perspectives on creativity, safeguarding, fundraising, and digital comms followed by time for questions and discussion.

Book your free place

National Self Harm & Suicide Prevention Conference
2026-02-27 09:00 - 17:00 | Online event
The 11th National Self Harm & Suicide Prevention Conference 2026
Friday 27th February 2026 9am–5pm
Trent Conference Centre, Trent Vineyard, Nottingham NG7 2PX
In-Person & Online!
Join Harmless for From Harm to Hope 2026, its flagship annual conference. This CPD-accredited event brings together experts, leading academics and professionals from across the sector for a powerful day of evidence-based insights, practical solutions and shared experiences. Our conference theme for 2026 is The Uncomfortable Truth: Confronting Barriers to Connection in Self Harm and Suicide Prevention.
Aims & Objectives: This CPD-accredited event brings together experts, leading academics and professionals from across the sector for a powerful day of evidence-based insights, practical solutions and shared experiences, with a strategic focus on:

Collaborative Partnership
Service-User Representation
Effective Practice
Driving Change
Overcoming Stigma & Discrimination

With Plenary Speakers:

Kristy Themelis – Nottingham Trent University
Mark Cody – Granborghini
Plus further presentations by Harmless & The Tomorrow Project and the National Suicide Prevention Alliance (NSPA).

Learn more and book your tickets here: Conferences – Harmless

Branksome Library Information Station
2026-02-27 10:00 - 12:30 | Branksome Library, 212-22- Ashley Road, Parkstone, BH14 9BY

Recognise & Respond to Challenging Behaviour
2026-03-03 09:30 - 13:30 | Online event
Working with people with complex lives can be difficult, especially when service users might display defensive, aggressive, or disengaging behaviours that can interrupt constructive and meaningful engagement. This workshop explores the causes, biomechanics, strategies, and timings to manage and de-escalate potentially difficult circumstances.
Duration: Four hours, including some short comfort breaks.
£75 per person. This can be paid online by card, or Peer Partnership can invoice your organisation.
By the end of this workshop participants will have:
• An understanding of what challenging behaviour is and where it comes from
• Explored when and how to intervene when challenging behaviour is presented
• Considered situations that can occur and how they can be managed.
Gain a practical understanding of various de-escalation strategies and a deeper understanding of potential causes of challenging behaviour.
Book here: https://peerpartnership.org/challenging-behaviour/

Free Youth Volunteer Event
2026-03-04 17:00 - 19:00 | Lush Eco Hub, Fleets Corner Business Park, Waterloo Road, Poole, BH17 0AE
This event is designed to introduce students to meaningful volunteering opportunities that make a real difference in the local community, while also helping them develop confidence, transferable skills and experience they can add to their CVs.
Event details:
Lewis-Manning x Lush – Youth Volunteer Info Evening
🗓 Wednesday 4 March
⏰ 5:00–7:00pm
📍 Lush Eco Hub, Fleets Corner Business Park, Waterloo Road, Poole BH17 0AE
🎟 Free to attend, booking essential Lush event – Lewis-Manning Hospice Care
About:
The evening is suitable for sixth form, college, university, and DofE students and will include short talks from staff and volunteers, a guided tour of the Lush Eco Hub, and opportunities to sign up for future events and community activities. Students who register their interest will also receive Lush goodies and giveaways!
No previous volunteering experience is required — just enthusiasm and a willingness to get involved.

Thrive in the VCSE workplace
2026-03-05 09:30 - 13:30 | Online event
Charity workers and volunteers face unique pressures—from emotional strain and burnout to resource constraints and secondary trauma. This interactive workshop offers practical tools, peer support, and a personalized action plan to help you build resilience and sustain your impact.
To book your ticket, visit https://peerpartnership.org/strengthening-resilience/
Outcomes
A clear understanding of what resilience means in the charity context
Practical techniques for stress management, self-care, and boundary-setting
Strategies to foster team resilience and peer support
A personalized Resilience Action Plan to take forward
Connection with others who share your passion and challenges
Workshop Activities
Guided mindfulness and breathing exercises
Role-play scenarios to practice boundary-setting
Group brainstorming to create team “resilience rules”
Action planning for long-term resilience
Inspiring stories and peer-led discussions.
Who Should Attend?
Charity staff, volunteers, and anyone working in community-facing roles who wants to strengthen their emotional wellbeing and build a more resilient work culture. We recommend a maximum of 15 attendees for the best results.
Duration
The training is four hours in duration, which includes breaks. To book your ticket, visit https://peerpartnership.org/strengthening-resilience/
Delivery
Our training is delivered online via Zoom or can be delivered in person if your organisation requires it for a larger group.
We use Eventbrite to process payments and tickets but if you can’t pay by card or would rather pay by invoice, please call us on 0117 955 5038 or email info@peerpartnership.org and we can reserve your space and organise this.
Email info@peerpartnership.org

Introduction to Safeguarding
2026-03-09 10:00 - 12:00 | Kinson Community Centre, Pelhams Park, Millhams Road, Bournemouth, Dorset, BH10 7LH, United Kingdom
Anyone who works or volunteers with children, young people, or adults has a responsibility to help keep them safe. This introductory course is designed for volunteers and staff who need a basic understanding of safeguarding principles and practices.
By the end of the session, participants will be able to:

Explain what safeguarding means
Identify different types of abuse and neglect
Recognise signs and symptoms of potential harm
Understand who might be affected by abuse and neglect
Know how and who to report concerns to
Identify a range of safeguarding issues and concerns
Share experiences and learn from others in similar roles.

Book your free place

Support Services: Planning and Implementation
2026-03-10 09:30 - 15:30 | Online event
Support services should be devised through co-design and implemented through co-production in order to be genuinely reflective of the community.
This workshop is designed to equip support professionals and people with lived experience with the knowledge and skills to effectively collaborate and to co-create services that meet the needs of all stakeholders.
Join us to enhance your skills, network with peers, and make a meaningful impact on health services through co-creation.
To purchase your ticket, visit: https://peerpartnership.org/co-creation-of-support-services/
Content
Introduction and icebreaker – Kickstart the day with brief introductions and an engaging icebreaker activity to create a comfortable atmosphere.
Understanding Co-Creation. Explore key concepts, benefits, and real-world case studies of successful co-creation projects in the UK.
Planning Co-Creation – Learn techniques for identifying and engaging key stakeholders, and setting clear, achievable objectives through interactive activities.
Implementing Co-Creation – Design a co-creation process, utilize effective tools and techniques, and participate in a group activity to create a mock co-creation project.
Overcoming Challenges – Address common challenges and develop strategies for risk management and overcoming obstacles.
Evaluation & Sustainability – Discover methods for evaluating the success of co-creation projects and ensuring long-term sustainability.
Conclusion & Next Steps – Recap key points, create an action plan for implementing co-creation, and provide feedback on the workshop.
The workshop is five hours, including breaks and discussions.
£100 per person. To purchase your ticket, visit: https://peerpartnership.org/co-creation-of-support-services/ Each workshop has a maximum of 15 attendees, to ensure the full benefits of interactive discussion and learning.

How to create effective video content using your phone for charities
2026-03-12 14:00 - 15:30 | Online
Join The Saltways team in this workshop for charities to learn how to create effective & high quality content on your phone.

“Thank you for the training, I never thought I could make video’s let alone using my phone so it was all amazing and new to me.”
Does your charity want to start creating video content but don’t know where to start? Join two of The Saltways team for a practical workshop for charities.

Learn how to plan your films to get the best results possible.
Learn technical tips on how to improve your footage and sound.
Have an introduction into editing and how to build a campaign around your film.

There will also be a chance to ask questions.

Book your free place

Making TikTok work for your Charity
2026-03-17 10:00 - 23:00 | Online event
Explore how your charity can create engaging and effective TikTok content.
TikTok is now one of the fastest-growing platforms for news, campaigning and social impact. But for many charities, TikTok can still feel confusing, time-consuming and out of reach.
This free one-hour session will demystify TikTok and show how charities can create engaging, effective short-form videos without big budgets, specialist kit or dedicated video teams. You’ll explore what’s working on the platform right now, and how to turn simple ideas into content that cuts through.
Whether you’re brand new to TikTok or want to improve what you’re already posting, this practical session will give you the confidence to not only get started, but to keep going!
What you’ll learn
In just one hour, you’ll get a clear, up-to-date picture of how charities can use TikTok effectively in 2026. We’ll cover:

What helps TikTok videos cut through right now
The most effective short-form video styles for charities
Simple filming and editing techniques to hook viewers
How to create engaging content without big budgets or specialist teams
Practical tips for getting started quickly and consistently

Event details
Location: Online
Time: 1 hour
Price: Free
Who should attend?
Perfect for staff working on charity comms, campaigns and digital who want to explore TikTok but aren’t sure where to start. No prior TikTok experience needed.
Book your free place

Community Spaces Network
2026-03-23 10:00 - 12:00 | Bournemouth and Poole College, North Rd,, Poole, BH14 0LS
This is an invitation to all community groups who have spaces the public can visit – community centres and halls, cafes, libraries, digital hubs and more. At this networking event, run with BCP Council, we offer support and advice on how to run public spaces and events smoothly and legally.
Meet at the Bournemouth and Poole Campus on Monday, 23 March, from 10 am – 12 pm.
Book your free place

Developing a Business Plan
2026-03-23 18:00 - 20:00 | Online
Thought about a business plan and the importance of having one? It might be something you want for funding or to support your legal registration, but a plan can provide you with much more.
Developing or reviewing one allows you to step out of the day-to-day running of your group and think about the bigger picture, reflect on what you have achieved and help you plan for the future. This training will show you:

What you are trying to achieve
How to deliver services
How to monitor, evaluate and review your activities
Your current strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats.
How much money do you need to run smoothly
What’s on around you and how to interact with other people and groups.

If you have a business plan that hasn’t been reviewed recently, or you haven’t yet started one, this training will allow you to look at the skills, knowledge and experience you have in place or may need to develop. It will enable you to explain clearly and effectively to others what you intend to provide and how it will be delivered.
Book your free place

Supporting LGBT+ Network
2026-03-25 10:00 - 11:00 | Online event
A safe space to discuss issues faced by LGBT+ community members and how we can be their allies. Join us online from 10 – 11 am on 25 March.
Book your free place

Parkstone Information Station
2026-03-25 11:00 - 15:00 | Heathers Tearoom, Ashley Road, Poole, BH14 9DS
