Community Action Network

Christchurch Information Station
2026-05-15 11:00 - 13:00 (Europe/London) | Christchurch Library, 29 High Street, Christchurch, BH23 1AW
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.

Food & Fun Fest Information Station
2026-05-16 11:00 - 17:30 | Fisherman’s Walk, Southbourne, BH5 2ER

Henry Brown Centre Information Station
2026-05-18 10:00 - 13:00 | The Henry Brown Centre, Cunningham Crescent, West Howe, BH11 8DU, United Kingdom
Our friendly team warmly welcomes people and aims to help them stay well and independent at home. Anyone can chat with us about what support may be available to them, someone they know or care for in their local community. There is no need to book; just drop in. Find out about:

Transport
Befriending
Food and finances
Help at home
Social activities
And more!

We look forward to welcoming you.

Going Green Together
2026-05-19 10:00 - 11:00 | Online event
If you’d like to find ways for your organisation to be greener in the way it runs, come and join us at our network and find ways forward together.
Book your free place

Poole Hospital Information Station
2026-05-21 11:00 - 15:00 | The Dome, Poole General Hospital, Longfleet Road, Poole, Dorset, BH15 2JB, United Kingdom

Leaders Network
2026-05-25 10:00 - 11:00 | Online
A warm invitation to all Leaders of not-for-profit organisations, whether large or small, to come together. One or both of our Senior Advisors will also be present to take your questions.
Book your free place

Turlin Moor Information Station
2026-05-26 12:00 - 15:00 | St Gabriels Church, keysworth Road, Turlin Moor, Poole, BH16 5BH
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.

Poole Information Station
2026-05-27 10:00 - 13:00 | Poole Library, Dolphin Centre, Kingland Road, Poole, BH15 1QE

Bournemouth Hospital Information Station
2026-05-28 11:00 - 15:00 | The Dome, Poole General Hospital, Longfleet Road, Poole, Dorset, BH15 2JB, United Kingdom

What is authenticity and how charities can use it
2026-05-28 14:00 - 15:30 | Online
Join The Saltways exploring what authenticity really means and how charities can use it.

Authenticity isn’t just a buzzword – it’s at the heart of meaningful charity storytelling. Join The Saltways for a practical online session exploring what authenticity really means and how charities can use it to connect with supporters, build trust, and share impact responsibly.
In this session, they will cover:

What authentic storytelling looks like in the charity sector
How to balance honesty, transparency, and sensitivity
Ways to showcase your work without over-relying on vulnerable individuals
Practical tips for embedding authenticity across campaigns, social media, and content
Examples of charities getting it right—and lessons from things that didn’t work

Book your free place

Developing a Budget
2026-06-01 10:00 - 12:30 | Kinson Community Centre, Pelhams Park, Millhams Road, Bournemouth, Dorset, BH10 7LH, United Kingdom
Are you a voluntary organisation that hasn’t yet developed a budget? This is the course to help your organisation plan its finances, create budgets, and forecast cash flow. Budgeting for activities is similar to budgeting at home: you calculate your income and expenses to determine if you have enough. If you don’t, you need to increase your income or reduce expenses.
Budgeting will help you understand:

Expenses: What you need to run your activities.
Income: Whether your current income is sufficient to continue your activities.
Cash Flow: Identifying periods where you may be short of cash.

This will help you determine how much money you need to raise to keep your organisation running smoothly and assess the sustainability of your work. The budgeting process also provides an opportunity to explore new fundraising methods and identify potential savings.
This training and workbook offer an overview of developing your budget, and are suitable for newly emerging community groups.
Book your free place

Supporting Older People Network
2026-06-03 10:00 - 11:00 | Online event
An invitation to all our member organisations that support older people with their health and wellbeing to come to this network.
Book your free place

Boscombe Information Station
2026-06-04 11:00 - 13:00 | Boscombe Library, 32 Hawkwood Road, Bournemouth, BH5 1BY

FA Your Game
2026-06-07 09:00 - 16:00 | Dorset County Football Association, Blandford Close, Poole, BH15 4BF
Football wouldn’t happen without its volunteers. The hands on the ground or off the pitch, connecting people, changing lives, making the game happen.
Try out a number of football roles at Your Game, and find which is made for you.
Make a difference. Grow your skills. This event is for 14-30-year-olds.
Register your interest by contacting jessica.boyle@dorsetfa.com

Creative Brainstorming Drop-in
2026-06-09 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

Christchurch Information Station
2026-06-12 10:00 - 13:00 | Christchurch Library, 29 High Street, Christchurch, BH23 1AW

Trustee Roles, Responsibilities & Recruitment
2026-06-15 18:00 - 20:00 | Online
This training is designed to empower trustees with the essential knowledge and skills needed to govern and lead your charity effectively. Trustees play a crucial role in ensuring the success and integrity of charitable organisations, and this training aims to provide a solid foundation for fulfilling these responsibilities. So, whether you are an existing trustee or new to the role, this training is for you:
In this course, you will:

Understand trustee roles: Learn about the key functions and expectations of trustees, as well as their contributions to the overall governance of the charity.
Explore responsibilities and legal duties: Dive into the legal framework governing charities, including compliance with charity law and best practices for responsible management.
Develop recruitment strategies: Discover methods for attracting and selecting the right trustees to build a diverse board.

This training, along with the bite-sized workbook, will give you the tools and insights necessary to make informed decisions, manage resources responsibly, and ensure your charity operates with transparency and accountability. Let’s embark on this journey together to strengthen your charity’s governance and maximise its impact.
Book your free place

Christchurch Network
2026-06-23 10:00 - 11:00 | Online
Any voluntary and community groups that support people in Christchurch are welcome to our online networking session.
Book your free place

Make video content using your phone
2026-06-25 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.

Does your charity want to start creating video content but doesn’t know where to start?

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

Shake & Stir Information Station
2026-06-27 11:00 - 17:30, 2026-06-28 11:00 - 17:30 | Fisherman’s Walk, Southbourne, BH5 2ER

Developing a Business Plan
2026-06-29 10:00 - 12:30 | Kinson Community Centre, Pelhams Park, Millhams Road, Bournemouth, Dorset, BH10 7LH, United Kingdom
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 bite-sized training and workbook 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

Bournemouth Network
2026-07-01 10:00 - 11:00 | Online
If your organisation supports people in Bournemouth, please join us for our online network, from 10 am – 11 am, to meet others working in the same area.
Book your free place

Measuring Outcomes and Impact
2026-07-06 10:00 - 12:30 | Kinson Community Centre, Pelhams Park, Millhams Road, Bournemouth, Dorset, BH10 7LH, United Kingdom
Understanding and demonstrating the impact of your organisation’s work is crucial for securing funding, engaging stakeholders, and improving your services. This training will cover:

Introduction to Impact Measurement: Understanding the difference between outputs, outcomes, and impact.
Setting Clear Objectives: Defining what success looks like for your organisation.
Data Collection Methods: Practical guidance on gathering and analysing data.
Evaluation Techniques: Tools and strategies for assessing your work.
Reporting and Communication: How to present your findings to stakeholders.
Using Impact Data: Leveraging insights to improve your services and demonstrate value.

By the end of this training, along with a practical workbook, you’ll have the knowledge and tools to create an effective impact measurement framework, helping you to better understand and showcase the difference your charity makes.
Book your free place
Held in person at Kinson Community Centre, Pelhams Park, Millhams Road, Bournemouth BH10 7LH. There is parking available, and the site is fully accessible.

Developing Policies & Procedures
2026-07-20 18:00 - 20:00 | Online event
Understanding what policies and procedures are, and choosing the right ones required by law for your organisation, can be difficult. This bite-sized 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

Bid Writing and Finding Funders
2026-08-03 10:00 - 12:30 | Kinson Community Centre, Pelhams Park, Millhams Road, Bournemouth, Dorset, BH10 7LH, United Kingdom
Securing funding is vital for the sustainability and growth of your charity. This training is designed to help UK charities master the art of bid writing and effectively find funders. This training will cover:

Introduction to Bid Writing: Understanding the basics and importance of well-crafted bids.
Identifying Funding Opportunities: How to find and select the right funders for your projects.
Crafting Compelling Proposals: Techniques for writing clear, persuasive, and impactful funding applications.
Common Pitfalls: Avoid mistakes that can lead to rejection.
Understanding Funder Perspectives: Insights into how funders assess applications.
Practical Tips and Tools: Resources to enhance your bid writing skills and increase your success rates.

By the end of this training, you’ll be equipped with a workbook and the knowledge and tools to write successful funding bids and identify the best funding opportunities for your organisation.
Book your free place

Marketing, Networking & Digital Confidence
2026-09-07 10:00 - 12:30 | Kinson Community Centre, Pelhams Park, Millhams Road, Bournemouth, Dorset, BH10 7LH, United Kingdom
Are you looking to enhance your community group’s visibility, build valuable connections, and confidently navigate the digital world?
In this training designed specifically for community groups, 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

Volunteer Management
2026-09-14 18:00 - 20:00 | Online
The environment and relationship your organisation develops with its volunteers should be a rewarding mutual experience for both parties. This training and asset-based workbook will cover:

Introduction to volunteering
Gathering information
Policies and procedures
Volunteer management, supervision and training.
Volunteers and the law
Thanking volunteers
Volunteer recruitment.

By the end of this training, you will understand best practices in managing your volunteers, with tools and resources to develop a framework of support. This is a great introduction to the subject, and can lead to more in-depth training on specific areas of volunteer management with CAN.
Book your free place

Measuring Outcomes and Impact
2026-09-28 10:00 - 12:30 | Kinson Community Centre, Pelhams Park, Millhams Road, Bournemouth, Dorset, BH10 7LH, United Kingdom
Understanding and demonstrating the impact of your organisation’s work is crucial for securing funding, engaging stakeholders, and improving your services. This bite-sized training is designed to help you effectively measure your outcomes and impact. This training will cover:

Introduction to Impact Measurement: Understanding the difference between outputs, outcomes, and impact.
Setting Clear Objectives: Defining what success looks like for your organisation.
Data Collection Methods: Practical guidance on gathering and analysing data.
Evaluation Techniques: Tools and strategies for assessing your work.
Reporting and Communication: How to present your findings to stakeholders.
Using Impact Data: Leveraging insights to improve your services and demonstrate value.

By the end of this training, along with a practical workbook, you’ll be equipped with the knowledge and tools to create an effective impact measurement framework, helping you to showcase the difference your charity makes.
Booking coming soon
This training is held in person at Kinson Community Centre, Pelhams Park, Millhams Road, Bournemouth BH10 7LH. There is parking available, and the site is fully accessible.
Book your free place

Developing a Business Plan
2026-10-05 10:00 - 12:00 | Kinson Community Centre, Pelhams Park, Millhams Road, Bournemouth, Dorset, BH10 7LH, United Kingdom
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 offer much more.
Developing or reviewing one allows you to step out of the day-to-day running of your group, think about the bigger picture, reflect on what you have achieved, and plan for the future. This training and workbook 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 started one, this training will allow you to look at the skills, knowledge and experience you have or 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
