Become a community champion: more training dates announced for March Is there a particular cause or issue you are keen to champion within your community? Are you currently championing a cause or issue dear to your heart? Would you like to develop skills and knowledge that will help you in being a leader / champion? There are many individuals doing great work to address issues, increase awareness and bring about changes for the better of communities and society at large. In doing so they are often building great skills and experience. However, there are those who are less experienced and would benefit from some training that would help them in leading change and championing a cause. On the other hand, you may simply want to refresh your skills and share your experiences with other like-minded individuals doing similar work. BVSC is supporting Birmingham City Council to develop the role of champions and their community connections. Training will help community leaders: Increase capability to interact and communicate information and guidance that is accessible to diverse communities Build stronger relationships and engagement between communities, groups and the local authorities Encourage more mutual aid. The Training Programme is aimed at: Community leaders in Birmingham Diverse participants in terms of age, ethnicity and cultural background, and socioeconomic demographics Existing Bolder Healthier Champions, as well as other key community members who would benefit from the training. Birmingham Wards that require greater involvement of community leaders. Existing champions willing to transition to becoming community connectors, helping to reduce health inequalities that exist throughout Birmingham. How will you benefit from the Programme? Training that will help community champions and leaders to: Deepen understanding of community organising Develop core community organising leadership skills such as 1-2-1 relational meetings, storytelling, power analysis, campaign strategy, action-planning and negotiation skills Equip people to lead change in their community Programme content and delivery The programme will be delivered as a set of 8 Modules but you may pick and mix modules. It will also be offered as an intensive two-day programme (4 modules per day), half day programme (2 modules per day) or an extended programme over several weeks. There are options for in person courses as well as online Webinars. The eight training modules: Champions and Leadership – five steps to success Community Organisation – what is it and how to do it effectively Working Together - Building effective teams, relationships, partnerships and networks The power of Story Telling – the importance of case studies and how to develop them Power dynamics – how to understand and use it Developing Campaigns - how to make plans and put them into practice Negotiation Skills – how to negotiate, compromise and achieve goals Communicating effectively – using different channels for different people What do previous participants say about the Programme This training was launched in early 2023 and many individuals have already completed the programme. Feedback shows that the average score given is 9/10 for content and subject matters. Comments include: “very suitable and understandable (training resources)”. “It was good to have them (training materials) to review them later”. “I liked the variety of methods of delivery( content and subject matter”. “...although all people are at different stages, Jo and Ray made me feel better through sharing key information”. “Lots of really good information, lots of food for thought to go back with and digest. I now want to be a community champion more so to help others further”. “The course was very good for beginners, however if the person, like me has experience, it was good to remind old good values”. “It was delivered in a concentrated way. We had time to discuss our own experiences with other members of the group”. “Generally that is exactly the course I was looking for. Fortunately I learned a lot and definitely use the topic I covered in this 2 days training”. Sessions currently available We're currently accepting bookings for the following sessions: In-person sessions at BVSC Mode of Delivery Dates Time Venue Modules 2 day programme over two consecutive weeks, four modules per day Friday 24 March 09:30 – 16:00 BVSC 1. Champions and Leadership – five steps to success 2. Community Organisation – what is it and how to do it effectively 3. Working Together - Building effective teams, relationships, partnerships and networks 4. The power of Story Telling – the importance of case studies and how to develop them Tuesday 28 March 09:30 – 16:00 BVSC 5. Power dynamics – how to understand and use it 6. Developing Campaigns - how to make plans and put them into practice 7. Negotiation Skills – how to negotiate, compromise and achieve goals 8. Communicating effectively – using different channels for different people Online Sessions on Teams Mode of Delivery Dates Time Venue Modules Webinar based delivery Two days, four modules per day Tuesday 28 March 09:30 – 16:00 Online Teams 1. Champions and Leadership – five steps to success 2. Community Organisation – what is it and how to do it effectively 3. Working Together - Building effective teams, relationships, partnerships and networks 4. The power of Story Telling – the importance of case studies and how to develop them Thursday 30 March 09:30 – 16:00 Online Teams 5. Power dynamics – how to understand and use it 6. Developing Campaigns - how to make plans and put them into practice 7. Negotiation Skills – how to negotiate, compromise and achieve goals 8. Communicating effectively – using different channels for different people How to book your place Download the document below to find out the dates and delivery modes: Dates and modes of training (opens as Word doc) Book a place You will be sent joining instructions for the course dates you have chosen, whether online or in person. If you have any queries, please contact the Project Manager, Ray Walker ([email protected]) .