Resources - Training Resources - Practical Toolkits

SAVO, as lead on this work package, has updated its existing Practical Toolkits and produced new ones to meet the project needs.

All of the Practical Toolkits have been product in an e-learning format and can be accessed at www.practicaltoolkits.org.uk. Some of the Practical Toolkits have also been produced in Word format for partners to use with those organisations who do not have access to the internet.

A list of Practical Toolkits produced so far are listed below:

• TrusteElearning - This e-learning website has been produced to provide Trustees with easy access to a self paced training system. In addition to providing training we hope that you will find this website a useful source of reference information.
• Managing Volunteers Toolkit - NEW - This toolkit is packed full of information on the best practice around how to recruit, involve and retain volunteers in your organisation, signposting you to sources of further and more in-depth information, as appropriate.
• Self Organised Learning Group Toolkit - this has been produced by the Suffolk Partnership for Informal Adult Learning (SPIAL), to help people who want to set up their own learning groups.
• Starter Pack Toolkit - is intended to help new Third Sector organisations through a number of key stages of forming a new group from scratch, and then leading on to potential areas of development. It highlights areas that you will need to consider with advice, helpful tips, good practice and template forms to support you in this process.
• Media Toolkit  - is intended to help Third Sector organisations raise their profile by taking advantage of free publicity which is available, and producing effective publicity material. It will teach you about the different areas of the media and what the best ways are to interact with them, together with other tips on how to effectively communicate your publicity.
• Risk Assessment Toolkit - This short Toolkit provides clear and accessible information about risk assessment and uses interactive learning to help you learn how to put the principles of risk assessment into practice. The exercises and case studies have been developed especially for Third Sector groups.
• Stress Management Toolkit - This Toolkit provides practical advice and useful tools for anyone wanting to understand their own stress better and for managers who need to identify stress in their staff and volunteers with a view to reducing stress in the workplace.
• Taking and Presenting Minutes Toolkit - This comprehensive Toolkit provides clear guidance about taking and presenting minutes and uses interactive learning to help you learn how to put the principles of good minute-taking into practice.
• The Good Employers’ Health and Safety Toolkit - A Toolkit intended to help Third Sector organisations improve health and safety standards, creating better working conditions for staff and volunteers and keeping members of the public safe.  It will help you understand and comply with your obligations under the health and safety laws, offering practical and user-friendly tools.
• The Good Employers’ Policies and Procedures Toolkit - A Toolkit to help Third Sector organisations develop and implement workplace policies and procedures, providing the framework within which your organisation can operate smoothly and effectively in accordance with legal requirements, while also moving towards best practice.
• The Good Employers’ Self-Evaluation Toolkit - A Toolkit to help Third Sector organisations evaluate their effectiveness as employers with a range of tools to help in the evaluation process. Many of the tools could be adapted for smaller voluntary organisations (without paid employees) aiming to improve their management of a volunteer workforce.
• The Good Employers’ Staff Management Toolkit - This Toolkit is intended to help Third Sector organisations manage their staff and volunteers more effectively. It will help you to achieve this by developing your processes and knowledge in the areas of induction, appraisal / review, supervision, support, training and development. Although the toolkit is aimed at employers, some of the information and tools are also relevant to voluntary groups without paid staff.
  

This project is managed by the Infrastructure Network Suffolk (formerly known as One Voice Suffolk), and is funded by the Big Lottery Fund