Opportunities to build skills, capability and knowledge within the VCSE.
Integrated Care System
ICS Academy
The ICS Academy hosts a dedication VCSE Faculty which brings together representative VCSE organisational leads to work together to determine the joint education, learning & development priorities, and we will deliver these. We are just at the beginning of our journey, but we have already established increased investment in talent & leadership development access, integrated workforce transformation & service design for health & care related services by utilising the VCSE sector more.
As our Faculty develops, updates and access to a full repository of information, resources, tools and development offers will be promoted via the ICS Academy.
Visit the ICS Voluntary, Community and Social Enterprise Faculty page
View the H&W ICS Academy Launch
NHS Leadership Academy
All Worcestershire VCSE organisations have access to the NHS Midlands Leadership Academy.
The NHS Leadership Learning Zone is accessible on any browser: https://midlands.leadershipnhs.uk/
To access E-Learning you will need to create a personal log-in and account account. In the learning portal you can keep a track of your progress in each module, returning to your learning as and when you wish.

Herefordshire and Worcestershire ICS Academy Exchange
The ICS Academy Exchange offers a wealth of learning and training resources that will assist your career pathway, broaden your knowledge and offer access to a host of other resources.
- Complete free courses and webinars on leadership, aspirational development and coaching and mentoring
- Complete nationally mandated training courses
- Enjoy the benefits of a resources library
Click here to create an account or view as a guest : NHS Herefordshire & Worcestershire Integrated Care System Academy Exchange

FutureNHS Working in Partnership with the Voluntary Community and Social Enterprise Sector network
People working in VCSE organisations can join Working in Partnership with the Voluntary Community and Social Enterprise Sector network on the FutureNHS platform.
This workspace is designed for those working in health and care systems to share information, learning and resources showcasing collaborative working between the NHS, local government, the Voluntary, Community and Social Enterprise (VCSE) sector and other local partners.
There is a range of tools and resources available on the workspace, including the Framework for addressing practical barriers to integration of VCSE sector organisations which provides:
> An overview of the three areas which form the main barriers and challenges to partnership working between the VCSE and statutory sector, which are commissioning, service design and delivery; sharing data, insight and intelligence, and; funding and sustainable investment.
>A menu of approaches that others have adopted or are trying which can support addressing those barriers.
>A series of detailed case examples drawn from different ICSs which provide an understanding of the processes that people have gone through which take account of the journey of implementation and local context.
Request access by emailing vcses-manager@future.nhs.uk.
NHS Health Education England E-Learning for Health (ELFH) Hub
E-Learning for Health is available to VCSE organisations.
Access is via registration with NHS Open Athens. Learn more here
Core Skills Training Framework
Learning Pools hosts core skills modules for healthcare workers and modules on over 650 other topics. Register here
FutureNHS Integrated Care Learning Network (ICLN)

The ICLN is an umbrella platform for colleagues working across health and care systems to come together and share experiences and good practice. Whether you work in an acute trust, primary care, local government or the voluntary sector, this is a great network for you to be a part of. It is a place where you can make connections and access important policy information, guidance and resources, to support you on your journey to becoming a thriving integrated care system (ICS). You can network with colleagues who are tackling similar issues, to find solutions, pose questions and share knowledge, through online discussions.
When health and care organisations work together to plan and delivery services across primary and specialist care, physical and mental health, health and social care at different levels – neighbourhood, place and system, it helps improve the health of the their populations. It also helps systems to focus on self-care and prevention so that people can live healthier and more independent lives.
Request access by emailing integratedcare-manager@future.nhs.uk
Voluntary, Community and Social Enterprise Sector
Age UK Herefordshire and Worcestershire
Age UK Herefordshire and Worcestershire Training offer a variety of Health & Social Care focused training courses for individuals and organisations looking to upskill, improve or refresh their knowledge. We work with TQUK, a nationally recognised awarding body to deliver high quality, innovative training alongside our own in-house designed and approved or accredited training programmes.
We can also provide bespoke training packages that resonate with your team’s needs at your premises or remotely using virtual training tools. The content of all our care training courses can be adapted to include your organisation’s core values, mission, and policies & procedures including examples of documents that you use, making the training completely relevant to your organisation and the expectations in place for your staff.
Our team of experienced trainers know that training staff is important in Health & Social care to ensure the safety of people receiving and giving care and to maintain high standards of care quality and are committed to delivering the very best experience.

Active Herefordshire and Worcestershire
Active Herefordshire and Worcestershire have been established to be the strategic lead for Sport & Physical Activity across Herefordshire and Worcestershire. Its vision – to create a healthier and more active two counties.
It is a not for profit organisation and part of a network of Active Partnerships across England. Its purpose is to lead on the delivery and discovery of sport and physical activity across Herefordshire and Worcestershire.
First Aid, Safeguarding, Walk Leader, Digital Marketing and Fundraising are just a few examples of topics you can study with Active Herefordshire and Worcestershire.

Bromsgrove and Redditch Network B.A.R.N
B.A.R.N and their members offer training in –
- Safeguarding
- Fundraising
- Bid-writing
- Volunteering for employability
- Health & Safety
- First aid
- Working in an office
- Volunteer retention

Young Solutions
Young solutions have a vast offer of training for those working with Young People, including –
- Safeguarding and Child Protection
- Awareness of Child Sexual Exploitation (CSE)
- Safeguarding Adolescents
- The Basics of Good Youth Work
- Dealing with Challenging Behaviour
- Basic Drug and Alcohol Awareness
- First Aid
- Detached Youth Work
- Young People’s Mental Health

Herefordshire and Worcestershire Wellbeing and Recovery College
The college aims to give people the tools, skills and understanding that they need to drive forward their own wellbeing and recovery journey whilst breaking down the stigmas relating to mental health.
There are a wide range of courses and workshops designed to take each individual on a journey, however short or long, to find not only new skills, but the knowledge and understanding of what health and wellbeing and recovery means to them.
Services are free to access by anyone over the age of 18 and living within Herefordshire and Worcestershire. All of the courses are free of charge.

Timeout – with Onside
Timeout is an fun introduction of simple creative techniques, to inspire mindfulness/head space from daily life and increase positive mental health. Our courses, workshops and community groups could help you in a number of ways.
If you work in the VCSE and are interested in Timeout for yourself or for someone you work with, please contact Lorna – lorna.wilkes@onside-advocacy.org.uk

Midlands Learning Together Programme
Learning Together is a free online regional programme as
part of Thriving Communities national programme.
Whether your work is within volunteering services, food banks, grassroot
activities, local charities, faith groups, housing associations, money and
advice services, museums, user led organisations, Link Workers, Local area
coordinators or others, all those who are supporting their communities to
thrive are welcome.
By joining this programme you will receive opportunities to access our
resource of information, webinars, create useful connections to support your
work and time to think with others in small group settings.
Collaborate and develop Social Prescribing together!