Sunderland Voluntary Sector Alliance

31/10/2026

Peter, SVSA's VCFSE Sector Support Officer, recently met with Brogan at Sunderland Minster to discuss how SVSA can support their volunteer recruitment.

Some exciting opportunities are coming up for volunteers to get involved and support this special building. We look forward to working together and sharing more information soon.

30/10/2026

It's Friday Spotlight time🌟
Weights & Cakes is a not-for-profit community interest company on The Kings Road in Southwick:
The people who do best with us are usually the ones who've never felt at home in a mainstream gym. There's no team to be picked for and nobody is faster than anybody else; people turn up, they lift, and they get measurably better at something within a few weeks. That's as true for a nine-year-old who dreads PE as it is for someone in their seventies who hasn't trained in decades.

The classes we'd most like your network to hear about
• Over 55's: Tuesday & Thursday, 10:30am
• SASS (adults, all levels): Monday & Wednesday 6:30pm, Saturday 8:30am
• Kids Fitness (all abilities): Monday & Wednesday, 4 to 5pm
• Family Fitness: Friday, 4 to 5pm

Alongside those, we run youth and adult weightlifting squads on Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday.
https://www.facebook.com/weightsandcakesbarbells

29/10/2026

🍽️ Free Level 2 Food Safety Training for SVSA Members!

Do your staff or volunteers handle food? Make sure they have the knowledge and confidence to do it safely.

We're delighted to be working in partnership with Training in Care to offer a FREE Level 2 Food Safety online course for voluntary, community and charity organisations.

✅ Fully funded
✅ Flexible online learning
✅ Ideal for staff and volunteers involved in food preparation or handling
✅ Learn at your own pace through Training in Care's online platform

📅 Course Date: 10 December 2026
💻 Delivery: Online
💷 Cost: FREE

📲 To book your place, simply scan the QR code on the poster.

⚠️ Places are limited, so don't miss out!

For more information, contact:
📧 [email protected]
📞 0191 537 3529

28/10/2026

Join us for the First SVSA Solutions Swap
Less networking. More problem solving.
The SVSA Solutions Swap is all about bringing organisations together to share challenges, discover solutions, and build meaningful partnerships.
From funding and sustainability to volunteer recruitment, community engagement, and partnership working, it provides a space for organisations to learn from one another, share experiences, and explore practical solutions together.
No matter the size of your organisation or the stage you're at, you'll have the opportunity to share challenges, learn from others, and discover practical solutions.
Wednesday 11 November
2:30pm - 4:00pm
Lakeside & Gilley Law Community Association, SR3 3BD
Please bring your organisation's banner, leaflets, and a willingness to share.
To reserve your place: [email protected]

27/10/2026

🎁 12 Weeks of Learning to Christmas 📌 Week 4
📚 Course of the Week: An Introduction to Good Governance

It’s time to open the next door in our Christmas learning countdown!
This week, we’re highlighting another FREE course from Elements:

⭐ An Introduction to Good Governance
Good governance is an important part of running a voluntary organisation effectively. This introductory course is suitable for trustees, staff and volunteers looking to develop their knowledge.
✅ Free online training
✅ Suitable for trustees, staff and volunteers
✅ Learn at a time that suits you

Enrol for free: https://elementstraining.teachable.com/p/home
🎄 That’s Week 4 unwrapped! Keep following our 12 Weeks of Learning to Christmas for another free learning opportunity next week.

26/10/2026

Sunderland SVSA was pleased to visit Hylton Castle to learn more about the progress of the Changing Futures Sunderland programme.

It was inspiring to hear how plans are moving from theory into action, with a shared ambition to create positive change and improve systems for people experiencing multiple disadvantage.

There is huge potential across the city, and we look forward to seeing how the programme develops and how the VCSE sector can support its success.

🤝 Working together to create lasting change for Sunderland communities.

25/10/2026

📢 External Training Opportunity

Education Partnership North East are offering a fully funded Level 2 Digital Marketing Programme starting in October 2026.

Perfect for charities, community organisations, and SMEs looking to strengthen their online presence, engage more effectively with their audiences, and build practical digital marketing skills.

📅 Starts: 20 October 2026
🕤 9:30am - 3:30pm

Workshop dates: • 20 October
• 27 October
• 10 November
• 24 November
• 8 December 2026

📍 Sunderland (venue to be confirmed)

24/10/2026

🌟 A Wonderful Visit to St John's Church! 🌟

The NNHIP Programme and SVSA team were delighted to visit St John's Church and see such a thriving and welcoming community in action.
It was fantastic to witness a busy coffee morning, with over 50 people enjoying friendship, conversation, and an impressive selection of homemade baked goods. ☕🍰

During the visit, we were shown around the church and learned about the range of rooms available for hire, as well as the fantastic activities on offer for the over-50s, including: 🧶 Knit & Natter ✂️ Sewing Group 💃 Dance Group
Set within such a historic church building, it was wonderful to see the space being used to bring people together, reduce isolation, and support wellbeing.

Interested in having a chat with SVSA about frailty, women's health, or other wellbeing topics, just as St John's Church did?

📧 Email us at: [email protected]

23/10/2026

🌟 PEOPLE BEHIND THE PURPOSE 🌟

Today, we're delighted to introduce Kate Welch, Chair of Trustees at Acumen Community Buildings Ltd and CEO of Social Enterprise Acumen CIC. 💙

A passionate champion of social enterprise, Kate has spent more than a decade helping organisations grow, creating opportunities, and strengthening communities across the North East.

🎓 From studying Physics, Mathematics and Russian at university to leading charities, employability programmes, and social enterprises, Kate's career has been anything but conventional. In 2003, she founded Acumen Development Trust, and in 2010 launched Social Enterprise Acumen CIC to support people to start and grow social enterprises that make a real difference.

✨ For Kate, social enterprise isn't just a career, it's a calling. She believes sustainable businesses can be powerful forces for positive social change.

🌱 Her greatest reward? Knowing that every day brings an opportunity to improve lives and strengthen communities.

Quick-fire facts: ☕ Builder's tea with a drop of milk
🌅 Early Bird
🛁 Bubble bath, a good book & decaf tea
🎵 Something Inside So Strong by Labi Siffre

💬 Kate's advice: "Follow your passion and find people who share your values. Look for organisations that are clear about the value they create and that value the people who make that difference happen."

👏 Thank you, Kate, for your leadership, innovation, and dedication to creating positive social change across Sunderland and the North East.

22/10/2026

what a great opportunity

WE’RE RECRUITING AT AL-FALAQ COUNSELLING CIC