Volunteer Centre Projects
Wellbeing Through Volunteering
Funded by The National Lottery Community Fund to improve wellbeing through inclusive volunteering.
Wellbeing through Volunteering is a five-year project funded by The National Lottery Community Fund, helping Islington residents improve their wellbeing and build social connections through inclusive volunteering. The project provides personalised support to help people find and sustain volunteering opportunities, alongside referrals to health, wellbeing, employment and other services where needed. It also works with local organisations to strengthen inclusive volunteering practices and create more accessible opportunities across Islington.
Volunteering for Health
Developing inclusive and impactful health volunteering across North Central London
Volunteering Together 4 Health (VT4H) is a partnership of volunteering experts working across the five North Central London boroughs. The project provides free, tailored support to NHS organisations and health partners to strengthen volunteering, share best practice and create more diverse and inclusive opportunities. It also supports volunteer managers, develops pathways from volunteering into employment and connects organisations through the North Central London Volunteering Network.
Cripplegate Food Fund Volunteer Training Programme
Strengthening skills for volunteers in food aid services
Voluntary Action Islington, with funding from the Cripplegate Food Fund, has launched the Cripplegate Food Fund Volunteer Training Programme. This year-long initiative started in September 2025 and is developed in collaboration with local food providers, aiming to strengthen the skills of volunteers, and the staff who support them, working in food aid services across Islington.
About the programme
- Free training courses for food aid organisations funded by Cripplegate
- Developed with local food providers to meet real needs
- Practical skills to support volunteers and staff effectively
Register for upcoming courses
Register now for our upcoming training courses listed below! Eligibility is limited to Cripplegate-funded food aid organisations. If you are not funded but would like to attend, please contact james.wooldridge@vai.org.uk
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Training Programme Schedule
| Course | Dates | Venue | How to sign up | Course status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Basic Food Hygiene - Level 1 |
14 January – 11 February 2026 (5-week course every Wednesday) 9:30am – 12pm
|
Arsenal Hub, 56 Benwell Road, London N7 7BA (in person) | Complete form here | Completed |
| Employment Skills, Getting Work-Ready |
16 January – 13 February 2026 (5-week course every Friday) 10am – 12pm
|
Voluntary Action Islington (in person) | Check details here – email Alison | Completed |
| Active Signposting | Monday 26th January 2026 10:15am – 12:30pm | Online | Click here to sign up | Completed |
| Trauma Informed Practice Training | Thursday 29th January 2026 9:30am – 12:30pm | Voluntary Action Islington (in person) | Click here to sign up | Completed |
| Volunteer Recruitment (for staff) | Wednesday 4th February 2026 10am – 12:30pm | Voluntary Action Islington (in person) | Click here to sign up | Completed |
| Employment Skills, Getting Work-Ready | 5th June - 3rd July 2026 | Voluntary Action Islington (in person) | Check details here – email Alison | Completed |
| Safeguarding Awareness Training |
Friday 8th May 2026 10am – 1pm
|
Voluntary Action Islington(in person) | Click here to sign up | Completed |
| Volunteer Recruitment Training for Food Hub Staff |
Tuesday 12th May 2026 10am – 12:30pm
|
Voluntary Action Islington (in person) | Click here to sign up | Completed |
| Food Safety in Catering – Level 2 |
Wednesday 3rd June - 1st July 2026 - 10am – 12:30pm
|
Arsenal Hub, 56 Benwell Road, London N7 7BY (in person) | Click here to complete application form and for further information | Completed |
| Customer Service for Work Training |
Friday 5th June - 3rd July 2026 n (5-week course every Friday) - 10am – 12:30pm
|
Voluntary Action Islington (in person) | Click here to complete application form and for further information | Completed |
| Mental Health First Aid: Two Day In Person |
Wednesday 24th June - 2026
|
Voluntary Action Islington (in person) | Click here to complete application form and for further information | Completed |
| Safeguarding Awareness Training |
Monday 6th July- 10am – 1:00pm
|
Voluntary Action Islington (in person) | Click here to sign up | Completed |
| Mental Health First Aid: Two Day online |
Thursday 9th - Friday 10th July- 9am – 5pm
|
On Line | Click here to sign up | Completed |
| Mental Health First Aid: Two Day In Person |
Monday 14th - Tuesday 15th September 2026 - 9am - 5pm
|
Voluntary Action Islington (in person) | Click here to sign up | |
| Empower You; Confidence Unlocked |
Friday 25th September to Friday 23rd October 2026 - 10am - 12pm
|
Voluntary Action Islington (in person) | Click here to complete application form | |
| Customer Service for Work |
Friday 6th November to Friday 4th December 2026 - 10am - 12pm
|
Voluntary Action Islington (in person) | Click here to complete application form |
More courses will be added throughout 2026.
We are Islington's accredited Volunteer Centre
VAI is proud to hold the Volunteer Centre Quality Accreditation (VCQA), a national quality mark recognising excellence in the strategic development of volunteering, good practice, developing opportunities, brokerage and the voice of volunteering.
Volunteer Centre
Telephone: 073 5445 9113 / 020 7832 5826
Email: volunteer@vai.org.uk