About Us

Welcome!

Who are we?

We are the Third Sector Training specialists who understand the challenges volunteers, charity workers and not-for-profit organisations face. That's why we've curated a wealth of high-quality content, including articles, guides, and toolkits, designed to address the diverse needs and interests of our audience. Our platform covers a wide range of topics relevant to the third sector, including volunteer management, befriending, employability, and more. Whether you're a seasoned professional or new to the field, our resources are tailored to meet you where you are on your journey, providing practical insights and actionable tips to help you succeed. What sets us apart is our commitment to accessibility and inclusivity. Our website is designed to be user-friendly and easy to navigate, ensuring that volunteers and organisations can quickly find the information they need. Moreover, a significant portion of our content is available free of charge, making learning highly affordable and accessible to volunteers and organisations of all sizes and budgets.

We are innovative creators that support and promote the Third Sector and the Independent Sector integration to enable both to work together and thrive in the civil society, where nobody is excluded. And finally, we are volunteers, or volunteered in the past, being passionate about helping others, delivering bespoke training courses online and facilitating social dialogue and community development locally, nationally and globally. What sets us apart is our firm belief that volunteering can make a difference anywhere in the world. Our website offers a comprehensive search engine to help you find volunteer opportunities globally, empowering you to make a positive impact wherever you are needed. By leveraging the power of technology and online learning, Third Sector Training offers a convenient and flexible way for community and voluntary sector organisations to enhance their skills, knowledge, and capacity. Whether you're looking to develop new skills, stay updated on industry trends, or connect with like-minded professionals, our website serves as a valuable resource and community hub for the third sector.

We are passionate about volunteering, personal development, online learning, cyber security and online marketing. Our mission is to share our knowledge and expertise with anyone supporting or working for a non-profit organisation, regardless of their location in the world. For those interested in volunteering, currently volunteering, or employed in the Third Sector, we've established this website and currently working on e-learning courses that will be available for everyone interested in. The primary objective of our learning modules is to promote volunteering, enhance resilience, and provide support to volunteers and charity staff, regardless of their geographical location or level of involvement.

Our website

Accessibility of key knowledge within the voluntary sector has been hindered by a significant barrier: the lack of alignment between professionals with digital expertise and those with deep knowledge of the voluntary sector. Many key professionals within charitable organisations may possess a wealth of experience and understanding of the sector's intricacies but lack the technical know-how to create digital resources. Conversely, IT professionals may excel in digital skills but lack the contextual understanding of the voluntary sector's unique challenges and needs.
This website aims to bridge this gap by bringing together professionals from both domains. By using IT expertise and the insights of voluntary sector professionals, we created a platform where knowledge can be easily accessed. This collaborative approach ensures that the digital resources provided are not only technically proficient but also deeply relevant and tailored to the needs of the voluntary sector.
In the world of volunteering, there is so much to learn, explore, and enjoy. We would like to invite you to visit and use our online portal to delve into the realms of volunteering, teaching, and the third sector. Third Sector Training website serves several functions; read on to learn more. Third Sector Training is not only a learning platform, but also a place where visitors can explore volunteer development, volunteer management, and many other volunteering-related subjects. It serves as an online resource where volunteers and third sector workers can access carefully curated original educational materials and courses.

Our approach

The merger of the third sector and independent sector approach represents a significant step towards creating a more cohesive and collaborative landscape for social impact. By joining forces, these sectors can leverage their respective strengths and resources to address complex social challenges more effectively. In this new paradigm, the value of volunteering becomes even more pronounced. As the adage goes, "Nothing of value comes free" – except for the invaluable contributions made by volunteers. While volunteering itself may not come with a monetary cost, it requires dedication, hard work, and commitment from those involved. Volunteers invest their time, energy, and expertise into making a difference in their communities, often sacrificing personal comfort and convenience for the greater good. Despite the invaluable nature of volunteering, it's sometimes undervalued or overlooked because it's perceived as "free." However, the reality is that volunteering entails significant costs, both tangible and intangible. While volunteers may not receive financial compensation for their efforts, the impact they create is invaluable! Volunteering offers individuals an opportunity to develop new skills, gain valuable experience, and make meaningful connections within their communities. However, realising these benefits often requires ongoing learning and development. While volunteers may receive free induction training and have their travel expenses reimbursed, they may find themselves seeking additional training and resources to excel in their roles and maximise their impact. The Third Sector Training provides a platform for addressing these needs. By pooling resources, sharing knowledge, and offering affordable learning opportunities, volunteers and organisations can better support their causes and ensure that they have the tools and training necessary to succeed. This approach fosters a culture of continuous learning and improvement, empowering volunteers to make a lasting difference in their communities and succeed as a professional workers in the future. Through collaboration and investment in volunteer training and development, volunteers can unlock their full potential and drive positive change for themselves and their communities alike.

Our motivation

Professionals and volunteers working for the third sector deserve a simple but effective "to the point" training and information system, where they would not just "receive information", but could access a bullet-proof, tailored to their needs interactive learning that actually would enable them to grow professionally and personally.
Volunteers invest significant effort and time in becoming professional volunteers, relying on their skills, experience, and knowledge. However, many volunteers and third sector workers face limited access to quality training that could rapidly advance their careers, often relying on introductory courses. Yet, advanced training comes at a cost. Indeed, many third sector staff would prefer to purchase the "right resource" or invest in "professional training" to break free from cyclical patterns and access valuable knowledge efficiently.
Several factors contribute to this challenge. Firstly, resource constraints plague small organisations, limiting their ability to develop fit-for-purpose communication and online training platforms. Secondly, the commendable work of volunteers often renders them indispensable to well-functioning organisations, making it difficult for managers to envision their departure.
As a result of this situation, many volunteers and charity workers are "being stuck" in a standstill without any opportunity to develop their skills further. In this website we have combined our experience and relevant resources to provide a "done-for-you" dynamic service, capable of enabling volunteers and charity workers to thrive in the third sector. This service is made for those who are looking to save time and energy and would like to improve their career opportunities.
It's crucial for supervisors and managers to encourage volunteers to progress when they're ready, while providing the necessary tools to achieve their personal and professional goals. Establishing an effective job-shadowing and career development system requires significant time and resources, which many small and medium-sized organisations lack. Consequently, their career aspirations remain on hold.
To address this gap, volunteers must be empowered to access independent training. This means providing them with the tools, information, and support they need to pursue further education and skills development outside of existing, or formal organisational structures.
In conclusion, supporting volunteers in their personal and professional development is essential for the sustainability and growth of the third sector. By investing in training and resources, organisations can empower volunteers to make a more significant impact while advancing their own careers.

Our promise

At Third Sector Training, we are committed to empowering our learners and fostering their growth in every aspect of their journey. Our e-learning platform, Third Sector Academy, represents three core principles that guide our mission and are symboliaed by the three wax seals on each certificate we award.

These seals serve as a constant reminder of our promise to everyone, who wishes join Third Sector Academy:

Key: Represents knowledge, success, and unlocking potential. We believe that education is the key to unlocking our learners' full potential, leading to personal and professional success. Our comprehensive courses are designed to equip charity staff and volunteers with the knowledge and skills needed to excel in the third sector and beyond.
Olive Branch: Symbolises peace, victory, and wisdom. We are dedicated to promoting peace and wisdom through our training programmes. By providing students with the tools to achieve victory in their endeavours, we aim to cultivate a community of informed and compassionate third sector professionals who can make a positive impact in the world.
Laurel Wreath: A symbol of achievement, recognition, and success. Volunteers' and charity workers' accomplishments deserve recognition, and we celebrate all achievements with the laurel wreath. This seal signifies the success learners have attained through hard work and dedication, and it acknowledges their commitment to continuous learning and excellence.

Together, these symbols encapsulate our promise to support our learners' educational journey, celebrate their successes, and empower them to create meaningful change in their communities around the world.

CPD and Career Development

The TST website has been meticulously crafted to play a pivotal role in enhancing volunteers' career journeys and enriching their Continuous Professional Development (CPD) with a focus on quality rather than quantity. Third Sector Training serves as a valuable alternative, acting as a bridge between volunteers, professional volunteers who are job-ready, and paid staff, thereby establishing a clear pathway to achieve shared professional and personal objectives.

Through its user-friendly interface and comprehensive resources, the TST website offers volunteers access to high-quality training and educational materials tailored to their specific needs and aspirations. Whether individuals are seeking to enhance their existing skills, acquire new competencies, or advance their careers within the third sector, Third Sector Training provides the necessary tools and guidance to support their growth and development.
By prioritising quality over quantity, Third Sector Training ensures that volunteers receive training and resources that are relevant, up-to-date, and aligned with industry standards and best practices. This approach not only enhances the effectiveness of volunteers' CPD but also equips them with the knowledge and skills needed to excel in their roles and make a meaningful impact within their organisations and communities.
Third Sector Training fosters collaboration and synergy among volunteers, professional volunteers, and paid staff, creating a supportive ecosystem where individuals can learn from one another, share insights and experiences, and collectively work towards common goals. By serving as a catalyst for professional and personal growth, the TST website plays a vital role in empowering volunteers to realise their full potential and drive positive change within the third sector.

We're here for you.

The TST website offers a transformative solution that can positively impact your career and life. We don't promise a "golden ticket" that magically opens all doors or guarantees you the "best seats on a plane with in-flight amenities." Instead, we provide real-life experiences, comprehensive training, a supportive community, and access to reputable knowledge recognised by managers and third sector professionals.

You are in the right place.

Whether you're curious about volunteering, seeking professional advice, or eager to explore key areas of knowledge to advance your career, you've come to the right place. However, our website offers much more than that. Every piece of information we provide is rooted in experience, research, and reliable knowledge.

If you want to learn.

Yes, learning requires effort. You may need to invest in e-learning modules, spend time, learn new software and online tools, and adopt new approaches. But don't worry, we only use and recommend high-quality materials vetted not only by us but also by successful professionals in the field.

We wish you all the best on your volunteering journey, as well as in your pursuit of knowledge and personal growth!

“The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you’ll go.”

― Dr. Seuss

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