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Free training programme gives Lisburn and Castlereagh community groups practical skills through to March

Volunteers and staff can book free sessions covering funding applications, first aid, safeguarding, governance, data protection, food hygiene, diversity and event marshalling.

By THE TEA · 2 September 2026

Representative view of Lisburn Civic Centre. The photograph does not depict a training session. Image: Representative image: ManfredHugh / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0. This image does not depict participants in the training programme.Original source

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Community and voluntary groups across Lisburn and Castlereagh have a new programme of free practical training running from September 2026 to March 2027.

Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council has put together the calendar for volunteers and staff who want to strengthen the everyday skills that keep local organisations running. The programme ranges from writing stronger funding applications and emergency first aid to , charity reporting, fire warden training, food hygiene, and event marshalling.

The first session is on Wednesday 9 September at Lough Moss Leisure Centre in Carryduff, where participants will work through the funding application process and look at practical ways to make bids clearer and more effective.

Later sessions include certified emergency first aid on 14 and 21 September at Ballymacash Community Centre, Level 2 safeguarding training in October, annual reporting for charities in November, diversity awareness in December and food hygiene training in January. The programme continues into March 2027 with committee training, walk-leader training and event marshalling.

Some of the certified courses run across two sessions and require attendance at both. Places are limited and the council says a maximum of two people from each organisation can attend a course. Booking is on a first-come, first-served basis.

The council can also provide tailored training to community and voluntary organisations on request.

For the full calendar, current venues and booking links, use the council's community group training page. Community Services can also be contacted on 028 9244 7713 or at community.services@lisburncastlereagh.gov.uk.