We are proud to be able to offer a wider range of learning and development opportunities for voluntary and community groups in the city.

Our services range from formal taught courses (including some accredited courses), to more informal creative workshops and ongoing supported learning. We can run action learning sets where you can learn from your peers.

Not sure what you want or need?
You can come in to meet with one of our team or we can visit you to talk through your own personal learning and development and help you to identify the kinds of learning that will help you achieve what you want to.

Why learn?

Whether you volunteer with or work for a small club or large service providing organisation it is important that you, your paid staff, volunteers, trustees or committee members understand their roles and responsibilities and have the right skills to carry them out.

We think learning and development for the groups we support is a real priority. It is important to enable and sustain the voluntary and community sector in Portsmouth to work effectively and meet the challenges it faces.

We promote learning to meet a number of objectives:

• Meet appropriate standards (some required by law) for service delivery
• Prevent conflict and misunderstandings over roles and responsibilities
• Provide workforce development to increase confidence and personal skills
• Learn about policy and legislative updates
• Support good practice – a well trained workforce is attractive to funders, members, clients, partners and the general public.

Learning can also be applied in other ways in your life.

Negotiation skills may help you with family or children, or, knowing what to do for first aid in case of an accident could save a friend or relatives life.

Remember skills and knowledge don’t just have to be used at work!

Oh and learning can be fun!!

To see our current list of courses please view the training tab at the top of the site.

Interested in the internet but not sure where to begin?
As a registered UK Online Centre http://www.ukonlinecentres.com we offer a free internet beginners support service.

We have two community access computers in our lobby and you will be supported by friendly, helpful and knowledgeable staff to start using the internet.

This is the place to start if you want to use the internet for job-searching, researching local information, keeping in touch with friend and family. There are a range of beginners’ courses to help you get comfortable and safe with using the internet.

To book an appointment please contact Sean Padley on 023 9282 7110 or at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Do you want to test a new online service?
Do you have a group who want to learn about the internet?
We have a WIFI connected IT suite with ten computers for training, e-learning and individual learning. Sessions are at publicised times or by appointment. The suite is also available to hire. To find out more contact Fiona Mabbott

Signposting - Want to do something you can’t see here?

Just because a particular course isn’t shown here doesn’t mean it can’t be accessed. Often we can deliver a course or if not we can find someone who can. Call us or email to find out if we can help:

Fiona Mabbott
Tel: 023 9288 2427
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Shelagh Simmons
Tel: 023 9288 2432
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