Charities, community interest companies (CICs) and social enterprises across Shropshire are being offered free specialist training to help them strengthen their organisations and build for the future.
The Third Sector Skills Programme 2027, funded by Shropshire Growth Hub and Telford & Wrekin Council, will provide a five-part series of practical workshops for leaders of third-sector organisations.
Running from January to March 2027, the programme will focus on some of the key challenges facing organisations across the sector, including marketing, grant funding, legal governance, charity finance, HR and sustainable growth.
The programme builds on a successful pilot delivered in 2025 and is designed to give leaders practical knowledge and tools that they can take back and apply within their organisations.
Participants will hear directly from specialists in their respective fields. Ruth Martin of Martin & Jones Marketing and Alex Burrows of AB Creative will cover storytelling and campaign strategy, while Shropshire Community Foundation will provide expertise in bid writing.
Other sessions will cover legal compliance and trustee management with Victoria Handbury-Madin of VHM Charity Consultancy; non-profit finance and HR standards with Sally Youngman of TCA Accountants and Sarah Hooper of THRIVE HR UK; and change management and growth with executive coach Michelle Jehu of Square Peg Coaching.
Alex Wagner, Deputy Leader of Shropshire Council and Cabinet Member for Transport and Economic Growth, said:
“A strong third sector matters to Shropshire, not only for the services it provides but for the role it plays in creating connected, thriving communities. Supporting its leaders is an investment in the county’s future.”
Anna Sadler, Shropshire Growth Hub
Anna Sadler from Shropshire Growth Hub explained:
“By investing directly in leadership skills and bringing in field-leading specialists, this programme ensures our grassroots organisations have the skills, financial resilience, and governance needed to continue delivering essential services across Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin.”
The workshops will alternate between Shropshire Wildlife Trust in Shrewsbury and Meeting Point House in Telford.
ENDS
Notes to editors
The Third Sector Skills Programme is a five-part leadership development series designed to provide small charity and social enterprise leaders with practical tools in governance, funding, finance, marketing and leadership.
The 2027 programme is funded and supported by Shropshire Growth Hub and Telford & Wrekin Council. Sessions will take place at Shropshire Wildlife Trust in Shrewsbury and Meeting Point House in Telford.
Shropshire Growth Hub is the business support service within Invest in Shropshire at Shropshire Council. It provides information and support for businesses in the Shropshire Local Authority area.
The main contract funding the work of the Shropshire Growth hub is the Marches Growth Hub (MGH) core funding through the Department for Business and Trade.
Media contact for this story:
Ruth Martin
Martin & Jones Marketing
ruth@martinandjonesmarketing.co.uk
01691 597575 / 07867 791822
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