Kingston People & HR Training Programme 
Guidance on important processes and legislation when managing people in the voluntary sector  

HRtraining

 

Kingston Voluntary Action (KVA) are delighted to partner with Julie Leach of Julie Leach Associates to deliver a new programme: Kingston People & HR Training Programme, designed specifically for small and medium VCSE organisations in Kingston.  

The Trainer 

Julie is a member of the Chartered Institute of Personnel & Development (CIPD) and since graduating in Business Studies and HR has had a career within global Financial Services for 20 years as well as a successful freelance career for 9 years. 

Julie is currently a freelance HR, Learning & Development and Coaching specialist with a portfolio of clients across Surrey, London and Europe that she has built up over the last 9 years.  She is also a Kingston resident and has lived in Surbiton for over 25 years. 

Her specialism within Learning & Development is designing and delivering HR training for managers, management and leadership development training and personal effectiveness training. Her style is relaxed and informal with a focus on building the confidence of delegates and ensuring what they learn is practical and relevant for their role. 

The Programme 

Kingston People & HR Training Programme has been designed following the KVA 2025 HR Training Needs Survey and incorporates recent and upcoming UK employment law changes, such as key elements of the Employment Rights Act 2025 reforms, which are relevant to the voluntary sector.

This programme offers a practical, structured and accessible pathway to help organisations strengthen their people management, compliance and HR systems ahead of major legislative changes taking effect across 2026–2027. 

Across four in-person sessions and four online follow-up clinics, participants will be able to shape the content of each session, develop confidence in core HR responsibilities, from recruitment and performance management to wellbeing, culture, policies and legal compliance.  

Each session includes hands-on tools and signposting to templates, ensuring learning can be applied directly within your organisation. 

Who Is The Programme For 

This programme is ideal for small to medium voluntary sector leaders, managers, trustees and anyone with significant HR responsibilities, regardless of experience level. 

Programme Structure 

  • four in-person 3-hour sessions  (main content) on Tuesdays  
  • four online 1-hour sessions (follow-up clinic /content drilling) on Thursdays  

About The Sessions 

  • 21 April – Session 1: HR & Employment Law Essentials for the voluntary sector
    In-person, 10am-1pm
  • 23 April - follow-up content drilling clinic - Topic chosen during session 1
    Online, 10am-11am
  • 28 April – Session 2: Recruitment, Onboarding, Culture & Wellbeing
    In-person, 10am-1pm
  • 30 April - follow-up content drilling clinic- Topic chosen during session 2
    Online, 10am-11am
  • 21 May - Session 3 – Performance Management and Difficult Conversations
    In-person, 10am-1pm
  • 26 May - follow-up content drilling clinic- Topic chosen during session 3
    Online, 10am-11am
  • 2 June - Session 4 – Policies, Compliance, HR Systems & Problem Solving
    In-person, 10am-1pm
  • 4 June - follow-up content drilling clinic- Topic chosen during session 4
    Online, 10am-11am 

What participants will gain 

  • Guidance for small and medium charities with limited HR capacity
  • A better understanding of 2025 Employment Law reforms
  • Ready to use templates (contracts, policies, checklists)
  • Space to troubleshoot real-life scenarios relevant to your organisation 

Costs 

To keep the programme accessible while covering delivery costs, we are applying a sliding‑scale fee structure based on organisational income. Please note that this programme is heavily subsidised by Kingston Voluntary Action, in partnership with Julie Leach. 

The fees listed below cover the entire programme. Each organisation is allocated one place, and we kindly ask that the same person attends all sessions wherever possible to ensure continuity. 

  • Income under £50,000: £50 
  • Income between £50,000 and £100,000: £100 
  • Income between £100,000 and £200,000: £150 
  • Income over £200,000: £200

If you would like to take part but cannot afford the fee, please contact us — we will review each case individually and ensure cost is not a barrier to participation. 

How to take part 

Submit your Expression of interest by 29 March 2026, please use the link below: 

Kingston People & HR Training Programme - Expression of Interest

We will share a sign-up link once we receive your expression of interest and have confirmed your eligibility. Please note that places will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis. Spaces are limited. 

For more Information

Please contact:

Eneida Capaldi
eneida.capali@kva.org.uk
VCSE Sector Development Manager

Kingston Voluntary Action
Siddeley House
50 Canbury Park Road 
Kingston upon Thames
KT2 6LX 
020 8255 3335 
admin@kva.org.uk 
Charity number: 1160403