Free training for TRAs, TROs and residents

The fire safety course is mandatory for volunteers who work in TRA halls or community spaces with fire extinguishers on site. 

If you work in a TRA hall or another community space in Southwark, try our building compliance courses. Face-to-face training will help you to:

• keep your hall users and hirers safe 
• stay on the right side of the law 
• develop skills you can use in the workplace 

The courses listed are delivered by fully qualified and external trainers, in an informal classroom setting. It usually takes a day or less to gain a level 2 or 3 qualification. The qualifications, certified by the Northern Council for Further Education (NCFE), are:

• fire safety and practical fire extinguisher training, accredited by the Continuous Professional Development (CPD) office 
• health and safety at work 
• food safety in catering 
• first aid at work 
• risk assessment 
• manual handling 
• fire safety and practical fire extinguisher training 
• conflict resolution and personal safety 
• control of substances hazardous to health (COSHH) 
• safeguarding vulnerable adults and children 
• first aid for pets 
• paediatric first aid 
• mental health first aid  

Courses are accredited by the Continuous Professional Development office (CPD). They are taught in person by Southwark’s resident involvement community training officers at local venues. Courses aim to increase confidence, knowledge and skills, so that it is easier for:  

• people to have their say in how housing services are run 
• TRAs to work with the council to improve housing services 

The courses are:  

• know your TRA constitution 
• committee skills
• how to chair a meeting 
• secretary skills 
• how to apply for funding 
• treasurer skills 
• public speaking skills parts 1 and 2
• health and safety in TRA halls 
• annual general meeting skills 
• the law and your TRA 
• TRA hall management 
• how to organise an event