The 2027 Programme

Our next cohort will run March to October 2027 and spaces are limited. The 2027 programme comprises:

Two full day face to face workshops
Three online webinars (three hours each)
Three online action learning sets (three hours each)
Self-managed learning (supported by programme resources)

Throughout the programme you will also have access to insights, advice and guidance from a wide range of current and former Heads of Volunteering, who will share their experiences of becoming and being in role.

Who is the programme for?

The programme is targeted at experienced volunteer managers and leaders looking to transition to their first Head of Volunteering role. You may be a Volunteering Manager, Senior Coordinator or internal Volunteering Consultant or Business Partner. You will be a volunteering specialist with considerable subject knowledge but may lack leadership or management experience at a more senior and strategic level. You may be seeking support to transition from subject matter expert to strategic leader.

Programme Objectives

By the end of the programme, you will:

Understand the Head of Volunteering role and the core knowledge, skills and experience needed to transition into this role
Have increased your self-awareness and understanding of the importance of this in your development as a leader
Built knowledge, confidence and skill in key aspects of leadership, relevant to the role of Head of Volunteering. These include:
- Strategic leadership
- Influencing (internal and external)
- Delivering through others
- Working with data and insight
Have reviewed and developed your interview skills, relevant to a Head of Volunteering role or equivalent
Have developed a bespoke ongoing professional development plan to support you in the next steps of your career
Have built a network of peers that can provide an ongoing source of support as your career develops

Programme style

There will be no more than 20 participants in each programme cohort. We limit programme places as we want you to have the opportunity to create and build deep connections with peers and learn from those who are on a similar career journey to you. Beginning and ending the programme with face-to-face workshops is core to this. We make these engaging and collaborative spaces, with a conscious combination of support and challenge to enable development. We invest time in building the sense of trust and safety necessary for deep learning, and make sure we also have some fun. The final workshop, as the programme ends, will also have time for a celebration.

To help you make the most of the time we have together, we always point you towards useful additional activities and resources to explore as you work your way through the programme.

Each module is supported by pre-work and follow up activities and sessions include plenary activities, small group work and paired discussions. Modules are supported by a range of external speakers (either in person, online or through video content) all drawing on their own experience as Heads of Volunteering.

Programme results

The Aspiring Heads of Volunteering™ programme was launched in 2026. Forty participants took part in the programme in 2026, split across two cohorts.

xx%

of 2026 participants would recommend the programme

xx%

of 2026 participants rated the overall programme as Excellent or Very Good

By the end of the programme:

XX of participants had seen an increase in their understanding of the knowledge, skills and experience needed to be a successful Head of Volunteering

XX% of participants had seen an increase in their skill and confidence in strategic leadership

XX% of participants had increased their professional network in volunteering

XX% of participants had seen an increase in their skill and confidence in delivering through others

XX% of participants had seen an increase in their skill and confidence in influencing internally

XX% of participants had seen an increase in their skill and confidence in influencing externally

XX% of participants had seen an increase in their skill and confidence in working with data and insight

At the end of the programme XX% of participants have a written professional development plan, compared to 21% at the start of the programme.

At the end of the programme XX% of participants were regularly engaging in reflective practice, compared to 31% at the start of the programme.

2027 Dates

The programme runs March – October 2027 with a break in August.

Depending on application numbers we will run either one or two cohorts in 2027. To be eligible for the programme you must be able to attend all dates in one of the two cohorts. It is not possible to attend some dates in one cohort and some in another i.e. you must be able to attend all of Pink Cohort dates or all of Orange Cohort dates. You will be asked for any preference on Cohort when you apply for the programme.

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Pink Cohort

Orange Cohort

Session 1

Workshop one.
In person, Birmingham, UK
9.30am – 4.30pm

Wednesday 10 March 2027

Thursday 11 March 2027

Session 2

Webinar one
Online
9.30am – 12.30pm

Wednesday 14 April 2027

Thursday 15 April 2027

Session 3

Action Learning Set one
Online
9.30am – 12.30pm

Wednesday 19 May 2027

Thursday 20 May 2027

Session 4

Webinar two
Online
9.30am – 12.30pm

Wednesday 9 June 2027

Thursday 10 June 2027

Session 5

Action Learning Set two
Online
9.30am – 12.30pm

Wednesday 30 June 2027

Thursday 1 July 2027

Session 6

Webinar three
Online
9.30am – 12.30pm

Wednesday 8 Sept 2027

Thursday 9 Sept 2027

Session 7

Action Learning Set three
Online
9.30am – 12.30pm

Wednesday 29 Sept 2027

Thursday 30 Sept 2027

Session 8

Workshop two
In person, Birmingham, UK
9.30am – 4.30pm

Wednesday 13 Oct 2027

Thursday 14 Oct 2027

"It was good to create deeper connections with people in the ALS group."

“Action Learning Sets are so valuable. I’ve enjoyed the opportunity to be part of them.”

“I was initially very apprehensive about action learning sets, but as a small group we have really bonded and we have all got so much out of these type of sessions. It takes a lot to put yourself in a potentially vulnerable position, but the space felt very safe to do so – and the rewards are huge!”

“This much needed programme within the profession is an exciting opportunity for anyone looking to move into strategic volunteering leadership and take that next step as a Head of Volunteering. It’s been developed by experts in leadership development and in volunteering, who have also been on this journey personally. This will be extremely beneficial for anyone lucky enough to be part of it."

“I’m honestly really inspired by your online facilitation skills… it’s really great to see it modelled so well in the course. Being warm, welcoming and also authoritative in corralling a big online meeting is a real skill so thank you for showing us how to do it well.”

“Thank you as always. Learning so much from Helen and Charlotte and my peers.”

“An excellent webinar with a great balance of theory, panel discussion and opportunity to contribute… The background reading /work beforehand was great – relevant and engaging. Thank you.”

“I felt so energised and enthused after the workshop… I was inspired by speaking to peers and to Helen and Charlotte. The most interactive and thoughtful training programme I have done in a long time.”

“Thank you for creating a welcoming and inclusive space.”

It is fantastic to finally have a course dedicated to volunteer management at a higher, more strategic level… it’s clear that elevating the discourse around volunteer leadership will have a significant impact on our sector.”

“There has been so much to enjoy – meeting the other participants and the warmth, honesty and expertise of the trainers…”

“This is a great programme for anyone looking to move into strategic volunteer leadership or into a Head of Volunteering role. Charlotte and Helen have vast experience in volunteering leadership and development across many organisations, and together, as great trainers and facilitators, that‘s a winning combination. This will also be fun! I recommend this learning to anyone who wants to develop their volunteering leadership skills.”

How do I secure a place?

To register your interest in the programme and receive email notification of when applications are live, please complete this expression of interest form

Applications for the 2027 programme will be open from 12 October to 6 November 2026 and during that time an application form will be available on this site.

When completing the application form, you will be asked:

where you are in your volunteer management career journey and how this programme fits with that. We’ll ask a) why this programme? and b) why now? and give you up to 500 words to respond
to confirm you have line manager approval to take part in the programme
to confirm that budget is available to fund your place
details of who invoices should be sent to i.e. email and postal addresses and whether a PO will be needed.

The information you submit will be used to assess your suitability for a place on the programme. In 2026 65% of applicants secured a place.

We will let you know the outcome of your application by 13 November and you will be asked to confirm acceptance by 20 November 2026. To secure your place payment in full will be required by December 31 2026.

Places are limited to 20 per cohort to ensure a high-quality experience for participants.

Programme fee

The 2027 programme fee is £830+VAT.

This provides seven months of learning and development support, including the two full day face-to-face workshops, three half day online webinars, and three half day online action learning sets. Each cohort also have access to an exclusive Voxer group to support ongoing networking and peer support.

In total the programme delivers 32 hours of learning and development, plus self-directed learning opportunities outside of the core content.

In 2027 there is a reduced fee of £747+VAT for any organisation that is currently a customer of TeamKinetic, the programme sponsors.