Training
Free Food Hygiene & Safety Training – Places Available for Your Volunteers
Cripplegate, working with VAI, are offering completely free Level 1 & 2 Food Hygiene & Safety training. It’s available for staff and volunteers involved in food services in Islington. Fully accredited and online, the courses support safe food handling and professional development. Training must be completed in August, followed by a short evaluation form.
Register now for their upcoming training courses. Eligibility is limited to Cripplegate-funded food aid organisations – but if you are not funded but would like to attend, please contact james.wooldridge@vai.org.uk
Community Climate Resilience Workshop: Extreme heat and power outage action planning (In person)
Join Voluntary Action Islington on Thursday 14th May 2026 for a practical, scenario-based Community Climate Resilience Workshop focused on preparing for extreme heat and power outages. This workshop will have a focus on children, families and others including the elderly.
Designed for community groups, voluntary organisations, and local partners, this interactive session will explore how the community can better prepare for and respond to climate-related emergencies in Islington. Book your ticket below!
Volunteer Recruitment Training (In Person)
Please note this training is for staff only.
Recruit volunteers with confidence through this practical training, designed to help you create appealing roles and reach the right people. You’ll learn how to write effective role descriptions, craft compelling adverts, and promote opportunities in the right places. The course also covers how to make your recruitment process inclusive and accessible.
Safeguarding Awareness Training (In Person)
If you work with people, safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility. Build confidence, awareness and practical skills with this focused training. This session is for volunteers and staff who work at food hubs and come into contact with adults at risk, and who have not previously attended any basic safeguarding awareness courses.
Free Food Hygiene Training (Level 1 & 2)
Islington residents can access free Food Hygiene Level 1 and Level 2 training through Islington Adult Community Learning. A great opportunity for staff, volunteers and community members across the local food sector to build skills, confidence and qualifications — with other courses available too.
New Training Opportunity for Food Organisations
Cripplegate Food Fund Volunteer Training Programme
We’re excited to share a new free training programme being delivered by Voluntary Action Islington (VAI) and funded by the Cripplegate Food Fund. Designed for volunteers and staff working in food aid and community food settings, the programme offers practical courses to build skills, confidence and resilience across the sector.
IFP Food Advocate Volunteer Programme
The IFP Food Advocate volunteer programme ran successfully between October and December 2025, engaging local residents in raising awareness of food justice issues, sharing lived experiences, and helping shape local food support and policy.
We’re really proud of this first phase and grateful to everyone who took part. If you’re interested in getting involved in this programme, we’d love to hear from you — get in touch to register your interest and help us build on this work together.