Step 7 – Learn new skills

This section is all about how learning new skills can help you and your community project or community organisation thrive.

There are plenty of skills you can pick up in a range of different ways without having to complete formal training by paying for an expensive course.

We know that most people and groups learn through trial and error but there will always someone who can share their experience with you.

Some of the ways you could learn new skills are:

• Look online – There are lots of free resources and shared experiences on this and other sites that we will point you to.

• List the skills your community has already – This is known as a skills audit. As mentioned earlier in the steps this is important, as you may be surprised with the range of transferable skills people have in your community.

• Get trained – There are a lot of opportunities for training. This can be in a peer to peer format, or if you prefer, can be paid for. Perhaps look at swapping your skills with other groups or organisations that need skills training too.

• Get going – Nothing gives people and groups more skill than giving things a go. Learn on the job and learn on the way – and share the experience with others.

Below are some links to free guides, software and websites that can help you learn new skills.