Developing frontline staff and volunteers serving local communities
Now in its third year, the Cinnamon Academy continues to equip and inspire individuals working directly in projects and communities across the UK.
Designed for anyone setting up, leading, or contributing to faith-based community work, Academy will give you and your team the practical skills to deliver brilliant work. You’ll learn alongside others working in this area, and can build your own confidence and knowledge.
WHAT’S IN STORE?
We recognise that everyone brings their own knowledge and expertise into the Academy, and we want to give you get the best possible experience.
So rather than a fixed curriculum, the Academy has three core modules, and beyond that, you build your own learning experience.
If you’re new to social action and community work or want to move into this area, come in and soak it all up, to get a complete package.
Alternatively, choose sections to supplement your existing knowledge, brush up on new legislation or stay on top of current trends.
To “graduate”, you’ll need to complete at least 20 hours of training and engage with one of the Learning Hubs.
Learning Hubs are your opportunity to get expert advice and support from our peers on whatever project, church or community issue you’re working on right now.
TRAINING MODULES
The backbone of our Academy is nine training modules. These steer you through the fundamentals you need to set up, run and sustain brilliant faith-based social action projects.
There is a wide selection of topics on offer, grouped roughly into: Strategy, Community, Personnel and Resourcing.
There are three CORE modules that everyone should attend, if they want to graduate from the Academy:
- Missional Listening (Community)
- Leadership (Strategy)
- Measuring Impact (Resourcing)
You can then choose the rest of your Academy experience to fit your needs.
Workshops include: Missional Listening, Partnerships, Promotions, Leadership, Managing Change, Good Governance, Discerning your Calling, Christian Distinctiveness, Good Practice in Employment, The Volunteer Journey, Dealing with Conflict in Ministry, Equality, Diversity and Inclusion, Good Practice in Safeguarding, Measuring Impact, Fundraising and Finance for Non-Finance Directors.
Most sessions are delivered on a Tuesday morning, with some at other times, and our most popular topics repeated through the year.
NINE LEARNING HUBS
This is where you get personalised feedback on whatever project, issue, challenge or area you’re working on right now. You’ll share the experience with small group of like-minded people who are on the same journey as you.
Through the hubs, you’ll explore the training within the context of your own community or church project. You’ll get to share ideas and ask questions so you can apply the learning within your own context. And most importantly, you will find encouragement and friendship on the way.
If you’re attending with colleagues from your church, deanery or organisation we can set up a specific group just for you, if you like.
ACADEMY RESIDENTIAL
Nothing compares to meeting together in real life! So, you’ll have the opportunity to join us at the Cinnamon Residential from 1st to the 3rd February 2027, at High Leigh Conference Centre. Over the three days, you’ll join workshops in: Managing Change, Measuring Impact, Effective Fundraising, and Partnerships and Promotion in person.
The cost will be £X.XX. You just need to get yourself to High Leigh Conference Centre.
RESOURCES AND INSPIRATION
Cinnamon Network has an online library of resources, videos, articles and templates that support the training and supplement your learning. After each training workshop, we’ll direct you to the tools and resources that are appropriate to you.
PERSONAL COACHING
The ‘hidden gem’ might be the one-to-one coaching session you’ll receive as part of the The Academy package. Depending on the area you are working in, it will usually be with the course director Diane, who has decades of experience working in Christian social action. You’ll be provided with strategic insight to help you develop your project for the benefit of your community. If your question is more appropriately answered by one of the other Cinnamon team members, we will match you up with the best person.
They will set you tailored recommendations to help you make a lasting impact on your community.
A NEW COMMUNITY OF LIFELONG FRIENDS
Perhaps the BEST thing about Connect Academy is the fact that you’ll be learning together with a brilliant group of people.
This is a community of YOUR PEOPLE – who love Jesus and want to take practical steps to make their communities happier, healthier and safer places for everyone.
You’ll share the ups and downs along the way, holding each other in prayer as you do.
INTERESTED IN COMING ON THE JOURNEY WITH US? LET US KNOW!
Key Information
WHO CAN JOIN?
Any project leader, activist, volunteer, church leader, or trustee who wants to run robust, effective, sustainable social action projects. If you feel called to community work but have no experience, this is a great place to start, too. You don’t need to be running a project right now.
WHEN IS IT?
The course kicks off in February 2027 with training opportunities every month. We know that life is busy, so you have two years to complete the 20 hours of training and Learning Hubs to graduate from Connect Academy. The Residential is from 1-3 February.
HOW MUCH TIME WILL IT TAKE?
Each training workshop is about 3 ½ hours and each Learning Hub us an hour long. You’ll also receive resources and content to reflect on in your own time.
WHAT’S THE COST?
The enrolment cost of Connect Academy is just £450. This INCLUDES as many training sessions as you can attend and the in-person training at the three-day residential. If you’re joining us for the residential, you’ll just need to pay for your accommodation and transport
What others are saying:
“I’ve been in the voluntary sector for 25 years and this is the only training I’ve found that has a Christian emphasis.”
“I think it’s brilliant. It’s wisdom and experience that is well curated and facilitated so that people in the Academy can apply it to context.”
“The investment in time will be repaid many times over. It will broaden your horizons physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually.”
