A NEW programme of low cost online training is available for charities and voluntary groups across the area to help them manage their operations more efficiently.

It is being provided by The Land of the Fanns Landscape Partnership which is aimed at engaging the local communities of Havering, Barking & Dagenham, Thurrock, Brentwood and south-west Essex with the natural, geological, archaeological and built heritage of their area.

This unique £2.4 million partnership was awarded £1.36 million by the National Lottery Heritage Fund in 2016 and brings together a number of different partner organisations with a shared goal of enabling local people to discover, restore and enjoy what's special about the local landscape.

The training begins on 11 March and sessions run through until June. Participants can book any number of sessions. Places are limited so booking is essential. Each session costs just £5 and are bookable through this link or by contacting [email protected].

Small charities, voluntary groups and organisations working on conservation projects or benefiting the local natural or built heritage can gain useful knowledge across a variety of topics in the Land of the Fanns new training sessions.

The online training is easily accessible to the majority of people and is open to everyone within Barking & Dagenham, Brentwood, Havering and Thurrock, empowering communities within these places to learn new skills and take ownership of their local heritage and green spaces.

The full programme is listed below

Tuesday 9 and Thursday 11 March 6-8.30pm

Wednesday 17 and Friday 19 March 10am-12.30pm

Tuesday 13 and Thursday 15 April 10am-12noon

Wednesday 21 and Friday 23 April 10am-12.30pm

Tuesday 27 April 10.30am-12noon

Wednesday 28 April 10am-12noon

Tuesday 18 and Thursday 20 May 10am-12.30pm

Thursday 27 May 10-11.30am

Tuesday 8 and Thursday 10 June 6-8.30pm

Thursday 10 June 10-11.30am