COMPLETED FUNDED PROGRAMME
Building Skills, Confidence and Resilience Through Funded Training
This funded programme has now ended. The information on this page is retained to provide an overview of the programme and training delivered. Courses and funded places previously offered through this programme are no longer available.
Historic overview
For the third consecutive year, Social Enterprise Kent worked in partnership with Sodexo to provide fully funded training for SMEs, VCSEs, charities, start-ups and diverse-owned organisations across Kent and North Wales.
Delivered as part of Sodexo’s Social Impact 2030 commitment, the programme helped remove financial barriers to workforce development and gave organisations access to practical training designed around emerging needs and workplace priorities. Course topics were shaped by feedback from previous programmes, participant insight and changing workforce needs.
Between February and May 2026, six live online training sessions supported 115 participants from 59 organisations, substantially exceeding the programme’s original targets and continuing a partnership that had developed over three consecutive years.
Status: This funded programme has now been completed.
Programme at a Glance
Target: 20 participants and 20 unique organisation
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6 live online sessions
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144 bookings received
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43 organisations new to SEK
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100% would recommend the training
Training Delivered
Six three-hour, live online sessions were delivered by experienced specialist trainers. The online format enabled organisations across Kent and North Wales to participate without the additional time and cost of travel, while interactive discussion and breakout activities created opportunities for shared learning between organisations and sectors
Practical support to build confidence in understanding and using AI tools within everyday organisational activity.
Helping organisations strengthen their digital presence and use social media and digital marketing more effectively.
Developing knowledge and confidence around fundraising opportunities, tenders and organisational sustainability.
Building awareness and confidence to recognise mental health concerns and support more positive workplace conversations.
Supporting greater understanding of disability, accessibility and the needs of people using services.
Helping organisations strengthen inclusive practice, communication and workplace culture.
From Training to Workplace Impact
Follow-up feedback showed that participants were putting their learning into practice within their organisations. Changes included introducing new ways of working, reviewing policies and procedures, adopting digital tools, improving accessibility and sharing learning with colleagues.
The impact identified through participant feedback fell across six broad areas:
Digital confidence
Participants adopted AI tools, strengthened digital marketing and introduced more efficient ways of working.
Compliance and governance
Organisations reviewed policies, responded to legislative updates and strengthened organisational processes.
Inclusive practice
Learning supported more accessible services, inclusive communication and greater consideration of diverse needs.
Wellbeing
Participants reported greater confidence in recognising and responding to mental health and wellbeing needs.
Funding and sustainability
Organisations strengthened their fundraising knowledge and confidence around future income.
Knowledge sharing
Participants took learning back into their organisations and shared it with colleagues, extending the reach beyond those who attended
What Participants Told Us
“It is used in my work every day now and I feel more confident than ever.”
“It has really helped educate me on the benefits of AI and how it can enhance the work we do and save time to focus on other things.”
“Better business strategies going forward.”
Building Relationships Beyond the Programme
The 2025–26 programme reached both new and returning organisations. 43 of the 59 organisations were new to SEK, while organisations that had participated in previous Sodexo-funded programmes also returned to continue their learning.
The relationship did not end when the funded sessions finished. Participating organisations went on to access further funded and paid training through SEK, demonstrating how an initial funded opportunity can support longer-term engagement with workforce development.
Why the Partnership Worked
The success of the programme was supported by more than the training itself. From programme development and promotion through to booking, learner communication, delivery and follow-up, the partnership was designed to make training straightforward to access and relevant to the organisations taking part.
Participant feedback highlighted the quality and accessibility of the learning experience, while continued engagement demonstrated the value of building longer-term relationships rather than treating funded training as a one-off intervention.
Responsive programme design Targeted promotion
Learner recruitment Booking and administration
Specialist trainers Interactive delivery
Evaluation and follow-up Impact evidence
Three Years of Partnership
2024
First Partnership: Establishing a shared approach to accessible workforce development.
2025
Expanded Delivery: Extending the reach of the programme across Kent and North Wales.
2026
Building Lasting Impact: Supporting organisations to embed learning and create longer-term change.
Programme Completed
The Sodexo Funded Training Programme 2025–26 has now been completed and is no longer accepting bookings.
This page remains available as a record of the programme, the training delivered and the impact created through the partnership between Sodexo and Social Enterprise Kent.