COMPLETED FUNDED PROGRAMME
An Award-Recognised Partnership Creating Social Value, Building Skills and Social Value Across Kent and North Wales
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
Following the success of our previous work together, Social Enterprise Kent once again partnered with Sodexo to deliver funded training as part of its wider social impact commitments.
The programme provided free online training for SMEs, VCSEs, charities, start-ups and diverse-owned organisations across Kent and North Wales, helping smaller organisations access skills development at a time when training budgets were under increasing pressure.
Working with Môn Communities Forward CIC in North Wales, the programme combined local reach with shared expertise, helping extend access to funded learning across both regions. Five courses were delivered between February and May 2025, reaching 83 people from 51 unique organisations.
Status: This funded programme has now been completed.
Programme at a Glance
Target: 20 participants and 20 unique organisation
- 5 live online sessions
- 83 People trained
- 51 Unique organisations reached
- 55 Kent participants
- 51 Unique organisations reached
- 32 organisations new to SEK
- 100% would recommend the training
Training Shaped by Local Need
Rather than simply deciding which courses to offer, the programme was developed using feedback from previous participants and organisations across Kent and North Wales.
This helped ensure the funded training responded to practical challenges facing smaller organisations, including changing employment requirements, digital skills, inclusion and the increasing use of AI in the workplace.
All five sessions were delivered online, enabling organisations in both Kent and North Wales to participate without the additional cost and barriers associated with travel.
Helping organisations understand AI and begin using it safely, confidently and practically within everyday work.
Building practical skills in digital communications, content planning, engagement and the use of marketing tools.
Supporting smaller organisations to understand changes and emerging requirements in employment law and workplace practice.
Introducing practical BSL skills and building confidence when communicating with Deaf and hard-of-hearing people.
Supporting more inclusive workplace cultures, communication and organisational practice.
Creating Impact Beyond the Training Room
A few weeks after the courses, participants were contacted again to understand whether the learning had actually influenced their work. The responses demonstrated changes extending beyond immediate satisfaction with the training.
Participants reported applying new skills in areas including AI, digital marketing, accessibility, HR and inclusive practice. Examples included organisations reviewing accessibility, changing communication approaches, introducing new digital tools and applying learning directly within day-to-day working practices.
Digital confidence
Participants who had previously been hesitant about AI reported beginning to use it within their everyday work, including for content creation, organisation and repetitive tasks.
“I now use AI every day and feel more confident than ever.”
Greater Inclusion
The BSL training led to particularly tangible outcomes, including participants practising their skills, considering accessibility within their services and feeling more confident engaging with Deaf people.
“It has opened my horizons and equipped me with basic tools to support more people.”
Skills Put into Practice
Digital marketing participants reported introducing tools and approaches including scheduling, analytics, SEO and marketing planning, while EDI participants described changes to language, communication and organisational practice.
What Participants Told Us
69% strongly agreed they could apply the knowledge or skills gained in their working practice
63% strongly agreed they felt upskilled by the course
98% rated the booking process as very easy
100% of respondents said they would recommend SEK Training
Feedback from participants described the training sessions as:
- Informative
- Interactive
- Useful
- Engaging
- Knowledgeable
- Interesting
- Helpful
- Enjoyable
Partnership Working
The programme brought together the resources and social impact ambitions of Sodexo, SEK’s training and programme management expertise, and the local knowledge and networks of Môn Communities Forward CIC.
SEK acted as lead partner, coordinating the programme, learner communications, training infrastructure, reporting and evaluation. Working collaboratively with Môn Communities Forward enabled the programme to build stronger engagement in North Wales while maintaining a consistent learner experience across both regions.
The model also created opportunities for shared learning between the organisations, demonstrating how corporate investment, training expertise and locally rooted partnerships can work together to extend social value
Reaching More Organisations
Funded training created wider reach
Promotion of the programme generated significant interest beyond those who ultimately attended. During the campaign, more than 8,500 visitors engaged with the course pages, website traffic more than doubled and visitors spent 18% longer on the site on average.
The programme also connected SEK with 32 new customers, extending the longer-term reach of Sodexo’s investment beyond the individual training sessions.
Creating a Lasting Legacy
The programme generated benefits beyond the funded delivery period.
Participant feedback demonstrated continued application of learning, while the programme strengthened relationships between SEK, Sodexo and Môn Communities Forward. The partnership model also helped SEK further develop its approach to managing, evaluating and reporting externally funded training programmes.
Demand identified through the programme has continued to influence SEK’s wider training offer. In particular, the positive response to AI for Beginners led to the course being incorporated into SEK’s core training portfolio.
Recognised for Social Value
An Award-Recognised Partnership
The wider partnership between Social Enterprise Kent and Sodexo was Highly Commended for Social Value at the IWFM Impact Awards 2025, providing external recognition of the approach to partnership working and social impact developed through our work together.
Programme Completed
The Sodexo Funded Training Programme 2025 has now been completed and is no longer accepting bookings.
This page remains available as a record of the programme, its reach and the impact created through partnership-funded training.