Sheffield Wildlife Trust (SWT) has accessed many different support and training programmes over the past eight years from Sector Solutions.

The organisation has proved instrumental in enabling Zahira Naz, Education and Training Service Manager at Sheffield Wildlife Trust (SWT) undertake the necessary training to enable SWT to gain the Matrix standard: a national quality standard for those who deliver information, advice and guidance. In addition Zahira has also gained an NVQ qualification in Information, Advice and Guidance.

Since the requirements for this standard are complicated and very high, Zahira undertook training, funded by the big lottery BASIS (Building and Sustaining Infrastructure Services) grant, in order to learn what systems and procedures would need to be in place. By having the Matrix standard it means that SWT are now better placed to access funding.

Zahira said: "I was made aware of the training courses that were being offered by the Institute of Learning, through Sector Solutions. I thought that they would help me in my role at the Wildlife Trust so I decided to enroll. I've been amazed with the results, not only do I now have a qualification but I'm much better informed on how to empower staff to encourage visitors to visit nature reserves and get involved in environmental sectors."

Sector Solutions workshops, regular communication and training seminars at the Institute for Learning now mean that Zahira is better placed to keep on top of government schemes, funding opportunities and courses that are relevant to her and Sheffield Wildlife Trust.

In addition to the training that SWT has accessed through the BASIS grant the Trust has received almost £85,000 worth of funding through Objective 1 of the European Social Fund (ESF), to deliver a number of Adult and Community Learning (ACL) contracts. Most recently it has benefitted from a European Social Fund, Community Outreach contract for £40,000.