Greater Manchester Volunteer Conference.
Join us for this FREE Volunteer event.
Greater Manchester Volunteer Conference 2025
Tuesday, 18th March | The Create Centre | 10am-2pm
Join us for a day of inspiring talks, interactive workshops, and networking with volunteer professionals and organisations. Whether you are interested in volunteering, a professional in the sector, or want to showcase a volunteering opportunity, this event is for you!
What to Expect:
- Talks from industry experts
- Real stories from local volunteers
- Interactive workshops & networking café
- Stalls showcasing volunteer opportunities
- Free sandwich & drinks throughout the day!
Please select your food option when you register.
Programme
Are you interested in volunteering?
Creative Workshops:
11am-12pm Unlock Your Skills
Discover your unique skills, qualities, and talents through our hands-on group activity, leave this session knowing how you can make a real difference in your community.
1-2pm Helping Hands Mural
Share stories of how you've helped someone or been helped, creating a permanent mural for our community centre.
All Day Take a break in our Sensory Room for some mindfulness & relaxation.
Talks from professionals, stalls, exhibitions, start your journey today!
Are you working in the voluntary sector?
11am-12pm Volunteer Sector Workshop
Strategies to inspire, manage, and retain volunteers. Gain practical insights and tools to enhance engagement.
1-2pm Networking Café
Connect and share expertise in our not-for-profit community café. Contribute to a shared resource that will be distributed to all attendees, fostering professional community collaboration beyond the event.
**Dates**: 21st May – 18th June 2025 (Wednesdays)
**Time**: 5:00pm–7:00pm
**Location**: Tameside Arts Ltd
**Facilitator**: Jojo (Animator and Creator of *The Spider God*)
**Cost**: £15 per session (includes materials and refreshments)
This is a 5-part animation workshop series focused on creating original 2D animated shorts using traditional and digital techniques. Participants will be introduced to character design, key animation principles, background creation, and assembling a final product.
Session Breakdown
Session 1 – Character Design (21st May)
- Introductions and trailer screening (*The Spider God*)
- Explore personality in shape, expression, posture
- Sketching and refining characters using pen and paper
- Discussion: How design affects animation
- Optional: Begin drawing key poses for next session
- Provide printed resource pack + software download links
Session 2 – Animating Your Character (28th May)
- Recap + review participant character sketches
- Introduce animation software options (Krita, Toon Boom, TV Paint)
- Demonstrate animation on your laptop
- Participants animate character motion (paper or digital)
- Focus on 6 big animation principles (with reference to *The Spider God*)
- Save or photograph sequences for next session
Session 3 – Creating Backgrounds (4th June)
- What makes an effective background for animation?
- Participants design a background that fits their character
- Explore scale, perspective, environment storytelling
- Begin drawing backgrounds on paper or tablet
- Scan or photograph backgrounds for use next session
Session 4 – Character + Background Animation (11th June)
- Combine character animation with background
- Demonstrate layering in software
- Participants animate character within their scene (digital or photographed paper)
- Provide feedback and guidance on integration and flow
Session 5 – Final Polish & Showcase (18th June)
- Participants refine and finish short animation clips
- Add titles, sound, or effects (if desired)
- Group viewing + feedback session
- Celebrate progress and creativity
- Optional: Share finished films via online gallery or drive link