A SERIES of courses from understanding HIV to preparing budgets will run until May for volunteers wanting to improve their knowledge. The Leigh-based Leigh and Wigan Council for Voluntary Services have organised the sessions at various venues. Fees range from £5 for a half day to £20 for two days for the voluntary sector. The courses are:

JANUARY: 23 7-9pm Ince Community Centre: Introduction to Aromatherapy; 25: 9.30am-1.30pm Derby Room, Leigh Library: Preparing Budgets session two.

FEBRUARY: 7 9.15am-4pm Ince Community Centre: Using the Media; 8: 9.30am to 1.30pm Derby Room: Financial Policies; 9 and 16: 9am to 4pm Howe Bridge Sports Centre: Introduction to Assertiveness Days 1 and 2; 22: 9.30am-1.30pm Derby Room: Financial Roles and Responsibilities; 26: 9am-4pm Howe Bridge Sports Centre: Understanding HIV.

MARCH: 1 and 8 9am-4pm Howe Bridge Sports Centre: Sexual Awareness Days 1 and 2; 8 9.30am-1.30pm Derby Room: Audit or Examination of Accounts and 10.45am-2pm Kingsdown High School, Wigan: Developing a Fund Raiser Plan; 15: 9.45am-2pm Kingsdown High School: Introduction to Funder Finder; 22 9.45am-2pm Kingsdown High School: Writing Successful Applications to Funders; 28: 9.15am-4pm Asda, Leigh: Health and Safety for Voluntary Organisations.

APRIL: 5 9.45am-3pm Asda, Leigh: Business Planning Day 1

MAY: 24 9.45am-3pm Asda, Leigh: Business Planning Day 2; 30 9.45am-3pm Asda, Leigh: Promoting Your Organisation.

People with needs for further training for their organisations should contact Zoe Renilson at the Church Street, Leigh, base.