February to April 2010, North West
Architecture for Everyone seminars
Between February and April, Places Matter! is running workshops for 30 young people from Liverpool and Manchester as part of the Architecture for Everyone campaign. Architecture for Everyone is a three-year national campaign which aims to support new architectural talent from social groups traditionally under-represented within the profession. The workshops will allow young people to learn about the city in which they live and to develop proposals that would improve it in the future. The deadline for applications to join the workshop is 1 February 2010.
For further information, and to apply to join a workshop, visit the Places Matter! website

From 5 February 2010, various London boroughs
Shaping Places for visually impaired people: Town Planning and the Built Environment
This training course on town planning is designed for visually impaired people.  The course will give an overview of what town planning is and how local people can get involved in town planning to help improve their local environment. It is open to anybody living in London with a visual impairment and those working with visually impaired people, and people with other disabilities subject to availability. 
For further details on the course, and to view a wealth of resources on town planning, visit the Planning Aid for London website

From 9 February 2010, London
London Access Forum Planning Sub-Group Training – FREE six-session course
The London Access Forum (LAF) is a network of local groups and individuals across London, mainly disabled people, who are determined to see that all new buildings are built to the highest standards of accessibility and inclusive design. Supported by Inclusion London, the LAF is about to start on an ambitious development programme to increase its numbers and effectiveness. This once-a-month, six-session programme of training, led by Planning Aid for London, will include sessions on on the planning system, access statements and consultation with the community, among other topics.

This training is available for people who:

• have the time to attend all six training sessions and regular meetings afterwards
• already know something about the built environment, access and inclusion issues
• are able, with some support, to understand planning applications, architectural drawings and legal documents
• like to work in partnership with planning authorities, local government officers and other professionals
• can challenge constructively on behalf of others, as well as from your own personal perspective
• enjoy working in groups with other disabled, Deaf and older people

The first session is on 9 February 2010.

For further information, and to obtain an application form, contact Deborah Sowerby at Inclusion London
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24-25 February 2010, London
Buildings by Design – FREE course
The Glass-House is running this free course for community groups who are involved in planning, designing and refurbishing or building a community facility in their neighbourhood. With help from professionals, groups will explore the various stages of the design and building process.
For further details, and to book a place, visit the Glass-House website