A key function of CHI was to motivate and support communities in developing local projects and studies - providing the skills and learning to begin these journeys. Over the 5 years CHI has run 162 courses/lectures, with nearly 2200 attendees.

Locations for courses have included LCC museum sites, Country Parks, nature reserves, village halls, community centres, Rutland County Council sites and even pubs.

CHI have run sessions on a range of topics ranging from Natural History Skills such as: Mapmate Software, Soldier Beetles & Ladybirds, Wildflowers, Surveying for Newts, Butterfly ID, Bird Watching and Small Mammal Survey.  Broadening knowledge - Map Reading, History of Your House, The Planning System and Heritage Trail Workshops. Lectures on: Amphibians, Moths of Leicestershire, British Reptiles, Bats and Woodland History.  Group Development/Broader Heritage- Health and Safety, Leaflet and Poster Design, Working with Young People, How to Lead Guided Walks and Developing your Group.

Representatives of local history and natural history groups attended a Groups Day in October 2007 which covered issues such as: working with the media, copyright, funding and health and safety. . As an outcome of this Diseworth Heritage Group successfully bid for funds for a project, and the Leicestershire and Rutland Ornithological Society (LROS) ran a media campaign with high profile coverage. This day was part of the CHI's commitment to ensuring a sustainable future for groups and societies and providing them with the skills they need to successfully develop into the future.

CHI training has been recognised of being held in high value by those that attend, but also within the conservation community, due to the quality of speakers, and interest and motivation of those that attend. In May 2007, national expert Dr. Paul Waring returned to run another session for CHI on butterfly and moth caterpillars. Nationally the Civic Trust also supported the training delivered in 2007 by Heritage Wardens from Rothley following their successful Heritage Open Day.