Birmingham Voluntary Service Council

Today marks the start of #TrusteesWeek 2025!
A time to celebrate the million trustees across the UK who give their time & skills to support charities.
Get involved, build your skills & find out more 👇
🔗 www.bvsc.org/news/trustee...

Exploring space and place: new arts project connecting people in Northfield In Northfield, the Redeemer Church’s arts and wellbeing programme sparked the Space and Place Project, blending creativity with geography to explore how places shape identity and memory. Over six weeks, participants of all ages shared food, stories, and artistic expression, creating personal artworks inspired by locations ranging from Barcelona to Oddingley Hall. The project fostered confidence, connection, and new friendships, showing the power of creativity to bring people together.

From Hogwarts to Oddingley Hall, participants shared their meaningful places through art. A true celebration of imagination, connection, and wellbeing. 🌍💛 #ArtsForWellbeing

Building Belonging: Liz Fossey Leads the Way for Over 50s in Northfield After moving from a close-knit community in Devon to Northfield in 2010, Liz struggled to find the same sense of belonging, especially after the loss of her husband. Lockdown unexpectedly reconnected her with people through online groups, and later volunteering at the Northfield Arts Forum Café helped her build new friendships and rediscover a vibrant sense of community. In turn, this led Liz to a new role within the Northfield Neighbourhood Network Scheme, as volunteer Over 50s champion.

Liz found a sense of belonging in Northfield through #volunteering and local connections. After joining a Community Treasure Tour, she became the area’s first Over 50s Champion, helping others discover local activities and make connections.

Birmingham City Council: Care Quality Commission (CQC) Self-Assessment Briefing - 30/10/2025 09:00:00 Please join Birmingham City Council and BVSC for an online briefing on Birmingham City Council’s Care Quality Commission (CQC) Self-Assessment. The briefing will provide: key messages from Birmingham City Council's recent CQC self-assessment; an overview of findings; highlight areas of strength; outline next steps for improvement and collaboration. There will also be an opportunity to ask questions of our speakers.

Join us on Oct 30, 9-10am for a briefing with @bhamcitycouncil.bsky.social & @bvscbirmingham.bsky.social. Learn about the @carequalitycomm.bsky.social Self-Assessment with Stuart Lackenby. Key insights for #VCFSE providers. #CQC #BirminghamCare
Sign up here: www.bvsc.org/Event/birmin...

📢 Looking for new trustees?
#TrusteesWeek (3–7 Nov) inspires many people to get involved and give back.
List your vacancies on Volunteer Brum and reach those ready to make a difference.
👉 Register now: www.volunteerbrum.org
#VolunteerBrum #Volunteering

🌟 Volunteer groups – this is for you! 🌟 Learn how to get your group recognised with The King’s Award for Voluntary Service 🙌

📅 Mon 20 Oct ⏰ 1–3pm 📍 Hays, One Colmore Sq

👉 Register: https://bit.ly/3KAVSinfo

Thanks to BVSC & Hays UK for hosting 🤝 #Volunteering #Birmingham

Environment & Energy Network: Climate Reality Training - 14/10/2025 13:00:00 The next Environment & Energy Network meeting takes place on Tuesday 14 October where we will be joined by David Chapman, Green Homes Lead, Solihull MBC who will be delivering Climate Reality Training.

Join @bvscbirmingham.bsky.social on Oct 14 (1-2:30pm) for the Environment & Energy Network meeting with David Chapman, Green Homes Lead, Solihull MBC who will be delivering Climate Reality Training #ClimateAction #Sustainability
Sign up here: www.bvsc.org/Event/enviro...

Meet Children, Young People and Families National and Local Leads - 17/10/2025 09:00:00 Please join BVSC for a webinar to meet Children, Young People and Families National and Local Leads including from the Department for Education and Birmingham Children's Trust. Discuss developments and priorities across the Birmingham’s Children’s Young People and Families Sector and hear Sector Lead thoughts and views on working in partnership with the Voluntary, Community, Faith and Social Enterprise sector.

📣 @bvscbirmingham.bsky.social invites you to a webinar on 17 Oct!

Connect with leaders from @departmentforedu.bsky.social and Birmingham Children's Trust to discuss developments and priorities in #Birmingham #Children, #YoungPeople, and #Families Sector.

Register: www.bvsc.org/Event/meet-c...

Community Cohesion - BVSC Statement and Support Brian Carr, BVSC Chief Executive provides a BVSC statement on Community Cohesion, offering support from BVSC, including convening a conversation on the VCFSE sector's role, and sharing a number of resources which Voluntary, Community Faith and Social Enterprise (VCFSE) sector organisations can draw upon to support the people they serve.

🔊 New from Brian Carr, BVSC Chief Executive: Statement on Community Cohesion. 🗣️

@bvscbirmingham.bsky.social is committed to supporting #Birmingham VCFSE sector on #communitycohesion. Join us in this vital conversation. 🤝

Read the Statement and Get Resources: www.bvsc.org/News/communi...

Meet Birmingham City Council's Adult Social Care, Public Health & Early Intervention & Prevention Leads - 29/09/2025 13:00:00 Birmingham City Council has a new Executive Director of Adult Social Care and Health, Stuart Lackenby and a new Director of Public Health, Sally Burns. There will also be an opportunity to hear from Kal Kohli, Assistant Director, Early Intervention & Prevention. Please join BVSC for a webinar introducing them to Birmingham’s Voluntary, Community, Faith and Social Enterprise (VCFSE) sector and hearing their thoughts and views on working in partnership with the sector.

@bhamcitycouncil.bsky.social welcomes:
👤 Stuart Lackenby – Exec Director, Adult Social Care & Health
👤 Sally Burns – Director of Public Health
Join @bvscbirmingham.bsky.social webinar (29 Sept) to hear their vision for working with the VCFSE sector.
👉 Register: www.bvsc.org/Event/meet-b...

💚 Volunteer with Macmillan at Walk to Support Birmingham!
Help at the event village, cheer finishers, hand out medals, or guide walkers along the route.
Be the friendly face supporting people living with cancer. ✨
#Macmillan #Volunteerbrum

From Challenge to Change: How Birmingham's Financial Crisis is Impacting Communities and the Path Forward A new report explores the impact of Birmingham’s financial crisis on communities and offers a path forward to rebuild in line with the Birmingham City Vision. It calls on City leaders from all sectors to commit to a shared, values-led transformation rooted in transparency, collaboration, and collective accountability.

New report explores the impact of Birmingham’s financial crisis (Section 114) on communities and shows how we can rebuild towards the City Vision.

Read more:

📚 Whether it’s reading with children or supporting adults with new skills, your time could open doors for someone this term.
#BacktoSchool #LifelongLearning #VolunteerBrum #volunteering
www.volunteerbrum.org/volunteer/al...

Love cooking or want to learn? Why not use your skills (or enthusiasm!) to give back to the community?
Foodcycle brings people together in various locations around Birmingham with a 3-course vegetarian meal, free for anyone who wants to join.
Find out more: www.volunteerbrum.org/volunteer/al...

BVSC welcomes Civil Society Covenant but cautions that practical commitments are needed in addition to warm words BVSC has welcomed the publication of the new Civil Society Covenant, which sets out a “new model of partnership between civil society and government”. The Covenant outlines a series of principles designed to foster understanding of the vital role played by civil society in the UK. The principles are recognition and value; partnership and collaboration; participation and inclusion; and transparency and data.

BVSC welcomes the new Civil Society Covenant as a step forward in government/civil society relations. But warm words must be matched by meaningful, practical action. #CivilSociety #BVSC #Partnership

Support Birmingham Central Fund on Birmingham Community Lottery Birmingham Central Fund is offering you the chance to win big prizes and help raise much needed funds.

Support local causes and be in with a chance to win! This month, you could bag £1,000 in Sainsbury’s vouchers by playing the Birmingham Community Lottery – and you might even scoop the £25,000 jackpot. All proceeds go to good causes across Birmingham.

Engage for Funding: Top tips for reviewing your governance - 14/07/2025 13:00:00 On Monday 14 July, join Rob Avann, Orchard Park Consulting, as he provides a masterclass in how to go about reviewing your governance, key issues to spot and actions to take, and why this is so important for funders. Good governance is one of the key pillars funders look for as a pass/fail item for your funding bids. It's not about structures and processes - it's about people, diligence, decision making, caring about those you're there to support and ensuring that you work well together.

Join us on Mon & discover why good governance can make or break your funding bids. Join Rob Avann for a practical session on how to review yours: what to spot, what to fix, and why it matters. It's about people, purpose & good decisions.
🗓️ Monday 14 July | 13:00 – 14:00
www.bvsc.org/Event/engage...

Environment & Energy Network: What is the UK’s progress on reducing emissions and what can we do to support emissions reduction in our communities? - 15/07/2025 13:00:00 The next Environment & Energy Network meeting takes place on Tuesday 15 July, 1pm – 2.30pm and we will be discussing the UK’s progress on reducing emissions and what we can do to support emissions reduction in our communities.

📅 15 July, 1–2:30pm: Join the Environment & Energy Network as we explore the UK’s emissions progress and how you can drive change locally.

We’ll break down the CCC’s latest report on government action.
🌍 #NetZero #ClimateAction #Sustainability

www.bvsc.org/Event/enviro...

Engage for Funding: Meet the Funder: National Lottery Community Fund  - 07/07/2025 13:00:00 The National Lottery Community Fund team will be joining us on Monday to discuss their newly revamped funding strategy and how your organisation can make a successful application. As one of the most prominent and accessible charitable funders in the UK, this webinar should not be missed!

This Monday: Hear from The National Community Lottery Fund on their updated funding strategy + how to apply successfully.

We’re also sharing the latest news, events & newly launched grants — some big ones just dropped!

Don’t miss it. 👇

Local home energy support expands across Birmingham City as BrumEnergy consortium secures further funding The BrumEnergy consortium, a partnership of Birmingham-based voluntary and community organisations, has secured a £500,000 contract through National Energy Action (NEA)’s Warm Homes, Healthy Futures programme, extending its work to support residents living in cold, damp, and energy-inefficient homes.

📣 Great news! BrumEnergy has secured funding through NEA’s Warm Homes, Healthy Futures to support Brummies living in cold, damp homes. With 1 in 4 households in fuel poverty, this funding brings crucial energy and health support to those who need it most. #FuelPoverty #WarmHomes

A huge thank you to Karen Millner of Apples and Pairs, a lovely children's shop in Wiltshire, for her incredibly generous donation to the Multibank in Birmingham...hundreds of pairs of brand-new children’s shoes along with boxes of new children’s clothes. Thanks so much Karen 🙏
#BrilliantBrum

BrumEnergy Warm Homes, Healthy Futures Launch – Online Information Session for Anyone Supporting People with Health Conditions or Disabilities - 16/07/2025 15:00:00 Do you support people with long-term health conditions or disabilities, whether through health or social care, community services, or Voluntary, Community, Faith & Social Enterprise (VCFSE) sector work? Join us for a free online session to find out how the new BrumEnergy Warm Homes, Healthy Futures project can help the people you work with – and how you can become a referral partner.

📣 Supporting people with health conditions or disabilities?
Join the #BrumEnergy Warm Homes, Healthy Futures online launch! 🏠✨
📅 16 July | 🕒 15:00–16:00
Discover how energy support can lead to healthier homes.
Register today:

Engage for Funding: Crowdfunding Special with ChangeKitchen & Bertie Herrtage - 30/06/2025 13:00:00 We have a brilliant Crowdfunding theme planned for this latest session, requested by many of our regulars. Firstly, we'll hear from ChangeKitchen about a successful Crowdfunding campaign they developed. Then from The Crowdfunding Coach, Bertie Herrtage, on how to approach Crowdfunding and some top tips for success.

Don’t miss our next Engage for Funding webinar – Mon 30 June at 13:00!
Theme: #Crowdfunding
Hear from @changekitchen.bsky.social + tips from The Crowdfunding Coach Bertie Herrtage.
Free, online, all welcome!

Office accommodation Within our building, Latham House, we have newly refurbished office space available to rent. Our fully refurbished offices are perfectly located opposite the new Paradise development, just a 5-minute walk from New Street Station and close to major transport links. Latham House External view from  Paradise Street Entrance and lobby Refurbished  offices Refurbished office space (available to rent) Our office accommodation includes: Quality City Centre office space with rents from just £19 per sq ft Highly sought after location overlooking Paradise Development Scheme EPC 'C' rating Manned reception, 08:00 - 18:00, Monday to Friday Excellent transportation links Open plan floor plates LED Lighting New VRF heating and cooling system Demised kitchen facilities Abundance of local amenities Good levels of natural daylight 2 passenger lifts to all floors DDA Compliant Full fibre connectivity 24/7 access On-site parking (limited) Secure basement cycle racks and shower facilities Latham House is located at 33-34 Paradise Street, Birmingham, B1 2AJ.  Find us on Google Maps. Download a brochure below and book a tour today! Download our brochure The refurbishment of Latham House has been supported by funding from The Key Fund.

🏢 Looking for office space, right in the heart of #Birmingham, near to the new #Paradise development.
Fully refurbished, flexible spaces available with exceptional transport links.
Find out more: www.bvsc.org/office-space...
#Officespace #Birmingham

Shaping Birmingham's Future Together: Sutton Coldfield Marketplace - 26/06/2025 10:30:00 The Shaping Birmingham's Future Together (SBFT) Marketplace is a unique opportunity to connect with local service providers, local organisations and community and faith partners.

📣 Shaping Birmingham's Future Together Marketplace is coming to #SuttonColdfield!

Connect with local orgs, community leaders & service providers.
✅ Info booths
✅ Community support
✅ Networking

🗓 Mark your calendar! Let’s shape #Birmingham together 💙

Research Administrative Officer BVSC, Closing date: 3 July

📣 We're Hiring!
Looking to kickstart or shift your career while making a real impact? We need a highly organised, detail-oriented Research Administrative Officer to support our innovative Research Directorate in driving change through research and evaluation in the voluntary sector.

An Afrobeats DJ for The Village Square | i60 Community Interest Company We need a DJ to volunteer for a community intergenerational cultural gathering that focuses on empowering young people with etiquette, morals and values.

Looking for a different kind of #volunteering. How about becoming an Afrobeats DJ for The Village Square?
#VolunteerBrum #BrilliantBrum
www.volunteerbrum.org/o/i60-Commun...

Events from March 27 - June 14 Refugee Week is the world’s largest arts and culture festival celebrating the contributions, resilience, and creativity of refugees. Each year, thousands of independently organised events take place globally. Explore what’s happening near you by browsing through the calendar below.

This week is #Refugeeweek (16-22 June). This year's theme is "Community as a Superpower", celebrating the strength and resilience of #refugees and #communities, encouraging people to come together and support each other.
Find out about events taking place near you!
refugeeweek.org.uk/events/

WM-Adapt Project - Series of Events - 23/06/2025 10:00:00 Join your community in a dynamic 'World Café' event, to share your experiences of extreme weather and explore its impact together!

📣 Can you help? Locally residents needed to join an interactive discussion to share stories and experiences of extreme weather and climate events. All part of a wider research project, your feedback will make a difference to future planning in our area. 🌦️
www.bvsc.org/Event/wm-ada...

Looking to volunteer in Brum?
Volunteer Brum has 100+ causes and loads of ways to get involved — from one-offs to long-term roles. 💪💛
#VolunteerBrum #BrilliantBrum
www.volunteerbrum.org/