Social Economy FORUM for West Midlands VCFSE sector, facilitated by BSSEC CIC

Did you know that BSSEC CIC facilitates a VCFSE sector-led knowledge network across the 7 West Midlands Combined Authority localities?Numerous trading, frontline social enterprises, charities, not-for-profits, faith and community-led, and employee-owned organisations are levering social economy insights as part of the regional eco-system.

BSSEC CIC continues to work closely with West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) to deliver key elements of the social economy growth agenda.

Starting in 2023, BSSEC CIC has delivered a series of Social Economy FORUM sessions alongside social economy strategic Roundtables. These sessions have both supported a capacity-building element of the VCFSE sector, and also shared frontline and infrastructure organisation insights through session summary papers fed back to the WMCA Social Economy Advisory Group.

The social economy sessions continue in 2024/25, supported by WMCA, with a diverse programme of events to build on first year delivery, and to align with the WMCA Framework for Growth and social economy eco-systems 10 point plan.

GROWING THE WMCA REGIONAL SOCIAL ECONOMY

The Social Economy Sessions are focused on social and purpose-led organisations primarily delivering within the seven WMCA of: Birmingham, Coventry, Dudley, Sandwell, Solihull, Walsall and/or Wolverhampton.

* FIND OUT MORE & DOWNLOADS | https://bssec.org.uk/resources/wmca-social-economy-sessions/

* REGISTER FOR EVENT INVITES & UPDATES | https://bit.ly/4aO4mTa

* NEXT FORUM | Tuesday 14th May 2024 kindly hosted by Birgit Kehrer CHANGEKITCHEN CIC & Richard Beard BSC MCIBSE CEng JERICHO - registration essential

Latest

Birmingham City Council Section 114 & the VCFSE Sector

• On 11 April Birmingham VCFSE sector organisations asked Birmingham City Council Leader & Acting Chief Executive questions on Section 114 • 244 people attended the online event held by BVSC to discuss the potential impact of Section 114 on Birmingham’s VCFSE sector and communities • Recording and presentation from the meeting are now available on BVSC website • A Section 114 Community Assets event is to take place on 23 May • Take part in Section 114 Research led by BVSC Research
Birmingham City Council Section 114: Community Assets Briefing Online Meeting

• What impact will Section 114 have on community assets? • What expectations and opportunities are there for local Voluntary, Community, Faith & Social Enterprise (VCFSE) sector organisations to take over the management of/ lease/ purchase Council buildings, land, property and assets? • What support will be provided to VCFSE sector organisations with regards to community assets? Hear from Council and VCFSE leaders and have your say.
Project & Data Officer

Sustainability West Midlands, Closing date: On Request
BHO: Calling All Vegans To Promote Health Research!

Could you write to your local MP or Councillor to promote our health economics research? The analysis found with that every 1 million people who switch to a vegan diet would generate an estimated £121 million of health care cost savings. We would love support in highlighting this to government.

BHO: Calling All Vegans To Promote Health Research!

Could you write to your local MP or Councillor to promote our health economics research? The analysis found with that every 1 million people who switch to a vegan diet would generate an estimated £121 million of health care cost savings. We would love support in highlighting this to government.
Volunteer Mentor Recruitment

I am posting about a young women's mentoring programme called Y's Girls Mentoring programme delivered by YMCA. The age range for the young people is between 9- 14 years old. The programme recruits adult volunteer mentor to support these young people. We are looking for volunteers are eager to make a difference in their own community by supporting girls and young women to be their best.
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As an activity group lead, you’ll take turns leading the monthly session and support the other activity group leads when it’s their turn to lead. You’ll also socialise with the older people at the activity group, ensuring that everyone feels supported and listened to. The activity group will be at the same community venue and will include older people, activity group leads, drivers, and the activity group coordinator. Activity groups normally last around two hours.
Activity Social Group Volunteer Helper - Driver

As an activity group driver, you’ll collect older people from their homes, accompany them to the monthly activity group and drop them home again afterwards. The activity group will be at the same community venue and will include older people, activity group leads, drivers, and the activity group coordinator. Activity groups normally last around two hours and will include an activity that gets people moving such as: dance, chair exercises, boules, skittles or boccia.
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Join our amazing volunteer team to raise awareness of sight loss and RNIB services at local events. You will give talks in person or virtually, sharing your own story to improve understanding of sight loss to local service providers and community groups. You’ll be making a real difference to people living with sight loss by helping to improve accessibility and inclusivity, creating a world without barriers.
RNIB - Community Volunteer - Erdington Sight Loss Support Group

Would you like to play a key role in supporting blind and partially sighted people in your local area? Are you great at communicating, love meeting others and enjoy using your admin and organisational skills? If this sounds like you, you’re the person we’re looking for to support our Erdington Sight Loss Support group meeting.
RNIB - Community Supporter (Information Events)

Join our amazing volunteer team to raise awareness of sight loss and RNIB services at local events. You’ll be making a real difference to people living with sight loss by helping to create a world without barriers. This face to face opportunity will see you providing information about RNIB services and activities to help people with sight loss live the lives they want, enabling them to hear about the support that is available, and how they can help others.
Why Teens podcast hosts attend the Inspirational Youth Awards

YMCA Sutton Coldfield staff and Why Teens podcast hosts attend Inspirational Youth Awards.
Birmingham Hospice Charity Shops - Volunteer Vacancies

Volunteers needed at Birmingham Hospice retail stores. We have 21 shops and are always in need of volunteers.
Volunteer Opportunities at Parkrun

Parkrun is a weekly, free and timed 5k event on a Saturday and 2k junior event for 4-14 year olds on a Sunday. Each week there are a variety of volunteer roles to be filled and events across the city are always keen to hear from and support new volunteers.