Measles cases are spreading in Birmingham, with unimmunised children under 5 most affected. Take action now to protect yourself and others. By Birmingham City Council. Read more
Visit Volunteer Brum to find all the latest volunteering opportunities. Volunteer Brum connects Birmingham's residents with opportunities to volunteer and create positive change in their community. Whether you're passionate about giving back or looking to lend a hand, Volunteer Brum makes it easy to get involved. Plus, it empowers local charities, voluntary, and community groups to tap into a network of dedicated volunteers keen to make a difference. Let's come together and make a differen Read more
Following the BVSC 2021 State of the Sector Survey, BVSC Research facilitated five deep dive events to work with the sector to progress the key themes that were highlighted within the survey. This fifth and final deep dive discusses organisational concerns regarding the current funding landscape within the Voluntary, Community, Faith and Social Enterprise (VCFSE) sector. Read more
In mid-December 2020, BVSC two online leadership development sessions for voluntary organisations were held online focusing on navigating change in the third sector. These sessions built on a series of activities we have been running together to provide spaces for third sector leaders to reflect on change within voluntary action, in connection with our ESRC-funded Change in the Making research. Read more
Ageing Better in Birmingham was a programme that aimed to reduce loneliness and social isolation among people over 50 across the city. It was built upon the strengths and skills of individuals and groups to create sustainable change within communities.
The programme was delivered by a partnership of voluntary and community sector organisations led by Birmingham Voluntary Service Council (BVSC) and it was part of Ageing Better, a programme set up by The National Lottery Community Fund. Ageing Better aimed to develop creative ways for people aged over 50 to be actively involved in their local communities, helping to combat social isolation and loneliness. It was one of five major programmes set up by The National Lottery Community Fund to test and learn from new approaches to designing services that aimed to make people’s lives healthier and happier.
The programme engaged with 9,000 people reflective of the 'super diversity' of Birmingham. Participants supported each other out of loneliness and isolation in a way that was verified by independent evaluation and the programme left a transformed landscape for the city. Read more about Age-friendly Birmingham and Neighbourhood Network Schemes.
Early Help Mental Health Services provide voluntary, preventative support for children, young people, and families facing challenges to prevent future escalations into secondary care mental health services. We are really keen to gain your view as one of our stakeholders and your view will be part of wider engagement, including mental health services staff, commissioners, parent/ carers and young people. Read more
National Youth Agency are inviting all frontline youth workers and organisations to complete the National Youth Sector Census. If you deliver youth work directly, your insight is crucial. Read more
We are really pleased to share that our social media pages have now launched, alongside our IABM page on the BSMHFT website and a special radio series with Unity FM! We’ll be using these spaces to share updates, reflections, resources and some exciting posts over the coming weeks as the project continues to grow. Please do follow, share and help us spread the word! Read more
Join a University of Glasgow study exploring rest and free time under disabling capitalism. The questionnaire seeks responses from UK-based people who self-identify as being disabled, chronically ill, learning disabled, d/Deaf, neurodivergent, having impairments, or experiencing mental distress. Share your views today. Read more
Do you want to make a difference to the lives of children and young people in Birmingham? Join our Young Scrutineers Programme to improve services, share your views, and help keep children in Birmingham safe. Learn new skills and create change! Read more
Unpaid carers are invited to join a free fortnight of simple gardening and nature activities this summer from Carers UK and Thrive. Green Care for You is a gentle two-week programme designed to help unpaid carers, looking after a family member or friend who is older, disabled or has a long-term health condition, enjoy the benefits of gardening and nature in a way that fits around their caring role. Read more
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Help for Birmingham households experiencing financial hardship is being developed as part of Birmingham’s Household Support Fund programme. Read more
Birmingham Hospice’s Reloved Brum charity superstore in Harborne is proudly supporting the national Mend It May campaign in partnership with Birmingham City University (BCU). Mend it May, an initiative from Sustainable Fashion Week, encourages people to repair and reimagine their clothing, helping to reduce waste and challenge the culture of fast fashion. Read more
ChangeKitchen CIC has been announced as WINNERS of the Sustainability & CSR award in the brand new for 2026, national Good Food SME Awards. Read more
The British Red Cross designed these free, educational workshops to help you learn vital life skills and build resilience. We cover a range of wellbeing and humanitarian topics and our training workshops can range from creative problem-solving to practical first aid training. Read more
Marie Curie and University College London are looking for people to take part in a new research project exploring the end of life care experiences of first-generation migrants in the UK. Read more
The UK's copper landline network is being retired and moving to digital landlines, providing a safer, more reliable service ahead of the industry‑wide switchover in January 2027. In the final year of the nationwide upgrade, BT is reminding customers that support is available and that failing to respond to messages may result in disruption to their phone or broadband services as the switchover deadline approaches. Read more
Individuals, communities and businesses across the West Midlands are being urged to help transform the lives of the region’s young people in an epic 20,000km fitness challenge. Birmingham-based charity Sport 4 Life UK’s Rise Up 2026: Turn Movement into Milestones fundraising initiative marks a significant moment for the organisation as it celebrates 20 years of changing young people's lives. Read more
Discover free online support events for mums with MotherLink, an online community where mums support each other through the hard stuff - loneliness, burnout, money stress, and everything in between. No Judgement. Just real support. Read more
Sandwell Advocacy’s Sandwell Together is a telephone befriending service supporting local people facing loneliness and isolation through meaningful connection. We are looking for people 18years old or over, with kindness, empathy and good listening skills who would like to make a real difference to the lives of others, for a commitment of six months. Read more
Digital Cafés are part of our mission to make digital life easier and help people across Birmingham feel more confident online. They bring together community partners and volunteers to offer one-to-one support with everyday technology, such as smartphones, tablets, email, video calls, and online services, all in familiar local spaces. Read more
Following the launch of the Inclusion Health Living Library initiative, we are looking to identify individuals who may be interested in joining Birmingham’s first Inclusion Health Living Library. The Living Library model is designed to bring together system leaders, practitioners and voluntary sector partners with people who have direct lived experience of exclusion and inequality. Read more
The Government is planning reforms to Access to Work. RNIB want to make sure some of the most expensive aspects of the scheme – including support workers – are protected, whatever the outcome of these reforms. If you are blind or partially sighted and use Access to Work, please complete our short survey. Read more
The Birmingham Safeguarding Children Partnership (BSCP) oversees how organisations work together to safeguard and promote the wellbeing of children and young people in Birmingham. We would love to hear your thoughts on our website (www.lscpbirmingham.org.uk) so we can improve it for you and other users. Read more
The University of Birmingham is seeking individuals involved in providing social care to those aged 65 or over to participate in important research regarding hospital discharge. Read more
Learn about the WalkSafe personal safety app, delivered in partnership with WalkSafe and aligned with National Stalking Awareness Month. WalkSafe (and its enhanced version WalkSafe+) is recognised as one of the UK’s leading personal safety apps. It provides users with real‑time tools to help them plan safer journeys and stay connected with trusted contacts. Read more
Local Balsall Heath business, ChangeKitchen CIC, has been shortlisted for Britain’s ‘Mission Possible' Award for best social enterprise at this year’s Small Awards. Read more
We’re excited to share that Rainbow Day Nursery is offering extra support for local families. If your child is eligible for 15 hours of funded childcare, we’ll match it with an additional 15 hours completely FREE! Read more