BVSC Research and Birmingham City University are pleased to present our recently published report, Community based responses to Covid-19 in Birmingham: Insights and experiences. Read more
BVSC Research, in conjunction with the Institute for Community Research and Development at Wolverhampton University, and Revolving Doors Agency, have written a report about vaccine uptake amongst people experiencing multiple disadvantage in Birmingham. Read more
A community based research on the thoughts, feelings and impact of COVID-19 and the lockdown on Black african diaspora communities in Sandwell, West Birmingham and the wider West Midlands. Read more
The charity sector has a problem with racial and ethnic diversity. Black, Asian and Minoritised Ethnic (BAME) people are under-represented in the sector and those who are in charities can be subject to racism and antagonism not faced by white colleagues. Read more
As a result of COVID-19, civil society infrastructure - the structures and systems for supporting civil society – appears to have become fashionable again after years of neglect. Read more
This is the second report by the New Policy Institute about the state of ‘economic justice’ in Birmingham and the four local authority areas of Dudley, Sandwell, Walsall and Wolverhampton that make up the Black Country. It sets out how different groups are experiencing economic wealth and opportunity, and the ongoing systemic and structural barriers faced by many in achieving financial resilience. Read more
BVSC Research was commissioned by Birmingham City Council to conduct an impact assessment of the Birmingham Neighbourhood Network Scheme (BNNS) to underpin a business case for continued investment in the BNNS. Read more
BVSC have produced a series of organisational reflections from senior leaders in Birmingham that highlight and commemorate the vital part the Voluntary, Community, Faith and Social Enterprise (VCFSE) sector in Birmingham has played in the pandemic and how it has impacted their organisation, staff, volunteers and the communities and individuals they serve. Read more
This report brings together the learning and insight gained from a review of the civil society and social economy response across the West Midlands Combined Authority area. Read more
New Research study will assess the impact Covid-19 is having on the Voluntary, Community and Social Enterprise (VCSE) Sector. The investigation will run for 15 months and results publicly updated monthly. By responding to the survey, you will be able to view what is happening with your organisation and others within the sector. Read more
Manchester Community Central (Macc) is Manchester’s equivalent to BVSC. They have recently published a fascinating report, entitled No Going Back, in which Chief Executives from 22 VCS organisations reflect on their experiences of Covid-19. Read more
National and regional evidence shows that COVID-19 has widened existing health inequalities, both through the direct impacts of the virus, and the indirect impacts of the control measures imposed. While underlying health conditions have increased the risk of serious consequences from infection, the economic and social response to COVID-19 has exacerbated inequalities in physical and mental health and the wider determinants of health: the conditions in which we are born, grow, live, work and age. Read more
Two State of the Sector reports have been published so far. The 2017 report, commissioned by GMCVO and 10GM, provides a snapshot of the VCSE sector across the city region and illustrates what has changed since the first report in 2013. Data collection for the 2020 update is about to begin. Read more
The Ambition for Ageing Equalities Board team reviewed the programme from an equalities perspective in 2019 and produced a briefing and a workbook looking at a new spatial model of working with marginalised communities. The model considers the size and geographical distribution of different communities as a way of engaging them in group activities. While this model was developed before COVID-19, targeting and inclusion approaches can also be considered when developing distanced services. Read more
A small pot of money can generate change within neighbourhoods. With the right environment and support to provide guidance, mediation, and oversight, these changes can have a significant impact. GMCVO-led project Ambition for Ageing reflected on the experience of 5 years of delivering microfunding to publish a suite of documents looking at the conditions needed to get microfunding right. Read more
Up to half of unemployed young people in Greater Manchester are missing out on valuable support in finding work due to being ‘hidden’. This report published by Greater Manchester Talent Match, a GMCVO-led partnership programme, explores the unique issues encountered by young people who are not in employment, education or training (NEET) and not in receipt of benefits to help service providers understand why they are not engaging with welfare support services. Read more
GMCVO-led project Ambition for Ageing worked with Sophie Yarker, a research fellow based in the Manchester Institute for Collaborative Research on Ageing at the University of Manchester to explore the role of social infrastructure in communities. The report argues that to reduce social isolation we need a diversity of social infrastructure to ensure chance social encounters with a variety of people. Read more
Ambition for Ageing, a programme led by GMCVO, consulted with over 3,000 older people to find out what makes an age-friendly neighbourhood in Greater Manchester. The findings have been released as a report and two briefings. Read more
A PhD study in partnership between GMCVO researcher Susanne Martikke, GMCVO and the University of Manchester is looking at the role of community hubs in facilitating social relationships in deprived urban neighbourhoods. Data from in -depth fieldwork in two contrasting GM locations illuminates the importance of some VCSE organisations as spaces where citizens as activists, volunteers and involved users are addressing individual and collective challenges and building trust within communities. The Read more
A research study about co-production with service users in the Greater Manchester VCSE sector sought to address a gap in best practice examples of how co-production can be incorporated into day-to-day VCSE operations. It gave those involved in co-production an opportunity to reflect on their experience in order to capture learning. Read more
In partnership with three universities, GMCVO worked with an Action Research Collective made up of individuals with experience of advocacy, campaigning and governance to test ten approaches to enabling people and communities to participate in decision-making that affects them. A final report draws on learning from the projects and process, and sets out principles and options for the meaningful co-production of ‘governance’. Read more
In the UK there are an estimated 674,000 people who have ‘no recourse to public funds’ (NRPF) because of their irregular migration status, including 106,000 UK born children. This population includes refused asylum seekers, clandestine entrants, and those who have overstayed a visa. There are also an unknown additional number of people with temporary leave to remain in the UK who are subject to the NRPF condition and who are at risk of losing employment as a result of the pandemic. Read more
The Voluntary and Community Sector (VCS) in Sheffield responded swiftly and effectively to the Covid-19 pandemic, with a map of support available online by 20 March, and the start of the hub network in place by the same time. This report sets out what was achieved in the first three months of the pandemic and reflects on the challenges ahead. Read more
The research sought to establish the attitudes, skills and behaviours required of systems leaders and determine whether these are evident in leaders across the BCFT partnership. It also aimed to identify the factors that facilitate or hinder the effectiveness of the systems leadership role. Read more