Sophie Wilson, Director of Research at BVSC has written a Blog highlighting her Phd experiences so far. Read more
The next generation of Good Things Foundation’s Learn My Way is here! Learn My Way is a free platform for digital learning, providing digital skills and increased digital confidence to those supported by the National Digital Inclusion Network. It allows users to tailor their own learning programme, offers a choice of bite-sized topics on digital skills and is accessible across multiple devices. Read more
The cross-sector nature of the Children's Partnership makes a real difference in the lives of Birmingham's young people. Read more
A small team of Volunteers – led by the Active Wellbeing Society – have been transforming the garden at a Birmingham GP’s surgery – so much so it’s being entered into Acock’s Green in Bloom! The garden has gone from overgrown and neglected, to cultivated, with raised vegetable beds, planters, a lot less weeds, and an impressive arch paid for with funds kindly donated by Asda. Read more
This subject of “hard or difficult conversations” is one of the topics that dominates my coaching conversations with leaders of local charities. Managers are called upon to mediate between staff and/or deal with staff and volunteer attitudes, behaviour or performance. For some it is a daunting prospect that needs both emotional intelligence and resilience as well as the application of good organisational policies. Read more
Birmingham City Council, Birmingham Children’s Trust and Birmingham and Solihull Integrated Care Board have awarded Forward Carers CIC with a five-year contract to manage the Birmingham Carers Hub provision. Read more
Birmingham City Community Groups and Schools were among those who won and were highly commended at the West Midlands Natural Environment Awards on Tuesday. Kings Rise Academy Knowledge and Education in Nature (KRAKEN), Kingstanding won in the Education category whilst Handsworth Association of Schools Green Mentor programme were “Highly Commended” in the Community category. BVSC judge at the awards congratulates all who won and took part! Read more
West Midlands leading sport-for-employment charity Sport 4 Life UK has appointed business guru Mike Gahir as Chair of its Board of Trustees. Mike is a financial and business development professional with considerable experience in leading organisations as an executive and non-executive director. Following a number of director roles at major banks over the past three decades, in 2020 Mike was recruited Managing Director of Lakes Bathrooms Limited. Read more
From Vienna to Stirchley was an event that took place on 13 March at the Priory Rooms Conference Centre. Attendees heard how the West Midlands Urban Community Homes (WMUCH) is celebrating its progress made towards 5% of West Midlands homes built to be community led by 2031. They also heard from from visiting speakers from Austria about a programme which has enabled 40 Collaborative housing (similar to community led housing) projects to progress across the city of Vienna. Read more
Sampad’s Annual Dance Show, Asian Spring is back for 2023. Sampad’s community dance showcase will be entering its 25th year in 2023, welcoming over eighty amateur dancers to the Birmingham Town Hall stage. Taking place on the 26th February, Asian Spring is produced by Sampad South Asian Arts and Heritage, who have been connecting people and communities to South Asian and British Asian arts and Heritage for over 30 years. Read more
Fresher look and features boost the user experience. Witton Lodge Community Association has launched a brand-new website to enable those looking for employment, health and housing support easier access to its range of support services. Birmingham based digital marketing experts Citizen Click have completed a full redesign of the site so users can now access information more easily. Read more
Stephanie Danquah, Network Manager West Midlands for The Girls' Network recently attended BVSC's Sharing the Cake sessions. She tells trainer Steph Vidal-Hall how the 'wholesome' conversations, networking (and sharing cake) were truly inspiring, filling her with confidence to be more effective in her new community role. Read more