BVSC Research Unit

BVSC Research is a directorate within BVSC core service provision. We offer:

Research & Consultancy

Conducting research to inform and support the voluntary and community sector and its public sector partners in response to identified needs; consultancy support in a range of areas including strategic planning and values-based approaches.

Evaluation

Providing evaluation of service and delivery models that support innovation and development across sectors and ensures that service provision is evidence-based.

Analysis

Providing analysis and briefings to the third sector around policy developments in the City; increasing the sector’s capacity to inform and influence policy.

Learning

Sharing learning with the VCS, providing ‘space to think’ facilitating dialogue and debate; upskilling the sector to respond to complex issues; sharing resources, intelligence and information from partners to ensure these are circulated to as wide an audience as possible.

The work of BVSC Research is led and coordinated by our Director of Research, Sophie Wilson. Sophie has worked in the third sector for over twenty five years and has extensive experience in areas including volunteering, social action, criminal justice, homelessness, mental health and substance misuse.

BVSC Research is keen to work in partnership with others and will enlist the support of external partners, consultants and independent researchers as appropriate. If you are interested in becoming an associate of BVSC Research please contact Sophie directly.

Contact Sophie Wilson, Director of BVSC Research

Email: [email protected]
Tel: 0121 678 8866

Latest

Carer Aware Training

This accessible e-learning is provided by Birmingham City Council -you will learn more about what it's like to be a family/unpaid carer, increase your, knowledge about carers rights and the tremendous contribution that carers make to society and the economy.
Community Development and Social Medias Officer

African French Speaking Community Support, Closing date: Friday 4 December 2020
Workplace Champion Volunteer

To be a vital link between the Carers Trust and your colleagues. Putting up posters/distributing leaflets in the workplace, signposting colleagues to our web site or referring themselves to us.
Local Awareness volunteer

To be a vital link between the Carers Trust and the community. You will be raising awareness of the organisation and the services it offers.

COVID-19 Frequently Asked Questions for Voluntary, Community Faith and Social Enterprises

BVSC has compiled FAQs and guidance to help VCFSE sector organisations to understand what is permissible under the current National Lockdown restrictions which came into force on 5 November.
Call out to stand in solidarity around the real causes of England's housing emergency

Baobab Women’s Project and Shelter Birmingham have come together to develop a statement of solidarity which puts the record straight about the causes of the housing emergency.
Veg advocates sought for the Food Foundation's Peas Please initiative

Peas Please is about making it easier for people to eat more veg both for a healthy body and a healthy planet. By working with farmers, high street food chains, restaurants, supermarkets, governments and people like YOU, all at the same time, we can make sure everyone can eat enough veg.
Webinar: Why tackling inequalities is everyone’s business and everyone’s battle in Birmingham

Join us on for this special webinar on Monday 30 Nov at 4pm, when when BVSC CEO Brian Carr will be joined by Cllr John Cotton and Faeeza Vaid MBE, Executive Director Muslim Women's Network UK, to discuss the report 'Everyone’s Business, Everyone’s Battle: Tackling Inequalities in Birmingham'.
BVSC statement and FAQ guide to Tier 2 Restrictions in Birmingham

BVSC has produced a statement and FAQ document intended to provide some clarity as to what activity is - and is not - permitted under the Tier 2 restrictions for voluntary, community, faith and social enterprise sector organisations in Birmingham.
Launch of 'Request Help as a Local Organisation' service from BVSC and the VCS Emergencies Partnership

When local voluntary organisations need extra support, they should firstly approach their local voluntary sector support organisation However, there may be times when there is not enough local capacity to provide the support required. At this point, organisations in need can make a request for support from the ‘Request help as a local organisation’ service.
Community Organiser

ACORN Birmingham, Closing date: Tuesday 12 January 2021
Micro fund open to grassroots community groups in Birmingham

The Brum Recovery Micro Fund is set up with funding from Birmingham City Council and is aimed at unconstituted and grassroots community groups in the city. Groups can apply for up to £2,000 and the deadline for applications is 8 December 2020.
Local Hospice marks Pancreatic Cancer Month with live virtual play

On 24th November, Birmingham St Mary’s Hospice will be hosting a live, online performance of Homeward Bound – a play based on the true story of Seth and Lesley Goodburn and the 33 short and heart-breaking days from Seth's diagnosis with pancreatic cancer to his death.
Are you involved in providing food on the streets of Brum?

The Food Justice Network is collating the latest information on who is doing what, where and when. Complete their short survey to help build the picture of support in Brum.