Cost of Living Network Event: Insight, Funding & Collaboration!

  • A BVSC/ NAVCA/ DCMS Cost of Living Network Event took place online on 29 March 2023
  • Following the 1 November BVSC/ Barrow Cadbury Trust event, the network event provided further insight and information on the cost of living crisis within the City
  • ‘Collaboration’, ‘Information & Communication’ and ‘Funding’ were ranked by network attendees as being the highest priorities to tackle in terms of dealing with the crisis
  • The Cost of Living Toolkit has been updated with even more resources to help your organisation and Birmingham citizens

A BVSC Cost of Living Network Event for Birmingham’s Voluntary, Community, Faith and Social Enterprise sector took place online on 29 March 2023. The network event, funded by NAVCA and DCMS, provided further insight and information on the cost of living crisis within Birmingham City.

The 1 November BVSC/ Barrow Cadbury Trust event report had made several recommendations around: Collaboration; Information & Communication; Funding; Strategy; Workforce & Volunteering (including Real Living Wage); Crime & Community.

Attendees at the 29 March network event ranked ‘Collaboration’, ‘Information & Communication’ and ‘Funding’ as being the highest priorities to tackle in terms of dealing with the crisis.

Highlights:

The Network event took a step towards addressing these priorities, providing updated information and communication on tackling the Cost of Living crisis within the City. Highlights included:

  • Insight – We heard from Richard Smith, Birmingham City Council on how the Birmingham City Observatory can provide cost of living related data, and from Rosa Spawton-Rice, BVSC on how the Household Support Fund Hardship Grants Community Fund has supported residents, alongside other grants
  • Funding – The National Lottery Community Fund’s Gerald Nembhard spoke about the Fund’s approach to the Cost of Living crisis. A Heart of England Community Foundation update was given. Information on BVSC Engage for Funding and Business Development & Funding webinars was also provided
  • Collaboration – Chantelle Cabera, Birmingham City Council and Louise White, Thrive Together Birmingham, gave an overview of the network of nearly 200 Birmingham Warm Welcome Spaces which you can join and the support and collaboration opportunities this provides, not just for winter but throughout the year. NAVCA, VCSEP and other collaboration opportunities were also highlighted
  • Have Your Say – Views were shared through an interactive session on priorities and tools to help tackle the crisis
  • Networking –Attendees were able to share with each other about what their organisation was doing and planning to do on cost of living issues through breakout rooms

Missed Out?

Don’t worry if you weren’t able to make the network event – the presentations and recording are available on our website at: www.bvsc.org/cost-of-living

If you want to have your say on funding to help you tackle the cost of living crisis or another challenge, the Business Development and Funding weekly webinar on 24 April 1pm – 2pm will give you that opportunity! Sign up here.

Please also keep a look out for any other Future events 

Cost of Living Toolkit:

The Cost of Living Toolkit has been updated just before the event and will be updated following the event and on an ongoing basis.

To access the toolkit visit: www.bvsc.org/cost-of-living

Does your organisation have anything they would like to share to be added to the toolkit? If so, please email: [email protected]

More Information: