BVSC know from our work supporting the Voluntary, Community, Faith and Social Enterprise sector that Birmingham has a thriving community of amazing volunteers who give up their time to support others. From formal volunteering to informal ‘social action’ and mutual aid groups, volunteers play a very important role within a diverse range of settings. They support some of our most vulnerable citizens and make a huge contribution to our communities. However, we’re also aware that it’s important to know how best to support and grow this invaluable group.

At the end of 2022, BVSC Research were asked to look at creating a Vision for Volunteering for Birmingham. Birmingham’s Vision for Volunteering draws on the recently developed national Vision for Volunteering developed by the National Council for Voluntary Organisations (NCVO) and their partners. The Birmingham Vision for Volunteering has been co-produced with citizens, voluntary, community, faith and social enterprise (VCFSE) organisations, and public sector and academic partners in Birmingham through a series of events held in Birmingham in late 2022. 

There are three principles that underpin the vision, beneath which vision statements are set out. The vision statements articulate what we would like to see in Birmingham by 2027. The principles are:

• Celebrating Difference
• Collaboration
• Awareness and Appreciation

Click to see the completed Vision and the Statements behind it.