After receiving cabinet approval in April 2026, the Crisis and Resilience Fund (formerly the Hardship Grant Community Fund) is being made available to ease the financial burdens faced by vulnerable citizens in Birmingham. BVSC will distribute grants of up to £220 to help households with food costs and energy payments. BVSC are looking for Trusted Partner organisations to become part of a network helping complete online enquiries and applications on behalf of citizens. Read more
Every day, volunteers give their time, energy, skills and compassion to support communities, strengthen organisations and help people feel less alone. Whether it’s supporting local groups, helping at events, mentoring, fundraising, befriending or simply being there when needed, volunteers play a vital role in the life of our city. Read more
Partners across health, local government, criminal justice and the voluntary sector, including BVSC Research, came together on 20th May to launch Birmingham’s first comprehensive Justice Health Needs Assessment (JHNA). The JHNA highlights the significant health inequalities experienced by people in contact with the criminal justice system and calls for a more coordinated, preventative and trauma-informed response across the city. Read more
The West Midlands Multibank is set to benefit from the latest You Buy. We Donate campaign, which has now expanded into sports and activewear for the first time. The initiative aims to help families across the region access the sports clothing and equipment they need ahead of a busy summer of sport. As one of the Multibank network locations, the West Midlands Multibank will receive donated sports and activewear items that will be distributed to local families experiencing financial hardship. Read more
Join BVSC's Birmingham Community Lottery, a no fees, online fundraising solution. Since we launched the lottery in 2024, 174 good causes have raised over £30,000 in funds! Register by 27th June and your supporters will gain access to this month's Super Draw national bolt-on prize – a £1,000 Airbnb Getaway! It's quick and easy - register today! Read more
This quarterly community round-up highlights and celebrates how organisations, businesses and communities are working together to build a fairer, greener and more connected Birmingham. This edition focuses on digital inclusion and highlights partnerships and projects that are looking to ensure everyone has the access, skills, confidence, and devices needed to use digital technologies effectively. Read more
Carers Week is an annual campaign to raise awareness of caring, highlight the challenges unpaid carers face and recognise the contribution they make to families and communities throughout the UK. As we mark Carers Week, discover what's on in Birmingham to celebrate carers. Read more
Are you part of a voluntary or community group delivering services in Aston? Join Fortia Insight's evaluation on youth services in Aston by becoming a Community Navigator. Apply by Sunday 7th June, 5pm for a £1,000 fee plus vouchers for participants. Read more
Over £2.2 million has just been given to community and voluntary led organisations using easyfundraising. All courtesy of retailers giving donations when people shop online. You can be part of the next funding pay out in August by setting up a free easyfundraising page for your organisation. Read more
His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales officially opened James’ Place Birmingham at the start of Mental Health Awareness Week in May. James’ Place are a charity offering free, life-saving treatment to suicidal men at our centres in Liverpool, London, Newcastle and Birmingham. His Royal Highness was able to meet our new team, men that have been helped at our other centres, as well as local supporters and donors that have helped bring James’ Place to Birmingham. Read more
Severn Trent Community Fund: Core Funding will be open for applications from Monday 1st June to Tuesday 30th June 2026 (11:59pm). Eligible not-for-profit organisations can apply for a restricted grant of £5,000–£20,000 to support their core costs for one year. We expect to fund around 25 organisations from across the Severn Trent region in this round. Read more
Discover how football drills, poetry performances and wildflower planting are helping to save one of Britain's most threatened birds — and what this pioneering community approach could mean for urban nature recovery. Read on for the full West Midlands Swift Academy: Evaluation Report, carried out by BVSC Research. Read more
StreetGames, a proud Social Impact partner of UK Sport — is inviting community organisations like yours to be part of something special. As excitement builds for the European Athletics Championships coming to Birmingham, StreetGames is offering a fantastic, funded package to bring dynamic, social running sessions to young people aged 12–18 across Birmingham and the West Midlands. Read more
Although the full picture following last week's local election - in the sense of what the results will mean for Birmingham's residents more broadly, and for the city's Voluntary, Community, Faith and Social Enterprise (VCFSE) sector more specifically - has yet to fully emerge, of one thing we can be certain: Birmingham's political environment has changed significantly. Read on for the full BVSC Statement on Birmingham City Council Election Results. Read more
How tremendous to see the very first Pioneers 100 list announcement come out from Pioneers Post… and Birgit Kehrer, founder and CEO of ChangeKitchen CIC, included. Read more
ChangeKitchen CIC has been shortlisted in the national GOOD FOOD SME AWARDS 2026 in the Sustainability & CSR category 💚🧡 Read more
Digital Unite has created a free Digital Champion Project Toolkit designed to help organisations plan, launch and run a successful digital inclusion programme. It includes practical templates, step‑by‑step guidance, role descriptions, impact tools and everything needed to support people who struggle with digital motivation, confidence and skills. Read more
Supplytrain CIC, a social enterprise that works with employers to create fairer routes into work, are supporting Jobs Guarantee Scheme, a new government-funded initiative in the West Midlands, designed to help young people in Birmingham and Solihull move into work. Through the scheme, employers can offer a 6-month placement with no wage costs, creating a supportive route back into employment for young people who need that opportunity. Read more
On 23rd April 2026, we brought together over 150 people from across Birmingham and beyond for this year’s Power of Us conference. Community members. Voluntary, community, faith & social enterprise (VCSFE) organisations, academics, health and care professionals and system leaders. A diverse group, united by a shared purpose: to explore what it really means to build trust in research – and how we do that, together. Read more
A charity team that has been helping to boost the creativity, health and life-saving skills of primary schoolchildren across the West Midlands joined pupils at a school in Solihull to receive their national awards. His Majesty’s Lord-Lieutenant of the West Midlands Derrick Anderson CBE presented the group with the King’s Award for Voluntary Service, which recognises outstanding work by volunteer groups that benefit their local communities, in a ceremony at Haslucks Green Junior School. Read more
VCFSE organisations are facing one of the most challenging operating environments in years: rising demand, squeezed funding streams, stretched teams, and increasing expectations from commissioners, funders, and communities. 4front Partners help charities, CICs and all social businesses to sharpen their strategy, strengthen governance, and build resilient income pipelines. Read more
Exciting news; Age Concern Birmingham has changed its name to Age Connects West Midlands. This change marks the start of an important new chapter for us. While our name is changing, our purpose, values, and commitment to supporting our communities remain exactly the same. Find out more, including on how you can support us here. Read more
Buggies 4 Brum has been highlighted as a successful approach to business and community partnership working through Match My Project. The project asks for donations of pre-loved or new buggies or prams to give to families in need across Birmingham City. Find out how you can help. Read more
ReCognition Circular has announced the opening of the Birmingham Device Bank, providing refurbished laptops to organisations across Birmingham. Devices are donated by local businesses, professionally wiped, refurbished and tested before being supplied to charities, community groups, schools or support organisations in Birmingham who need access to a computer. Read more