We are passionate about making a positive difference to the lives of people in Birmingham and we believe that the key to this is found in our communities.

By supporting a robust voluntary and community sector informed by the lived experience of local people, we enable organisations and individuals working to deliver social change, to identify and build on existing strengths and to enhance these through volunteering and social action.

Our aim is to support a vibrant and resilient sector which in turn ensures that people from across the city feel included and engaged and have access to appropriate support from people who understand the issues and challenges they face.

Our strength comes from working in partnership with the voluntary, community, public and private sectors to develop effective responses to these challenges and to engage citizens in an exciting journey towards a better, stronger future.

Our passionate and dedicated staff team leads on the three key areas of our work, which are:

• Being a helpful membership organisation - Providing infrastructure, training, research, consultancy, volunteering, and practical and strategic support to our members and partners.
  
  
• Being a trusted partner - Developing, leading, and supporting effective people-centred collaborative approaches across the public, private and third sectors.
  
  
• Being a values-driven organisation - Offering constructive advocacy and representation services in order to ensure that the unique and diverse contribution of the voluntary and community sector is recognised, valued, and celebrated.

Our Vision

BVSC’s vision is a Birmingham in which all people enjoy lives of inclusion, safety, wellbeing and fulfilment.

Our Mission

BVSC's mission is to support and advocate for a strong and influential voluntary, community, faith and social enterprise (VCFSE) sector. 

Our Values

All our work is under-pinned by a commitment to our organisational values, which are:

• Commitment - Supporting positive change through passion, innovation and social action.
  
  
• Collaboration - Connecting individuals and organisations to work together to improve people’s lives.
  
  
• Inclusion - Empowering everyone to get involved in creating a fair and equitable Birmingham.
  
  
• Integrity - Building trust through transparently working in the interests of our sector and our citizens.

Becoming an anti-racist organisation

In 2021 RACE Code consultants worked with BSVC to benchmark where we were with regards to race equality and provided us with a comprehensive report that ensures that we continue work on tackling race inequality within our organisation. We made a firm commitment to become a truly anti-racist organisation and completed the RACE Equality Code Assessment. This has given us the opportunity to join a network of other organisations, and attend Focus Group Sessions and Conferences, where best practice, progress, and any challenges can be shared.  

Read our Anti-racist statement

Reports

BVSC Strategic Plan 2024 - 2025 (opens as pdf)

Annual Accounts, Report and Financial Statements, year ended 31 March 2023

Picture: Cost of Living event, October 2022 held at Priory Rooms, Birmingham.