Birmingham Voluntary Service Council (BVSC) is the primary voluntary sector support organisation in England’s second city, providing support to volunteers, voluntary groups and civil society in the largest single local authority area in Europe.
BVSC supports voluntary action by local people, including voluntary and community organisations and social enterprises. We work in partnership with the voluntary, public, private, academic and faith sectors in the city, providing collaborative voluntary sector leadership, strong and accountable communications and networking structures, high quality business development support, local volunteering brokerage facilities, and a range of direct services to Birmingham’s residents. We support, inform and network local voluntary organisations and community groups through our Third Sector Assembly, and a significant element of our work is in representing and advocating for the views and needs of people involved in local voluntary action.
BVSC is unique in carrying out this combination of functions across the city. We are rooted in the local voluntary sector but well connected across all sectors within and beyond Birmingham and are widely known and trusted. The quality of our work and organisational management is recognised through a range of awards and accreditations including the Quality Award from the National Association of Voluntary and Community Action, Investors In People (Gold Standard), Investing In Volunteers, the Volunteer Centre Quality Accreditation, the Governance Assessment Process (GAP) Award, and PQASSO.
We are and have been the lead body for a range of recent and current voluntary sector-led service delivery partnerships in Birmingham, including Talent Match, Birmingham Changing Futures Together (Multiple & Complex Needs), Ageing Better, Transforming Local Infrastructure, the Third Sector Assembly, the Voluntary Sector Chief Executives Forum (VSCEF),and the Community Crime Reduction Partnership.
We also host projects and act as an accountable body to sub-contract work to local groups.
Our practical services include: training events; one-to-one support; voluntary sector representation and consultation; consultancy and coaching services; websites, newsletters, back office support services (including finance, payroll and human resources); project and partnership development and delivery services; support for social and community enterprises and hubs; peer networks; and the provision of facilities for conferences and events.
We own and manage The Centre for Voluntary Action, a fully equipped voluntary sector resource hub and conference and training facility based in Digbeth. This is used by the voluntary sector and its partners as a focus for debate, learning and networking. It provides a showcase for the work of the local voluntary sector and attracts visitors and customers from across the UK and internationally.
