Blog by: Sophie Wilson, Director of Research 

We all know that Birmingham is facing some very challenging times. With the announcement of Birmingham City Council’s Section 114 notice in 2023, and the subsequent budget cuts implemented from March 2024, the landscape of public services, voluntary organisations, and community support has shifted dramatically. As the city grapples with these financial constraints, BVSC Research, funded by Fusion 21 and supported by Birmingham City Council, has undertaken an in-depth investigation into what these cuts mean for the voluntary, community, faith, and social enterprise (VCFSE) sector—and for the vulnerable communities that rely on it.

How We Conducted the Research

Our research has been rooted in real-world experiences, drawing on in-depth interviews with leaders and practitioners from across the VCFSE and public sectors, directly impacted by the crisis. Through extensive conversations, we have been able to gain a deeper understanding of the challenges ahead, the resilience of the sector, and the innovative responses already emerging.

These interviews provided rich, qualitative insights into the pressures that organisations are facing. We spoke to public sector partners, grassroots community groups struggling to maintain their services, medium-sized charities reconsidering their operational models, and large-scale providers navigating the complexities of reduced funding while meeting growing demand. This research sheds light on the human impact behind the figures and reveals the urgent need for coordinated action.

The Reality of the Cuts

The financial crisis facing Birmingham will require a fundamental shift in how services are delivered. The VCFSE sector is expected to take on an even greater role in supporting residents, despite facing reduced funding, increased demand, and an uncertain future.
Key findings from the research include:

• Service Reductions: Many organisations – in both the voluntary and sector and across the public sector - reported that they are being forced to cut back on vital services, with some voluntary sector organisations anticipating closure within the next 12 months due to financial strain.
• Disproportionate Impact: Vulnerable groups—including those living in poverty, asylum seekers, disabled residents, and LGBTQ+ communities—are likely to be hardest hit. Several interviewees expressed deep concern about their ability to continue supporting these groups without sustained funding.
• Mental Health Crisis: Many organisations working in mental health services highlighted that demand has surged, but capacity is shrinking. Practitioners spoke about increasing waiting lists, higher incidences of crisis interventions, and the emotional toll on both service users and staff.
• Sector Survival: Competition for dwindling resources is a growing concern, with many interviewees expressing a need for greater collaboration rather than fragmentation. The challenge now is to shift from a survival mindset to one of collective resilience and strategic planning.

The New City Strategy: Vision, Mission, and Promises

Birmingham City Council has recently launched a new City Strategy, setting a long-term vision for a resilient, inclusive, and forward-thinking city. This strategy lays out the council’s mission to rebuild trust, ensure financial sustainability, and create a collaborative framework where all sectors work together to meet the needs of Birmingham’s residents. It also introduces a set of promises—commitments to transparency, partnership, and accountability.

On 15th May 2025, BVSC Research will be hosting an event to discuss the findings of our research in the context of the new city vision. We are bringing together voices from across the city, and explore what needs to happen next. This is not just another meeting—it’s a call to action for anyone invested in the future of Birmingham. 

This will be a chance for voluntary organisations, public sector partners, and private sector stakeholders to engage in a meaningful dialogue with our city’s leaders about how we can turn the city vision, mission and promises into practical, collaborative action. We hope that this event will be just the start of a conversation, ensuring that the strategy is not just a policy document but a living framework that guides Birmingham’s future.

Why You Should Attend

This is an opportunity for all sectors to come together and:

• Hear more about the findings of our research, in the context of the new City Vision 
• Engage in dialogue with some of our city leaders, including Councillor John Cotton, Birmingham City Council Deputy CEO Rishi Shori, BVSC CEO Brian Carr and Jagwant Johal from Birmingham Race Impact Group.
• Work together to explore how ready we are, as a city, to respond to the vision and explore the practical steps that might be needed in order to fulfil the promises set out in the strategy. 

Birmingham’s future depends on its ability to come together in times of crisis. This event will provide a platform for leaders, changemakers, and community advocates to chart a new course forward.

Join the Conversation

We invite you to be part of this critical conversation. Whether you are a frontline service provider, a business leader, a policymaker, or a concerned resident, your insight and engagement will help shape how Birmingham navigates this difficult period.

Event Details:

📅 Date: 15th May 2024
📍 Location: The Signing Tree
🎟 Register your interest now to ensure you have a seat at the table.

Book a place