Peer Support Workers (PSWs) – people who draw on their own lived experience to support others facing similar challenges – are becoming an increasingly important part of services across the voluntary and community sector. Read more
Learn about exciting jobs in the West Midlands and explore resources for job seekers - with a story from a recent BVSC recruit! Read more
Fuel Poverty Awareness Day (26 November) reminds us that, across Birmingham and the West Midlands, many households are struggling to keep their homes warm and energy bills manageable. With almost one quarter of households in Birmingham living in fuel poverty, the impact is felt not only in people’s bank accounts, but also in their physical and mental health. Erin Glover shares how at BrumEnergy, we see firsthand how cold, damp, or poorly insulated homes shape families’ daily lives. Read more
In the vibrant world of the Voluntary, Community, Faith & Social Enterprise (VCFSE) sector, dedication and passion are always abundant! However, to create lasting change, secure ongoing funding and improve their delivery, organisations must be led by evidence and be able to demonstrate their impact. So how do these organisations effectively prove the value of their work to stakeholders, partners, and funders? This is where expert evaluation comes in. Read more
Action learning is one of the most powerful ways in which managers develop. It is a form of facilitated questioning that encourages critical thinking and problem solving in a group environment. Read more
BVSC Research, the University of Birmingham, and the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) are launching WM-Adapt: a groundbreaking project tackling climate change challenges in the West Midlands. Read more
Last week was a super busy, but amazingly fun, time for the team at Norton Hall Children & Family Centre. THURSDAY we litter picked as part of the Keep Britain Tidy spring clean. FRIDAY we had two parties for Eid2025! One for our youngest children who come to our Sunflower Nursery, followed by an afternoon community garden party for, well, everyone! SATURDAY we had the absolute pleasure of opening the garden gate on our new WASH project based at Ward End Park House. Read more
As I sit down to reflect on The Power of Us conference, I’m filled with gratitude and admiration—for the people, the energy, the shared vision, and the powerful conversations that unfolded throughout the day. Held at Birmingham City Football Club on 9 April 2025, the venue was absolutely buzzing from start to finish. The event was so well attended that even the coffee queue was alive with discussion and idea-sharing. Read more
Birmingham is facing challenging times. Following Birmingham City Council’s Section 114 notice in 2023 and budget cuts from March 2024, public services, voluntary organisations, and community support have changed dramatically. As the city grapples with financial constraints, BVSC Research—funded by Fusion 21 and supported by the Council—has investigated what these cuts mean for the voluntary, community, faith, and social enterprise (VCFSE) sector and the vulnerable communities that rely on it. Read more
As we approach 8th March, International Women’s Day, Birgit Kehrer of Change Kitchen CIC reflects on the role of women across both society and entrepreneurship. Read more
80,000 students study in Birmingham across 8 universities. Many of them look to volunteer during their time here to get to know the city, meet people and gain skills and experience. This Student Volunteers Week, Sam from Birmingham City University (BCU) gives some advice on how you can engage students in volunteering. Read more
Norton Hall Children & Family Centre is creating a greener future in East Birmingham through a new funding award that will create green jobs, encourage green stewardship, and stimulate local residents to connect with nature to improve wellbeing and tackle climate-change. Thanks to National Lottery players, Birmingham-based Norton Hall Children and Family Centre has received almost £600,000 over five years from The National Lottery Community Fund, the largest community funder in the UK. Read more