Engage for Business - an introduction

Engage for Business is a BVSC programme encouraging and supporting businesses and Voluntary, Community, Faith & Social Enterprise (VCFSE) sector organisations to engage and work in partnership for the good of both their organisations and communities. 

There are numerous potential opportunities and benefits in business-VCFSE engagement including: 

• Support with being a ‘purpose led’ business 
• Delivering positive, sustainable, economic, social and environmental change – whether that be through Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), Environmental Social Governance (ESG) or wider goals 
• Procurement support - Meeting Social Value and other contractual obligations; building a local supply chain 
• Developing leadership, bolstering workforce recruitment, skills,  motivation, health & wellbeing and retention 
• Gaining market knowledge and insight  
• Improving local and public relationships and building trust  
• Meeting Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) Outcomes– help with understanding, reaching and engaging with traditionally marginalised/ socially excluded/‘hard to reach’ employees, customers and groups 
• Enabling local action – even where the business is global 
• Transforming communities, meeting need and changing lives! 
  
  

About BVSC and Birmingham’s VCFSE Sector 

BVSC (Birmingham Voluntary Service Council) is passionate about making a positive difference to Birmingham’s people and places. We believe that the key to this is found in our 5000 + Voluntary, Community, Faith and Social Enterprise (VCSFE) organisations creating change in the City. BVSC supports these organisations.  

BVSC is a registered charity (No. 218795) and company (limited by guarantee) (421688) and Birmingham’s CVS (Council for Voluntary Service) as well as an membership organisation for VCFSE sector organisations. 

BVSC is affiliated to NCVO (the National Council for Voluntary Organisations) and NAVCA (National Association for Voluntary and Community Action), though as with all CVS’ across the country, we are an independent charity. 

BVSC are also a member of the Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce supporting our links with the local business community. 

VCFSE organisations range from large multi-national organisations to small community groups including:  

• Charities
• Community Interest Companies (CIC)
• Community and Housing Associations
• Faith groups
• Co-operatives 
• Social Enterprises  

 BVSC offers wide-ranging support to VCSFE organisations including on: 

• Setting Up & Growing  
• Finance & Funding  
• Employment & Volunteering  
• Policy, Strategy & Research
• Marketing & Communications 

 We are change makers - continually evolving to respond to sector asks and the City’s needs and ambitions.  

Throughout all our work to Engage for Good– enabling the sector to voice and tackle challenges, work in cross-sector partnerships and take action for our communities.