Free Adult Learning Opportunities with Fircroft College

At Fircroft College, we continue to offer a wide variety of courses designed to help adults build confidence, develop new skills, progress into employment, or take the next step in their education. Many of our courses are fully funded for eligible adult learners aged 19+ who earn under £36,126 per year. We also provide free meals on our non-residential courses, while many of our residential programmes include accommodation and meals, allowing learners to focus on their studies in a welcoming and supportive environment.

Our curriculum includes:

Access to Higher Education (Health and Social Care)
Access to Higher Education (Social Science and Humanities)
English, Maths and Digital Skills
Health and Wellbeing
Employability and Personal Development
Teaching and Education
Community Learning, including ESOL and New Communities
Green Skills

Digital course brochure for September 2026- December 2026

New One-Day Courses – End of July

We are delighted to introduce a series of one-day courses taking place at the end of July. These are a fantastic opportunity for anyone who would like to experience learning at Fircroft College without committing to a longer programme. Each course includes a freshly prepared lunch, giving learners the chance to enjoy our welcoming campus, meet tutors and experience the supportive atmosphere that makes Fircroft unique.

July course listing

Visit Fircroft College

I also host Open Days on three Tuesdays each month, with sessions available at 10:00am and 1:00pm. These visits are a great opportunity to explore the college, tour our beautiful campus and residential facilities, and learn more about the courses and support available.

Each Open Day includes:

A welcome introduction to Fircroft College
A guided campus tour
A visit to our residential accommodation, communal spaces and gardens

The sessions last approximately one hour, and attendees are welcome to complete an application on the day or apply online afterwards.

www.fircroft.ac.uk

Latest

RNIB survey for people with one or more eye conditions

In new research which RNIB are conducting around the rising cost of living, we are running a survey to gain the feedback of blind and partially sighted people to inform this work and allow us to speak to decision makers. The survey covers important topics such as heating and energy, food and essentials and the additional costs of having sight loss. The survey should take around 20 minutes to complete, though you can take as long as you need, and answers are optional.
Veolia's Sustainability Fund is open!

Veolia's Sustainability Fund is open! The Fund supports projects that positively impact local areas and deliver long-term social and environmental benefits. The Fund aims to empower communities to take positive action in their local area. The Fund provides cash grants up to £1,000 per project.
Emma Hodges announced as permanent Chief Executive at Lisieux Trust

Midlands-based learning disability charity, Lisieux Trust, is delighted to announce that Dr Emma Hodges has been appointed as permanent Chief Executive. Emma joins at a busy time, with the Trust set to begin its 40th anniversary celebrations in the autumn alongside an ongoing programme of expansion and modernisation.
Supporting Vulnerable Households in the Rented Sector Funded Webinar

Designed for frontline workers and energy advisers who support vulnerable households, particularly in the private rented sector. The webinar is especially relevant for those providing practical advice and support to tenants experiencing issues such as cold homes, high energy bills, damp, mould, and housing insecurity.

Veolia's Sustainability Fund is open!

Veolia's Sustainability Fund is open! The Fund supports projects that positively impact local areas and deliver long-term social and environmental benefits. The Fund aims to empower communities to take positive action in their local area. The Fund provides cash grants up to £1,000 per project.
Emma Hodges announced as permanent Chief Executive at Lisieux Trust

Midlands-based learning disability charity, Lisieux Trust, is delighted to announce that Dr Emma Hodges has been appointed as permanent Chief Executive. Emma joins at a busy time, with the Trust set to begin its 40th anniversary celebrations in the autumn alongside an ongoing programme of expansion and modernisation.
Supporting Vulnerable Households in the Rented Sector Funded Webinar

Designed for frontline workers and energy advisers who support vulnerable households, particularly in the private rented sector. The webinar is especially relevant for those providing practical advice and support to tenants experiencing issues such as cold homes, high energy bills, damp, mould, and housing insecurity.
Launch of the West Midlands Nature Investment Hub

We’re delighted to announce that the West Midlands Nature Investment Hub was officially launched by Mayor Richard Parker and Minister for Nature Mary Creagh MP on Thursday 2nd July. The Hub connects businesses looking to invest in nature with trusted local organisations delivering projects that create benefits for wildlife, climate resilience and local communities.
Youth Climate Action Fund

Applications are now open for the Youth Climate Action Fund! Young people (15-24), through an established organisation, can now bid for funding between £1,000-£2,500 for a project to deliver climate and environment action. The projects designed by young people should focus on one or more of the following themes: air quality, circular economy, climate adaptation and nature. We welcome bids from any organisation across the West Midlands Combined Authority area including Birmingham.
Environmental Leadership Programme

The Wildlife Trusts and Shropshire Wildlife Trusts are looking for participants on their Environmental Leadership Programme! Are you aged 18-25, West Midlands based and passionate about environmental change? Join us on our FREE programme! Across 9 months, you’ll take part in both online and in-person events, equipping you with the skills and knowledge you need to spark positive change in your local area and beyond.
One Planet Living® Training – Reduced Rates for VCSOs

ecobirmingham is offering practical training sessions for voluntary, community and social organisations (VCSOs) across Birmingham, supporting teams to embed the One Planet Living® framework into their work – all at a reduced rate. We are proud to have recently been recognised by Bioregional as a One Planet Living® Leader, highlighting our work in delivering the framework at a community level and supporting residents across Birmingham to take meaningful, practical action.
BrumEnergy Centres for Warmth: Reflecting on Two Years of Impact and Looking Ahead

Over the past two years, BrumEnergy’s Centres for Warmth has provided vital, community-based support to residents in Sutton Coldfield, helping people stay warm, safe and financially resilient during a challenging time. Funded by Cadent and NAVCA and delivered through trusted local partners, BVSC, Age Connects West Midlands and ecobirmingham, the programme has been part of a wider national initiative supporting people in vulnerable situations.
Celebrating two years raising funds for local causes with Birmingham Community Lottery

Birmingham Community Lottery has raised over £33,000 for registered good causes since its launch in 2024! To mark the two years since BVSC started running the lottery, we are sharing some success stories to showcase how Voluntary, Community, Faith and Social Enterprose (VCFSE) organisations are making the most of this free, online fundraising tool.
Free webinar: Using AI to automate admin and unlock capacity

Could AI help your organisation save time, reduce admin, and free up capacity for what matters most? Business in the Community has partnered with leading traffic management company Yunex Traffic to offer a free online AI training webinar for charities, community groups, voluntary organisations and not-for-profits. Whether you're new to AI or already exploring tools like ChatGPT and Claude, this practical session will show you how AI can support everyday tasks, helping your team to deliver.

Crisis and Resilience Fund

Help for Birmingham households experiencing financial hardship is being developed as part of Birmingham’s Crisis and Resilience Fund (previously known as Household Support Fund/ Hardship Grant Community Fund) programme.
Become a volunteer

Volunteering involves spending time, unpaid, doing something that is of benefit to others or the environment. Find out how you can get involved in volunteering in Birmingham.
The Weather Model

This model uses the weather as a metaphor for different elements of reflective practice.
What we do

BVSC aims 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.
Join BVSC

There are several ways that you can engage with BVSC to stay informed, grow your organisation and connect with others.
Neighbourhood Network Schemes in Birmingham

The aim of Neighbourhood Network Schemes (known as NNS) in Birmingham is to help older adults in Birmingham to lead healthy, happy and independent lives in their own homes and communities.
Funding

Find out how BVSC can help you with fundraising
Compliments, Comments and Complaints Process

At BVSC we strive to provide our customers with the best service possible. We know that some of the best ideas come from people outside of our organisation and we therefore welcome feedback at every level to help us continuously improve what we do. This means that we want to hear from you when things go well, and when things could have gone better.
Quality Standards
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