Register for Heritage Open Days 2026

Heritage Open Days is England's largest community led festival of history and culture, involving thousands of local volunteers and organisations. Every year in September it brings people together to celebrate their heritage, community and history. Stories are told, traditions explored, and histories brought to life. It’s your chance to see hidden places and try out new experiences – and it’s all FREE.

Discover the many ways you can be part of the Heritage Open Days community. No prior experience is necessary, and all our support is FREE!

Find out how to register as an individual or an organisation

Key dates:

2 March Event registration opens

April / May Long-lead press release deadline

1 June Event directory launches

13 August Event registration deadline

11-20 September The festival!

4 October Evaluation deadline

November Evaluation report published

Latest

West Midlands Multibank Reaches One Million Milestone to Help Families in Need

One million essential items have been distributed to families in need across the region through the West Midlands Multibank since the project was launched just over a year ago. The milestone was celebrated by BVSC, who oversee the West Midlands Multibank alongside funders Comic Relief and Sport Relief. The West Midlands Multibank receives donations from businesses such as Amazon to distribute to a network of over 200 community partners who then distribute them to families most in need.
CYP Preventative and Early Mental & Emotional Help - External Stakeholders Engagement

Early Help Mental Health Services provide voluntary, preventative support for children, young people, and families facing challenges to prevent future escalations into secondary care mental health services. The way our young people want to access support, and their needs have changed a lot over the last 10 years. We are reviewing our services to ensure we deliver them effectively and to check if our current delivery model meeting patient needs.
Letters, Promises and Belonging: The Children Of Windrush
Birmingham Windrush Service of Commemoration, Thanksgiving and Celebration

The service will include contributions from clergy, community leaders, and the Birmingham Windrush Celebration Legacy Choir.

West Midlands Multibank Reaches One Million Milestone to Help Families in Need

One million essential items have been distributed to families in need across the region through the West Midlands Multibank since the project was launched just over a year ago. The milestone was celebrated by BVSC, who oversee the West Midlands Multibank alongside funders Comic Relief and Sport Relief. The West Midlands Multibank receives donations from businesses such as Amazon to distribute to a network of over 200 community partners who then distribute them to families most in need.
Free Workshop: Flood - Aware, Prepare and Care

New workshop Flood - Aware, Prepare and Care delivered by Selini Mistry from the British Red Cross.
Fundraise with Birmingham Community Lottery!

Join BVSC's Birmingham Community Lottery, a no fees, online fundraising solution. Since we launched the lottery in 2024, 174 good causes have raised over £30,000 in funds! Register by 27th June and your supporters will gain access to this month's Super Draw national bolt-on prize – a £1,000 Airbnb Getaway! It's quick and easy - register today!
Read the latest Community Investment Bulletin!

This quarterly community round-up highlights and celebrates how organisations, businesses and communities are working together to build a fairer, greener and more connected Birmingham. This edition focuses on digital inclusion and highlights partnerships and projects that are looking to ensure everyone has the access, skills, confidence, and devices needed to use digital technologies effectively.
Become a Trusted Partner volunteer for the Crisis and Resilience Fund!

After receiving cabinet approval in April 2026, the Crisis and Resilience Fund (formerly the Hardship Grant Community Fund) is being made available to ease the financial burdens faced by vulnerable citizens in Birmingham. BVSC will distribute grants of up to £220 to help households with food costs and energy payments. BVSC are looking for Trusted Partner organisations to become part of a network helping complete online enquiries and applications on behalf of citizens.
Carers Week 8-14 June

Carers Week is an annual campaign to raise awareness of caring, highlight the challenges unpaid carers face and recognise the contribution they make to families and communities throughout the UK. As we mark Carers Week, discover what's on in Birmingham to celebrate carers.
Improving Access for Black Men (IABM)

We are really pleased to share that our social media pages have now launched, alongside our IABM page on the BSMHFT website and a special radio series with Unity FM! We’ll be using these spaces to share updates, reflections, resources and some exciting posts over the coming weeks as the project continues to grow. Please do follow, share and help us spread the word!
Young Scrutineers Programme – Get Involved!

Do you want to make a difference to the lives of children and young people in Birmingham? Join our Young Scrutineers Programme to improve services, share your views, and help keep children in Birmingham safe. Learn new skills and create change!
Raise funds for your cause with easyfundraising

Over £2.2 million has just been given to community and voluntary led organisations using easyfundraising. All courtesy of retailers giving donations when people shop online. You can be part of the next funding pay out in August by setting up a free easyfundraising page for your organisation.
Green Care for You: a fortnight of simple nature activities for unpaid carers

Unpaid carers are invited to join a free fortnight of simple gardening and nature activities this summer from Carers UK and Thrive. Green Care for You is a gentle two-week programme designed to help unpaid carers, looking after a family member or friend who is older, disabled or has a long-term health condition, enjoy the benefits of gardening and nature in a way that fits around their caring role.

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
Promote your organisation