According to survey statistics, Birmngham has a higher-than-average number of people who say they feel lonely. Loneliness and isolation can affect anyone, but it’s particularly common among older adults. Across Birmingham, charities and volunteers are working hard to change that, offering befriending services both in person and over the phone. One of those charities is Re-engage, which helps older people build vital social connections as their circles shrink in older age.

BVSC, Closing Date: Wednesday 26th November 2025, by 10am

Join WMCA and BVSC in an inspiring day of workshops and networking that explore how art and science can come together to spark environmental change. Whether you're working with communities, children, or on your own creative projects, this event is packed with ideas and support to help you grow your impact.

In Northfield, the Redeemer Church’s arts and wellbeing programme sparked the Space and Place Project, blending creativity with geography to explore how places shape identity and memory. Over six weeks, participants of all ages shared food, stories, and artistic expression, creating personal artworks inspired by locations ranging from Barcelona to Oddingley Hall. The project fostered confidence, connection, and new friendships, showing the power of creativity to bring people together.

After moving from a close-knit community in Devon to Northfield in 2010, Liz struggled to find the same sense of belonging, especially after the loss of her husband. Lockdown unexpectedly reconnected her with people through online groups, and later volunteering at the Northfield Arts Forum Café helped her build new friendships and rediscover a vibrant sense of community. In turn, this led Liz to a new role within the Northfield Neighbourhood Network Scheme, as volunteer Over 50s champion.

Please join Birmingham City Council and BVSC for an online briefing on Birmingham City Council’s Care Quality Commission (CQC) Self-Assessment. The briefing will provide: key messages from Birmingham City Council's recent CQC self-assessment; an overview of findings; highlight areas of strength; outline next steps for improvement and collaboration. There will also be an opportunity to ask questions of our speakers.

The next Environment & Energy Network meeting takes place on Tuesday 14 October where we will be joined by David Chapman, Green Homes Lead, Solihull MBC who will be delivering Climate Reality Training.

Please join BVSC for a webinar to meet Children, Young People and Families National and Local Leads including from the Department for Education and Birmingham Children's Trust. Discuss developments and priorities across the Birmingham’s Children’s Young People and Families Sector and hear Sector Lead thoughts and views on working in partnership with the Voluntary, Community, Faith and Social Enterprise sector.

Brian Carr, BVSC Chief Executive provides a BVSC statement on Community Cohesion, offering support from BVSC, including convening a conversation on the VCFSE sector's role, and sharing a number of resources which Voluntary, Community Faith and Social Enterprise (VCFSE) sector organisations can draw upon to support the people they serve.

Birmingham City Council has a new Executive Director of Adult Social Care and Health, Stuart Lackenby and a new Director of Public Health, Sally Burns. There will also be an opportunity to hear from Kal Kohli, Assistant Director, Early Intervention & Prevention. Please join BVSC for a webinar introducing them to Birmingham’s Voluntary, Community, Faith and Social Enterprise (VCFSE) sector and hearing their thoughts and views on working in partnership with the sector.

A new report explores the impact of Birmingham’s financial crisis on communities and offers a path forward to rebuild in line with the Birmingham City Vision. It calls on City leaders from all sectors to commit to a shared, values-led transformation rooted in transparency, collaboration, and collective accountability.

BVSC has welcomed the publication of the new Civil Society Covenant, which sets out a “new model of partnership between civil society and government”. The Covenant outlines a series of principles designed to foster understanding of the vital role played by civil society in the UK. The principles are recognition and value; partnership and collaboration; participation and inclusion; and transparency and data.

Birmingham Central Fund is offering you the chance to win big prizes and help raise much needed funds.

On Monday 14 July, join Rob Avann, Orchard Park Consulting, as he provides a masterclass in how to go about reviewing your governance, key issues to spot and actions to take, and why this is so important for funders. Good governance is one of the key pillars funders look for as a pass/fail item for your funding bids. It's not about structures and processes - it's about people, diligence, decision making, caring about those you're there to support and ensuring that you work well together.

The next Environment & Energy Network meeting takes place on Tuesday 15 July, 1pm – 2.30pm and we will be discussing the UK’s progress on reducing emissions and what we can do to support emissions reduction in our communities.

The National Lottery Community Fund team will be joining us on Monday to discuss their newly revamped funding strategy and how your organisation can make a successful application. As one of the most prominent and accessible charitable funders in the UK, this webinar should not be missed!

The BrumEnergy consortium, a partnership of Birmingham-based voluntary and community organisations, has secured a £500,000 contract through National Energy Action (NEA)’s Warm Homes, Healthy Futures programme, extending its work to support residents living in cold, damp, and energy-inefficient homes.

Do you support people with long-term health conditions or disabilities, whether through health or social care, community services, or Voluntary, Community, Faith & Social Enterprise (VCFSE) sector work? Join us for a free online session to find out how the new BrumEnergy Warm Homes, Healthy Futures project can help the people you work with – and how you can become a referral partner.