Updates for VCFSE sector in Birmingham from BVSC



Please see below a number of updates, which you are welcome to share with your networks.

  1. Wednesday 4th June online event - Key updates: VCFSE sector and health and care system

 We are pleased to invite you to the upcoming online meeting where we will share important updates and developments around the health and care system and the VCFSE sector.

  • Relaunch of Birmingham Fairer Futures Fund (FFF) - update on progress against the four sub-funds following recent pause. Please note this is not a new round of funding.
  • National Government changes in health and care system
  • Birmingham and Solihull Community Care Collaborative & Neighbourhood Health Model
  • Update on Birmingham and Solihull VCFSE Leadership Alliance
  • Community Engagement & Outreach Programme

The meeting will take place on Zoom – please register your place following the link below:

https://www.bvsc.org/Event/key-updates-vcfse-sector-and-health-and-care-system

 

  1. Grant Funding Available for Smoking Cessation Activity

 10 x £6,000 grants are available to VCFSE organisations to deliver smoking cessation activity in their communities. This activity will focus on positively engaging with service users who smoke and signposting them to appropriate information, advice and support.

  • To be eligible for the funding, VCFSE organisations need to operate in Birmingham and to have attended an introductory two-hour training session (please see this link for the details about these training sessions and the remaining dates) with BVSC.
  • Successful applicants will be funded to deliver smoking cessation activity in their communities, around positively engaging with service users who smoke and signposting them to appropriate information, advice and support. Organisations funded for this work would be expected to agree to record and monitor referrals to smoking cessation support services, and (with permission of service users) to track outcomes.
  • BVSC will provide a one-day training session for this work, along with ongoing one-to-one support, bi-monthly peer networking sessions, and all necessary information and resources. Further details about the funding, training and reporting can be found in the Expression of Interest document.
  • Applicants should complete an Expression of Interest form (see below) by 5pm on Wednesday 11th June, to be sent to healthandsocialcare@bvsc.org.
  • Download the Expression of Interest form here.

 

  1. Community Health Events Volunteer

As part of the smoking cessation project being led by BVSC, there is also a volunteer opportunity, to be part of a team attending events to share vital information, offer gentle encouragement, and help people take their first steps to quit smoking for good.

The opportunity is live of Volunteer Brum platform, and you are welcome to share through your networks.

 

  1. Birmingham City Council - 5 Ways to Wellbeing Grant

Birmingham City Council’s Mental Health and Wellbeing team is offering grants of £5,000–£10,000 (up to 6 organisations, total fund: £40,000) to deliver projects using the Five Ways to Wellbeing framework. The goal is to support long-term mental health and resilience in one of four priority groups:

·        Neurodiverse individuals

·        Young people not in employment, education or training (NEET)

·        Long-term unemployed

·        Carers and caregivers

Projects will run for up to 12 months starting August 2025, allowing time for setup, delivery, and evaluation. Strong outcomes may lead to future funding opportunities. If impact is well demonstrated in these projects, there may be opportunity for further funding in future financial years.

Regarding eligibility, we accept applications from

·        Not-for-profit organisations including:

o   community groups

o   community interest companies (CICs)

o   Charitable organisations

o   Schools

o   other organisations in the mental health and wellbeing sector

·        Must work or conduct activities in Birmingham

·        Must support one of the four highlighted communities

o   Neurodiverse individuals

o   Young people not in employment, education or training (NEET)

o   Long term unemployed

o   Carers and caregivers

If you are interested in applying for this grant, please read the full grant information document on the BCC website, which includes the application form. Please ensure that all application forms are submitted to the MentalWellbeing@Birmingham.gov.uk email by 5pm on Sunday 29th June.

 

  1. National Youth Sector Census – Deadline 30 June

This Census, led by the National Youth Agency (NYA) in partnership with the Home Office, is part of the Young Futures Programme Prevention Partnerships. It aims to:

  • Map youth service provision across England and Wales
  • Identify gaps and standardise data collection
  • Inform policy, funding, and commissioning decisions
  • Improve support for children and young people

Why it matters:
Every organisation working with young people—whether statutory or non-statutory—should complete the Census. This includes services offering mental health support, addiction services, educational workshops (e.g. knife crime prevention), and more.

How you can help:
Please share this with your networks to encourage participation. The NYA will also use any contact details you can provide to extend outreach.

Key details:

  • Deadline: 30 June
  • Time to complete: ~15 minutes
  • Resources available:
    • The Census page - A step-by-step guide to registering on Youth Work One
    • Downloadable list of Census questions to prepare in advance

What support is there for organisations to complete the Census?