Newsletter
Voluntary and community organisations play a vital role in meeting the needs of local communities in new and innovative ways. We support their activities by building networks, strengthening infrastructure and help them to overcome challenges.
Community Facilitators
We aim to alleviate tensions and contribute to improved community relations by working with small frontline voluntary sector organisations. There are currently fourteen local Community Facilitators working in the inner city areas of the north west and east Birmingham.
The Community Facilitators work to bring together local people to foster dialogue about local grievances and misunderstandings which threaten good community relations. They prevent the growth of community resentment, encourage positive solutions , create space for the discussion of differences, and help local communities to tackle and resolve conflicts.
Community Organisers
The national Community Organisers Programme is a government funded project which aims to train 5,000 ‘Community Organisers’- individuals who will work in local communities around the country to bring people together, listen to ideas, build networks and support people to tackle the local issues which are important to them. Birmingham Settlement was selected by Locality, the organisation chosen by the government to deliver the scheme because of their established networks and existing structures within the local community. We currently have three Community Organisers working in the areas of Aston, Handsworth and Shard End.
Digital Inclusion
Birmingham Settlement is one of a number of UK Online Centres that helps to recuit individuals to be digital champions, training others to get online. Activities offered include digital taster sessions introducing people to the internet and partnership sessions to encourage other organisations to become digital partners. We also promote the benefits of social networking to the professional and social lives of individuals.
Development Agency
We are currently working with numerous small voluntary organisations, predominantly in the northwest area of Birmingham. In particular, the areas of Handsworth Wood, Ladywood, Lozells, East Handsworth, Perry Barr and Soho. The Development Agency is based at the Centre for the Aston Family and can provide support with:
Capacity Building
- Training for staff, volunteers and management committee members
- Support in achieving quality assurance marks such as Matrix and PQASSO
- Assistance with best practice procedures
- Support with initiating advice and information services
Fundraising and Sustainability
- Access to Funderfinder software
- Assistance and training with funding applications, building skills and confidence
- Informing groups about funding opportunities
Information Sharing
- Dissemination of relevant issues between organisations
- Processing large volumes of information
Communication Networks
- Integration with other development agencies, service deliverers, local development workers, and public sector agencies both regionally and nationally.
To find out more about the Development Agency, please call 0121 250 0777 or email info@bsettlement.org.uk.