Neighbourhood Networks Schemes (NNS) in Birmingham work to prevent social isolation and loneliness in people aged 50 and over. To learn more, watch this short video showcasing Selly Oak NNS grant-funded projects between 2018 and 2021 – it makes your heart glad!
We have been working with some Neighbourhood Network Schemes in supporting their funded community and voluntary groups/projects. You can select an NNS area below to find out what we’re doing.
Selly Oak Neighbourhood Networks Scheme
Selly Oak NNS has awarded Birmingham Community Matters with funding to support community and voluntary groups in the area* that help them to achieve their aims.
*That’s groups in Billesley, Bournbrook, Selly Park, Bournville, Cotteridge, Brandwood, Kings Heath, Druids Heath, Monyhull, Highters Heath, Kings Norton North, Stirchley, Weoley and Selly Oak.
Forthcoming sessions
Managing community buildings
Tuesday 20 April, 12 noon to 1pm
An informal support session, bringing together people with a responsibility for managing community buildings in the Selly Oak constituency. Will you be delivering things differently as we emerge from lockdown? This will be an ideal space for sharing ideas and plans, or just getting moral support. The session will take place over lunchtime, so feel free to bring your sandwiches!
Sign up for ‘Managing community buildings’ here.
Online sessions and slides
We held a series of Fundraising Q&A online sessions with John Ellery of grant fundraising consultancy Get Grants to support groups in the Selly Oak NNS. Representatives from 18 different groups attended. People were able to ask questions about the current fundraising terrain, particularly in regards to the coronavirus crisis.
You can view the slides from each of the webinars below :
BCM Funding Webinar Selly Oak NNS groups April – 29 April 2020
BCM Funding Webinar Selly Oak NNS groups May – 21 May 2020
BCM Funding Webinar Selly Oak NNS groups June – 25 June 2020
Perry Barr Neighbourhood Networks Scheme
Perry Barr NNS has awarded Birmingham Community Matters with funding to support community and voluntary groups that support people aged over 50 in the area.*
* That includes Birchfield, Handsworth, Handsworth Wood, Kingstanding, Holyhead, Lozells, Perry Barr and Oscott.
We’ll publish dates when we have more sessions lined up.
Contact us for support
If your group operates in the Perry Barr constituency, you are very welcome to contact us to arrange one-to-one support. If you run a community building which has been closed since the coronavirus outbreak, and would like to work through any challenges in re-opening it (for example, relating to risk assessments and physical distancing), we can add you to a small group meeting. Get in touch today.
Hodge Hill Neighbourhood Networks Scheme
Hodge Hill NNS works with voluntary groups in the areas of Alum Rock, Bordesley & Highgate, Bordesley Green, Bromford & Hodge Hill, Glebe Farm & Tile Cross, Heartlands, Shard End, Small Heath, and Ward End.
Forthcoming sessions
Marketing your voluntary group
Wednesday 21 April at 10.30am via Zoom
or
Wednesday 26 May at 10.30am via Zoom
Let’s find ways to tell more people about what your voluntary group does. Marketing your voluntary/community group in the right way can help more people to find you – maybe that’s people you want to help, new partners to work with, or funders willing to support your work. Marketing doesn’t have to cost lots of money and it doesn’t have to be complicated. During this session we’ll share examples of how small volunteer-led groups have used marketing to achieve some of their goals. We’ll explore some free or low-cost ways of getting your message out there.
Sign up here for the marketing session on Wednesday 21 April or Wednesday 26 May.
Monitoring your project
Friday 30 April at 11am via Zoom
Does the thought of having to collect lots of monitoring data put you off applying for small grants? Maybe you’ve already received a small grant but you’re not sure how to collect all the monitoring information that is required by the funder? Join us for this practical session with discussion and tips on easy ways to collect data and to report back on your project. We will explore the difference between outputs and outcomes, as well as different ways of collecting information about the people you help. We’ll also look at keeping information safe and how to present your monitoring data.
You can sign up for ‘Monitoring your project’ here.
Help and support from Birmingham Community Matters (BCM)
If your group operates in anyone of the NNS areas above, you are very welcome to contact us to arrange one-to-one support. We look forward to hearing from you!