Blog Posts

Across Birmingham, everyday life is moving online - from keeping in touch with family to managing appointments, bills and services. For many older people and those living with long-term health conditions or disabilities, this shift can feel daunting and, at times, isolating. That’s where Digital Café Volunteers come in. Digital NNS works with Birmingham’s ten Neighbourhood Network Schemes , along with community groups, social prescribers and social workers, to build digital confidence where it’s needed most. The focus is simple but vital: making sure everyone has access to the digital tools, technology and services that many of us now take for granted. Turning this vision into reality are Digital Cafés - friendly, local drop-in sessions to be held in community spaces across the city. Volunteers sit down with residents, often over a cuppa, and help them make sense of their own devices, whether that’s a smartphone, tablet or laptop. No pressure. No jargon. Just patient, one-to-one help in a relaxed setting. Volunteering is flexible and fits around real life. You can give as much or as little time as you’re able, using skills you already have. There’s no formal training required, because if you can use your own phone or laptop, you already know enough. The help people ask for is often simple but hugely important, like freeing up storage, managing emails, unsubscribing from endless newsletters, downloading or deleting apps, or setting up video calls to speak with family and friends. Volunteers are not expected to deal with more specialist issues such as the NHS App or online safety around scams. Those areas are covered by Neighbourhood Network Scheme staff and other trained professionals. Your role is about the everyday frustrations that can stop people using their devices with confidence. As Rickie Josen, Digital NNS Community Lead , puts it: “The beauty of Digital Cafés is that if you can use a smartphone, you have the skills we need. No special training required — just pick a café near you and give an hour when it suits you. You’ll be helping people unlock new opportunities through digital skills, from accessing essential services online to reconnecting with loved ones. “What matters most isn’t technical expertise, but kindness, patience and the ability to listen . We’re looking for people who enjoy helping others, can explain things clearly and treat everyone with respect and good humour. There are no age limits, and people from all walks of life are encouraged to get involved.” If you’d like to make a real difference in your neighbourhood - helping people feel more confident, more connected and less alone in a digital world – Digital NNS would love to hear from you. Join Birmingham’s growing network of Digital Café Volunteers and be part of something genuinely worthwhile. Find out more about this opportunity

On Thursday 4 December, 35 young people aged 14-18 from across Birmingham came together with frontline NHS staff to explore how Birmingham Women’s and Children’s NHS Foundation Trust collects and explains ethnicity data. The group was recruited by career coaches as part of the Volunteering for Health Programme. Building on ideas first explored in an earlier session in August, the focus was on how these conversations can feel safer, clearer and more supportive for patients, families and staff. The young people shared practical, creative ideas for improving how information is communicated, while staff helped ground these suggestions in day-to-day practice so they can genuinely shape future approaches. Ethnicity data is essential for understanding and reducing health inequalities. Without it, we cannot see whether changes in care are reaching the communities that experience the greatest disparities in health outcomes. The young people have helped identify clearer, more human and more meaningful ways to explain this, making sure families understand how sharing this information directly supports better, fairer care. Across the project, the young people developed a range of creative and practical ideas. These included: using text messages via the existing patient portal app to explain why the data is requested and why it matters short videos to be shown in waiting rooms or shared ahead of appointments a poster campaign, and a schools-based programme where students take a resource pack into their schools and run assemblies on health inequalities and data. Some of the students will be road-testing this approach. The third and final session on 16 December focused on developing these ideas further, and we’re particularly excited to be bringing the Trust’s communications team into the final phase. They will help shape the electronic and film-based outputs so they are engaging, accessible and ready for real-world use. We were also delighted to be joined by our Chief Nurse, Daljeet, who visited the group, shared her support, and passed on her compliments, recognising both the importance of this work and the value of young people leading change in how we communicate with families. This project is a powerful example of how youth voice, lived experience and creativity can strengthen how we tackle health inequalities in practice. We are excited for the final session in February, led by the communications team. Find out more about the Volunteering for Health Birmingham and Solihull Programme https://www.bvsc.org/volunteering-for-health

As 2025 draws to a close, Volunteer Brum is marking a major milestone: more than 2,000 individuals have signed up to giving their time through the platform. It’s quite something when you remember that Volunteer Brum only launched in March 2025. In just nine months, the response has exceeded our expectations, demonstrating that people from across Birmingham are clearly keen to get stuck in and lend a hand. More than 175 organisations are now registered on the platform. Large charities, small community groups, food banks, youth groups – a full range. This mix is why Volunteer Brum works so well - it's a single place where anyone can look for something that fits their interests, their schedule, or simply what they feel passionate about. People volunteer for all sorts of reasons. Some want to give something back to their city. Others are looking to build confidence, gain experience for work, or meet new people. Some just enjoy being useful. Whatever the motivation, it all makes a difference. BVSC's CEO Brian Carr commented: “This milestone is a great way to mark the end of one year and the beginning of another. The fact that more than 2,000 individuals have stepped forward in just nine months speaks volumes about the spirit of compassion and mutual support that's alive and flourishing in Birmingham. Volunteer Brum helps to strengthen the city's foundations for long-term community resilience, and we’re excited to support this growing network of volunteers as they continue to enrich lives right across our city.” Two Birmingham organisations that have been successfully connecting with new volunteers via Volunteer Brum are Marie Curie and We Are Listening . Here's what they had to say: "Volunteer Brum has been instrumental in helping Marie Curie connect with passionate individuals - making it easier to reach more people who want to make a difference - enabling us to provide even more care and support to those who need it most." Deborah Harvey, Talent Acquisiton Specialist at Marie Curie "BVSC has been instrumental in helping us expand our reach and promote our volunteering opportunities across the community. Through this support we have successfully welcomed a diverse range of volunteers, each bringing valuable experience and skills to our telephone befriending service.” Charlene Duxbury, Programme Coordinator, We Are Listening "Befriending reminds me that kindness and compassion hold transformative power, and that they are shared mutually within this relationship. The opportunity to connect across geographic and cultural boundaries has profoundly enriched my life. I feel humbled in receiving my client’s wisdom and in learning from the uniqueness of their lived experience." Kristy, We Are Listening Volunteer If you’re giving some thought to what you’d like 2026 to look like, and you want to make space for something genuinely worthwhile, take a look at Volunteer Brum by clicking the link below. And if nothing quite fits straight away, don’t be put off as new opportunities are added all the time - it’s well worth checking back regularly. Search Volunteer Brum

Bethel Health & Healing Network is delighted to share that we have been awarded The King’s Award for Voluntary Service , the MBE for volunteer groups. This honour recognises the incredible dedication of our volunteers who stand alongside families, parents and individuals across Birmingham and the West Midlands every day. At Bethel, volunteers are at the heart of everything we do. Through our Rapha Listening Service, trained volunteer listeners offer calm, confidential support to people experiencing low-level mental health challenges, loneliness or emotional distress. In our Doula Service, volunteer doulas walk with vulnerable pregnant women and new mothers through pregnancy, birth and early parenthood, providing practical help and a reassuring presence when it’s needed most. Last year alone, our volunteers gave hundreds of hours to: provide one-to-one listening sessions by phone, online and face-to-face support vulnerable women through pregnancy and beyond run community activities and men’s health sessions help with events, admin and behind-the-scenes tasks that keep our services running For many of the people we support, that one listening ear, friendly phone call or companion at a hospital appointment is life-changing. One of our volunteer listeners shared, “I came to Bethel wanting to give something back. I never expected that volunteering would also change me, I’ve grown in confidence, skills and compassion.” That spirit of mutual care runs right through our organisation. Receiving The King’s Award for Voluntary Service is a huge encouragement to our whole community – staff, trustees, partners and especially our volunteers. It shines a light on the quiet, consistent acts of kindness that rarely make headlines but make a real difference on the ground. We’d like to thank BVSC and the wider voluntary sector in Birmingham for the support, partnership and shared learning that help organisations like ours to thrive. And to every Bethel volunteer, past, present and future, this award is for you. If you're interested in volunteering with Bethel, find their latest opportunities on BVSC's Volunteering platform, Volunteer Brum .

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.

Across Birmingham, community kitchens, foodbanks and meal projects are busier than ever. The latest Birmingham City-Wide Food Aid Count 2025 shows that more than 22,000 visits were made to food banks in just two weeks this spring - a 64% increase since the 2023 count. It’s a stark reminder of the growing need for food support in our city. Behind every meal served and every parcel packed, there are volunteers - people who turn up week after week to cook, bake, and hand out food with a smile. Their kindness keeps these vital services running, and right now, they need more helping hands. Volunteer Brum currently features several brilliant organisations all looking for new volunteers to join their teams. FoodCycle (pictured) Midland Mencap , The Active Wellbeing Society , Fareshare Midlands , Narthex and Bethany Foodbank are all seeking people who can lend time to help feed their communities. Whether you love cooking, serving, or simply chatting with people as they collect food, there’s a role for you. Teal Martin-Heaven, Midlands Regional Manager from Foodcycle said: "At FoodCycle we have recently started using the BVSC volunteer platform to advertise our various volunteering opportunities across the city. This has been really useful in reaching a wider range of individuals. Through using this platform we have seen an increase in new volunteers supporting our projects across the city." Harry Clark, FoodCycle volunteer commented: "I moved to Birmingham in August and came across FoodCycle when looking for volunteering opportunities. It has been a joy to serve and get to know the locals in the community, and a great way to meet other like minded people volunteering their time in helping others."

In this blog, Surrinder Bains shares his reflections on being a trustee and what he’s learned over more than two decades of service. Surrinder is currently a Research Champion , working with the BVSC Research and Evaluation Team . In his role, Surrinder helps to recruit, train and mentor individuals and organisations who are interested in becoming community researchers – supporting people to develop the skills and confidence to gather insights that make a real difference in their communities. Trustees' Week takes place from 3-7 November 2025. "I’ve been a trustee for over 20 years, serving on boards across housing associations, charities, community interest companies, and employee-led organisations. Looking back, I never planned this journey – but it has shaped me and taught me just how important trustees are in helping organisations thrive. How It All Began My story starts in the year 2000, while I was working for Sandwell Council. I visited Sandwell Asian Family Services (SAFS), a community organisation providing care services for Asian adults and children. After a meeting, the Chief Executive asked if I’d consider becoming a trustee. At first, I wondered if I had the skills, time, or experience. But curiosity – and a desire to give something back – led me to say yes. Learning the Ropes I spent more than eight years with SAFS, four of them as Chair. Like many new trustees, I had to learn that the role is strategic, not operational. I wasn’t the CEO – I was there to guide, support, and hold the organisation to account. Some moments stand out: presenting at the 30th anniversary celebration in front of 250 people (a big step for an introvert from Handsworth!), and the excitement and nerves of moving from rented offices to a new youth centre building. It was a rollercoaster – but one that taught me so much. Highs and Lows of Trusteeship Trusteeship can be deeply rewarding, but it also brings challenges. On one charity board, when the major funder withdrew, trustees had to meet weekly to help navigate redundancies, restructuring, and tough decisions. In the end, the organisation survived, secured a new contract, and continues to thrive today. On the other side, I’ve also had the privilege of serving on a grant-giving charity that distributed £1.5m to community groups. Visiting projects funded through our grants brought home the real difference trustees can help make. Different Boards, Different Lessons Every board is different – from reading bundles of complex reports for large organisations to just a couple of pages for smaller charities. Whatever the format, I always tell new trustees: “There’s no such thing as a silly question.” Curiosity and clarity are key. I also had the unique experience of being both an employee and a trustee Chair at a hospice – holding the board to account while representing staff. It was challenging, but also exciting. Highlights included helping recruit a new CEO and leading the charity’s first ever AGM. Always Learning Trusteeship is also about learning. I’ve benefitted from governance training and mentoring and I encourage anyone considering the role to take up these opportunities. They build confidence and help you grow into the role. Final Thoughts For me, being a trustee has been rewarding, challenging, and full of opportunities to learn and give back. It’s about scrutiny, accountability, and – above all – making a difference. If you’re curious about trusteeship, I encourage you to explore the opportunities in your community. You won’t regret it – and you’ll be helping to shape a brighter future for the organisations and people who need it most." Find out more about Trustees' Week

Children and young people from across the West Midlands have written and starred in a new video project to boost vaccination take-up.

In this guest blog from Forward Carers, Sarah shares what it's like to be a Carer Ambassador Volunteer and the difference it makes to her.

An article that highlights what it's like to volunteer at the Refugee and Migrant Centre.

An article that highlights what it's like to volunteer with Medaille Trust.

An article that highlights what it's like to volunteer with Better Pathways.

News on a new Volunteering for Health funded programme.

An article about how organisations can effectively support and involve volunteers during the cost of living crisis.

An article that highlights what it's like to volunteer with Radio Lollipop.

Advice on how to engage students in volunteering.

Information about how to join the Birmingham Volunteer Coordinators Network.