• Council for Voluntary Service (CVS); Registered Charity; Company Limited by Guarantee; Membership Organisation.

We have 4 key aims:1. Provide local people with volunteering opportunities to allow them

to make a positive difference to their communities 2. Provide information, guidance and resources to voluntary and

community organisations to help them to achieve their aims3. Champion the voluntary sector as an influential force for positive

change4. Be an effective and sustainable organisation

What does BVSC do?• Volunteering brokerage (Birmingham Volunteer Centre)• Business development for community groups (Transform online

portal; AskBVSC helpline; Training)• Back office support (Payroll Bureau; Accountancy Service; HR

Advice)• Third sector networks (Third Sector Assembly)• Various third sector support projects (Health, City Council)

And...• Lead & Accountable Body (Big Lottery Fund programmes)

- Talent Match - Birmingham Changing Futures Together - Ageing Better in Birmingham

Ageing Better in Birmingham

• Ageing Better in Birmingham has received £6m from the Big Lottery Fund over the next 6 years

• Aim to create a new movement for community action on Ageing and Isolation

• Harnessing active citizenship to reduce isolation now and to prevent it happening in the future.

Ageing Better in Birmingham

A grassroots, asset-based approach to create a new movement of community action on ageing and

isolation, harnessing active citizenship to reduce isolation now and prevent it happening in the future

Developing asset based thinking and approaches

• An Asset-Based Approach means focusing on the positives and the potential of individuals in their community.

• Asset-based approaches counter to a long tradition of ‘needs-based’ approaches.

Different communities have different challenges, connections, and structures.

Potential for learning across communities and for the city

Needs-based approaches may:•Make individuals see themselves as incapable•Trap individuals in systems•Isolate individuals from their communities•People have had to over-emphasize their neediness (or their client’s needs) in order to ensure they get a service, receive benefits.

Asset-based approaches ask instead:•What do you aspire to do?•What can you do already?•What can you offer others?•Do we have a role in helping?

and, for communities

•How does a community build and support itself?

“gives people permission to take their own initiative”

Ageing Better in BirminghamWhat we would like to do...

Create community networks

Fund local action plans to tackle

underlying reasons

Establish a service directory

Create community networks called...

Ageing Better Networks

Groups of people working together

Locally trusted organisations

providing advice and guidance

Offer practical local support and / or new activities and services

Funding available

Targeting our efforts: • Ageing Better Networks will be

supported and facilitated across the city

• We also plan to target activities and resources

Two geographical communities outer-city Tyburn; and inner-city Sparkbrook

Two thematic communities: older LGBT people; and carers

• Research indicates that the risk factors associated with isolation are especially high in these groups.

Co-productionWith whom: isolated older peopleWhat: Actively involved in programme design, delivery, evaluation and governance / co-designing local action plans and setting community priorities / involved in the development, design and management of new activities and services utilising the Ageing Better FundParticipati

on With whom: Isolated, post isolated, and those at risk of isolation older people What: participating within Ageing Better Networks / programme management via events, meetings and workshops / acting as ambassadors, researchers, campaigners and mystery shoppers / contributing to user evidence panels

Consultation With whom: Isolated, post isolated, those at risk of isolation older people ,

wider community.What: Obtain reaction to specific policies or proposals aimed at informing decision making across Ageing Better in Birmingham

Research With whom: Isolated, post isolated, those at risk of isolation older people & wider

community.What: research aimed at gathering knowledge, intelligence and experience to improve / tailor services – develop Ageing Better local action plans

Information

With whom : Isolated, post isolated, those at risk of isolation older people ,& wider community.What: Information giving and gathering, provide people with information to assist their understanding, or to gather information to under pin monitoring, evaluation and impact.

Ageing Better in Birmingham – Menu of Engagement Lower

no’s involve

d

Higher no’s

involved

Higher intensit

y

Lower intensityEnterta

ining

and

fun

Contribute on THEIR terms

Social media to connect

Rewarded for being involved

Continu

ous

process

Procuring Services to deliver Ageing Better

• BVSC is a “Contracting Authority” and has to tender services in

accordance with EU legislation.

• We have chosen to procure out as much of the Fulfilling Lives

investment as possible in order to encourage and capacity build

voluntary and community organisations. 75% of organisations on

our Talent Match Framework are charities and or social

enterprises.

Procuring Services to deliver Ageing Better

• Where we can we are taking a “light touch” approach to

procurement under new EU legislation avoiding a full EU

procurement.

• Where there are small value opportunities we seek to engage and

encourage smaller groups and organisations to apply.

Any Questions?