We'd like our money back on 2021 so far though please ✨
Hello from everyone at Birmingham Community Matters
Happy 2022. We hope you had a lovely break with family and friends, and you're busy filling your new diary with fun plans.
Oh, sorry! Just daydreaming about brighter days ahead. They are coming - we're sure of that. In the meantime, the BCM peer-to-peer learning network is always here to support you and your Birmingham community/voluntary group or project.
We hope you're doing as well as possible.
As you may know, we get you together with people who have experience of doing similar things in their community, believing everyone has something to learn and everyone has something to teach. That's our motto.
Please know you can reply to our e-newsletter - there are real people behind this who enjoy hearing from you.
Dates for your diary
We're holding these online sessions soon, which will be informal and interactive. They're open to community organisations (and people with ideas!) across Birmingham:
'Choosing a structure and running your group' Monday 8 February
* Key things to consider for your group when choosing a structure
* The roles of committee members
* What you will need to open a community bank account.
'Writing better funding applications' Wednesday 27 January or Tuesday 23 February
Exploring together with fundraising expert John Ellery of Get Grants:
* What constitutes the 'need' for your project to secure funding
* Ways to make an impact in your application
* How to describe your organisation
* Putting together your budget
* Measuring outputs and outcomes.
If the above sessions don't meet your current needs, talk to us about booking a surgery to work through your particular challenge or idea. BCM surgeries are suitable for people at any stage of setting up or running a community organisation. Perhaps you're from a long-established group, for example, and would like support with adopting digital practices. We are here: just ask! info@birminghamcommunitymatters.org.uk
Adapting and growing
We're not going to lie - 2020 was tough! We were fortunate that we could adapt BCM's services early on in the coronavirus crisis. Alongside this change and uncertainty, we were also able to grow.
This was with thanks in no small part to our supportive trustees and the sympathetic approach of BCM's funders, including the National Lottery. We're also grateful to our Community Matters Helpers for being flexible and embracing our new ways of working. Thank you to all.
By moving our services online we've found ways to support Birmingham community groups that are both wider ranging and more in depth. We're looking forward to applying our new knowledge to real-life events too, when it's safe for us all to be together again.
Seeking new team members
Because of our growth, we're delighted to say we now have opportunities for self-employed team members to help us widen our reach across the city and - we hope - help BCM become more diverse as an organisation.
Up to ten days per month are available for people with the right experience, skills and knowledge, and we will especially welcome applications from people who feel they are underrepresented in the charity sector.
This generous offer from Fircroft College of Adult Education in Selly Oak means you have the chance to achieve an Institute of Leadership and Management Level 3 Certificate in Volunteer Management, either free of charge or at a heavily subsidised rate. Find out more.
Please note the start date is yet to be confirmed.
Brum Recovery Micro Fund
Through the Brum Recovery Micro Fund, unconstituted and grassroots community groups in Birmingham can apply for between £500 and £2,000 to support activity that responds to the needs of their local community; needs which have been amplified as a result of Covid-19.
The fund can provide support for services such as room hire, training and facilitation, and goods such as equipment or items needed to start or maintain activity.
The closing date is Wednesday 20 January. Applications will then be accepted until March 2021, or until all funds have been awarded (whichever comes sooner).
As we all continue to feel the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic, we're still updating our page of resources for community groups, which includes details of funding, information on continuity/recovery, and local and national support services.
Interesting events in January and February
Here's our monthly curation of online events to keep you inspired through this latest lockdown.
If you have a February or March event you'd like us to consider sharing in our next e-newsletter (coming out in early February), please email info@birminghamcommunitymatters.org.uk as soon as you can.
We read your replies
Thank you for subscribing to our e-newsletter. We'll be back next month with new useful things we've gathered for you.
In the meantime keep us posted on your community group updates and success stories. You can reply to this message - we enjoy hearing from you.
Our privacy policy exists to reassure our subscribers about how we treat their data. You can read it in full here. If ever you don't want us to have your details, please email us: info@birminghamcommunitymatters.org.uk
dreaming about brighter days ahead. They are coming - we're sure of that. In the meantime, the BCM peer-to-peer learning network is always here to support you and your Birmingham community/voluntary group or project. 
