Birmingham Community Foundation: Helping you to help Birmingham and the Black Country

News

Recruiting for FST Community Development Officer - 26.08.10
Fire Service BTEC - 12.08.10
Youngsters set to sparkle thanks to Urban Living funding! - 29.7.10
Grassroots Dudley supports St Thomas Community Games! - 29.7.10
Fair Share volunteer Fred Perry receives honour from the Queen - 29.7.10
Planting Seeds of Hope in Kingshurst! - 20.07.10
What a Charitable result! - 21.06.10
Friday night keep fit boost for Tipton youngsters - 14.06.10
Cumbria Community Memorial Fund - 02.06.10
Foundation set to award community groups cash bonanza - 20.05.10
100 Club launch for West Midlands philanthropists - 11.05.10
Have your say - share your thoughts and ideas about Birmingham Culture - 27.04.10
Review of the Year 2009
Charity offers opportunity to local professionals as CSR Agenda rises - 01.03.10
100 Club - Linking people who care with causes that matter - 01.03.10
3G Comms Charity Fund Supports Phoenix United Girl's Team! - 01.03.10
Christmas Prom raises thousands for charity - 10.2.10
Cash Boost to Support Brigade - 13.1.10
Dads hit by the Baby Blues- 5.1.10

Recruiting for FST Community Development Officer - 26.08.10

We are seeking to recruit a Community Development Officer; an experienced and enthusiastic person to assist in the work and development of the Fair Share Trust programme administered by Birmingham Community Foundation in North Solihull and the Black Country...read more

Fire Service BTEC - 12.08.10

Nine young People aged between 15 and 17 have taken part in a 2 week course at Tipton Fire Station. Edexcel Level 2 BTEC Award in Fire & Rescue Services in the Community. The course funded through Fair Share, a part of the National Lottery has meant that the students have been able to take part in this trail blazing course.

The course has been run by Sandwell Youth Programme, only a handful of students have taken part in this course in the country and never from a Fire Station in Summer Holidays. It is definitely a first for West Midlands Fire Service and probably in the Country.

The students took part in theory and practical training around the areas of; The Role of the Fire & Rescue Service, Using 3 items of Fire Service Equipment, Identifying Hazards and Risks and using safety measures to reduce these risks, learning about how Anti Social Behaviour can affect the Fire & Rescue Service and the community and about initiatives that the Fire Service carry out to try to combat them. Whilst working through these modules the students also demonstrated the basic skills needed to work in the Fire & Rescue Service including; Teamwork, Problem solving and Communication.

This Friday (13th August) will see the students carry out a pass out parade at Tipton Fire Station 1pm. The students will do a practical display of their news skills, give a presentation to an audience about a Fire safety Initiative and finally be presented with their certificates.

If you have time to attend this event that would be a great way to advertise and celebrate this course. This course will be available for others to take part in from September.

For further information please contact John Williams, Sandwell Youth Programme on 0121 380 7747 or Mob: 07973 810675 or via email: john.williams1@wmfs.net

Youngsters set to sparkle thanks to Urban Living funding! - 29.7.10

Young people living in Handsworth are being given their chance to shine thanks to a £5,000 grant from Urban Living.

Birmingham Carnival Youth & Arts Development project needed funding to cover the cost of creative arts workshops. Project Co-ordinator Professor Black teaches local young people the art of designing, making and decorating costumes using vibrant feathers, sequins and beads.

The organisation started 8 years ago but Professor Black has been involved with designing costumes for the last 26 years. The group started with 30 dancers and now has over 300!

The group acts as a resource centre providing young people and adult groups with the advice and technical skills required to make their own costumes for the Birmingham Carnival and other events. Once the costumes are made by Professor Black and his trainees, he takes his troupe of dancers to carnivals across the UK.

Grassroots Dudley supports St Thomas Community Games! - 29.7.10

Thanks to a £5,000 grant from Grassroots Dudley this years community games managed to outshine all others; the event goes from strength to strength. Over 2000 local School children and people from the St Thomas ward took part in this year's festivities.
Chief Executive David Hersey said: "We are pleased to be supporting such an important event for the St Thomas area. Grassroots is a key element of the Governments strategy for building stronger and more active communities. The games bring people together from the vibrant and diverse area, encouraging community cohesion."
Cllr Shaukat Ali started the games in 2006 to bring members of the local community together. Cllr Ali says:” It’s about raising aspirations, unlocking potential and supporting individuals to achieve their ambitions." To find out more about the games contact Cllr Ali at: cllr.shaukat.ali@dudley.gov.uk
Fair Share volunteer Fred Perry receives honour from the Queen - 29.7.10

Fair Share panel member Fred Perry received an MBE from the Queen at Buckingham Palace in recognition of his decades of service to his local community.

Most of his service had been done quietly and unrewarded. After the War Mr. Perry joined the Royal British Legion and became a fundraiser. While serving as a member of his local council, Mr. Perry helped set up the Great Bridge Traders' Association and later joined the community forum.

Fred regularly rolls up his sleeves and gets stuck into the task of supporting people to turn their neighborhoods around and create a greater sense of community.

John Buckle, Project Manager for the Black Country at BCF said: "Fred Perry MBE is a worthy recipient of this award. His services to the Tipton and Great Bridge community have been selfless and determined. He is a panel member for Fair Share Trust in Great Bridge and provides invaluable knowledge of the area. BCF join their congratulations on Fred's MBE".

Members of the community in Great Bridge saluted Fred Perry MBE for freely giving his time and talents to make this world a better place. (Based on an article previously published in the Express & Star)

Planting Seeds of Hope in Kingshurst! - 20.07.10
Community group Seeds of Hope has been given a new lease of life, with recent funding from the Fair Share Trust through Birmingham Community Foundation. Seeds of Hope are based at St Barnabas Church Hall in Chelmsley Wood and boost the lives of hundreds of local people... read more
What a Charitable result! - 21.06.10
Whilst the outcome of the World Cup games, haven’t been what Capello’s boys had hoped for, one result that has scored highly in the West Midlands is The Tipton’s latest round of Charitable Foundation donations which has seen eight local causes collectively net £8,320... read more
Friday night keep fit boost for Tipton youngsters - 14.06.10
Youngsters at a Friday night fit club, run by fire fighters in Tipton, have received a healthy boost following a £7,500 grant from the Fair Share Trust administered by Birmingham Community Foundation... read more
Cumbria Community Memorial Fund - 02.06.10
The Cumbria Community Memorial Fund has been created to support the people and communities affected by the shootings of 2 June 2010.

It is in response to the needs arising from the shootings and the public's wish to demonstrate its sympathy and support for those affected.

The fund has been opened with the support of the members of the Cumbria Recovery Coordination Group.

It will be managed on behalf of partners by the Cumbria Community Foundation. A committee of the Foundation involving trustees and community representatives will oversee distribution of the funds; if you would like to make a donation please follow the link above to go directly to the CUmbria Community Foundation website, thank you.
Foundation set to award community groups cash bonanza - 20.05.10
The Birmingham Community Foundation (BCF) is urging small community and volunteer led groups across Birmingham, Dudley and Walsall to apply for funding that is available until December 2010.

The BCF has £750k to distribute to groups who have a turnover of less than £30,000 a year and can demonstrate that their project can bring benefit to the local community...read more or visit Grassroots Grants
100 Club launch for West Midlands philanthropists - 11.05.10
The search is on for 100 people who believe that charity begins at home and are willing to give £1000 each for three years to support grassroots causes in the community.

Those who sign up will become members of the 100 Club, a key new Birmingham Community Foundation (BCF) initiative that supports the mission of the charity to provide sustainable funding for disadvantaged communities in Birmingham and the Black Country now and in the future... read more
Have your say - share your thoughts and ideas about Birmingham Culture - 27.04.10
As part of Birmingham's application to be the UK's first ever City of Culture, Birmingham Big City Culture want to hear from you...

On the Birmingham Culture website, we are informed that Birmingham now has until 28th May to submit our final application which has been called Birmingham Culture as this reflects Birmingham’s status as a global city with a world class programme of arts and cultural activities with a local heart offering these activities to our richly diverse communities.

Download: Everybody's into big city culture - we can win UK City of Culture with your help

Join the Big Conversation about Birmingham's bid for UK City of Culture in 2013 at: www.birminghamculture.org or on the Birmingham Culture Facebook page and Twitter feeds

Birmingham's bid to be UK City of Culture can win - with your help!
Support continues for Birmingham Community Foundation - 30.03.10
Another successful fundraising event for the Birmingham Community Foundation was held at the Metro Bar & Grill on 24th March raising over £900 for the charity. This figure will be doubled via the Grassroots endowment match challenge bringing the total to £1958!

Birmingham Community Foundation supports hundreds of local volunteer and community based projects each year. Examples include wheelchair recycling, after school clubs, dance groups, autistic group support, nursery facilities for down's syndrome toddlers, exercise classes for the elderly, reading class for stroke victims and many many more... read more
Review of the Year 2009
In our financial year ending March 2009 the Birmingham Community Foundation awarded £2.54 million in grants to 724 small, grassroots projects, all of whom are making a positive impact on their local communities across Birmingham and the Black Country... download our Review of the Year 2009 now email: suzanne@bhamfoundation.co.uk to request your copy.
Birmingham Community Foundation wins Aston Pride Community Oscar - 26.03.10
Birmingham Community Foundation was nominated and won an Aston Pride Community Oscar for Outstanding Contribution to Community Leadership at the recent Aston Community Oscars Award Ceremony held in the Holte Suite, Aston Villa Football Club on Friday 26th March 2010.

Through the management of the Foundation the Aston Pride Community Chest Small grants programme went on to support some 210 community-led initiatives over the last 4 years. Collectively involving some 440 adults, 2898 young people beneficiaries, and many others as unpaid volunteers on a range of community initiatives, the Community Chest also managed to attract nearly £600k in further funds to support additional grassroots projects within the area.
Laying the foundations for a charitable year - 04.03.10
The chief priority for David Hersey this week is to put the final touches to a business plan.

Never one to let the grass grow under his feet, the new chief executive of the Birmingham Community Foundation is devising a strategy to tackle the undoubted challenges that the next 12 months will bring... read more
Charity offers opportunity to local professionals as CSR Agenda rises - 01.03.10
The Birmingham Community Foundation is calling for volunteers to join its fundraising and events team as demand for the charity's services reaches new heights across Birmingham and the Black Country communities... read more
100 Club - Linking people who care with causes that matter - 01.03.10

We are looking for 100 leaders and opinion formers who care about Birmingham and the Black Country to join us... read more
3g Comms Charity Fund supports Phoenix United Girl's Team! - 01.03.10
3g Comms supported the Phoenix United girl's team by covering the costs of pitch fees, purchasing new equipment and kits. Jo Goss from 3g Comms presented the team with a cheque for £820,000, from the 3g Comms Charity Fund... read more
Christmas Prom raises thousands for charity - 10.02.10
A Christmas Prom extravanganza held in December raised more than £13,000... read more
Cash Boost to Support Brigade - 13th January 2010
A DUDLEY Boys’ Brigade group has been awarded £2,600 to help with its running costs and is appealing for new members to help it survive... ...the group has also recently secured £2,600 from Birmingham Community Foundation’s Grassroots Grants, which will cover the venue hire costs for the near future... read more
Dads hit by the Baby Blues - 5th January 2010
POSTNATAL depression is believed to affect at least one in ten mums – but what of the dads?

While help is available for mothers suffering from the condition, there has been little support for new fathers, until now...

...initially funded for three months by Birmingham Community Foundation, Acacia is hoping that the success of its new service will ensure it can raise additional money to keep it going... read more

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