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 aims 3.Champion the voluntary sector as an influential force for positive change 4.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 Birmingham What 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.

Older people engagement sound bites... They have things to offer Kindness is key Want dignity Only takes one person Choices Empathy No one thing tackles isolation Make own choices / decisions Relationships Contact with people with something in common Ability to recognise when isolated

Co-production With whom: isolated older people What: 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 Fund Participation 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 involved Higher no’s involved Higher intensity Lower intensity Entertai ning and fun Entertai ning and fun Contrib ute 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.

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