About us

Over 250,000 children and young people live in Birmingham. Many of them are in contact with the many voluntary and community organisations in our city, from small volunteer groups and clubs to large children’s charities.  VCS Matters works to increase the involvement and influence of the voluntary and community sector (VCS) in the new Children's Trust arrangement which is about delivering better outcomes for children and young people. We offer:

• an electronic eNews with news, policy, funding and other updates
• seminars, policy discussion forums and training on new practices
• opportunities to become a VCS Matters Representative in the Children’s Trust arrangement
• specialist information and support.

VCS Matters started out as a working group in 2006 and its work led to a conference called ‘Change for Children: the VCS Matters’ at the end of March 2007. At a Policy Seminar on 14 March VCS Matters launched the first Position Paper about the voluntary and community sector (VCS) working with children and young people in Birmingham, entitled 'Better Outcomes for children and young people in Birmingham:  The voluntary and community sector matters' (attached below).  Recommendations on the way forward for VCS Matters were published in May 2009 following an independent Programme Evaluation carried out by Alun Severn from Third Sector Services.

VCS Matters is working towards:

• stronger representation in the new Children's Trust arrangement
• closer co-operation in the design, delivery and evaluation of services
• better outcomes for children and young people.

VCS Matters is open to voluntary and community organisations working with children and young people in Birmingham.  The VCS Matters work programme is funded by Birmingham City Council.

VCS Matters has 4 staff members:  Caroline Anson, Programme Manager, has overall responsibility for the strategic development of the VCS Matters programme and leads the team.  Chris Johnson, Policy & Information Officer, ensures that the sector is briefed on strategic and policy issues through the website, eNews, briefings and information materials.   Jason Wright, Sector Development Worker, builds links with local networks and organisations and takes the lead on training and events.  Leonard McDonald, Development Worker, co-ordinates VCS involvement with Birmingham’s Integrated Youth Support Services thereby increasing the level of engagement and influence from voluntary and community organisations. 

The best way to get in touch with VCS Matters is by using the Contact form on this website or emailing vcsmatters@bvsc.org  -  The Team is based at the accountable body: BVSC - The Centre for Voluntary Action, 138 Digbeth, Birmingham BS 6DR (see directions below) - tel: 0121 - 678 8834; fax: 0121 - 643 4541.

We look forward to hearing from you!