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. 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 led by a Strategy Group which meets bi-monthly and is open to voluntary and community organisations working with children and young people in Birmingham.  The Chair is Sophie Wilson, SOVA, and the Vice Chairs are Claire Rigby, Fairbridge, and Simon Cottingham, The Children's Society.  The VCS Matters work programme is delivered by a partnership of BVSC and bayc and funded by Birmingham City Council.

VCS Matters has 3 staff members:  Yvonne Gilligan, Programme Manager, has overall responsibility for the strategic development of the VCS Matters programme and leads the team.  Jason Wright, Sector Development Worker, builds links with local networks and organisations and takes the lead on training and events.  Chris Johnson, Policy & Information Officer, ensures that the sector is briefed on strategic and policy issues through website, briefings, e-news and newsletter. 

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 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!