External website links

B.Strong is a City Council-funded capacity building project which works with small voluntary and community groups offering training and development support (Part of Birmingham City Council website).

VCS Matters is based at BVSC, funded by Birmingham Childrens Fund and is working to help voluntary and community organisations working with children and young people to work within the Every Child Matters framework. They offer organisations who join a monthly eNewsletter with policy updates; the website; opportunities to become a representative in Children's Trust arrangements; specialist information and support.

Financial advice and training for small charities and voluntary groups.

Unity Trust Bank is the fastest growing commercial bank in the voluntary and community sector.

Templates for receipts and payments accounts, trustees report and annual report. Downloadable templates and guidance in Word, Excel and pdf.

Community Accountancy Self Help's guide to full cost recovery, including a spreadsheet tool to calculate your costs.

Page on the Futurebuilders website with guidance and a downloadable guide on putting together your business plan.

VCS Matters is based at BVSC, funded by Birmingham Childrens Fund and is working to help voluntary and community organisations working with children and young people to work within the Every Child Matters framework. They offer organisations who join a monthly eNewsletter with policy updates; the website; opportunities to become a representative in Children's Trust arrangements; specialist information and support.

Advice, factsheets, assessments, training and assistive technology for disabled people.

Dedicated to people with disabilities, the elderly and the infirm.

BDRC provides a range of services to disabled people and their support networks living in Birmingham including general information & advice, counselling, support groups & activities and employment preparation.

Information, products and services for disabled people.

A website set up to help Birmingham organisations search for funding opportunities.

A grants programme for small groups. Operating through nine regional offices each region has a specific area it wishes to focus on.

Birmingham Foundation administer a number of grants, including: Local Networks Fund, Sport Relief.

Digbeth Trust Grants Programme - Health grants, consultancy grants.

European Social Fund Division - based within the Department for Work and Pensions, the Division is responsible for ensuring that European Social Fund money is used to support and add value to national employment and skills priorities, in line with EU regulations.

UK wide support organisation for grant-making trusts and foundations of all types.

Major trust, funding a variety of community activity.

The Association of Chief Executives of Voluntary Organisations has a site dedicated to Full Cost Recovery including case studies and details of training.

The Big Lottery Fund's page of guidance on full cost recovery with information and a spreadsheet tool to calculate your costs primarily for making Big Lottery applications.

askNCVO - best practice and regulations for financial management, includes a directory of local community accountants and information on funding and earning income.

Improving Support brings together practical resources and learning for third sector support providers.

List of the dicsounts available through membership of NCVO.

Finding new trustees - what charities should know.

Supporting good governance and leadership in the voluntary and community sector with resources, toolkits, information and advice.

Downloadable risk assement resource from the HSE.

Health and Safety Regulation - A short guide for download from the HSE.

Working with VDU's guide from the HSE

Charity IT Resource Alliance - resources and advice for not-for-profit organisations

Listing of IT resources and services (most of which are not free).

Details of the computer software discounts available through NCVO membership.

PQASSO is published by Charities Evaluation Services and is suitable for most voluntary and community organisations which employ staff or are looking to employ staff.

QASRO is published by the Refugee Council. The standard is similar to PQASSO but more relevant to Refugee Community Organisations. It also contains sections of guidance for designing key services and some sample policies, etc. It is (currently) free to refugee organisations.

BSSEC is the consortium funded by ChangeUp to support social enterprise development in Birmingham & Solihull as well as providing support on issues of contracting with public sector to deliver services.

Aims to improve organisations and working life through better employment relations.

National hub supporting voluntary and community organisations to manage staff, employment and development issues.

Offers a range of resources for anyone who works with or manages volunteers as well as to those who want to volunteer.

The national website for volunteering opportunities. Search for opportunities or register your interest in volunteering. (Mainly for individuals. Organisations can register the need for volunteers with the Volunteer Centre at BVSC.

Set up to encourage those over 50 to donate their skills and experience for the benefit of the local community.

Offers a range of resources for anyone who works with or manages volunteers as well as to those who want to volunteer.

The national website for volunteering opportunities. Search for opportunities or register your interest in volunteering. (Mainly for individuals. Organisations can register the need for volunteers with the Volunteer Centre at BVSC.