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Connected Communities is a new initiative from Birmingham City Council, which links in with the existing Neighbourhood Network Schemes (NNS). There are 10 constituency-based NNS across Birmingham, connecting local people with groups, activities and services, through community connectors, information-sharing and local social work teams. As part of this offer, local groups can apply for funding and support for their activities.
The NNS Connected Communities aims to bring this support to communities and groups in Birmingham which are not geographically based. This is currently focussed on the LGBTQ+ community, the deaf community and the GRT (Gypsy, Roma, Traveller) community.
Birmingham LGBT is now providing the support and access to funding for LGBTQ+ community groups – including both established groups and new or planned groups.
Whether you already run a group or want to set one up from scratch, Birmingham LGBT would like to support you.
LGBTQ+ community groups provide a wonderful opportunity for people from the community to meet, socialise, make friends and get involved in activities, in an environment which is welcoming and proud of our shared LGBTQ+ culture and heritage.
We are offering a capacity-building service which will support groups to set up, organise, recruit members and strengthen their sustainability. We will work with you to see what support you need, which includes access to funding – if your group is Birmingham-based, we can offer the new Citywide NNS Microfund – and we can also work with groups across the West Midlands.
Support can include:
If you’d like to find out more, contact Maria Hughes: mariahughes@blgbt.org. You can also phone 0121 643 0821 with your contact details, and Maria will get back to you.
NNS Connected Communities Microfund for LGBTQI+ Groups
Grassroots LGBTQI+ community groups can apply for up to £500 for their activities, and become part of Citywide Neighbourhood Network Scheme Connected Communities.
The offer is open to existing groups and anyone who wants to set up a group, and includes:
If you are interested, please contact Maria Hughes at Birmingham LGBT.
mariahughes@blgbt.org 0121 643 0821
We will be sending out regular updates within the Birmingham LGBT monthly newsletter.
If you’d like to subscribe, please click on this link and follow the instructions.
We will be bringing you stories from the groups we’re working with, here.
Whether you already run a group or want to set one up from scratch, Birmingham LGBT would like to support you.
LGBTQ+ community groups provide a wonderful opportunity for people from the community to meet, socialise, make friends and get involved in activities, in an environment which is welcoming and proud of our shared LGBTQ+ culture and heritage.
We are offering a capacity-building service which will support groups to set up, organise, recruit members and strengthen their sustainability. We will work with you to see what support you need, which includes access to funding – if your group is Birmingham-based, we can offer the new Citywide NNS Microfund – and we can also work with groups across the West Midlands.
Support can include:
If you’d like to find out more, contact Maria Hughes: mariahughes@blgbt.org. You can also phone 0121 643 0821 with your contact details, and Maria will get back to you.
NNS Connected Communities Microfund for LGBTQI+ Groups
Grassroots LGBTQI+ community groups can apply for up to £500 for their activities, and become part of Citywide Neighbourhood Network Scheme Connected Communities.
The offer is open to existing groups and anyone who wants to set up a group, and includes:
If you are interested, please contact Maria Hughes at Birmingham LGBT.
mariahughes@blgbt.org 0121 643 0821
We will be sending out regular updates within the Birmingham LGBT monthly newsletter.
If you’d like to subscribe, please click on this link and follow the instructions.
We will be bringing you stories from the groups we’re working with, here.
We can meet and discuss the kind of activity and network you’d like to set up, look at the ideas you have and the people you know would like to be involved and see how this can become an Ageing Better Network.
We can look at what is needed to set up your network, in terms of funding and practical support, and access to other resources. We can also work out how you can demonstrate that your Network is achieving the Ageing Better Principles.
If your network/ activity requires funding, we can assist with your application to the Ageing Better Fund; helping you work out what you need and how much it will cost.
The Ageing Better Fund can pay towards the costs of events and activities set up by groups for the benefit of older people. Grants range from £50 to £2000.
For example, it could pay for:
Contact the Network Enabler for more details.
We can use the assets of Birmingham LGBT to promote your Network, through social media and other free advertising; as well as linking in with the wider promotion of Ageing Better in Birmingham. we can also support you to set up your own promotions.
We can help with:
and much more
We will set up a Forum for older LGBT people, to enable them to have a voice and influence in planning services relevant to their needs.
It is important that the voices of older LGBT people are heard by decision makers. This Forum can provide a safe place to hold discussions and bring in ideas.
Ageing Better in Birmingham: The LGBT Perspective
An opportunity for members of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans communities around Birmingham to discuss tackling the causes of social isolation for LGBT people who are 50 and over
Birmingham LGBT is holding an Ageing Better event for members of the community who are interested in discussing how to ‘age better’: how to stay socially connected and supported by each other and how social investment could be utilised to strengthen these community networks.
The event will be based around two workshops, which will look at:
This event will also be the launch of the Older LGBT People’s Forum, a membership group which will give a voice to older LGBT people, to enable them to discuss issues in further depth, influence the Ageing Better in Birmingham programme and feed into the LGBT Local Action Plan: investment in the LGBT community.
This event is for anyone who identifies as lesbian, gay, bi or trans who lives, works or socialises in Birmingham. We are especially keen to encourage LGBT people who are 50 and over to attend.
This is a free event, and lunch is provided. If you have any specific dietary requirements, please contact the organiser – details below.
If you do not fall into this group but you are still interested in the event, or wish to find out more about Ageing Better in Birmingham (LGBT Hub), contact Maria Hughes on 0121 643 0821 or email mariahughes@blgbt.org
Birmingham LGBT is linked with many community groups and statutory and voluntary sector organisations, which may be able to support your Network or individual Network members.
Linking with other groups and agencies will help sustain and build your Network.