Everyone has something to learn and everyone has something to teach

Birmingham Community Matters (BCM) is a peer learning charity, helping people to start, run or grow small community organisations in Birmingham.

BCM started life in 2016, when a group of long-time volunteers in south Birmingham realised there was a gap in support across the city for people wanting to set up micro and small community groups. They found it hard to get the right support at the right time, and too easy to get derailed by the vast amount of information online. They wished for uncomplicated support from people who’d had previous experience, delivered in a friendly way.

So they decided to provide that service. They started running small sessions in community venues where people could drop in and, over tea and cake, ask questions and explore their ideas with volunteers (‘BCM helpers’) who had lots of experience of doing similar things.

While chatting, the BCM helpers always ended up learning something too. And that’s how the ‘peer learning’ element of BCM came about.

BCM became a registered charity in 2018 and now offers many types of events, online and across Birmingham; one-to-one sessions; and signposting.

Go to Birmingham Community Matters’ website.

Learn about BCM’s support for Neighbourhood Planning groups in Birmingham on the advice and guidance page.