Heart of England Community Foundation

10/06/2026

⏰ Last call! Registrations for our Meet the Funder session closes at 3pm today.

Join us tonight at 6.30pm for our Meet the Funder session on the Chelmsley Wood Pride in Place Get Talking Fund, a £100,000 grants programme supporting local groups to put community voices at the heart of Chelmsley Wood's future.

Delivered in partnership with Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council and the Chelmsley Wood Neighbourhood Board as part of the UK Government's Pride in Place Programme, the fund offers grants of up to £2,000 for individual organisations and up to £10,000 for partnerships.

Tonight's session is your chance to hear directly from our Programmes team, understand what we're looking for, and ask your questions before the first panel on 2 July.

📅 Tonight, Wednesday 10 June, 6.30pm via Microsoft Teams
⏳ Register by 3pm today: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/1991093913494?aff=oddtdtcreator
📋 Apply now: https://www.heartofenglandcf.org/chelmsley-wood-pride-in-place-get-talking-fund/

If you work with communities in Chelmsley Wood, don't miss this. And please share with anyone who should be in the room.

Solihull Council BVSC West Midlands Combined Authority Warwickshire & Solihull Community And Voluntary Action Birmingham City Council

18/05/2026

What does it mean to give with heart? 🩷

We believe that local giving has the power to transform lives. Not through grand gestures, but through consistent, trusted, relationship-led funding for communities that need it most.

I recently visited a number of incredible local organisations that we are proud to support across the West Midlands and Warwickshire. My first visit was to Muscular Dystrophy Support Centre where I met the amazing CEO Zoe Richardson and their wonderful Chair of Trustees Ruth Hereford who spoke so passionately about how they support people living with MD.

Next stop was Pitch 2 Progress CIC, attending their Friday night youth session in Small Heath, Birmingham. I loved my time there, meeting the young people, hearing about how this club is a lifeline for them. I had a go at ping pong but a word of advice, its best to wear flat shoes as you'll see in the film 🙂 Huge thanks to Syed Ali and Obayed Hussain for all they do in making a difference to the lives of young people.

It never fails to humble me, meeting these organisations who genuinely make a difference to people's lives. A sense of belonging for people navigating life-limiting conditions and a safe space for young people to learn, grow, and stay connected.

If you are a business, individual, or family considering how to make your giving go further across the West Midlands and Warwickshire, we would love to hear from you.

This film was produced in partnership with the brilliant Bader Media CIC, we love filming with them and their expertise is second to none 👏

Finally a huge thank you to my fellow Heart of England Community Foundation colleagues and Chair Jude Jennison for being part of 'A day in the life of the foundation'

If you get 5 minutes please watch the film and find out more about how you can partner with us supporting our mission to create happier, healthier, fairer lives across the West Midlands and Warwickshire.

Tina Louise Costello

Nyd de videoer og den musik, du holder af, upload originalt indhold, og del det hele med venner, familie og verden på YouTube.

18/05/2026

🩷 "I feel like when they come here, they're much happier. They've got something to look forward to." 🩷

Nico is 13 years old. He attends Pitch 2 Progress in Small Heath, Birmingham, one of the grassroots organisations we have supported over a number of years. In a few words, he captured the very essence of the work we support across the region.

Across the West Midlands and Warwickshire, there are hundreds of organisations like Pitch to Progress. Youth clubs, health services, community spaces, advice centres. Places where people are seen, supported, and given the chance to thrive. Most of them run on tight budgets, small teams, and an enormous amount of commitment.

Our job at the Foundation is to make sure that the generosity of local donors reaches those organisations, efficiently and with genuine care. We build long-term relationships with the people and projects we fund, so our donors can give with confidence, knowing their investment is making a real and lasting difference.

We have made a short film introducing some of the people behind that work. We hope it moves you as much as it moved us.

📽️ Watch it here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AT2xh9lb5Q8

Nyd de videoer og den musik, du holder af, upload originalt indhold, og del det hele med venner, familie og verden på YouTube.

30/04/2026

Taking the first step to seek help can be incredibly difficult, particularly for people experiencing anxiety, depression or challenging life circumstances.

At Carrs Lane Counselling Centre Ltd, counselling provides a safe and supportive space where people can speak openly, often sharing experiences they have never disclosed before.

A £2,000 grant from the South Birmingham Friends Institute Fund has supported the core costs of the centre, helping ensure people across South Birmingham can continue to access this vital support.

One client’s journey highlights the transformative power of counselling.

When they first came to Carrs Lane Counselling Centre, they were living with poor health, deep depression, and almost no confidence after a lifetime of rejection and abuse. Over time, as trust grew, they revealed something they had hidden from everyone: they could not read or write.

With patient guidance from their counsellor, they were connected to a charity providing one-to-one reading support. The work was challenging, but they were determined to keep going.

Then came a breakthrough moment. One session, they pulled a book from their bag and read a full page aloud for the first time - a simple act that marked a profound shift.

Stories like this show the lasting difference that compassionate, patient support can make in helping people rebuild confidence and move forward with their lives 🩷

23/04/2026

For many refugees, rebuilding a sense of belonging in a new place takes time, confidence, and opportunities to connect with others.

During Refugee Week 2025 in Solihull, members of the local Ukrainian community created exactly that through music, art and shared experiences.

🤝 With a £1,500 grant from the Foundation, BRAMA TRUST organised a series of activities celebrating Ukrainian culture and creativity. At the heart of the programme was a performance by the Vinochok Ukrainian Children’s Ensemble, alongside three young solo singers, giving children who had fled the war in Ukraine the opportunity to perform for the local community.

Creative workshops and an exhibition of handmade artwork also formed part of the event, showcasing jewellery, crafts and paintings created by Ukrainian artists and participants in BRAMA’s art therapy sessions. For many, these sessions provide a way to process difficult experiences while expressing themselves creatively.

The event also welcomed visitors with traditional sweet treats prepared by a Ukrainian pastry chef, creating a warm and welcoming atmosphere for the more than 150 local residents who attended.

🩷 For Karolina, one of the young solo singers, the experience was particularly meaningful. Her family shared that preparing for the performance helped her get out of the house, express herself, and feel part of the community - something that had a positive impact on her wellbeing.

Events like this highlight how creativity, culture and shared experiences can help bring communities together and create spaces where people feel welcomed, valued and connected.

22/04/2026

🩷 Applications are open for the South Birmingham Friends Institute Fund.
💌 Grants of up to £2,000 are available for smaller projects where modest donations can make a significant difference.

The fund supports projects that promote:
• peace and justice
• equality
• sustainability

This includes work that helps build more positive relationships in society, promotes justice and inclusion, supports people affected by inequality, and improves the local and natural environment.

Key dates:
📅 Application deadline: 26 May 2026
📅 Panel meeting: end of June 2026
📅Projects must not plan to commence before mid-July 2026

Please read the Fund Factsheet and our Essential Information before applying. For more information please visit our website: https://www.heartofenglandcf.org/south-birmingham-friends-institute-fund/

17/04/2026

💡 The independent report of the Know Your Neighbourhood (KYN) Fund has been published.

KYN funding from the Department for Culture, Media and Sport aimed to widen participation in volunteering and tackle loneliness in 27 disadvantaged areas across England. Additionally, since the programme’s extension last year, funded projects have also been supported to focus on delivering activities which are reducing loneliness stigma and building community cohesion.

As part of this multi-partner initiative, Heart of England Community Foundation awarded 13 grants to community-led work supporting volunteering, social connection and community cohesion across Wolverhampton.

The evaluation report shares learning on volunteering, accessibility, place‑based delivery and flexible funding approaches, alongside insight into the challenges of measuring loneliness.
Thank you to all our local partners who were involved in the delivery of this work.

Read our summary: https://www.heartofenglandcf.org/independent-evaluation-report-published-for-the-know-your-neighbourhood-fund/

16/04/2026

For many older residents, getting out and connecting with others isn’t always easy. Isolation, health challenges and the rising cost of living can make everyday life increasingly difficult.

Once a week, however, the Birchfield Community Hub offers something simple but important: a place to meet, talk and take part in activities together.

Thanks to a £4,784 grant from the Birmingham and Black Country Communities Fund, Birchfield Community Association has been able to continue and expand its Seniors Club.

The sessions include arts and crafts, dominoes, and chair-based exercise, helping to attract a wider mix of participants and creating a welcoming space for both men and women.

The group also provides a valuable opportunity to share information and advice on issues affecting older residents, from health and bereavement to managing energy costs.

B discovered the group through a local newsletter. She says:

💭 “I enjoy socialising and doing different activities, learning new arts and crafts. I appreciate the information provided by the staff that I wasn't aware of before… I appreciate just getting out of the house and having somewhere to go.”

W rarely misses a session and is usually the first to arrive. Since losing his wife, the group has become an important part of his routine.

💭 “I enjoy the camaraderie of the group and playing dominoes… It helps me get out of the house and meet others. I know most of the people here, but I have made some new friends.”

This is a reminder of how important community spaces can be in helping people stay connected, active and part of their community as they grow older 🩷

09/04/2026

🪩 Thanks to a £1,000 grant from the Alan Higgs Fund, Ascension (Dance Ascension CIC) has continued its partnerships with local schools in Earlsdon, creating opportunities for young people to meet new people, express themselves through the arts, and understand the positive role creativity can play in their community.

Together, young participants explored the topic of dementia while devising a dance performance. Along the way, they learned not only about the roots of the illness but also about empathy, connection, and the importance of intergenerational understanding.

Residents didn’t just watch the performance. They joined in. Through movement, conversation and shared experiences, they were able to engage socially and cognitively, supporting wellbeing and helping to stimulate memories and connection.

Through projects like this, we’re proud to support work that strengthens relationships between schools, arts organisations and communities - showing how dance and creativity can build wellbeing, create lasting memories, and bring people together across generations in Coventry 🩷

12/03/2026

In 2018, Heart of England Community Foundation received an incredibly generous anonymous donation. The donors had a powerful vision: to support three charities providing housing solutions to vulnerable people with up to £1 million each to renovate, restore, or build safe and rehabilitative living spaces for those who need them most.

From this vision, the Building Better Lives Capital Grants programme was born.

One of the inspiring organisations supported through the programme was St Basils, which used the funding to restore and refurbish properties to create 32 units of supported accommodation for young people at risk of homelessness across Coventry and Warwickshire.

The impact has been remarkable:

💙 Since opening in 2020, 180 young people have been supported with accommodation.
💙 150 young people have moved on into their own tenancies.
💙 Many have gained greater independence, with some also progressing into employment.

Jean Templeton, Chief Executive of St Basils, said:

💬 “The Building Better Lives funding we received from Heart of England Community Foundation helped us provide safe and secure accommodation for young people experiencing homelessness in Coventry. Before this funding, we were not in a position to provide our own accommodation. This funding was a game changer – it meant we had a place to provide a home for young people who needed it most. Its impact will support positive futures for many years to come. On behalf of them all, thank you.”

And this is only the beginning.

📅 Building Better Lives opens on Monday 16th March.

The second phase of this programme will provide grants of up to £20,000 over two years for organisations working to break the cycle of homelessness and provide holistic support for people in Birmingham and the Black Country who are at immediate risk of, or currently experiencing, homelessness.

If your organisation is making a difference in this space, we encourage you to apply.