Voluntary groups benefit from Fit4Purpose

The Fields Millennium Green Trust in action

January 2010 saw the completion of the Fit4Purpose project - a tailored package of support for ten local voluntary and community groups on the Kings Norton three estates, delivered by Fircroft College along with SWBCA (South West Birmingham Community Association).

Funded by New Deal for Communities, the project ran for seven months, with the aim of securing the future of these groups and the contribution they make to the regeneration of the area.

The groups who made most use of the project are already reaping the rewards in terms of increased skills and confidence, additional funding and new initiatives. For example, one group TEDS are launching a new cinema club for the over 60’s. Fit 4 Purpose advised on the Co-op bid which funds this and gave one-to-one IT support with developing the promotional material.

The project has been hailed a success by many of the groups who benefited. Sam Akintoye at BLISS youth group commented,

“The Fit4Purpose project has been one of the most beneficial for community groups in Kings Norton. The delivery by Fircroft College has been exceptionally good as they have provided brilliant knowledge sharing and learning atmosphere as well as dedicated members of staff offering a consistently professional and friendly support".

Margaret Sweet at The Fields Millennium Green Trust added,

“The courses I have attended at Fircroft College on behalf of the Fields Millennium Green Trust have given me a valuable insight into many aspects of governance, funding and marketing which should help our sustainability.

We would like to thank the Fircroft team for their friendly and flexible approach to meeting our needs.”

Although the Fit4Purpose project has now finished, Fircroft and SWBCA remain a resource for the voluntary sector locally. Many of the materials used during the project are currently being put on-line where the Fit 4 Purpose groups can access them as they need them.

For more information contact michael.conway-jones@fircroft.ac.uk