Strategic-Plan-2012-15Final.Pdf

Home , Birmingham Pride, Stonewall (charity)

Contents Page

2-3 Overview of the organisation

4 Organisational tenets vision and values

5 Aims and objectives

6 Overview of current services

7 SWOT Analysis

8-11 Strategic priorities

12 Organisational structure

13 Staff and Trustees

(Complementary Documents)

(Fundraising Strategy)

(Marketing Plan)

Overview of the organisation

Birmingham LGBT was established in 2002. Originally called Birmingham Pride Trust and then Birmingham LGBT Community trust ,it was established as a grassroots breakaway group from the Pride festival by individuals who felt that a Pride event once a year did not meet the community’s diverse needs.

From the outset the Birmingham LGBT aimed to raise awareness of issues that affect Birmingham’s LGBT citizens through consultation, community engagement, advocacy, strategic engagement and lobbying.

In 2004 and 2005 the organisation carried out a series of events called Gay Life Matters. From these consultation events they identified four strategic priorities: younger and older LGBT people, LGBT health, housing and social care and BAME LGBT people.

In 2006 the Birmingham LGBT established the LGBT Community Forum to which 36 voluntary and community groups are affiliated. In 2006 they also carried out a consultation event ‘Are you being served?’. The results were fed back to key stakeholders in the city.

Birmingham LGBT became a registered charity in February 2007 and in April 2007, in partnership with Stonewall, hosted a political briefing for senior politicians and executives of Birmingham City Council.

In 2007 Birmingham LGBT was active in lobbing for the regeneration of the gay village area and received funding from the Heritage Lottery fund to develop the Gay Birmingham Remembered exhibition and archive.

In 2008 in partnership with The Consortium of LGBT Voluntary and Community Organisations Birmingham LGBT received three year funding from Capacity Builders to improve the reach, capacity and voice of the LGBT third sector and appointed there first fulltime development worker.

The trustees underwent a number of strategic planning days with the Consortium in December 2008 and identified the need to develop a strong strategic board. A skills audit was carried out and a recruitment process followed to ensure effective governance for the organisation.

In April 2009 Birmingham LGBT secured £35,000 funding from Arts Council England to pilot an LGBT cultural festival in the city in the month of November SHOUT Birmingham’s festival of queer culture is now in its fourth year. In June 2009 Birmingham LGBT secured a three year SLA from Corporate Equalities Birmingham City Council and appointed their second full time member of staff to the role Strategic Development Worker.

In 2010 Birmingham LGBT carried out a series of community consultations and a large scale needs assessment (Woods et all 2011) which identified the need for a community resource to addressee health and wellbeing.

In 2011 Birmingham LGBT were successful in a bid to the Big lotteries Reaching communities strand for £480,000 over four years to set up an LGBT health and wellbeing centre with a £250,000 capital investment from Birmingham city council the project is being developed.

In 2011 the board appointed a Director to oversee the strategic development of the charity and a health and wellbeing manager. The organisation became a company limited by guarantee in 2011 (and a registered charity) limiting the liability of the Directors and allowing it to trade.

In 2012 Birmingham LGBT appointed a Volunteer co-ordinator with a grant from Lloyds TSB to recruit, train and support volunteers for the health and wellbeing centre and has been successful in an application to Birmingham City council Adults and Communities directorate to set up a service for older LGBT people.

The last eighteen months have seen a period of rapid expansion for Birmingham LGBT with exciting developments and major achievements.

Organisational tenets

Mission

To develop a vibrant, diverse lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans community in Birmingham in which individuals can realise their full potential and have equal access to all the city has to offer.

Values

Passion

We are passionate about creating and developing a thriving and vibrant LGBT community.

Community

We are a grassroots, user-led organization located within and accountable to, Birmingham’s diverse Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Trans communities.

Respect

We create and maintain an environment in which everyone is treated fairly with consideration, dignity and respect.

Equality and Diversity

We are committed to embracing and valuing diversity within our organization and our communities, promoting equality of opportunity and human rights for all Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Trans people.

Empowerment

We motivate and inspire our communities by enabling all members to grow and achieve their full potential.

Aims and Objectives

Aim

Our aim to raise awareness of the needs of lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans (LGBT) people in Birmingham and beyond, and to ensure their needs are met to enable them to fully participate in the lives of their communities.

Objectives

1. To act as the voice of the LGBT third sector in Birmingham, based on a knowledge and evidence of need, creating a positive and visible LGBT community.

2. Create a highly skilled LGBT third sector that has opportunities for volunteering and service development.

3. To raise awareness of the needs of the LGBT community in the city and develop appropriate services where needs exist.

4. To challenge negative stereotypes about LGBT people and combat Homophobia and transphobic.

Overview of current services

LGBT health and Wellbeing centre

The project is currently being developed The LGBT Health and Wellbeing Centre will be a one stop shop for the community and community groups, and will work with other service providers to address health inequalities within the LGBT Community, such as high rates of smoking and drinking, self harm, depression and attempted suicide.

LGBT older people’s Health and Wellbeing Project

The project will develop a peer mentoring service deliver support and advocacy and run a series of social events for people who re older and LGBT

Capacity Building the LGBT Third Sector

Birmingham LGBT provides specialist thematic infrastructure support to the LGBT third sector in the city. The project aims to build the capacity of the LGBT third sector in Birmingham though carrying out needs assessments, providing training, support with governance and fundraising. The project aims to expand the LGBT community forum and increase sustainability of community groups. Birmingham LGBT is a partner on the Transforming local infrastructure consortium in Birmingham

Strategic Engagement and Voice

One of Birmingham LGBT’s priorities is to raise the profile of the LGBT third sector in the city and raise awareness of issues that affect the community’s strategically. Birmingham LGBT represent the LGBT community on key partnerships in the city and are currently working with public health on a LGBT health and well being strategy in the city.

Events including SHOUT Birmingham’s Festival of Queer culture

Birmingham LGBT runs a programme of events including the Shout Festival and this year Shout Film Festival. Shout is in its fourth year and is established as part of Birmingham’s Arts and Cultural offering. Birmingham LGBT also programmes the community area of Birmingham Pride

LGBT heritage

Including the Gay Birmingham Remembered archive and exhibition and the Gay Birmingham Back to Backs project.

SWOT Analysis

Strengths Weaknesses

Skilled staff team Capacity (small team)

Committed board of Directors Skills gaps(board)

Good reputation No quality mark in place

Track record of delivering Rapid growth

Funding to deliver Fixed term funding contracts

Governance recognised brand

Opportunities Threats

Changing health structures Economic climate

Changing government policy Recession

Opportunities to earn income at centre Competition

Partnerships and consortia Contracting

Funding landscape Changing Government policy

Equalities act Lack of community engagement

Shrinking public sector Tokenism

Change in local government power Rapid growth sustainability structure

Political influence

Strategic priorities 2012-2015

Strategic Voice:

Ensuring the needs of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Trans communities are met through advocating, campaigning, lobbying and influencing key strategic stakeholders.

Capacity Building:

Supporting and empowering a thriving LGBT community in Birmingham.

Service Development:

Developing a wide range of diverse and inclusive services to meet the needs of LGBT people.

Health:

Improving health equality for the LGBT community by removing barriers and developing appropriate service provision.

Training:

Educating and informing individuals, groups and organizations in LGBT and other issues.

Events:

Developing and promoting LGBT cultural events, including SHOUT Festival.

Strategic outcomes 2012 – 2015

Priority ONE Strategic Voice