Edgbaston Neighbourhood Network Scheme
Creating a network of support in Edgbaston.
About Us
What is the Edgbaston Neighbourhood Network Scheme (ENNS)?
The Neighbourhood Network Scheme is a community project dedicated to combatting loneliness and isolation among adults 50+ and those adults aged 18 – 49 with additional needs, within the Edgbaston constituency. The Edgbaston Neighbourhood Network Scheme (ENNS for short) works with community assets to ensure that citizens have activities on their doorstep which help them connect to their communities and lead independent, happy and healthy lives. We also work closely with local Social Work teams to help them access local services and activities for the people they support.
What areas are covered?
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Bartley Green
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Edgbaston
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North Edgbaston
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Harborne
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Quinton
How can Edgbaston NNS help?
If you run or are part of a group/activity (or are thinking of setting one up), our NNS team can support you with the following:
Helping you set up a new activity
Guiding you through every step to ensure a smooth start.
Accessing small grant funding
Unlocking essential resources to fuel your projects and ideas.
Training
Empowering you with the skills and knowledge to excel.
Networking opportunities
Connecting you with the right people to expand your horizons. Joining the citywide asset register Integrating your resources into a community-wide network for greater impact.
Grant Application
The Edgbaston Neighbourhood Network Scheme aims to support local groups, grassroots organisations and individuals who are passionate about enhancing their communities through provision of activities. We provide grants for projects that have a strong community focus and a well-developed project idea, promotes community engagement, foster social connections, and improve the wellbeing of local residents.
Who Can Apply ?
- Registered Charity: established for charitable purposes and registered with the Charity Commission.
- Company Limited by Guarantee: An incorporated firm without share capital, in which the liability of its members is limited by the amount each one of them undertakes to contribute at the time the firm is wound up, usually £1.
- Unincorporated groups: Informal community groups of individuals or local associations working together for community benefit e.g. residents association
Eligible Activities ?
- Health and Wellbeing: Activities that promote physical, mental, and emotional health, such as fitness classes, mental health workshops, and wellness events.
- Intergenerational Projects: Activities that foster learning opportunities or skill development between younger and older adults.
- Arts and Crafts: Activities that promote wellbeing through various arts.
- Environmental Initiatives: Projects focused on sustainability and community gardening that bring people together.
- Social Inclusion Activities: Initiatives that bring together diverse groups, including seniors, youth, or marginalised communities, as well as LGBTQ, BAME, and refugee communities.
- Digital inclusion: Projects that support digital literacy
Funding Amounts?
- Small Grants: Up to £20,000 for projects that run recurring activities overa period of two years with long-term community benefits and broader impact.
- Micro Grants: Up to £500 for use as seed funding or pilot projects
Application Process :
- Initial Enquiry: Get in touch to speak to a member of the ENNS team to determine eligibility.
- Full Application: If eligible, complete the full grant application. For small grants, complete the application online on the Heart of England Community Foundation website, requiring a detailed project plan, budget, and expected outcomes. For microgrants, download the form and return the completed forms to the team member you spoke with.
- Review Process: An external grants panel will review applications for small grants and the ENNS team for microgrants.
- Notification: The Heart of England Community Foundation for small grants and the ENNS manager for microgrants will inform applicants of the outcome.
Evaluation Criteria ?
- Community Impact: How will the project benefit the community and does it address one of the ENNS priorities? What are the anticipated outcomes?
- Feasibility: Is the project plan realistic and achievable within the proposed timeframe and budget?
- Sustainability: Will the project have a lasting impact? Is there potential for the activity to continue beyond the grant period?
- Inclusivity: Does the project promote inclusion and engagement across diverse community groups?
Reporting Requirements ?
Grant recipients will be required to provide a report on the project’s outcomes, including how the funds were used and the impact on the community. This may include photos, testimonials, or other supporting materials. For grants of £5000 and over, recipients will be required to complete the Public Health Measures and provide a case study each quarter. If the grant is under £5000, recipients would be required to complete the Adult Social Care Survey. For microgrants, applicants will be expected to share stories of difference.
How to Apply ?
Small grants:
Apply online
- Older Adults (50+)
Edgbaston & Northfield NNS Fund | Heart of England Community Foundation (heartofenglandcf.co.uk)
Click Here For Online Form
Reference:
NNS Edgbaston Fund Factsheet September 2023
Click to Access
- Younger Adults with Additional Needs (18 –49)
NNS Younger Adults | Heart of England Community Foundation (heartofenglandcf.co.uk)
Click Here For Online Form
Reference:
NNS Younger Adults Fund Factsheet September 2023
Click Here to Access
Microgrants:
Click Here to Download
the Microgrants Application Form
Alternatively you can request a microgrant application by emailing
nnsedgbaston@ageukbirmingham.org.uk
(click to email)
Important Note:
Please also refer to the full grant guidelines on the Heart of England Community Foundation website before applying to ensure your project meets the eligibility criteria. Incomplete applications will not be considered.
Together in Time Team Dance with Xpress Yourself Dance CIC
This funding will offer six dementia-friendly tea dances and six outreach workshops in Quinton, offering music, movement, and social connection for people living with dementia and their carers in a safe, inclusive setting.
Living Well, Ageing Well at St. Germain’s Church 
This project combines group exercise and healthy eating sessions aimed at reducing risks associated with lack of physical exercise, poor and inadequate nutrition. The project will start in January and run till May. For further information, contact Heather Baseley at Heather@stgermains.org.uk
Tai Chi at Sennely’s Park
Friends of Sennely’s Park will run weekly Tai Chi sessions aimed at older people who are at risk of isolation or poor mental health. The sessions are held outdoors in the park and led by a qualified, experienced Tai Chi tutor. Each session will last an hour and run once a week for 50 weeks. Tai Chi is gentle and accessible, making it ideal for older people or anyone with limited mobility. It’s also great for improving balance, strength, and general health.
Beat It Percussion 
Rhythm for the Brain will deliver inclusive drumming-based workshops for adults aged 50+ in Edgbaston, using music and relaxation to improve cognitive function, confidence, and mental wellbeing, with plans to develop online resources to extend impact.
Birmingham Community Healthcare Charity 
The charity will create and distribute support bags for carers and people living with dementia, offering practical resources and comfort ahead of local awareness events on 7th September 2025 and 24th March 2026.
West Midlands Circus Centre
The Centre received joint funding from Northfield and Edgbaston NNS to deliver aerial circus and dance sessions, practical rigging and teacher training sessions and accessible training in performance management to those in South Birmingham.
The following benefits advice training are 3-hour sessions delivered across two days. The training is aimed specifically at organisations and community groups delivering services within the Edgbaston Constitutency for young adults with a disability (18-49) or older adults (50+). An expression of interest for these training does not guarantee a place.
Debt Advice & Benefits Training
Thurs 26th - Fri 27th February 2026 9:45 a.m. - 12:45 p.m.
Online on Zoom
Click Here To Book
Bid Writing: Learn how to write an Awards for All funding appliction
Thursday 5th February 10:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
Edgbaston Gold Club
25 Church Road
Birmingham B15 3TB
Click Here To Book
Caring Together: A Dementia-Friendly Day for Carers and Loved Ones
Tuesday 24th March 10:00 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.
B:Music, Justham Family Room, Level 5 A
8 Centenary Square
Birmingham B1 2EA
Click Here To Book
Emergency First Aid at Work (delivered by British Red Cross)
Tuesday 28th April 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
City Road Baptist Church
City Road
Birmingham B17 0NE
Click Here To Book
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Meet our team
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Project Manager |
 Faraza AndersonCommunity Development Worker |
 Jay AllsoppCommunity Development Worker |
 Natalie LavinService Lead: Social Prescribing & Edgbaston Neighbourhood Network Scheme(ENNS) |
