Principal activities of the company

As set out in the Memorandum and Articles of Association, the objects of the charity are: to promote the benefit of the inhabitants of the area of benefit. In particular, to advance Christian values, education and training, relieve sickness and old age, preserve and protect good health and to provide facilities in the interest of social welfare for recreation and other leisure time occupation with the object of improving the conditions of life for the said inhabitants. Bilston Resource Centre's main activity is to support local people to access learning, skills and employment, by providing a welcoming open access facility, providing Information Advice & Guidance {IAG), help with CVs and jobsearch, as well as learning opportunities in Basic Skills, ESOL and Information Technology. We also work with other partners within our networks and provide vocationally relevant skills and qualifications. Additionally, we have developed the community hub and cafe to bring community groups together and also enabling organisations to make use of the centre's new purpose built facilities. All of the Centre's activities are aimed at supporting local people, in an area of high deprivation. No member of the Company, including the Directors, receives any financial benefit from their involvement with the Centre. In developing activities and delivering services, the Directors have taken account of the guidance on public benefit published by the Charities Commission.

Additional information

BRC has achieved positive successes this year, with the delivery of a range of projects promoting engagement and outreach activities, employment and skills support, learning support including English, Maths, ESOL and Digital support and the community cafe continuing to delivery range of activities for service users and also some bookings for key stakeholders. BRC has also delivered new activities in relation to digital support and have taken on new volunteers and digital mentors supporting the delivery of provisions in the community. Additionally, BRC was successful with Net Zero Grant F..unding to acquire a Solar PV and Battery system, with appropriate controls, to improve energy management and use, which will enable BRC to become more sustainable. BRC has continued to support residents through its services and delivered work placements for young people aged 16 - 18, by working with local youth groups and equipping them with practical skills through work experience. Through our digital scheme we have been supporting residents aged 50+ to enable them to improve their IT skills and also work towards becoming digital mentors supporting new starters with IT and also continuing with the digital device lending scheme. Volunteering and mentoring has enabled beneficiaries to improve their mental health, well-being and overall outlook on their career aspirations. Information Advice and Guidance continues to be delivered to Matrix Quality Standard. This included career guidance and action planning, help with CVs and job applications, and access to jobsearch {including online job search). BRC has also taken on new volunteers to help them improve new skills in customer care, IAG and digital mentoring and catering.Openawards and OCN accredited learning for Basic Skills and ESOL. 52 learners were supported to achieve qualifications in Essential Digital Skills Entry 3 and Level 1 and ESOL entry 1-3. This is a huge acheivement for these learners as this was the first time for most learners to acheive their first acreddited qualification. BRC has continued to partner with the City of Wolverhampton Council to participate in the digital chrome book lending scheme. BRC are also a key partner in the Black Country Futures strategic partnership group and has had the opportunity to participate in shaping the strategy of learning, support, well-being across the black country with other organisations. BRC has also continued to develop strong local partnership in the Bilston area with community providers, identifying local issues to address. BRC has successfully delivered against its key projects being UKSPF, BCF2, Know Your Neighbourhood (KYN) and Adult Skills Budget (ASB). These projects have enabled BRC to test and trial new innovotive activities, not only supporting people's employment and training needs, but also activities around their health and well-being needs improving people's self-esteem, self-belief and confidence, with particular focus on young people, over 50s and non-native speakers of other languages including refugees. BRC has also been successful commencing the delivery of Digital Divide via West Midlands Combined Authority.

This report was approved by the board of directors on 30 September 2025
and signed on behalf of the board by:

Name: Peter Share
Status: Director