Yardley Neighbourhood
Network Scheme
Purpose of Neighbourhood Network Schemes (Page)
The aim of Neighbourhood Network Schemes (known as NNS) in Birmingham is to help older adults and adults with disabilities to lead healthy, happy and independent lives in their own homes and communities.
Adult Social Care developed Neighbourhood Network Schemes across Birmingham in 2018 and 2019 and now each constituency has a Neighbourhood Network Scheme which works closely with community organisations (“assets”) and the constituency social work team. The Neighbourhood Networks’ role is to strengthen local communities so that neighbourhoods become better places to grow old in. The purpose of NNS is to ensure that as many citizens over 50 as possible can access community-based support which can promote well-being and a better quality of life. NNS aims to do this through better coordination of community-based prevention & early intervention services. They develop partnership work between voluntary, community and faith organisations and the public sector, in particular Adult Social Care and health.
The expansion of NNS from April 2022 included adults with disabilities and long-term health conditions as well as older people. In particular citizens with physical and sensory impairment, poor mental health, learning disabilities and neurodiverse (autism and ADHD).
As with all NNSs, Yardley NNS work to these building blocks:
Yardley Neighbourhood Network Scheme (YNNS) (Page)
Disability Resource Centre is the lead facilitator in the Yardley Constituency working in partnership with BID services and Oasis Hobmoor Community Centre. The scheme has Community Development Workers based in the constituency who have been mapping the activities and services (Community Assets); identifying any gaps and supporting new or existing groups in developing activities or services that will help fill those gaps. As long as your purposes are charitable and non-profitable, small grants are available to help local groups and activities.
Wards covered by YNNS
- Acocks Green
- Bordesley Green
- Garretts Green
- Glebe Farm & Tile Cross
- Hall Green North
- Sheldon
- Small Heath
- South Yardley
- Sparkbrook & Balsall Heath East
- Tyseley & Hay Mills
- Yardley East
- Yardley West & Stechford
Eligibility Checker
- Does your project or service benefit residents of the Yardley Constituency?
- Does your project or service benefits residents over the age of 50 or aged 18-49 with a disability?
- Do you operate as a non-profit, or working towards becoming a non-profit?
If you would like to find out more about the Yardley Neighbourhood Network Scheme, including accessing support as a Yardley citizen, contact the team on YNNSGrants@disability.co.uk
Join the Yardley NNS Facebook Group
Keep up to date with local news, events, support and community conversations by joining the Yardley NNS Facebook Group.
Grants Application Process
The YNNS team meet with assets to learn more about the projects / ideas that community groups / assets / orgs have to ensure that they not only align with the NNS and local priorities but to provide the necessary guidance and information around the grants application process. These meetings also help to build better understanding of the project and build rapport with the assets too. After the meeting, the grants application forms and guidance paperwork is shared with the asset who begin their work on completing the grants application. This is submitted to the team by the last Monday of the month who review it and feedback with any suggestions and required amendments. We are here to support every step of the way and open to questions being asked. The YNNS team check through all the required policies and procedures to ensure compliancy too. Once any amendments are made, the application is submitted to panel up to two weeks ahead of the grants panel meeting. During the grants panel meeting, the application is discussed and is either approved, deferred (pending queries / clarifications) or declined (with reasons provided).