About us
Who we are
Black Country Together CIC was founded in 2013 by the four Councils for Voluntary Service in the Black Country with the aim of increasing levels of funding coming into our sub-region and fostering greater co-operation and collaboration between voluntary organisations and local statutory agencies both within and across borough boundaries.
Our unique partnership harnesses the considerable experience, expertise and networks of 4 well-established infrastructure bodies, opening up opportunities to draw more resources into the Black Country through which voluntary and community organisations can better serve our local residents and those most in need of support.
We were instrumental in securing over £10 million from the Big Lottery Fund to deliver Black Country Talent Match that supports young people aged 18-24, who face significant barriers to entering the world of work, to move nearer and into employment. Our role included undertaking the development work and creating the partnership of strategic and delivery agencies. Talent Match is now successfully managed by our partner Wolverhampton VSC.
In 2014 we were awarded £2 million by Arts Council England to develop, manage and deliver Creative Black Country that invests in the talent, appetite and potential of the people in the Black Country to engage in the arts for the next 3 years and beyond.bWe find creative people, make the most of creative places and enrich the Black Country's cultural and community landscape through creative thinking and action.
In 2016 we secured £3.4 million to delivery Family Matters, one of four programmes that make up Building Better Opportunities in the Black Country. Bringing together a network of 19 local, experienced and trusted partners Black Country Together will deliver holistic support to families in poverty. Focused on those experiencing multiple and compounding barriers, Family Matters will support families to navigate out of unemployment or economic inactivity and into training, voluntary work and ultimately, employment.