Free and low-cost support and training

Enterprise for Success is a new support programme for start-up businesses in Solihull and Birmingham. 

They can help guide you through the first steps of setting up a business in a supportive learning environment. Enterprise for Success can also provide advice on setting up a social enterprises or a charity.

It is open to anyone who is looking to set up an organisation or who has started in the last twelve months in Solihull or Birmingham. You must be a resident of Solihull, or your enterprise must be in Solihull, to apply.

Apply with Enterprise for Success

Solihull Safeguarding Children Partnership (SSCP) provide a comprehensive range of multi-agency training for managers and practitioners that support the delivery of the SSCP improvement priorities. 

Training is free of charge providing delegates don't miss the session or cancel with less than 24 hours notice.

Solihull Safeguarding Adult Board provides training to support practitioners to keep up to date with legislation, policy, procedures and guidance to protect adults with care and support needs from abuse and neglect. 

Community Leadership e‑learning - A free eight-module online course designed for community leaders and volunteers in Birmingham. Covers topics such as building campaigns, communication, teamwork, and negotiation. The courses can be completed at your own pace. 

Also offers peer‑learning and mentoring programmes for West Midlands social economy organisations, including in-person and virtual training with one-to-one support and access to grant incentives. 

Provides free tailored support from your very own Business Adviser, as well as programmes, training and events to businesses, including non-profits based in West Midlands.

Business Growth West Midlands

A community-based charity delivering free first aid training sessions focused on emergency response skills for local residents, volunteers, churches, youth groups and sports clubs.

Knowle and Solihull Community First Responders

Provides extensive training, toolkits, and policy guidance for voluntary organisations. Free membership is available for charities with incomes under £30,000. 

NCVO Small Charity Helpdesk - A free advice service offering support on topics like governance, safeguarding, and volunteer management, especially for small charities. 

The NCVO simple guide for setting up a charity will steer you through setting up a charity in simple steps.

Supports local infrastructure organisations with guidance, resources, and connections to local VCSE support.

NAVCA

A membership community offering leadership training, peer support, and policy updates for charity CEOs and senior staff.

ACEVO

Provides resources, research, and networking for social enterprises, with some free toolkits available.

Social Enterprise UK

A membership community offering webinars, peer networking, training, and bespoke resources co‑designed by charity chairs.

Association of Chairs

Go4Growth delivers a fully funded programme aimed at micro businesses, small businesses and VCSEs looking to engage with public sector procurement. 

The service is tailored to build capability in bidding, compliance, and public sector readiness - all at no cost to eligible organisations.

The CEF offers a comprehensive free support platforms for charities, social enterprises, and voluntary groups in the UK. 

It’s designed to help organisations improve governance, compliance, fundraising, and overall impact - at zero cost. This includes a Self-Assessment Framework, Health Checks, free resources and templates, Funder Directory and other. 

Cranfield Trust delivers free management consultancy and mentoring for charities from skilled business professionals. 

Regular live webinars covering topics like succession planning, fundraising, leadership transitions among others. Past sessions include on-demand recordings and written guides, all free to charity professionals.

Connects charities with skilled volunteers and offers a free Learning Hub with advice on board effectiveness and strategy.

Reach Volunteering

Supports small charities with fundraising tools, digital skills workshops, and match funding campaigns.

Localgiving

Offers training workshops and support in bid writing and grant funding, with some free resources and sessions available.

Get Grants

Offers paid training and publications but also shares free webinars and funding directories like Funds Online.

Directory of Social Change (DSC)

Podcasts, webinars, and events curated for charity fundraisers, often with pay-what-you-can or free places for smaller organisations.

FundraisingEverywhere 

Provides media and communications training, mentoring, and resources—many of which are free for charities.

Media Trust

The membership organisation for charity communications professionals which supports nonprofit communicators with events, resources, and knowledge sharing, including some free content.

Charity Comms

Promotes open data in grant making and offers tools and insights to help charities identify funding trends and opportunities

360 Giving

The Good Things Foundation supports digital inclusion through free training and resources on building digital skills within communities. Coordinated by Good Things Foundation, Online Centres Network includes 5,000 community centres providing free or low-cost access to digital and IT training. 

Support is available for charity staff, volunteers, and beneficiaries across the region. 

Provides free one-hour advice sessions with digital experts for charities and small nonprofits.

Digital Candle

Offers webinars, guides, and software discounts tailored to charity digital needs—from communications to cyber security. 

Charity Digital

AbilityNet is offering free sessions on accessibility and inclusion. Topics range from safe online practices to using email, apps, video calls, banking, and more. 

AbilityNet provides a range of other free tech support and information for disabled and older people.