Our aim is to address economic and social disadvantage in the Edgbaston by working to remove financial obstacles, which inhibit the achievements of young people in the region.

It is a great example of how communities across a large region have harnessed the energy and resources of local people. It is a great example of how the energy and resources of local people, businesses, corporations and community organisations across a large region have been harnessed to address a key community issue.


Community - Sustainability - Social Enterprise - Solutions

Best Chances is socio-economic focussed charity, with the aim of offering individuals and groups a best chance to bridge to opportunity and a brighter future. The emphasis is on supporting young people and others within the community to develop the skills and experience to flourish and optimise their potential, and then to reinvest some of what they have learnt back into the community:

  • Supporting and inspiring young people to develop and achieve ambitions
  • Developing confidence and aspirations in our young people and the community
  • Focusing on sustainable solutions and peer coaching and leadership
  • Pro active employability skills coaching and development
  • Practical, credible and relevant programmes and financial support
  • Meeting the needs of communities and young people so they can bridge to a brighter future
Best Chances is fortunate to have strong links with some long standing and innovative practioners, such as Quinzone, Four Dwellings High School, the EDGE partnership of schools and emerging links with corporate, multi agency and local government players.
A foundation stone of Best Chances is its local nature – help from one source within the community to another. Though starting in the wider Edgbaston area of central and west Birmingham, it is the intention of the charity to develop a network of such charities, operating at a local level, both nationally and internationally – a national and international local charity infact.
Best Chances owes its existence to the work of two Birmingham teachers, Bernie Smith and Maureen Hunt, whose book, George Best A Celebration provides both a financial and practical foundation to the charity’s work. Their work, and the work of Four Dwellings High School, Quinzone and the EDGE Partnership of schools in South West Birmingham provide examples of practice which are internationally renowned.
For information about George Best A Celebration please contact via Four Dwellings High School and see the website: www.georgebestacelebration.com
Best Chances is administered by the Birmingham Foundation (www.bhamfoundation.co.uk)
TERMS OF REFERENCE

Best Chances asks its Governors to ensure that the following ethos and practice are followed by the charity in its operations:

  1. That the vision of the charity is adhered to in its work and disbursements
  2. That fellow Trustees and operations staff adhere to the vision of the charity
  3. That operations staff maintain an appropriate level of communications with the Trustees, certainly not less than twice a year at a formal meeting
  4. That the charity is as pro active and innovative as practical in working towards the vision
  5. That the charity is run in an efficient and professional manner, with due regard to all employment and equality laws and good practice
  6. That the operations team are supported, guided and encouraged by the Trustees
WHAT BEST CHANCES IS:

A charitable fund that invests in and develops local social capital, utilising local skills, financial contributions and expertise to develop young people so that they can bridge into further education, training, higher education or the workplace. This will be done by delivering Best Chances own sustainable and bespoke skills programmes, offering individual financial and mentoring support and encouraging and aiding social enterprise. Best Chances will become a national network of local charities.

Best Chances is administered by the Birmingham Foundation (Charity number 1048162) and is proud to be part of the Birmingham Foundation’s family of charities and managed funds.