Spark(Burntwood) CIO
Charity 1184253
Overview
Summary
Spark(Burntwood) CIO appears to use a former children’s-centre site as a community anchor: combining early-years and family activity with wider learning, volunteering and community participation. Its formal purposes extend beyond childcare into employment-related training and support for residents, suggesting an ambition to build local capability as well as provide activities. The available website evidence indicates a programme that mixes practical family support, wellbeing, recreation and volunteer recognition, though the scale and reach of these strands remain unclear.
Operational geography
Coverage: District
Operational areas:
Evidence and reasoning
Supporting evidence
Remaining uncertainties
- No current direct evidence identifies delivery, a physical site, or a material delivery partnership within any of the supplied Birmingham wards or the City Centre.
- Spark's public locations list appears focused on Burntwood and nearby parts of the Lichfield district, but it may not be a complete record of every occasional or future off-site activity.
- The organisation's charitable objects refer to Burntwood and surrounding communities without defining a precise geographical boundary.
Additional evidence needed
- A current full service timetable or delivery-location register confirming whether Spark runs any sessions, outreach, commissioned work or partner-led activities in Birmingham.
- Confirmation from Spark of the geographic catchment and any locations used for recurring services beyond the venues listed on its website.
Areas of work
- Disability
- Education/training
- Recreation
Who they help
- Children/young People
- The General Public/mankind
How they help
- Provides Advocacy/advice/information
- Provides Buildings/facilities/open Space
- Provides Services
Discoveries involving this organisation
The Atlas has not published any Discoveries involving this organisation yet.
Observations
A community hub model built from early-years infrastructure
Spark appears to have repurposed a former children’s-centre site into a broader community hub, while retaining pre-school children and families as its central constituency.
Why it matters
This suggests the organisation may be preserving locally rooted family infrastructure while adapting it to wider community use. Its place-based role may therefore be as important as any individual activity.
Show evidence
“We operate a community hub on the site of a former childrens' centre.”
Source:Organisation“The hub offers groups and activities to benefit the local community, in particular pre-school age children and their families.”
Source:Organisation
Volunteering may be part of the organisation’s development strategy
Volunteering appears to be more than supplementary help: it is embedded in Spark’s charitable objects and publicly recognised through volunteer-focused events and awards.
Why it matters
This may indicate a model that builds local participation and skills alongside service delivery. It raises a useful question about whether volunteers are also a route into confidence, training or employment.
Show evidence
“The CIO advances education and training for children, parents, carers and residents, with a particular view to promoting volunteering and relieving unemployment.”
Source:Charity Commission“The website lists a Spark Volunteer Social and reports volunteer recognition and volunteer award winners.”
Source:Organisation
Its offer bridges family support and community wellbeing
Spark’s programme appears to connect family-oriented activities with recreational and wellbeing opportunities, rather than operating solely as a childcare provider.
Why it matters
This broader mix may help Spark create repeated, informal points of contact with families and residents, potentially strengthening relationships before needs become acute.
Show evidence
“Upcoming activities include a Pregnancy Social, Spark Family Festival, therapeutic yoga, circus skills workshops and Farm on Wheels.”
Source:Organisation“The charity's stated activities include education/training, disability and recreation.”
Source:Charity Commission
- It is unclear which neighbourhoods and communities beyond Burntwood are reached, and whether any groups are underserved.
- There is no evidence of service scale, funding model, partner organisations, participant outcomes or the practical support offered around unemployment.
- The extent to which disability inclusion shapes programme design is not clear.
Remaining uncertainties
- Annual reports or impact data showing attendance, repeat participation, beneficiary characteristics and outcomes.
- Information on funding, staffing, volunteer roles and partnerships with schools, health services, employment providers or other local organisations.
- Programme accessibility information, including support for disabled children, parents and carers.
Additional evidence needed
Charity Commission profile
Activities
We operate a community hub on the site of a former childrens' centre, offering a range of groups and activities to benefit the local community in particular pre-school age children and their families.
Charity objects
THE OBJECTS OF THE CIO ARE: 1. TO ENHANCE THE DEVELOPMENT AND EDUCATION OF CHILDREN IN BURNTWOOD AND THE SURROUNDING COMMUNITIES, (HEREINAFTER REFERRED TO AS THE 'AREA OF BENEFIT') BY THE PROVISION OF CHILDCARE AND PLAY FACILITIES AND ACTIVITIES. 2. TO ADVANCE EDUCATION AND TRAINING FOR CHILDREN, PARENTS, CARERS AND RESIDENTS WITHIN THE AREA OF BENEFIT WITH A PARTICULAR VIEW TO PROMOTIG VOLUNTEERING AND RELIEVING UNEMPLOYMENT. 3. TO ADVANCE THE EDUCATION OF PARENTS, FAMILIES, LOCAL COMMUNITIES AND ORGANISATIONS IN THE AREA TO BENEFIT IN RELATION TO CHILDCARE, PLAY, EDUCATION AND EARLY LEARNING SERVICES AND ACTIVITIES.