Andrew Mitchell MP has welcomed the news that money from the Government’s Big Society Transition Fund will support the voluntary sector in Sutton Coldfield and across Birmingham. The funding, part of a wave of payouts from the £107 million Transition Fund, has been paid out to Acacia Family Support, based on Coleshill Street. Last year New Hall Councillor James Bird and Andrew Mitchell MP visited Acacia to present the charity with a cheque for £450 – money which Cllr Bird raised by running the 8.5 mile Great Midlands Fun Run. Acacia was named as one of the first 201 charities in the UK to receive money from the Transition Fund when the Government announced its second wave of payouts in March. In the third wave of payouts announced earlier this week (13 June) Birmingham Citizens Advice Bureau will also receive money from the fund along with 27 other Birmingham organisations. Although three quarters of charities receive no public funding, the Government is determined to protect those charities, such as Acacia Family Support, which are most vulnerable to public spending cuts. The Transition Fund provides grants to these organisations to allow them to prepare for the future opportunities opened up by the Big Society. The money will fund the crucial changes that charities need to make to take advantage of the new opportunities available to them from opening up public sector contracts. So far more than 900 charities nationally have received support from the Transition Fund. Andrew Mitchell MP said, “The Government is committed to supporting charities, voluntary groups and social enterprises across the West Midlands despite the necessity of dealing with Labour’s disastrous economic legacy. “Acacia Family Support does important work with mothers and their families affected by pre or post natal depression so it was great to hear that they were one of the first to receive money from the Government’s Transition Fund.”