Making Birmingham an inclusive city

successfully engaged their families. Eco Factor led to different groups of young
people connecting with each other for the first time and building friendships,
developing the self-confidence and self-esteem of young people participating, as well
as raising awareness about eco-issues.
Combating fuel poverty: Summerfield Eco Village
Residents played a key role in the development of a multiaward
winning partnership between Family Housing,
Birmingham City Council Urban Living and other agencies.
This has delivered a large-scale retro-fitting programme to
over 300 low income households’ homes, making them
more energy efficient and reducing household bills,
engaging residents in ‘green issues’, and creating training
and employment opportunities.
Court Lane allotments
Court Lane allotments were due to be closed and the land
developed because of vandalism. They were brought back to life by community
intervention. A management group was formed by local people to tend the
allotments and they were opened up for residents to learn about growing, cooking
and eating the produce. Local schools have their own plot to educate the children.
Health and wellbeing is promoted and vandalism has stopped.
DWP WiSH (Worklessness in Shard End and Handsworth) project
A co-located partnership team involving Jobcentre Plus, Midland Heart, Pertemps,
People Development Group and the city council provided support to 379 unemployed
people including care leavers and other vulnerable groups.
Edgbaston Arts Forum
Edgbaston Arts forum encourages practical engagement in arts as a vehicle for
social inclusion and promoting well being, helping to combat isolation and
regenerating a sense of belonging.
Free@ Last
Free @ Last provides opportunities, activities, mentoring and support for children and
young people in Nechells, and to further their interests by working with their families,
other agencies and relevant professionals.
Fry Housing Trust, Fry Voices Together
Fry Housing Trust provides supported accommodation and floating support services
to homeless and vulnerable people who have offended or at risk of offending. The
Trust has a client forum Fry Voices together that provides an opportunity for clients to
come together to help to shape the service they are receiving.
Growing Birmingham
Growing Birmingham started in April 2012 to encourage allotment groups, friends of
parks groups, a community allotment or individuals to get involved in community and
urban food growing, and provide a joined up approach to networking. In January
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