Communities are calling for bold leadership and sustained investment to tackle racism and exclusion across Birmingham.
We're pleased to share a new report from the VCFSE Community Cohesion Summit, convened by Birmingham Voluntary Service Council (BVSC) and Birmingham Race Impact Group (BRIG), with support from Birmingham City Council.
The report captures the voices of community and public sector leaders who came together to discuss the realities of community cohesion in Birmingham. It highlights growing concerns around racism, hate incidents, declining trust in institutions, and the wider impact of poverty, housing insecurity and cuts to community services.
The report also sets out practical recommendations, including:
• Stronger city-wide leadership and accountability on cohesion and anti-racism
• Long-term investment in community infrastructure and safe spaces
• A shift towards prevention rather than reactive responses
• Greater collaboration between communities, charities and public institutions
• Ensuring lived experience is at the heart of decision-making
As our Chair, Ranjit Sondhi CBE, said:
"Community cohesion cannot be separated from anti-racism. This report gives an honest account of what community organisations are seeing, hearing and experiencing across Birmingham today. It also reminds us that the knowledge, commitment and leadership needed to respond already exist within our communities."
The report concludes with a simple but powerful message:
"We know what needs to be done. Now we need to do it."
