 
Balsall Heath Forum
Method(s) Used
Name of person who posted the project:Karin Gavelin (Involve)
Location of project:United Kingdom
Date when the project started:
Date when the project ended/project ongoing:
Background to project:Balsall Heath was an area with a cohesive working class community living in traditional terraced houses, which was broken up due to redevelopment. Economic change, development and immigration gradually replaced the traditional community with communities that were fragmented and less assertive. This allowed a red light district to expand and become a major problem for the area. Schools in the area were also poor, the environment was poor and there were problems with anti-social behaviour.Some local activists with a Trade Union background came together with the local church leaders and decided that they would take some action to decide if the area could be saved and young people given more positive role models than those offered by the area�s prostitution. Purpose of project:To build community cohesion, raise living standards and improve the life chances of the people living in the area.Project activities:The Forum began with a small group that set up a day nursery and a school. The success of these inspired the setting up of the Building a Better Balsall Heath Campaign. This was aimed at improving the area more generally, increasing the aspirations of the community, widening the participation of residents and giving them the confidence to self-govern. The campaign led to the setting up of the Forum. The principles and training of the Trade Union participants were particularly important in emphasising the need for mutual support, self reliance and organisation in the setting up of these initiatives.The Forum structure has since established a street steward for each street in the area. These spread information and welcome new residents into the area, helping them to settle in and find out about services. They are regarded as more positive local role models and also organize 22 residents groups. Through their local knowledge they can identify important local issues; they know the local beat officers and can tackle problems immediately. The Forum co-ordinates the stewards, the 22 residents groups and service providers. The residents groups are autonomous but come together on issues such as safety. The Forum is like a commonwealth; common issues are distilled into the overarching Forum structure. The Forum contributes to the strategy of other agencies through a Neighbourhood Strategy Partnership, chaired by the Forum and attended by statutory services. This employs a Neighbourhood Manager and neighbourhood development plans emerge from this partnership. These are the forward plans for the year, providing a focus for action. The Forum also employs neighbourhood wardens and runs a range of services including day care for older people, a nursery and environmental services. The Forum wants to work to spread their model in Birmingham and beyond, building the capacity of statutory sector managers outside their area to engage with communities. Balsall Heath Forum Police and Youth Services to set up a Youth Inclusion Support Panel. The Panel employs two outreach youth workers paid for by the police. It supports young people who have started to act anti-socially, changing their behaviour through family support and diverting them into positive activities. It has also helped young people to develop communication and leadership skills by participating in community arts events. A Health Village has been developed in partnership with the Primary Care Trust, with modern facilities and services such as minor operations and children�s mental health care. The village hosts 11 voluntary organisations. The multiagency approach has also been applied to the development of an early years drugs education programme. Project results:
Contact details:http://www.balsallheathforum.org.uk
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