All posts by sandviper1

Superdiversity – keeping up with the pace of change

by Funchye

For public and private sector organisations a like it has been at a snail’s pace to make the policy and service changes needed to provide new communities with valuable  support.

Over the last decade there has been an unprecedented change in the UK population and the speed, scale, spread and diversity has exceeded anything previously experienced.

Birmingham is already set to be one of Britain’s largest minority-majority city, has seen change in the nature, complexity and distribution of its population as it enters a new age of superdiversity.

But adding to the city’s accolade of being a leader, Birmingham will be host to the first UK institute devoted to research focusing on superdiversity.

Following Birmingham Social Inclusion Process, Giving Hope Changing Lives, it has become clear that the opportunities and challenges associated with Birmingham’s rapidly changing and diverse population have not yet been fully realised.

The Institute for Research into Superdiversity (IRiS) a University of Birmingham and Birmingham City Council partnership will be making its official launch in June 2013 at an invitation only event.

by Diamond Glacier Adventures

IRiS will bring researchers, policymakers and practitioners  together to make organisations more agile and responsive to the challenges and opportunities associated Birmingham’s transformation.

Both Birmingham City Council and IRiS will ensure that research in the city and across the world can answer important questions in relation to the connection of migration, faith, language, ethnicity and culture helping to shape the future of  Birmingham and other superdiverse locations while placing IRiS and Birmingham at the forefront of research into superdiversity.

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by sandviper1 on 8th May 2013  •  Permalink
Posted in Diversity of People, Diversity of Place, Fair Brum, Inclusive Growth, Wellbeing, Young People
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Posted by sandviper1 on 8th May 2013

http://fairbrum.wordpress.com/2013/05/08/superdiversity-keeping-up-with-the-pace-of-change/

Hands-on Birmingham prepares for the impact of the welfare reform

Birmingham Mapping

Birmingham has not been sitting on its laurels when it comes to protecting those who will be most affected by the new welfare reform act.

As part of Birmingham’s Social Inclusion Process, “Giving Hope, Changing Lives”, a seminar was held in July 2012 for practitioners from a range of agencies to discuss and develop solutions to the welfare reform changes.

Following this, a Welfare Reform Multi-Agency Committee was established, to make is possible for agencies across the city to work together to prepare for the welfare reforms and ensure a co-ordinated approach to support services.

From this an action plan has been developed by the city council and key partners, covering eight workstream:

i) Communications and Multi-Agency Advice
ii) The Impact of the Welfare Reform on Individuals (data)
iii) Case studies
iv) Financial Inclusion
v) Digital Inclusion
vi) Discretionary Social Fund (Local Welfare Provision Policy)
vii) Employment
viii) Co-ordination of Crisis Support

To make sure that a cohesive and targeted response is provided, Birmingham has drawn-up a map drawn-up a map identifying crisis support for people affected across the city, as well has identifying areas that will experience multiple impacts of the welfare reform changes.

Chair of the Welfare Reform Multi-Agency Committee, Birmingham City Council Cabinet Member for Social Cohesion and Equalities, Cllr John Cotton said: “The city council is working closely with partners from across Birmingham – voluntary organisations, charities, community groups and others at the front line of supporting vulnerable people – to ensure that we have a properly coordinated response to these enormous changes.

“Many families and individuals will be hard hit by these changes. We want to make sure they get the help and support they need.”

The crisis support mapping is one of a number of initiatives carried out by Birmingham’s multi-agency welfare reform committee and identifies a number of organisations offering:

  • Clothing
  • emergency accommodation
  • financial advice
  • financial support
  • food banks
  • housing advice
  • legal advice

Birmingham Voluntary Service Council (BVSC) is one of a number of organisations working closely with the city council and its Vice-Chair and Founder, Mohammed Al-Rahim, feels the co-ordinated approach will prove vital in the coming months.

Al-Rahim, who is also the President and CEO of Selly Oak charity Freshwinds, added: “This is an important opportunity for the voluntary sector to work cooperatively, together with the City Council and the local business community, to provide vital practical support to citizens of Birmingham in these challenging times, proactively sharing knowledge and resources to coordinate a truly effective response for all those experiencing crisis and hardship.

“The network has already achieved some important successes and this will increase as our membership grows in the coming weeks and months and beyond.”

With a can do attitude the Birmingham network has already achieved some important successes, but this can only be truly measured by the number of families that are supported through this difficult time.

Watch this space for updates on our progress …

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by sandviper1 on 18th April 2013  •  Permalink
Posted in Diversity of People, Diversity of Place, Fair Brum, Inclusive Growth, Wellbeing, Young People
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Posted by sandviper1 on 18th April 2013

http://fairbrum.wordpress.com/2013/04/18/hands-on-birmingham-prepares-for-the-impact-of-the-welfare-reform/

A time for change: building resilience

Acknowledgement: poptech

We live in interesting times, with far-reaching tangible impacts on our communities. Many of them struggle to meet their basic needs even in the best of times. Not only are we facing the continued threats to our wellbeing by the on going affects of the recession, the impact of funding cuts on services, now there is the Welfare Reform to add to the burden.

More people need a social safety net to battle the daily storm that faces them. The Making Birmingham an inclusive city white paper outlines the need for change and to build community resilience to help bridge the gap between the least and most affluent of the city, by supporting the most vulnerable families and individuals to greater wellbeing.

During this time of austerity, public bodies, businesses and community-based organisations need to adopt policies that will help communities, families and individuals to build resilience, particularly those suffering from the worst effects of the recession and public sector cuts.

Ten Ideas for Change: Local growth and resilience is a recent online article giving ideas to rally local resources and expertise around targeted action that will help mitigate further inequality and exclusion:

1. Develop community-supported industries

2. Create a national fund of funds

3. Localise for growth

4. Launch a neighbourhood health watch

5. Create the conditions for the city as ‘urban workshop’ or cultural hub

6. Identify the challenges

7. Develop and partner with financial co-operatives

8. Assess and develop the strength of local networks

9. Embed a resilience approach into all council activity

10. Knit local social fabric back together

Are you already doing this? Or do you have any ideas that can help build the city’s resilience?

Please contact us by email to fairbrum@birmingham.gov.uk, visit our blog atwww.fairbrum.wordpress.com or join the conversation on Twitter @fairbrum #fairbrum

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by sandviper1 on 12th April 2013  •  Permalink
Posted in Fair Brum

Posted by sandviper1 on 12th April 2013

http://fairbrum.wordpress.com/2013/04/12/a-time-for-change-building-resilience/

Let’s not waste open spaces and community assets!

by johngarghan

The Social Inclusion Process Green Paper also focuses on the development of more open spaces and community assets, which are part of commitment 4.3 – connect people and places.

In Joseph Rowntree Foundation’s report ‘The social value of public spaces’ identified that there are six key features to successful social spaces, based on a study in 2005. These are:

  • access and availability – good physical access, welcoming spaces and extended opening hours;
  • invitations by peers and others – embedded in social networks to encourage use;
  • exchange-based relationships – moving beyond consumerism to participation in the exchange of goods and services;
  • choreography of spaces by discreet good management while also leaving room for self organisation;
  • moving beyond mono-cultures – encouraging diverse groups and activities to share common spaces; and
  • avoiding over-regulation of design and space, as security and well-being are more likely to grow out of active use.

Other examples include:

  • Urban communities in Scotland could be given powers that would allow them to take over unused land and grow crops, flowers or plant trees. The “community right to grow” is among ideas contained in the Scottish governments proposed Community Empowerment and Renewal Bill. Communities could also take ownership of underused public sector buildings breathing new life into them.
  • On the over side of the globe, Texan Urban Harvest’s programs thrives due committed staff and many talented volunteers; and not to mention a better climate. However, volunteering is an excellent way to support community gardening, our farmers markets and educational programs. Opportunities include individual projects, team work on volunteer committees, short term and long term positions with varying levels of responsibility and training.
  • Not too far away is London’s own City Harvest, which is another initiative showing the benefits associated with urban agriculture with hopes of sweeping across the UK. The website focuses specifically on the benefits in five categories of current political and social interest:

Addressing antisocial behaviour and decreasing isolation.

Improving urban environment, increasing biodiversity, and reducing the environmental impact of food production and food miles.

Providing training, skills development and job opportunities.

Improving mental and physical health.

Addressing poverty, strengthening green infrastructure, and helping communities to trade amongst each other.

Why not share what’s happening here in Birmingham ‘We’re doing it’ also tell us whether the recommendation is right, while you’ve  still got time!

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by sandviper1 on 1st November 2012  •  Permalink
Posted in Diversity of People, Diversity of Place, Fair Brum, Inclusive Growth, Wellbeing, Young People

Posted by sandviper1 on 1st November 2012

http://fairbrum.wordpress.com/2012/11/01/lets-not-waste-open-spaces-and-community-assets/

Two sides of digital sword; divide and inequality

Many at the forefront of technology recognise that the last decade has seen the fastest rate of technological advancement ever. The digital divide and digital inequality are significant obstacles that must overcome, through allocation of resources and further research.
Advances in technology

The digital divide focuses primarily on the statistical data regarding how many people have access to Internet technology. Collins dictionary, 2011 defines the digital divide as, “the gap between those people who have Internet access and those who do not.”

At present there is no formal or widely accepted definition for digital inequality, however both issues are completely separate, but they have a push-pull relationship with each other.

With a wider internet take up in society the digital divide reduces, but not eliminating inequality; instead a new kind of inequality will be created (DiMaggio & Hargittai, 2001: From Unequal Access to Differentiated Use: A Literature Review and Agenda for Research on DigitalInequality).

Giving poorer members of society access to the Internet is not just enough.

Training Centre – where ever it’s needed. By one.economy

They will also need the equipment, autonomy, skill, support, and scope of use that is already inherent in developed nations and wealthy communities (DiMaggio et al, 2004: Digital inequality: From unequal access to differentiated use). Without these additional support mechanisms the digital divide will replaced with something much more difficult to combat.

Is your organisation tackling this head on? If so, share your finding on Connecting People and Places, 4.2 of the Social Inclusion Process.

Here’s your chance to contribute before Monday 5th November 2012.

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by sandviper1 on 1st November 2012  •  Permalink
Posted in Diversity of People, Diversity of Place, Fair Brum, Inclusive Growth, Wellbeing, Young People
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Posted by sandviper1 on 1st November 2012

http://fairbrum.wordpress.com/2012/11/01/two-sides-of-digital-sword-divide-and-inequality/

Super-Diversity is here to stay

Super-Diversity

Attending last nights Super-diversity lecture by Professor Steven Vertovec, was timely, as it falls in line with comments being gathered during the Social Inclusion Process Green paper as almost hundred delegates listened to the hour long lecture at the University of Birmingham.

Whilst working at University Warwick, Steven said it was clear that in the early 1990’s most of the migrants moving into the UK were from the commonwealth. Then as the decade moved on smaller groups of communities were coming from non traditional countries.

With changing migration channels and legal status’ across the globe, this has provided people with the opportunity to move who wouldn’t normally into countries outside of their expectation.

Adoption of Super-Diversity in policy

In establishing the term of super-diversity, Vertovec felt that ‘super’ highlighted a multi dimensional reference of diversification covering a non ethnicity focus and more about fragmentation. So this would mean dropping the predictable referencing of diversity such as gender, race and faith for example.

The term super-diversity has, and is continuing to be adopted by many authorities, including the work of the Social Inclusion Process.

Super-diversity is hard to compare across country to country, as each has its own set of channels and status, Germany alone as 50 legal statuses which makes it a hugely complex task to analyse data.

The global challenges that are faced include patterns of inequalities and prejudice, segregation, multi-lingual societies and how individuals experience the space they are in and contact they receive.

Policy has its own challenges in delivering public services and integration into a community as each group of people they are different playing fields, so its hard to assume that everyone will be reached.

Vertovec also added that there is a constant lag between adapting to change or not. How we think about diversity and respond to it, this is only going to get harder to keep up with.

Check out Professor Vertovec’s work, in particular the interactive data visualisation.

Here’s your chance to contribute before Monday 5th November 2012.

  • Through our consultation portal 
  • Here on our blog:
  • Write to: 

Jackie Mould

Giving Hope Changing Lives

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by sandviper1 on 25th October 2012  •  Permalink
Posted in Diversity of People, Diversity of Place, Fair Brum, Inclusive Growth, Wellbeing, Young People
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Posted by sandviper1 on 25th October 2012

http://fairbrum.wordpress.com/2012/10/25/super-diversity-is-here-to-stay/

Birmingham’s open city approach

Narrowboats in Birmingham by neilalderney123

Birmingham is a magnet for new communities, we may not have all the answers but we must be doing something right as the city is home (for how ever long) to individuals from over 187 different nationalities.

Commitment two of the Social Inclusion Process Green Paper focuses on embracing super diversity, in particular recommendation 2.4: Ensure Birmingham develops an ‘open city’ approach, promote its self as a welcoming and inclusive city and offering opportunity for intercultural activities.

The recommendations outlined in the green paper should continue to capture and build on the unique experiences that each group or person brings, and help shape what the city has to offer for themselves and future generations.

As someone who lives and works in the city, I like to take the time to find out why someone either visits or moves to Birmingham. It is a sad past time of mine, but I wonder what draws them.

Usually when I have captive audience (the taxi driver, for one) I want to know whether they have always lived in Birmingham, if not how long and where are they from? And most importantly why? What is it about Birmingham that’s different?

Often it’s because it’s friendlier, even though there are many different communities, people will still take the time to talk and live along side each other in an amicable way. Birmingham is not as busy as other cities, in particular London, some individuals spent time in the capital only too desperate to move back to Birmingham.

We need to tap into this, so how?

London has developed an approach Open-City at 20 based on a three-stage process over the next 20 years of experiential learning, sharing knowledge and expertise, and learning by doing which will help shift public attitudes and professional practice.

So what do other cities do?

Alexandria, Egypt Alexandria City, Egypt has its own commitment to an ‘open cities’ approach even though the city can boast beautiful coast lines, blue skies and being in the Med the city still strives for more:

….. An Open City is one that is open to new ideas and innovation; welcoming to a diversity of people and cultures. It is a city of equal opportunities for all, a city that is open for the combination of lifestyle, creativity, scale, population, cultural and commercial diversity that enables it to become a ‘magnet’ city alongside cities.

Now we want to hear from you.

  • How can you help turn these ideas into action?
  • Do the recommendations cover the right things?
  • Is there anything significant that has been missed?
  • Do you or your organisation have any examples of best practice related to any of the commitments or recommendations that you would like to share?

Here’s your chance to contribute before Monday 5th November 2012.

Write to: Jackie Mould
Giving Hope Changing Lives
PO Box 16253
B2 2WS

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by sandviper1 on 25th October 2012  •  Permalink
Posted in Diversity of People, Diversity of Place, Fair Brum, Inclusive Growth, Wellbeing, Young People
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Posted by sandviper1 on 25th October 2012

http://fairbrum.wordpress.com/2012/10/25/birminghams-open-city-approach/

Transport shouldn’t be a flight of fancy

Flying Tram

Being able to get around the city is important, right? But startling findings during the Social Inclusion Process have made it clear that the cost of public transportation is a significant barrier for many moving around the city.

Commitment four of the Social Inclusion Process Green Paper makes the recommendation that a targeted reduction in the cost and access to safe transport is needed (recommendation 4.1) to overcome the feeling of being marooned.

As it stands many people are disconnected from the city centre and mainstream economic, educational and cultural opportunities.

Residents in Welsh House Farm told how they felt about not being part of the city: “I think we are our own tiny little place – we don’t connect to the city centre – it’s £8 for a Family day Saver into town on the bus – before you’ve started its cost you £8 to get to the city. 

Everything is just much more expensive.  The city has set itself up in a way that excludes the people from the outlying estates – they don’t want people like us to be there.  So we can’t afford to have connection with the city”.

Even accessing to services can be an onerous task as one resident in Castle Vale pointed out: “Erdington nearest job centre – far too far away” another resident interjected “have you ever been? I felt very scared going thee with some people squaring up to the security guards – very scary.”

What next? Public transport providers, colleges, schools and the city council need to explore reduce transportations cost for targeted groups; particularly for young people and families.

Safer cycling routes and more support needs to be given to community transport initiatives to help some areas of the city to access jobs and services.

Here’s your chance to contribute before Monday 5th November 2012.

  • Here on our blog:
  • Write to: 

Jackie Mould

Giving Hope Changing Lives

PO Box 16253

B2 2WS

  • Telephone the Partnership Team on 0121 675 3499
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by sandviper1 on 23rd October 2012  •  Permalink
Posted in Diversity of People, Diversity of Place, Fair Brum, Inclusive Growth, Wellbeing, Young People
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Posted by sandviper1 on 23rd October 2012

http://fairbrum.wordpress.com/2012/10/23/transport-shouldnt-be-a-flight-of-fancy/

Helping those below the line

Chief Exec, Vicki Fitzgerald from Gateway Family Services (Gateway FS) shares her thoughts and experience of supporting the most socially excluded population of the city, and stresses this is where the Social Inclusion Process should focus its energies.

From Vicki’s experience there are three groups that sit above, on or below a (slightly grey) line, check out her blog: Birmingham’s Social Inclusion Process: a practical focus on the most excluded.

See how simple practical steps can help move people in the right direction, why not share your thoughts on how to break down social exclusion.

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by sandviper1 on 14th June 2012  •  Permalink
Posted in Diversity of People, Diversity of Place, Fair Brum, Inclusive Growth, Wellbeing, Young People
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Posted by sandviper1 on 14th June 2012

http://fairbrum.wordpress.com/2012/06/14/helping-those-below-the-line/

Superdiversity is here to stay

Image by Birmingham Mail

Evidence of this can be found in a recent article posted on Birmingham Mail which raises the fact talk needs to stop and more action is needed to deal with the challenges now.

The article recognises the challenges of a multi language school and shares the practical steps taken by English Martyrs’ in Sparkhill, by pairing children with others who speak the same language as a way of introducing them to English.

So what does superdiverstity mean for these 25 young Birmingham people? Imagine if we were able to follow them into the future by 10 or 20 years?

How will this start at a successful school help them into further education and career?

What could we have done to expand our industries? How could we have tapped into the city’s international networks? So in 10 years time, when they’re likely to be 22 years old, what industries would there be for them to move into?

Harnessing the skills and connections that are growing now, will be a challenge if we’re to provide opportunities for them.  So what can we do?

And can we assume that there will be safe green communities for them to live, where they and their families can enjoy living long fulfilling healthy lives? Is that a reality?

Looking at each what do you see? Along side smiles and innocence, there is hope. Hope that what ever their dreams are they should be able to achieve them, but that is based on us here and now to make sure that the mechanisms and support are in place.

We can’t let them down, can we?

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by sandviper1 on 7th June 2012  •  Permalink
Posted in Diversity of People, Diversity of Place, Fair Brum, Inclusive Growth, Wellbeing, Young People
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Posted by sandviper1 on 7th June 2012

http://fairbrum.wordpress.com/2012/06/07/superdiversity-is-here-to-stay/

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