Gospel Oak, Birmingham
As in the country as a whole, poverty in the West Midlands is unevenly distributed. The Pitmaston and Gospel Farm estates are ranked in the bottom 3% for quality of living environment, based on the number of houses in a poor condition and which lack central heating. [1]
The Gospel Community Centre was set up in response to the high levels of youth crime and anti-social behaviour in the Pitmaston and Gospel Farm Estates. Without a social centre, there was no focus in the community and nothing to engage young people.
'My role as project worker is to know what’s going on in the area, to be an advocate and support individuals to voice their concerns.' Myrah Duckworth, Project Worker.
As well as providing an area for people to meet, the centre runs an anti-violence project – an
opportunity for young people, schools, police and youth workers to get together and discuss the issues in their community. There is also a healthy eating cafe, as well as art and drama sessions. The centre also runs a business development course aimed at people who want to start their own small businesses.
'If it hadn’t been for this course then I wouldn’t have been able to do anything with my skills. My aim is to go solo at the end of the course; I want to set up a shop and then expand.' Shaheeda Khan, business course student.
Through our investment and resources, key activists such as Myrah Duckworth can begin to create sustainable change and help voice the concerns of their local communities.
Many more communities need this kind of multi-faceted investment to develop tools to combat poverty now and in years to come.
Please help us to ensure people in your region have the support they need.
1. Census data, 2001.