Dr Fathi Jamil from CRIS (Community Resources Information Service) has long recognised the importance of enabling people to link up, and the value of community networks in bringing people together.

For many years, he has worked tirelessly in Birmingham to support individuals and families from newly arrived communities, helping them to connect with each other, and to become integrated into Birmingham life.

Previously instrumental in setting up the Birmingham wide ‘New Communities Network’, Dr Jamil has now turned his attention closer to his organisational home in Northfield, setting up a South West Birmingham New Communities Network.

The need for the network became apparent as more and more people from newly arrived communities found themselves living in the south.  Although growing in overall numbers, most people were still relatively isolated, disconnected from a less diverse local community, and unsure of where to go for advice, help or support.

In response, Dr Jamil has set about finding and contacting all those who are isolated, spending time going door to door, and befriending those in need.  Once found, he has been bringing them together, setting up regular community events where people eat, talk and build relationships.

The positive impact on the lives of those involved is immeasurable, but the work doesn’t stop there.  As important as linking up those who are isolated is, Dr Jamil also sees his mission as building links with more local communities.  In fact, central to the success of the network so far, has been the support of local Quakers, who have provided their meeting house as a space for network events.

Dr Jamil plans to build upon these links, and is already planning work with local schools and libraries that will bring young people from different backgrounds together.

For more information about the network, please contact Dr Jamil at CRIS via the details below, or go the CRIS website

Tel: 0121 476 8705
Email: jamil@communityresource.org.uk

Address:
Community Resource Information Service
693a Bristol Road, Northfield
Birmingham B31 2JT