CN4B | Community Network 4 Birmingham

BDN is an independent network of disabled groups and organisations in Birmingham. The network aims to provide a voice for the work of these groups in local decision making, and by doing so, promote the inclusion of disabled people. The network delivers awareness raising, consultancy, research and training activities, all aimed at addressing disadvantage, and increasing equality.The network also acts as an engagement mechanism, enabling disabled people and public services to engage with each other.

Birmingham Open Spaces Forum (BOSF) is a network of open space user groups. It acts as a voice for all of the city’s open spaces, from parks, to allotments and playing fields, and brings together all who care about sustaining them.The network works closely with the parks department and other statutory partners, helping them develop new and sustainable approaches to developing and caring for all open spaces in the city.

Including Women! are a network organisation actively involved in seeking to influence Local Authority policy and practice about issues which are important to local women and their families.They deliver activities such as: A Womens managine, ‘Womenzone' facilitating involvement in local decision making forums such as wards and constituency committees, campaigning around issues such as domestic violence and midwifery services.

Moseley Forum is a neighbourhood group / network, that works to improve the local area, and increase the voice of local residents in decision making. The forum actively works in partnership with local Cllrs and statutory agencies, and is closely involved in developing a number of local projects including the farmers market, Moseley in Bloom, and the Moseley Festival.

Our Edgbaston is a network of community,voluntary and faith organisations within the Edgbaston Constituency. It was set up to support capacity building and networking between local groups, and to provide a direct link to the Edgbaston Strategic Partnership.Our Edgbaston organises network meetings, advertises events, and keeps people in touch with what is happening at Edgbaston Partnership. It also maintains a database of local groups and services in the area on their website.

Small Heath Community Forum is a local network of groups and organisations in Small Heath. The forum aims to strengthen the voice of the community and voluntary sector in local decision making, and acts as local faciliator and enabler of resident and community involvement.The forum also runs a number of projects, and delivers ongoing capacity building and training for local groups and residents.Tel: 0121 685 7277 | Email: zualfh1@btconnect.com

SWBCA (South West Birmingham Community Association) is a network of voluntary and community organisations in the south west of the city. SWBCA provides capacity building support and technical expertise, and aims to strengthen the wider community and voluntary sector in the area. SWBCA is also a voice for community and voluntary groups, and acts as a representative on local partnerships and decision making bodies.

South West New Communities Network is a growing network of individuals, families and groups from newly arrived communities – including people from Somalia, Sudan, Iraq, Turkey, Pakistan and many others.The network is facilitated by CRIS (Community Resources Information Service) in Northfield, and is brought together by Dr Fathi Jamil.Tel: 0121 476 8705 | Email: jamil@communityresources.org.uk

WAITS is a women’s educational charity established in 1992.They are concerned with local women’s fuller involvement in the public life of their communities, from education to employment, personal to social and leadership to decision making. They support women to address issues such as welfare benefits, employment and education, domestic violence, isolation, health, crime and the fear of crime and many more.WAITS maintains a directory of women’s groups and projects across the city, that you can access on their website.