Getting started...

In the late summer of 2000, eight Handsworth Wood residents met to discuss what they saw as a failure of the local authority to deal with major concerns over safety and the local environment.

A Public Meeting was held at HAMSTEAD HALL SCHOOL in September 2000, attended by thirty people. During this meeting a management committee was elected. In addition a list of priorities for the area was identified: welfare, safety, the local environment and economic development.

The Chairman, GHAZAN IQBAL AWAN commented on the formation of the Forum - 'Something is actually happening, now. Everyone has been disappointed with the delivery of services - especially because the views of the community were not being taken on board. Now we can be on top of these issues'.

Making them listen

An early challenge for the Forum was to get more litter bins in the area. The Forum invited people from Birmingham City Council onto the streets of Handsworth Wood to establish areas that required litter bins. Twenty three areas of concern were identified. With the council officers involved in the project it was easier to present a valid case to release money for the litter bins to be located.

Using these principles the Forum began working for concrete achievable results. Security Gates were installed in ten alleyways. The heavily pot-holed GRESTONE AVENUE, was finally resurfaced.

Frustrations

The Forum's intervention has also helped to make sure that money is properly directed. £21,000 was earmarked by the City Council for street lighting around the area, but the Forum believed that the lights were going to be erected in the wrong places. Ghazan Awan says, 'We told them not to waste the money. We lobbied them, got involved and made sure that the lights were put on the right roads.' Mr. Awan belieces that even if funding is available for improvement, the council may not be able to deliver it properly - which is why the Forum is so important.

Fattening the profile

The Forum helped Handsworth Wood become the national focus of BBC Television's 'FAT NATION' project. Knowing the BBC could choose from hundreds of communities the Forum actively generated support and interest within the neighbourhood. The BBC finally plumped to film the entire series in THE CROFTWAY. By the end of the nine prime time programmes, it felt that everyone involved had become superstars!

Bridging divides

Another function of the Forum is its role as a bridge between different communities. Handsworth Wood has a hugely diverse population - reflected in the wide ethnic and religious pupil make up of HAMSTEAD HALL SCHOOL. Mr.Awan believes that there is a key practical spin to having a unified community. As Chairman of the Forum he has seen that you need to speak with one voice to tackle the needs of the area. 'Once you speak a common language, everyone will listen', says Ghazan

The area covered by HHNF