Levelling Up Programme

As an anchor organisation within the Levelling Up Programme, our dedication lies in building a fairer and more prosperous future for all. We invite you to join us in this pivotal journey towards reducing regional inequalities and unlocking the full potential of every community. Our mission is to foster resilience in East Birmingham communities by nurturing and supporting grassroots organisations.

Join us in this transformative journey where together, we can create positive change that not only transforms lives but also strengthens our society as a whole.

COST OF LIVING CASEWORK (BAME) Community

The Cost of Living Services project responds to the growing impact of the cost of living crisis on Black, Asian, and Minority Ethnic (BAME) communities. As a front-line organisation, we see first-hand how rising costs are affecting vulnerable individuals and families, particularly those on low incomes. The project aims to provide accessible financial and housing advice, practical support, and clear information to help people manage immediate pressures while building longer-term financial stability and housing security.

The rising cost of living has also placed increasing pressure on our organisation. We have seen a sharp rise in demand for our services, with individuals from the BAME community seeking support to manage household finances, access affordable housing, and navigate complex housing systems. Many face additional barriers, including language, digital exclusion, and insecure employment. As a result, requests for one-to-one advice, workshops, and information sessions have grown significantly, stretching our capacity while underlining the urgent need for this support.

FAMILY SUPPORT FOR THE VICTIMS DOMESTIC VIOLENCE

Violence and Abuse

Domestic abuse is behaviour from a family member, partner or ex-partner that:

is controlling, coercive, threatening, violent or abusive
happens between people aged over 16 Domestic violence and abuse can happen to men or women. It includes the following types of abuse:
psychological
physical
sexual
financial
emotional

Domestic violence and abuse can include harassment, stalking, female genital mutilation, forced marriage and honour-based abuse.

If you’ve been affected

We know it might be harder than normal to get away from your home or stay somewhere else. There are still things you can do to get support and stay safe. Check the guide to staying safe on the Safe Lives website.

You can also contact a domestic abuse organisation to check what services are available. If you are the victim of an abusive relationship, you might want to:-

find somewhere safe to stay
stay in your home and get the person who is harming you to leave
report the violence to the police
get a court order to stop your abusive partner from harming or threatening you
take legal action
get help from a charity or another organisation

Whatever you want to do, there are organisations that can give you advice and help.

UDF trustees would like to thanks Cllr Mick Brown for his visit and our discussion about a possibility of having a hot desk in Gravelly Hill for the BAME community for UDF. Cllr Mick Brown has agreed to support UDF with a base in Gravelly Hill

Enviromental Community Hub

UDF has taken a new initiative to create an Environmental Community Hub, providing a sustainable, low-carbon space in Birmingham. This initiative has been developed in response to local needs and is designed with the community at its heart. Located in an area facing high energy costs, fuel poverty, and limited access to environmental learning, the hub will support Bangladeshi and wider BAME communities while remaining open and welcoming to all.

Following months of structured community consultation, the Bangladeshi community clearly expressed a strong preference for an Environmental Community Hub that addresses energy costs, wellbeing, and environmental awareness. With support from a capital refurbishment grant, the building will be upgraded with insulation, low-carbon heating, and improved accessibility, creating a warm, safe, and inclusive facility.

The hub will host practical workshops and advice on energy efficiency, sustainable living, carbon reduction, wildlife, and environmental conservation. It will empower residents to take local climate action, strengthen community ownership, and provide a lasting model of sustainable retrofit that supports long-term resilience in the West Midlands. This project was identified as a result of the Clear Air Project funded by Heart of England last year.