Birmingham City Council Dementia Citizen Group

 

Birmingham Dementia Hub

 www.birmingham.gov.uk/dementia

Black History Month at BVSC

 At BVSC, we celebrated Black History Month with a day of presentations, a guest filmmaker, music, activities and plenty of food representing the different Black cultures within our organisation.

We started with an interactive presentation from a colleague whose parents arrived in England during the Windrush Era. Through letters, recipes and family photographs, we explored their journey to the UK and their experiences of building a life in Birmingham. We were also joined by filmmaker Charlotte Bailey, who is part of a film pardna called Pass It Down (@passitdown_bigg). She presented a film on Black arts, music and culture in Birmingham, ranging from 70s Caribbean, 80s Youth Culture and 90s Birmingham Caribbean Carnival. Following this, colleagues shared presentations exploring what it was like growing up Black during the 1980s, reflecting on the experiences, challenges and culture that shaped their childhoods. We then moved on to growing up Black in the 2000s, exploring the prominent Black figures who shaped our childhoods and what it means to grow up in an African home in Britain. This included reflecting on our parents' journeys from an African perspective, the intersectionality within Black culture and the effects of cultural fossilisation on second-generation immigrants.

Of course, food was also a big part of the celebration! We had a range of African and Caribbean dishes for everyone to enjoy and share. The event was a huge success, and it was amazing to have the opportunity to celebrate Black culture in an appreciative and safe space. It gave us the chance to share our experiences with colleagues, learn from one another and reflect on the different journeys that have shaped our identities.

The feedback for the event was really positive:

'I'm very grateful that we were given the opportunity to listen to our colleagues' experiences and understand more about the culture'

'I learnt new things about my colleagues' experiences that I didn't know before, the day was very engaging and informative'

'Food was absolutely amazing!'

'It was a great event, I had such a good time, and it was lovely to mark Black History Month in such a meaningful way'

Overall, the event was a wonderful opportunity to reflect on the Black voices within BVSC and showcase the diversity within Black culture. We were able to acknowledge and reflect on the adversity faced by Black communities, while also celebrating our culture, experiences and achievements. Most importantly, it gave us the opportunity to bring colleagues together and celebrate Black History Month in an intentional and meaningful way.

Have your say on Birmingham's next Corporate Plan

Birmingham City Council is creating a new Corporate Plan for the next three to four years. This plan will set out what we want to achieve during this time, with a focus on providing better services and outcomes for local people. 

We want to hear from Birmingham residents about what matters most to them, their family and friends, and the communities they are part of.

Please find the survey poster attached. We would be very grateful if you could share it with your residents, service users, colleagues, and networks, and promote it through your newsletters, noticeboards, websites, and social media channels where appropriate.

Thank you for helping us reach more people and ensure that local voices are heard.

Connected Minds – Men, Young People and Mental Health in a Digital World.

 

Dear Friends,

Following our 2025 Beyond Silence conference at Birmingham City University, I’m pleased to share details of our 2026 conference, Connected Minds – Men, Young People and Mental Health in a Digital World.

The conference will explore the mental health challenges facing young people, particularly young men, in today’s digital age, with a focus on reducing stigma, encouraging early intervention, and promoting practical solutions.

Highlights include:

• Opening remarks from Dame Beverly Lindsay DBE, OD, DL and Lord Lieutenant Dr Derrick Anderson CBE

• A keynote speech from Rotimi Akinsete (Black Men on the Couch)

• Presentations from academics and practitioners

• Spoken word and performance artists

• Interactive workshops on young people’s experiences in a digital world

• Exhibition stalls and networking opportunities

Tickets are £10 per person (plus booking fee) and can be booked via Eventbrite. Please purchase your ticket before Tuesday 3 November

Link to Eventbrite