Communities Urge Bold Leadership and Investment to Tackle Racism and Exclusion

A new report outlines growing concerns about the rise in racism, hate incidents and a declining sense of safety across Birmingham’s communities - and sets out a series of recommendations to city leaders for tackling these issues.

The report gathers the findings of a Voluntary, Community, Faith and Social Enterprise (VCFSE) Community Cohesion Summit held in February 2026. Convened by Birmingham Voluntary Service Council (BVSC) and Birmingham Race Impact Group (BRIG), with support from Birmingham City Council, the event brought together community and public sector leaders to share honest accounts of how community cohesion is being experienced across Birmingham, and to explore how city institutions can work together to build trust and tackle hate.

Findings included:

  1. Growing community tensions and a declining sense of safety
  2. A fundamental lack of trust in current approaches to these issues
  3. The impact of wider pressures, including poverty, insecure housing and cuts to community services
  4. A growing gap between community experiences and institutional responses
  5. The vital role of the voluntary and community sector in tackling racism and connecting communities

The report makes several recommendations, including:

  1. The establishment of clear city-wide leadership and accountability on cohesion and anti-racism
  2. A shift from reactive responses to sustained, prevention-led action
  3. Sustained investment in community infrastructure and safe spaces
  4. The strengthening of relationships between communities, charities and public institutions
  5. Centring the lived experience of community members in decision-making
  6. Visible action to rebuild trust and confidence
  7. Prioritising support for those communities most affected by these challenges
Ranjit Sondhi CBE, Chair of BRIG, said:
“The conversations captured in this report remind us that community tensions do not exist in isolation from poverty, inequality, racism, housing insecurity, the loss of community spaces or declining confidence in public institutions… That is why, from BRIG’s perspective, community cohesion cannot be separated from anti-racism. It gives an honest account of what community organisations are seeing, hearing and experiencing across Birmingham today. It also reminds us that the knowledge, commitment and leadership needed to respond already exist within our communities.”
Brian Carr, Chief Executive of BVSC, said:
“This report makes clear that while the voluntary sector has a vital role to play, adequate community infrastructure is far from universally available across the city - and this leaves room for division to grow and hate to thrive. City partners need to work together to bridge these gaps in provision and support, and to ensure that all community voices are involved in shaping the fully inclusive Birmingham of the future.”

The report concludes with a call to action, captured in the words of one summit participant:

“We know what needs to be done. Now we need to do it.”

 

Read the Report:

Community Cohesion Report July 2026

Updates- News & Events:

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