Birmingham's Children: A Tale of Two Cities

This book highlights the work of All Birminghams Children (ABC), a local campaigning charity that aims to address inequality and poverty among children in Birmingham, the UK's second-largest city. ABC proposes cost-free recommendations to improve the well-being of children, supported by local parents, childcare professionals, educationalists, law enforcement, and health experts. Despite recognition and support, ABC has been consistently ignored by 99% of Birmingham's elected leaders and mainstream media. The book explores the reasons behind this apathy and calls for action to address the issue.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 128 pages
Publication date: 28 April 2022
Publisher: Troubador Publishing

This book is a reflection of the positive work of a small local campaigning charity called All Birminghams Children (ABC), which was set up in 2018 with the aim of addressing the alarming level of inequality and poverty that blights a significant portion of children living in Birmingham. ABC proposes a range of mostly cost-free recommendations that, if implemented, would fundamentally transform the way children are perceived, valued, and catered for in the second-largest city in the UK. Birmingham is home to more children and young people than any other UK city, making it a particularly pressing issue. The trustees of ABC are comprised of local parents, childcare providers, educational professionals, law enforcement officers, and health professionals who have lived and worked in the city for many years.

This year, the founder of ABC was recognized in the Queens New Years Honours List (British Empire Medal) for setting up ABC and his long services to children and families. ABC's work has received support from various organizations, including the British Association of Social Workers, The Social Work Union, Unison, and the local branch of the National Education Union. The Greater Birmingham Chamber of Commerce has welcomed ABC, as have several national retailers, and the charity has received positive press coverage from as far as Japan and Sweden.

Despite all of this positive recognition, support, and willingness to work in partnership with local leaders, ABC has consistently been shunned and ignored by 99% of Birmingham's 111 locally elected leaders (10 members of parliament, 100 city councillors, and its regional mayor), as well as most of the local mainstream media.

This book seeks to expose those uncomfortable truths and provide an explanation for the prevailing civic apathy that contributes to this situation. It explores the factors that perpetuate inequality and poverty, and highlights the urgent need for action to address these issues. The book offers a roadmap for change, outlining specific steps that can be taken to improve the lives of children living in Birmingham, including increasing access to education, healthcare, and social support services.

Furthermore, the book calls upon the local community, including businesses, organizations, and individuals, to take responsibility for addressing these issues and to work together to create a more equitable and prosperous city for all its residents. By doing so, Birmingham can become a shining example of what can be achieved when communities come together to prioritize the well-being of children and young people.

Weight: 152g
Dimension: 198 x 128 x 16 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781803132310