At Our Community Foundation (OCF), we are passionate about amplifying youth voice and ensuring young people are at the centre of transformational change. That’s why we were proud to host Joey Jones and his team at the Naseby Youth Centre last week, for a valuable session with some of the founding members of BCAN from East Birmingham, right in the heart of Alum Rock.
This meeting marked an important step forward in shaping the vision for the Sports Quarter development in East Birmingham—a project with the potential to create opportunities, drive investment, and transform lives for generations to come.
Engaging Anchors from the Start
One of the strongest themes of the session was the vital role of anchor organisations. At OCF, and alongside our BCAN East partners, we know that lasting change only happens when communities are engaged from the very beginning.
“By working with anchors and communities, we can ensure a lasting legacy that strengthens infrastructure, creates youth opportunities, boosts the local economy, drives investment, creates local jobs and delivers real positive change.”
This principle is at the heart of OCF’s mission, and we were encouraged to see it recognised in the Sports Quarter development discussions.
A Legacy for Youth and Community
East Birmingham is home to a rich, diverse, and dynamic population, but it is also an area facing high levels of unemployment, child poverty, and health inequalities. For us, the Sports Quarter is not just about bricks and mortar—it’s about building futures.
As a youth-led anchor organisation, we see first-hand the transformative power of sport, mentorship, and opportunity. The Sports Quarter offers a chance to:
Strengthen youth pathways into training, education, and employment.
Create new jobs and apprenticeships locally.
Attract investment that benefits the entire community.
Provide world-class facilities that inspire young people to be active, ambitious, and resilient.
The vision is clear: a development that doesn’t just serve East Birmingham but is shaped with East Birmingham at its heart.
Youth Voice Front and Centre
What made last week’s session so special was the opportunity for Joey to meet with our young leaders. These young people are not only the future beneficiaries of the Sports Quarter but also active shapers of its direction today.
The highlight? Joey testing his skills on our punching machine—a light-hearted but powerful reminder that engaging with young people isn’t just about discussion, it’s about participation, energy, and connection.
Our young leaders left the session inspired, knowing that their voices are being heard and that they have a seat at the table in shaping the long-term impact of this development.
Collective Working with BCAN East
As part of BCAN East, we’re proud to be working collectively with other anchor organisations to maximise the opportunities the Sports Quarter can bring. Collaboration is key. By uniting our strengths—whether in sport, youth engagement, education, or community support—we can ensure that the legacy of this development reaches far beyond facilities and into the fabric of everyday life in East Birmingham.
We are particularly excited about the potential to:
Co-create youth-led programmes linked to the new facilities.
Develop entrepreneurial opportunities for young people.
Embed community anchors into the decision-making process.
Ensure the development is inclusive, accessible, and representative of our diverse communities.
Looking Ahead
The Sports Quarter development is a once-in-a-generation opportunity for East Birmingham. At OCF, we are determined to make sure that young people are not just included but are leading the way in shaping its impact.
As Joey Jones and his team continue to refine the vision, we remain committed to ensuring that anchor organisations and communities remain at the centre of planning and delivery.
The journey has only just begun, but the energy, passion, and commitment shown in Alum Rock last week set the tone for what’s possible. Together—with young people leading, communities engaged, and anchors driving change—we can build a Sports Quarter that leaves a legacy of opportunity, empowerment, and pride for East Birmingham.
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