Our Founder & CEO Basharat Dad had the privilege of joining Sport Birmingham as they welcomed Catherine McKinnell MP, Minister for School Standards at the Department for Education, to a roundtable at their offices.
This meeting brought together voices from across Birmingham’s grassroots youth and community sector — and for Our Community Foundation, it was a vital platform to spotlight the everyday realities faced by the communities we serve.
Key Challenges We Raised:
🔹 Access & Affordability of School Facilities
Many youth and community groups are increasingly priced out of using school sports halls and pitches — spaces that should be open and accessible to all.
🔹 Decline in PE & Physical Activity
We echoed concerns over the diminishing presence of PE and physical activity in schools, which directly impacts the wellbeing, confidence, and health of our young people.
🔹 The Case for Investing in Youth Anchor Organisations
We made the case for urgent investment in place-based, youth-led organisations like ours — trusted hubs embedded in communities, consistently delivering impact and providing safe, empowering spaces for young people to grow.
A Step in the Right Direction
We were pleased to hear news of new Ofsted standards designed to encourage stronger partnerships between schools and community organisations. These changes have the potential to make after-school provision more inclusive, accessible, and youth-led — values that sit at the heart of everything we do at OCF.
At Our Community Foundation, we will continue to champion the power of place-based youth work, amplify young voices, and advocate for the sustained investment our communities deserve. 💪🏽
Together, we can build a future where every young person has access to opportunity, support, and a safe space to thrive.