Community Power in Birmingham: First B:CAN Conference Unites Community Action at Edgbaston Stadium
The first Birmingham Community Action Network (B:CAN) conference at Edgbaston Stadium on 3 July was a major success, bringing together community leaders, partners and residents to champion grassroots action and collaborative change across Birmingham.
Birmingham Community Action Network (B:CAN) is celebrating the success of its inaugural annual conference, held on 3 July at Edgbaston Stadium. The full‑day event, “Empowering Communities: From Local Action to Lasting Impact”, gathered community organisations, funders, commissioners, policymakers and residents from across the city to spotlight the power of grassroots action and strengthen collaboration for long‑term community‑led change.
Celebrating community leadership and impact
Throughout the day, B:CAN members showcased a diverse range of neighbourhood‑based projects, demonstrating how local organisations are improving health and wellbeing, tackling inequality and strengthening pride in place in every part of Birmingham. Attendees heard directly from community leaders about the impact of resident‑driven initiatives, from social connection and youth opportunities to practical support around financial resilience and health.
A dedicated showcase from the first cohort of the B:CAN Community Leadership Accelerator highlighted the next generation of community leaders emerging across the city. Participants shared their learning journeys and ambitions for shaping more inclusive, responsive systems that put local voices at the centre of decision‑making.
Insightful panels and cross‑sector dialogue
The conference programme featured keynote contributions from B:CAN Chair, Afzal Hussain DL, Derrick Anderson CBE, Lord Lieutenant of the West Midlands and Emma Corrigan, Director of Public Health Birmingham. We were also delighted to welcome the newly elected Leader of Birmingham City Council, Councillor Roger Harmer as a keynote speaker.
The event rich panel discussions exploring community power, funding, social value and how Birmingham can more effectively influence local and regional decision‑making structures. Leaders from national policy, local government, the NHS, funding bodies, social enterprise joined B:CAN members on stage, offering practical insight into partnership working and investment in community infrastructure, with a clear focus on place‑based delivery.
Themes of amplifying resident voice, maximising social value and unlocking new forms of collaborative funding ran throughout the agenda, giving attendees insights ideas to take back into their organisations and neighbourhoods. A vibrant marketplace space enabled delegates to connect with B:CAN member organisations and partners to build relationships that will support joint working beyond the conference.
The event received positive feedback from attendees, with the majority telling us that the topics and discussions were highly relevant to their work and organisations. Many participants highlighted the value of the connections made in the room, with new opportunities for collaboration emerging across different neighbourhoods and sectors. Importantly, the event also generated direct enquiries from guests interested in joining B:CAN, demonstrating both the appetite for community‑led action and the strength of the network we are building.
We would also like to extend our thanks to The National Lottery Community Fund for supporting this conference and the wider B:CAN network through the Community Power Fund. It was a pleasure to welcome the team on the day to see firsthand the impactful work taking place across our communities in Birmingham. We were especially delighted to have Emma Corrigan, England Director, and Nicola Thurbon join us on stage and contribute to the conference programme.
B:CAN Chair, Afzal Hussain DL said “The success of our inaugural conference demonstrates a strong appetite for working differently and working together across Birmingham. We are committed to nurturing the new partnerships formed and strengthening connections throughout the network. The event illustrates what is possible when community‑led organisations, civic leaders and system partners come together not only to discuss challenges, but to act – shifting the dial on inequality through collaboration, practical solutions and shared accountability. It provides a dedicated space for local leaders, residents and partners to connect, share learning and turn ideas into practical action that delivers tangible benefits in neighbourhoods across our city.”
The conference was also the perfect opportunity to share our new B:CAN Prospectus – take a look here. If you’d like to find out more about B:CAN please email michelle.webb@bcan.co.uk.
