Rooting movements in relationships

ECONOMIC JUSTICE BRUM | BIRMINGHAM

Birmingham's economy touches its citizens' lives in dozens of ways each day - access to safe, affordable housing, nourishing food, good jobs, sustainable healthcare. Economic change is possible on many fronts. And yet, for all its growth, Birmingham remains a city with some of the most disadvantaged neighbourhoods in England, where the problem is not a lack of wealth, but its flow.

Economic Justice Brum (EJB) is a growing movement of citizens experiencing economic injustice at first hand - joined together by a shared commitment to building a city whose economy works for everyone. In 2024/25, Huddlecraft partnered with EJB and Barrow Cadbury Trust to bring a cluster of 7 Huddles into the heart of the network - harnessing peer-to-peer learning to build the deep, trusting and supportive relationships that give people the confidence and collective capacity to act.

*SEND Huddle Participant and her son holds a long string of beads. Each bead represents a surgery, hospital visit and other milestones in his health journey. Photograph by Angela Grabowska.*

Seven hosts, drawn from the EJB network itself, each gathered a small group of curious, committed Brummies to explore a different facet of economic justice: from child poverty and SEND to creativity, women's economic empowerment, and emergent strategy. Over four months, groups met fortnightly - pooling learning, building trust, and taking action together.

The numbers tell part of the story: 56 participants, 253 new co-learner relationships, and 39 people newly connected to the EJB network. Participants grew their economic justice networks by an average of 27 people. 68% felt more supported by others; 60% felt more connected to people who shared their purpose; 58% felt more proactive and able to make change happen.

Beyond the numbers, the actions continue to ripple. The SEND Seen Manifesto reached decision makers across the city. A baby bank opened in Erdington. A SEND cooperative was established. A community asset transfer secured the West Midlands' first Neurohub. Huddle peers presented at the CLES Conference in Manchester. And the Huddles celebration event drew 85 people - EJB's largest ever gathering.

From that gathering, a shared symbol emerged: the dandelion. Resilient, overlooked, ecologically powerful - thriving in the cracks of a system that wasn't built for it, spreading tiny seeds that travel far and transform the ground for what comes next.