A new year is often a time when people make resolutions to do something positive, either for themselves or for the benefit of others. But, by spring, a lot of those resolutions have fallen by the wayside – the diet has been forgotten and the gym membership lapsed.
However, at Birmingham Future, we kicked off the year with a social event designed to support our members in their resolutions to give back to the community – hosted by our newly-formed community development committee at Metro Bar and Grill– where young professionals were able to network with and ask questions of the organisations seeking voluntary support.
And, a few months down the line, I’m pleased to say that many of those resolutions made back in January have stuck. Our members have been involved in everything from enterprise days with our adopted school – Moseley School – to mentoring Birmingham City University students through the Inspiring Futures scheme, and fundraising for our charitable trust, the Future Foundation.
Birmingham has a rich history of people giving back to the community and it is important that, through this slow economic recovery, we do not lose sight of our responsibility to support and engage with the whole city – not just the business district at the city’s centre.
By 2026, the Barrow Cadbury Trust predicts that Birmingham will have reached plurality – where no one ethnic group makes up more than 50% of the population. This diversity of cultural traditions, experiences and expertise must be embraced if we are to be the city of choice for both work and play.
Birmingham competes on a global stage – hosting international sporting championships, world-renowned cultural events and professional conferences which bring people to the city from all around the globe. But, what good are these opportunities to shine if we neglect the wider community outside of our office blocks and retail core?
That is why, as an organisation, Birmingham Future is so passionate about working with the wider community to ensure that we live and work in a city of which we can all be proud.
With an active membership of over 500 young professionals – a fifth of whom are involved with specific committees such as talent retention and development, mentoring, diversity and community development – Birmingham Future is well placed to offer the energy, passion and commitment needed to support Birmingham in the decades to come.
But, it is not just about the engagement with the city. Birmingham Future also recognises those individuals who really stand out through the annual Birmingham Young Professional of the Year awards ceremony. This event, now in its tenth year, is known for recognising the aspiring talent of today who are the inspiring leaders of tomorrow. And, every year, we hear more and more stories of people who voluntarily give their time to improve the city for all its workers and residents.
Last year’s BYPY winner, Suzie Branch of BHMG Marketing, is closely involved with St Basil’s – a charity which works with young people to prevent youth homelessness. She also works with several schools and is a mentor on both the Birmingham Future and Inspiring Futures schemes. All this on top of a busy day job as founder and client services director of a successful marketing consultancy!
But, while Suzie took the accolade of 2009-2010 BYPY winner, she is just one of the thousands of young professionals who dedicate their time to supporting the Birmingham community and who experience rich rewards in their personal and professional growth as a result.
As we make our way through 2010, our members will be involved with further enterprise days at Moseley School, mentoring a new batch of undergraduates at Birmingham City University and fundraising for the Future Foundation – which provides grants to projects in the education, employment and training sector. A few hardy souls will even take on the challenge of the Birmingham Half Marathon later in the year.
We will also be providing a civic welcome to the city’s newcomers at the annual Welcome to Birmingham event. This is a fantastic opportunity to showcase the volunteering opportunities available to them as they embark on their career and become the next generation to take our great city forward.
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