By Gurdip Thandi,Local Democracy Reporter

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A community-led project is helping tackle some of the biggest health challenges in Birmingham . The Start of Life Care Project, delivered by the Nishkam Civic Association, is supporting families in west Birmingham with issues such as infant mortality, maternal health, diabetes, and mental health. The project has received more than £196,000 from NHS Birmingham and Solihull’s Fairer Futures Fund to provide expert antenatal and postnatal classes, practical baby care support, and values-led, culturally appropriate advice for parents-to-be from some of the most deprived areas. READ MORE: Rachel Reeves to host West Midlands summit and says there is ‘no better place’ It forms part of a wider £1.39m Fairer Futures Fund investment into projects in west Birmingham. The Fund, launched in 2022, has already allocated nearly £12m to more than 120 grassroots projects across Birmingham and Solihull . Another £10.2m will be invested through to 2027 to continue tackling inequalities and improving health and wellbeing in local communities. Prof Patrick Vernon OBE, Chair of NHS Birmingham and Solihull Integrated Care Board, said: “In Birmingham and Solihull, our citizens face some of the starkest health inequalities in the country. “The Fairer Futures Fund is tackling these head-on, investing millions of pounds in grassroots projects that are changing how we deliver health and care – supporting the government’s 10 Year Health Plan to create neighbourhood health services, shift care from hospitals to communities and focus on prevention to build healthier, more resilient communities.” Sally Burns, Birmingham City Council’s director of public health, said: “Prevention is at the heart of public health, and through the Fairer Futures Fund we can step in earlier to support families before ill-health escalates. “Public health challenges can’t be solved by the NHS or councils alone, which is why working hand-in-hand with the voluntary and community sector is so vital. “By co-producing solutions with local people, we’re tackling the inequalities we know exist in West Birmingham and giving every child the best start in life – the foundation of a healthier, fairer city for the future.” Ajit Singh, managing director at Nishkam, said: “Prevention starts with equipping families with the tools to give their children the very best start in life. “This is a combination of health experts providing education and advice and a range of wraparound support services for expectant mums and their families at a vital time. “We’re extremely grateful for the investment from the Fairer Futures Fund which is enabling organisations like ours to be part of the solution, create impactful change in how health and wellbeing are supported locally.” Flourish – a group of third sector organisations working in partnership with the NHS and other care providers to reduce health inequalities – is supporting the delivery of the projects Chairman Gary Bowman said: “Flourish is delighted to lead this work in West Birmingham through the Fairer Futures Fund. “Co-produced with communities, our programme tackles priority issues – reaching those who face the greatest health inequalities. “Investment via the Fairer Futures Fund shows what’s possible when grassroots organisations, the NHS, and local authorities work in true partnership, ensuring communities are part of the solution, not an afterthought.”