By Gurdip Thandi,Jayne Thomson,Local Democracy Reporter

Copyright birminghammail

A grassroots initiative is tackling some of Birmingham’s most pressing health concerns. The Start of Life Care Project, run by the Nishkam Civic Association, is assisting families across west Birmingham with challenges including infant mortality, maternal health, diabetes, and mental health. The scheme has secured over £196,000 from NHS Birmingham and Solihull’s Fairer Futures Fund to deliver specialist antenatal and postnatal sessions, hands-on baby care guidance, and culturally sensitive, values-based support for expectant parents from the most disadvantaged neighbourhoods. Read more: ‘Impeccable’ Brazilian restaurant with ‘unlimited’ food to open in Touchwood Solihull It represents part of a broader £1.39m Fairer Futures Fund commitment to west Birmingham initiatives. The Fund, established in 2022, has already distributed nearly £12m to more than 120 community-based schemes across Birmingham and Solihull , reports Birmingham Live . A further £10.2m will be channelled through to 2027 to continue addressing disparities and enhancing health and wellbeing within local areas. 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, stated: “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, commented: “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 consortium of third sector organisations collaborating with the NHS and other care providers to diminish health inequalities – is backing the delivery of the projects. Chairman Gary Bowman stated: “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.”