Businesses across Birmingham pledge support to tackle homelessness across the city

Businesses across Birmingham have pledged their support to help tackle homelessness following Birmingham Colmore’s Homelessness Summit.

The summit was held at KPMG's offices at One Snowhill. KPMG also has memberships with Future Faces, the young professional division of the Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce.

The event brought together business leaders alongside leading charity and support organisations including St Basils, Trident Group, Cranstoun and the Birmingham and Solihull Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust.

The event also featured a powerful contribution from Michael Roberts, who shared his lived experience of homelessness, providing valuable insight into the realities faced by many people across the city.

Attendees also heard an update on the current landscape from Stephen Phillpott at Birmingham City Council.

As a result of the event, over 20 businesses in the city committed to a range of actions, including fundraising, volunteering, skills-based support, employment support, donations, and developing longer-term relationships with homelessness charities and support providers.

Kate-Emma Bailey, Safer Colmore project lead and incoming co-chair of Birmingham Colmore, said: “Homelessness is a complex issue that affects individuals, communities and businesses across our city.

“What was particularly encouraging from today's summit was the willingness of businesses to move beyond discussion and commit to tangible actions.

“The range of pledges made demonstrate that Birmingham's business community is ready to play its part in supporting those experiencing homelessness and helping create positive pathways for the future.”

Pictured: from left - Back row – John-Jo Von Johnson (Birmingham Colmore), Alex Tross (Birmingham Colmore), Andrew Bostock (KPMG).

Front row - Stephen Phillpott (Birmingham City Council), Michael Roberts, Kate-Emma Bailey (Birmingham Colmore).