About Us
Birmingham Settlement – here for more than a century!
Founded in 1899, Birmingham Settlement is one of the oldest charities in Birmingham.
Part of a movement of social reform activists outraged by the plight of the poor in the 19th century, originally Birmingham Settlement’s work concentrated on providing support to women and families in the seriously deprived St Mary’s area, now known as Newtown.
Now our breadth of work is much wider and reaches more communities in Birmingham. We are now based across north-west Birmingham, with bases in Ladywood and Kingstanding.
We work in an ever changing environment, with new challenges to face, both as an organisation and for our local communities. We adapt the way we work and the services we provide to meet these challenges.
Our Values
As a values driven organisation, our work is based on our founding principles in 1899 to support disadvantaged communities. Our values are at the heart of all we do and how we work:
- Committed
- Non-Judgemental
- Accountable – with integrity, honesty and transparency
- Caring
- Enabling
- Responsive
Our Strategic Objectives
Our objectives ensure we deliver effective services which respond to the needs of our communities:
- To improve financial resilience for people and communities
- To build wellbeing for individuals and communities
- To develop people’s skills, confidence, and voice
- To build environmental awareness, knowledge, and action
- To build and maintain a sustainable organisation
Read our 2025 Case for Support here
Our Mission
Birmingham Settlement works to create opportunity and choice – connecting and empowering people through action, activities, and shared learning to build and sustain wellbeing for all.
Our Latest News
Meet Maria, Our New Volunteer Coordinator!
We’re delighted to feature Maria in our latest Staff Spotlight! Maria joined the Birmingham Settlement team at the very end of June as our new Volunteer Coordinator. With a wealth of experience in volunteering and community engagement, Maria is passionate about...
Birmingham Settlement Money Advice in Libraries Across Birmingham
Birmingham City Council is working with Birmingham Settlement and Citizens Advice Birmingham to offer free, face-to-face advice at selected libraries across the city, bringing support closer to where people live. What we can help with You can get free, confidential...
Making Space for Young People at the Nature & Wellbeing Centre
This summer we piloted a day camp for young people alongside environmental organisation ecobirmingham. The camp was based outdoors at the Birmingham Settlement Nature & Wellbeing Centre next to Edgbaston Reservoir.Stemming from our co-production sessions as part...