Birmingham Friends of the Earth

Become a Golden Supporter

Background and brief history

Birmingham FOE started in a small way in 1972, taking a major leap in 1977 when we took over an old warehouse in Digbeth. The large amount of space on two floors enabled us to set up several projects under various government schemes for the unemployed and for youth training.

These projects included: Home Insulation, which grew eventually to have 5 suburban bases in the City, and some 70 staff; Environmental Education, which produced some trailblazing publications/education packs on resources, recycling, lifestyles, nuclear-energy, and Whales as well as several educational video films; and a group researching safe cycle routes to school. We also maintained a business selling recycled paper products, and a wholefood shop, which also, later, became autonomous businesses.

The usual FOE campaigning continued alongside this thriving 'business' activity. In 1981 we made a BBC2 'Open Door' programme, covering all FOE UK's campaigns, and illustrated by the practical work of our project teams. But, increasingly, managing so many funded projects, and the businesses, and caring for the building that provided space for other crafts and organisations, left us with little energy for engaging in nationally-led campaigns. In the mid-eighties a major effort was made to redress this situation, targeted at getting our members more actively involved.

In 1986, facing the end of the lease on the warehouse, we purchased the building outright. But, over the following three years, Government cuts meant the end of the funded projects. Our core income vanished, and paid staff with it. The recycled paper business, waste-paper collection, insulation work, had to become autonomous, 'commercial' enterprises. Not only did they survive, but also funds were raised to employ an Environmental Information Officer and then a Campaigns Co-ordinator.

With help from the City Council, which was upgrading the general area, we greatly improved the building with a new meeting room, entrance and kitchen area. The shop expanded and improved. More segregated space was created, and rented out to a great variety of organisations - mostly green and peaceful. Thus, much was achieved to keep this environmental centre in Birmingham running and thriving in difficult times. What was by now lost, however, was the FOE collective of environmental enterprises. We were now landlord and manager (reluctantly and amateurishly) with campaigning work becoming much more important.

So, in 1991, with great financial and management problems, we had once more to institute big changes. New management structures were set up. Out went the Information Officer and the Campaigns Co-ordinator, and in came a new Building and Information Manager, with a salary paid from Warehouse rents and through special membership support.

The new regime meant, over the next couple of years, great improvements in presentation, maintenance, efficiency and security of the building, with better service to the public. One of the businesses, the Café, took over more space, as did the paper business (by this time Paperback Midlands).

The changes allowed the campaigning work to develop very strongly, (with a dedicated team of volunteers) with many capable young people actively involved, dedicating a great deal of time and effort to Days of Action, the newsletter, Reception, membership servicing and so on. Through the years of so-called recession, FOE Birmingham together with the groups and businesses, which share its building, with great prudence and vision, survived, and developed in confidence and skills.

Recent years have seen many changes, albeit relatively minor ones. A number of tenants have come and gone, including the long standing recycled paper wholesalers Paperback and Energy Savers. We do however continue to sell recycled paper products, many of which are still supplied by Paperback which no longer has a Midlands base.

In 2000, it was felt we had enough money to employ a Campaigns worker, albeit only part-time. This gave some regularity to the campaigns work, rather than the hectic rushes to prepare for each Day of Action.

The Management structure has served us well for over 10 years. There are now 3 paid staff: a full-time Building Manager, a part-time campaigner, and a part-time cleaner and handyman.

With these regular staff, the early years of the new century saw a steady improvement, particularly to the fabric of the building. During these years, too following advice from the City Council, minor alterations were made to comply with the Disability Discrimination Act.

Many of the procedures and systems in the Warehouse have been formalised, to try and produce a more professional and consistent approach to tenants, volunteers and users of the building. We are slowly working through the Practical Quality Assurance for Small Organisations (Pqasso) quality standard.

After going through various planning stages, the redevelopment of the South and East part of the City Centre has started. Millennium Point has been built, as has the new Market, and the new Martineau Square. We have seen very major changes to the BullRing. These things change the look of the area, as well as and traffic and pedestrian flows. Most of Digbeth, including the Warehouse, is now in a Conservation Area.

The next phase must surely be some improvements to Digbeth. Hopefully this will enhance the industrial architecture of the area, including the Warehouse! Who knows what's in store?

Dave Clare