We are delighted that Birmingham has been named the UK’s first Compassionate City.
The people of Birmingham have been recognised for their compassion in the way communities have supported each other during some of the most difficult times, by being crowned the UK’s first Compassionate City on March 14.
Accredited by Compassionate Communities UK, the key to gaining this recognition is bringing together all areas of the local community, including Birmingham City Council, NHS, schools, cultural organisations and employers, to provide support, space, togetherness and understanding for those undergoing the experiences of death, dying, loss and caregiving.
The Hospice Charity Partnership has been heavily involved in supporting the process of achieving Compassionate City Charter for the city over the past two years.
The Compassionate City title’s purpose is to build compassion as a major value of life across all sectors of civic society, putting kindness at the heart of health and care strategies in all parts of society.
Councillor John Cotton, Cabinet Member for Social Inclusion, Community Safety and Equalities at Birmingham City Council, said: “Birmingham is a city that offers a warm welcome to all and one where we want everyone to thrive.
“Our commitment to the Compassionate City Charter is a great way to recognise the kindness and compassion across our communities and build on work that’s already taken place and ensure all of our services, schools, employers and citizens can feel confident supporting people living with a serious illness or who are grieving.”
Dr Julian Abel, Director of Compassionate Communities UK, said: “Death, dying, loss and caregiving affects us all. We care for people close to us many times in our lives and we also face our own death. How we die, how we grieve, is affected deeply by the people around us. This is why it is important to understand that everyone can contribute and help, whether this be in our schools, our workplaces, our places of worship, our neighbourhoods and all of the other civic parts of lives.
“This accreditation is more important now than ever before as people are still recovering from a global pandemic. Nothing shows more support than the community coming together to combat loneliness and ensuring that people know they are not isolated, especially during the difficult moments of death, dying, loss and caregiving.”
The Compassionate City Birmingham Network is keen for businesses, schools, community organisations and individuals to get involved in future events and initiatives.
Find out more at: www.compassionate-city.com/birmingham/
