Our Mission
Connecting Gifts, Skills and Aspirations
Soho First is about connecting the gifts, aspirations, skills and capacities of people in Birmingham's Soho and Jewellery Quarter Wards so that collectively we are better able to identify needs and priorities and act in response to them.
Soho First aspires to work alongside residents and partners to make a difference to local priorities – social, economic and environmental – to create a place that is even better for all to live and work in.
Soho First is currently focussed on three main strands of work:
- Environment: ensuring that we have a clean, safe place to live, work and play
- Bringing People Together: building a stronger and more connected community through organising events that bring people together, connect neighbours, reduce isolation and celebrate the gifts, talents and cultural diversity of people in the area
- Thriving Soho: working to make the local economy work better for local people by maximising how much money circulates in the area; encouraging organisations and businesses to procure and employ locally and promoting social enterprise in the area.
Soho First has dedicated task groups working on each of these areas.
Soho First is also a partner in the Neighbourhood Network Scheme alongside Birmingham Settlement, Karis Neighbourhood Scheme and Nechells Pod.
Three Main Strands of Work
What We Focus On
Environment
Ensuring that we have a clean, safe place to live, work and play. From litter picks to the Winson Green In Bloom initiative, we work to bring pride and beauty to the area.
Read more about Environment →Bringing People Together
Building a stronger, more connected community through events that bring people together, connect neighbours, reduce isolation and celebrate our cultural diversity.
Read more about our Projects →Thriving Soho
Working to make the local economy work better for local people — encouraging organisations and businesses to procure and employ locally and promoting social enterprise.
Read more about Thriving Soho →Our People
The Soho First Team
- Chair Andrew Simons
- Secretary Robert John Higginson
- Treasurer Rhona Rouse
- Trustee Rev. John Mall
- Trustee Shaheed Pervaz
- Observer Monique McKen
- Observer Pat Whyte (Birmingham City Council)
- NNS Lead Carlene McKenzie
Soho First Community Development Trust (working title: Soho First) was registered as a Charitable Incorporated Organisation – Association Model (Charity Number: 1173499) in 2017. The trustees are elected by the membership at the annual general meeting.
Our Area
Soho Ward
Frequently Asked Questions
Common Questions
Who runs Soho First?
Soho First is governed by a board of trustees including Chair Andrew Simons, Secretary Robert John Higginson, and Treasurer Rhona Rouse, elected by the membership at the annual general meeting.
When was Soho First founded?
Soho First Community Development Trust was registered as a Charitable Incorporated Organisation in June 2017, growing out of the earlier Soho Community First grants panel.
What are the three strands of work at Soho First?
The three strands are: Environment (clean, safe spaces), Bringing People Together (community events and reducing isolation), and Thriving Soho (local economic development).