On a number of occasions recently the work of organisations in Birmingham has got national recognition for the linking of adult basic skills development with social inclusion, neighbourhood renewal and community activity.

The document ‘Skills for Communities’ produced jointly by the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister and the Department for Education and Skills contained a section on working in city areas. This document quoted Birmingham’s partnership approach to driving change across a whole city as its case study.

An earlier national panel discussion, hosted by the National Literacy Trust and the Smith Institute, brought together national figures for a discussion around literacy and social inclusion. Birmingham was singled out as having had vision and having put some capacity in place to ensure the work was carried forward across communities.