Lord Mayor of Birmingham urges new arrivals to city to volunteer, as he celebrates Balsall Heath charity MECC Trust’s five decades of service. Balsall Heath-based grassroots charity MECC Trust joined the Lord Mayor of the Birmingham Cllr Zafar Iqbal for tea at the Council House in one of Cllr Iqbal’s final engagements in post.
The invitation was a special moment for the Trust and an opportunity to reflect on nearly five decades of community service, partnership working and commitment to improving the lives of residents across Birmingham.
‘Community-led projects can make a real difference, providing a strong model for other areas of Birmingham, and for towns and cities facing similar challenges.’ Mazar Dad
Mazar Dad with Lord Mayor Cllr Zafar Iqbal
Since the late 1970s, MECC Trust has been one of the city’s busiest front-line advice and guidance organisations, supporting individuals and families from all backgrounds. The Trust has a dedicated team of volunteers and offers a strong pathway to employment, with many current staff starting out as volunteers. Each week, MECC advisors support more than 200 clients, offering advice and guidance on energy use, home improvements, physical and mental health, skills, and careers.
Mayor praises MECC Trust
Speaking in the dining room adjacent to the Lady Mayoress’s Parlour, CEO and chair of the MECC Trust Mazar Dad said in relation to current uncertainties in the Middle East: “Thinking what has gone on around the world, our work is cut out for the next seven to eight years.
‘Many of the residents MECC Trust supports are facing financial pressure, and rising energy costs are making it even harder for households to keep warm, manage bills, and afford basic needs. Overall, the crisis has led to a growing need for advice, support, and practical help.
He also reflected on the added value volunteers bring – “The more you contribute to society, helping others, the better you are not only spiritually, but also economically and prosperity-wise”.
Colleague Tasawar Bashir called on the city to follow the lead of community organisations in identifying social value – to spread more fairly the prosperity of the region, give agency to local residents and develop the next generation of community leaders and role models. “We’re saying: we think we know what social value is, this is what we need,” he said.
A Personal Journey
The Lord Mayor told his guests: “I believe your organisation is the best one for the community – it’s a lifeline, the service you provide”. He described his own career pathway through voluntary work, including as a magistrate and governor of his old school, having struggled with acute dyslexia and dyspraxia growing up.
‘A wonderful way to learn things – where better to learn skills’
Volunteering with MECC Trust is “a wonderful way to learn things – where better to learn skills,” Cllr Iqbal said, adding that he personally encouraged people newly arrived in Birmingham and lacking experience of work in the UK that they should volunteer.
As well as directly supporting residents, MECC Trust works alongside voluntary and community organisations across the city and in partnership with public services to improve lives, promote fairness, and help people access the support and opportunities available. This work has only been possible through the dedication of staff, volunteers and trustees over many years, together with continued support from funders, partners and the wider community.
“Like many charities delivering preventative services, sustaining funding is an ongoing challenge,” Mazar Dad said. “Demand continues to grow, but funding structures and priorities often shift, which can make long-term planning difficult. Despite this, we remain committed to delivering high-quality, preventative support for our communities.
“We were honoured to receive a formal invitation from the Lord Mayor at a time when MECC Trust is approaching 50 years of service to the city,” he added. “We are very grateful to the Lord Mayor for hosting us”.
MECC Trust was founded in Balsall Heath by local businesses and health professionals with a shared commitment to improving community wellbeing. While it was formally registered as a charity in 1979, the work was already underway a few years prior to this. More information is on the MECC Trust website here – https://www.mecctrust.co.uk/
Going from Strength to Strength
Last year the MECC’s building in Court Road was upgraded in a six-month refurbishment to fit solar panels and battery storage, an air source heat pump, and underfloor heating, using local contractors to create Birmingham’s first Demonstrator Community Hub.
‘This work continues to motivate us as an organisation. Seeing first-hand the impact that cold homes and rising living costs have on people’s health and wellbeing strengthens our commitment to supporting communities, developing local solutions, and promoting long-term approaches to energy efficiency and sustainability. Mazar Dad
