Redeeming Our Communities - Birmingham       Redeeming Our Communities is developing links in Birmingham with the church, police, community groups, local authorities and statutory agencies. Through the links in this section, you will be able to find out about our Birmingham links and all the latest information about Redeeming Our Communities Birmingham.     "Redeeming Our Communities (ROC) Birmingham is an initiative that seeks to encourage faith based organisations to build on the existing engagement with the police, the city council and other agencies with a focus around crime reduction and safer, kinder neighbourhoods. The initiative is jointly led by Birmingham people and ROC. This is about creating conversations (ROC Conversations) in local areas between the various sectors, with a focus around the key issues faced by the community in that area. An event was held at the NIA on 16th November 2010 which showcase social action initiatives from across the city and encouraged joined up working between agencies. ROC aims to assist in mapping what is going on but also encourage the emergence of new projects and partnerships long after the event itself. Themes covered on the evening included the issue of loneliness. A recent BBC report has said that loneliness is even more prevalent with young people than with senior citizens. Sarah Brennan from Young Minds says; "The young people we work with tell us that talking to hundreds of people on social networks is not like having a real relationship and when they are using these sites they are often alone in their bedrooms."    Following the event on November 16th 2010, which was attended by around 2,000 people, we have been in touch with groups from across the West Midlands who are engaging with their local community and considering new projects. The event also saw the launch of 1 million acts of kindness which continues throughout 2011. We would love to hear from you if you want to be part of ROC Birmingham.   For more information on Redeeming Our Communities around the UK, visit the Redeeming Our Communities homepage. If you have any questions about the project in Birmingham, please contact the area co-ordinator using the link below.                                    Birmingham Area Co-ordinator              Birmingham Peter Blackburn Please let us know if you want to introduce Redeeming Our Communities to your particular area in Birmingham.  You can apply to be a ROC Ambassador here.