Al-Ansar Project
Charity 1105526
Overview
Summary
Al-Ansar Project appears to be a community-rooted organisation connecting cultural belonging with practical support in and around Balsall Heath. Its stated role is broader than cultural programming: Arabic language, traditions and culture seem to provide an entry point for education, welfare, health-related support, recreation and advice. Its focus on both younger and older people suggests it may function as a cross-generational community anchor, though the available evidence does not show how its services are delivered or who currently uses them.
Operational geography
Evidence and reasoning
Supporting evidence
Balsall Heath West
Confidence: low
The Charity Commission profile directly describes the project as serving people mainly living in and around Balsall Heath. Birmingham City Council confirms that the Balsall Heath neighbourhood spans Balsall Heath West and Sparkbrook and Balsall Heath East wards. However, the charity's latest financial data is for the year ending 31 March 2021 and its subsequent reporting is overdue, so current delivery in this ward cannot be independently confirmed.
- Charity Commission Register of Charities, AL-ANSAR PROJECT (charity 1105526), charity overview
The charity states that it aims to serve community members 'mainly living in and around Balsall Heath' through cultural understanding and facilities and services addressing education, health and welfare needs. - Birmingham City Council, Balsall Heath community governance review FAQ
The Council states that the Balsall Heath area affects two City Council wards, including Balsall Heath West.
Sparkbrook and Balsall Heath East
Confidence: low
The Charity Commission profile gives direct, but undated and now stale, evidence of a focus on Balsall Heath. Birmingham City Council confirms that Balsall Heath also falls within Sparkbrook and Balsall Heath East ward. There is no recent service, venue or partnership evidence confirming present-day activity in this ward.
- Charity Commission Register of Charities, AL-ANSAR PROJECT (charity 1105526), charity overview
The charity states that it aims to serve community members 'mainly living in and around Balsall Heath'. - Birmingham City Council, Balsall Heath community governance review FAQ
The Council states that the Balsall Heath area affects two City Council wards, including Sparkbrook and Balsall Heath East.
Remaining uncertainties
- The available direct operational description is not recent enough to establish that services are currently being delivered: the latest recorded financial year ended on 31 March 2021, and Charity Commission reporting for later years was overdue on the profile consulted.
- The evidence supports a historic or stated neighbourhood focus on Balsall Heath, rather than verified current service delivery at named venues.
- The registered address is treated as correspondence information rather than evidence of an operational site.
- The Charity Commission profile records Birmingham City as the charity's stated operating area and its objects cover Birmingham, but this does not demonstrate citywide operational delivery.
- No material delivery partnerships, subsidiary organisations, owned or leased operational premises, or additional service locations were identified. The Charity Commission profile states that the charity does not own or lease land or property.
Additional evidence needed
- A current annual return, trustees' report or accounts describing services delivered after 31 March 2021.
- Current confirmation from the organisation of active programmes, delivery venues and the neighbourhoods served.
- Evidence from any current host venue, commissioner or formal partner confirming where services are delivered.
Areas of work
- Amateur Sport
- Arts/culture/heritage/science
- Education/training
Who they help
- Children/young People
- Elderly/old People
How they help
- Provides Advocacy/advice/information
- Provides Services
Discoveries involving this organisation
The Atlas has not published any Discoveries involving this organisation yet.
Observations
Culture appears to be a platform for wider support
The available evidence suggests that cultural and language activity is not an isolated aim, but a means of building trust and connection through which educational, welfare and health-related needs can also be addressed.
Why it matters
This helps distinguish the organisation from a purely cultural group. Its potential value may lie in making practical support more accessible through a culturally familiar setting.
Show evidence
“The project aims to give members of the community a better understanding of the language, traditions and culture of Arabic nations and people.”
Source:Organisation“The project seeks to provide facilities and services to address education, health and welfare needs.”
Source:Organisation
The organisation may bridge generations within a specific community
Its charitable objects prioritise children and young people in the Yemeni/Arabic community, while its beneficiary categories also include older people. This may indicate a role in maintaining cultural continuity and mutual support across generations.
Why it matters
Cross-generational organisations can hold relationships and knowledge that age-specific services may not reach, potentially making Al-Ansar a useful connector for families and community partners.
Show evidence
“The charity objects identify children and young persons of the Yemeni/Arabic community as a particular beneficiary group.”
Source:Charity Commission“The charity helps children/young people and elderly/old people.”
Source:Charity Commission
Its operating model combines provision with navigation
The organisation appears to combine direct activities, including education, culture and sport, with advocacy, advice and information. This may mean it supports people both through its own services and by helping them understand or access wider support.
Why it matters
This mixed role could make Al-Ansar an important local intermediary, rather than only a provider of discrete activities.
Show evidence
“The charity helps by providing services and providing advocacy/advice/information.”
Source:Charity Commission“The charity works in education/training, arts/culture/heritage/science and amateur sport.”
Source:Charity Commission
- Which services are currently active, and how frequently they are delivered.
- Whether health and welfare needs are addressed directly, through referrals, or through informal community support.
- Which local organisations, schools or public services the project works with.
Remaining uncertainties
- Recent activity reports or service timetables showing participation, delivery methods and current priorities.
- Evidence of partnerships, referral routes and community feedback, particularly from younger and older participants.
Additional evidence needed
Charity Commission profile
Activities
The Al-Ansar Project aims to give members of the community, mainly living in and around Balsall Heath, a better understanding of the language, traditions and culture of Arabic nations and people. The project also seeks to provide facilities and services to address their education, health and welfare needs.
Charity objects
FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE INHABITANTS OF BIRMINGHAM, IN PARTICULAR BUT NOT EXCLUSIVELY CHILDREN AND YOUNG PERSONS OF THE (YEMENI/ARABIC) COMMUNITY; 1) THE RELIEF OF POVERTY AND DISTRESS; 2) THE ADVANCEMENT OF EDUCATION BY THE PROVISION OF AN AFTER SCHOOL CLUB; 3) THE ADVANCEMENT OF THE GENERAL PUBLIC IN THE TRADITIONS AND CULTURE OF ARABIC NATIONS AND PEOPLE AND 4) THE PROVISION OF FACILITIES FOR RECREATION AND OTHER LEISURE TIME OCCUPATION IN THE INTERESTS OF SOCIAL WELFARE IN A COMMON EFFORT TO IMPROVE THE CONDITIONS OF LIFE OF THE SAID INHABITANTS".