Casba
Charity 701365
Overview
Summary
CASBA appears to be a locally rooted advocacy organisation whose role extends beyond individual case support: it creates routes for adults with learning disabilities to exercise voice, rights and citizenship collectively as well as personally. Its model combines independent advocacy with peer/self-advocacy groups, accessible information and issue-specific projects. The available evidence suggests that CASBA’s distinctive contribution is translating lived experience into both practical support and public influence within South Birmingham.
Operational geography
Evidence and reasoning
Supporting evidence
Bournville and Cotteridge
Confidence: low
Direct evidence shows that CASBA has an operating office at TouchBase Pears and has advertised delivery of inclusive exercise sessions at the site, but it does not directly establish operational activity across Bournville and Cotteridge ward.
- CASBA, Contact us
CASBA gives its address as Touchbase Pears, Selly Oak, Birmingham. - CASBA, "CASBA's new home!"
CASBA states that it moved to an office at Touchbase Pears and that some of its groups had already been meeting there. - CASBA, "Inclusive Exercise Classes Coming to Birmingham This Summer"
CASBA advertised a programme of inclusive exercise classes at SENSE TouchBase Pears.
Remaining uncertainties
- Direct evidence supports a South Birmingham service catchment rather than citywide delivery: CASBA's referral criteria require adults with learning disabilities to live in the South Birmingham area, and its official map depicts that area. This supports a district-level operational identity.
- The official map appears to cover a broad set of southern Birmingham wards, but CASBA does not publish a machine-readable or ward-by-ward list of its current referral area. It would therefore be unsafe to infer an exhaustive list of wards from the map alone.
- CASBA's charitable objects refer to Birmingham and its neighbourhood, but this is an organisational purpose rather than reliable evidence of present citywide operations.
- TouchBase Pears is a significant delivery base and accessible venue used by CASBA, but the available evidence does not establish whether CASBA has formal operational partnerships with Sense or other organisations that extend its service geography beyond its South Birmingham catchment.
Additional evidence needed
- A current CASBA-published list of wards or neighbourhoods eligible for advocacy referrals.
- A current service-delivery or impact report showing where advocacy cases, groups and Pregnancy to Parenthood activities were delivered during 2025-26.
- Confirmation from CASBA of whether TouchBase Pears is its only regular physical delivery site and whether any partner venues host recurring CASBA services.
Areas of work
- Disability
Who they help
- People With Disabilities
How they help
- Provides Advocacy/advice/information
Discoveries involving this organisation
The Atlas has not published any Discoveries involving this organisation yet.
Observations
Advocacy is framed as citizenship, not only support
CASBA appears to treat advocacy as a means for people with learning disabilities to secure rights, make choices and be recognised as citizens, rather than simply helping them navigate services.
Why it matters
This suggests its value may lie in shifting power and recognition, not only resolving individual problems. It helps explain why collective voice and public engagement sit alongside one-to-one advocacy.
Show evidence
“The charity aims to enable people with learning disabilities/difficulties to express views, make choices, secure rights and be valued as citizens.”
Source:Charity Commission“CASBA wants to change things for adults with learning disabilities to make lives better, longer and healthier.”
Source:Organisation
CASBA combines individual and collective routes to influence
The organisation appears to operate across several advocacy models: staff-led independent advocacy, peer learning and self-advocacy groups. This may allow personal concerns to inform shared priorities and vice versa.
Why it matters
This is a more connective model than a conventional advice service. It may position CASBA as a bridge between individual lived experience, mutual support and civic representation.
Show evidence
“The objects allow for employed advocates, peer and self advocates and volunteer advocates.”
Source:Charity Commission“CASBA organises support groups where people can learn from other people with learning disabilities.”
Source:Organisation“The website lists self advocacy, LINK and LINK 18-25 self advocacy groups.”
Source:Organisation
Issue-specific work may extend CASBA’s role beyond advocacy referrals
Projects concerning pregnancy and parenthood, domestic violence resources, health and professional training suggest CASBA may apply advocacy expertise to situations where people with learning disabilities can face heightened exclusion or misunderstanding.
Why it matters
This indicates potential specialist knowledge that could be useful to health, safeguarding and family-support organisations, and raises the possibility that CASBA fills gaps between mainstream services and accessible support.
Show evidence
“The website lists Better Health, Financial Advocacy and Pregnancy to Parenthood services.”
Source:Organisation“Domestic violence resources were created by CASBA Ambassadors for people with learning disabilities.”
Source:Organisation“The website lists training for professionals.”
Source:Organisation
- How many people CASBA supports, and whether demand exceeds its capacity.
- Which local services, funders or community organisations refer to or work with CASBA.
- Whether collective advocacy has led to identifiable changes in policy, practice or service design.
Remaining uncertainties
- Recent annual reports showing service volumes, funding, outcomes and changes over time.
- Evidence of referral pathways, partnerships and examples of advocacy influencing local decisions.
Additional evidence needed
Charity Commission profile
Activities
CASBA is a small voluntary organisation, which specialises in the provision of independent advocacy support to adults with learning disabilities/difficulties. CASBA is based in Selly Oak and covers the South Birmingham Area. An Independent Advocate is someone who can help identify an individual's wishes and needs; support them to express their wishes and act for what that person wants.
Charity objects
1. TO PROVIDE INDEPENDENT ADVOCACY FOR PEOPLE WITH LEARNING DISABILITY/DIFFICULTY, HEREAFTER KNOWN AS PARTNERS, LIVING IN THE BIRMINGHAM AREA AND THE NEIGHBOURHOOD THEREOF. 2. TO ENABLE PEOPLE WITH LEARNING DISABILITY/DIFFICULTY TO: - EXPRESS THEIR VIEWS, MAKE THEIR CHOICES, SECURE THEIR RIGHTS AND BE VALUED AS CITIZENS. 3. THESE OBJECTIVES CAN RELATE TO ANY SERVICE, ISSUE, CONCERN, RIGHTS OR SITUATION AND CAN TAKE ANY FORM ENCOMPASSING DIFFERENT MODELS OF ADVOCACY. THIS MAY INVOLVE EMPLOYED ADVOCATES, PEER AND SELF ADVOCATES AND VOLUNTEER ADVOCATES. 4. ALL ADVOCATES INDEPENDENTLY SUPPORT AND ACT WITH OR ON BEHALF OF ANOTHER PERSON(S) TO SEEK TO SECURE ASPECTS OF CITIZENSHIP TO WHICH HE, SHE OR THEY ARE ENTITLED