Forward Movement
Charity 1191828
Overview
Summary
Forward Movement appears to use creative-sector participation as a youth-development route rather than treating arts activity as an end in itself. Its stated purpose combines performing arts, media and entertainment production with support intended to build young people’s skills, capacity and readiness to participate in society. The available evidence suggests an organisation positioned between creative education and wider personal development, though its specific delivery model, reach and partnerships remain unclear.
Operational geography
Coverage: Citywide
Operational areas:
Evidence and reasoning
Supporting evidence
Remaining uncertainties
- The Charity Commission register records Birmingham City as the charity's declared area of operation, but this is not supported by evidence of active delivery at any Birmingham location.
- Forward Movement's latest filed trustees' report, for the year ended 30 June 2024, states that no activities were undertaken, no income or expenditure occurred, and operations remained paused while trustees planned a future relaunch.
- The charity's report and annual return for the year ended 30 June 2025 were overdue on the Charity Commission record consulted, so there is no later public filing confirming whether activities have resumed.
- The registered contact address is not, by itself, evidence of an operational site. The Charity Commission states that the charity does not own or lease land or property, so it cannot confidently be treated as an operational site.
- No current delivery partners, venues, projects or service locations were identified in the authoritative sources consulted.
Additional evidence needed
- A current annual report or annual return confirming whether delivery restarted after 30 June 2024, including the locations served.
- Official Forward Movement project, venue or programme information identifying where workshops, lessons, productions or youth activities are currently delivered.
- Confirmation from the charity of whether its registered contact address is used for service delivery, administration only, or correspondence only.
- Evidence of any active delivery partnerships and the Birmingham locations through which they operate.
Areas of work
- Arts/culture/heritage/science
- Education/training
Who they help
- Children/young 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
Creative practice is framed as a pathway to wider participation
The organisation appears to use performing arts, media and entertainment production as practical settings in which young people can develop capabilities associated with adult participation and independence.
Why it matters
This distinguishes Forward Movement from an organisation primarily focused on artistic outputs: its likely value lies in linking creative engagement to broader social development.
Show evidence
“Support and activities are focused on performing arts, media and entertainment production to help develop young people’s skills, capacities and capabilities.”
Source:Charity Commission“The purpose includes enabling young people to participate in society as mature and responsible individuals.”
Source:Charity Commission
The organisation combines developmental services with guidance
Forward Movement may operate through more than workshops or training alone, since it identifies both service provision and advocacy, advice or information as ways it helps young people.
Why it matters
This may indicate a broader support role around creative development, potentially helping young people navigate opportunities or barriers as well as build skills.
Show evidence
“How the charity helps: Provides Services, Provides Advocacy/advice/information.”
Source:Charity Commission“What the charity does: Education/training, Arts/culture/heritage/science.”
Source:Charity Commission
Its intended beneficiaries are defined narrowly, but their needs are not
The organisation is clearly youth-focused, yet the evidence does not identify an age range, geography, priority communities or the particular needs it seeks to relieve.
Why it matters
This limits understanding of whether Forward Movement fills a distinctive local gap, serves a broad youth population, or is designed for young people facing specific exclusion.
Show evidence
“Who the charity helps: Children/young People.”
Source:Charity Commission“The purpose is to advance in life and relieve the needs of young people.”
Source:Charity Commission
- There is no evidence about where the organisation operates, how many young people it reaches, or which young people it prioritises.
- The evidence does not show whether it delivers activities directly, works through schools or partners, or connects participants to creative-sector opportunities.
- No outcomes, participant voice, funding context or evidence of sustained engagement are available.
Remaining uncertainties
- A description of programmes, delivery settings, age groups and participant referral routes.
- Evidence of partnerships with schools, youth services, cultural organisations or creative employers.
- Outcome data or participant feedback showing how creative activity contributes to confidence, skills and social participation.
Additional evidence needed
Charity Commission profile
Activities
To advance in life and relieve the needs of young people by providing support and activities focused on the preforming arts, media and entertainment production to hep develop their skills, capabilities and to enable them to participate in society as mature and responsible individuals.
Charity objects
TO ADVANCE IN LIFE AND RELIEVE NEEDS OF YOUNG PEOPLE BY PROVIDING SUPPORT AND ACTIVITIES FOCUSED ON THE PERFORMING ARTS, MEDIA AND ENTERTAINMENT PRODUCTION TO HELP DEVELOP THEIR SKILLS, CAPACITIES AND CAPABILITIES TO ENABLE THEM TO PARTICIPATE IN SOCIETY AS MATURE AND RESPONSIBLE INDIVIDUALS.