Hindu Forum
Charity 1101782
Overview
Summary
Hindu Forum appears to function less as a single-service provider than as civic infrastructure for Walsall’s Hindu community: convening clubs and societies, supporting groups at different life stages, and translating community concerns into wider civic participation. Its formal objects combine faith-linked community identity with broad welfare and inclusion aims. The available website material suggests a partnership-oriented, project-based approach, although its public-facing information appears dated, limiting confidence about its current operational reach.
Operational geography
Coverage: Regional
Operational areas:
Evidence and reasoning
Supporting evidence
Remaining uncertainties
- Direct evidence: Hindu Forum's current Charity Commission record, based on its return for the financial year ending 31 March 2025, lists Birmingham City among the local-authority areas where it operates.
- Reasonable interpretation: the organisation's reported footprint is regional rather than Birmingham-only, because it also declares operation in Dudley, Sandwell, Walsall and Wolverhampton. This does not establish citywide delivery within Birmingham.
- There is no current evidence identifying a Birmingham ward, recognised place, delivery venue, project or partner through which Hindu Forum operates within Birmingham. No supplied Birmingham area identifier can therefore be evidenced.
- The organisation's website principally describes Hindu Forum Walsall, its Walsall address and historical activity. The Birmingham-related material located on the website is a useful-information listing for other organisations, rather than evidence that Hindu Forum delivers services with them or at Birmingham sites.
- The Charity Commission records that the charity does not own or lease land or property. Its listed address is in Walsall, and historical material indicates use of rooms at Shree Ram Mandir Walsall; neither establishes a physical operational site in Birmingham.
- The charity reported zero income for the year ending 31 March 2025, with £1,695 expenditure. This limits confidence about the scale and current intensity of activity, although it does not negate its current declared operating areas.
Additional evidence needed
- A current Hindu Forum programme, annual report, event calendar or service directory naming Birmingham delivery locations, dates and activities.
- Confirmation from Hindu Forum of the Birmingham neighbourhoods or wards in which it currently supports member clubs, youth, women's or older people's groups.
- Current evidence from a Birmingham-based delivery partner confirming an active relationship with Hindu Forum and the location and nature of the work.
Areas of work
- Arts/culture/heritage/science
- Disability
- Economic/community Development/employment
- Education/training
- General Charitable Purposes
- Human Rights/religious Or Racial Harmony/equality Or Diversity
- Other Charitable Purposes
- Recreation
- The Advancement Of Health Or Saving Of Lives
Who they help
- Children/young People
- Elderly/old People
- People Of A Particular Ethnic Or Racial Origin
- People With Disabilities
- The General Public/mankind
How they help
- Acts As An Umbrella Or Resource Body
- Other Charitable Activities
- Provides Advocacy/advice/information
- Provides Services
Discoveries involving this organisation
The Atlas has not published any Discoveries involving this organisation yet.
Observations
A bridge between community groups and civic institutions
The Forum appears to operate as an intermediary: strengthening Hindu voluntary groups internally while representing concerns externally, including to local authorities and in relation to legislation.
Why it matters
This suggests its value may lie in coordination, voice and access rather than in delivering one narrowly defined service. It may be an important route through which smaller groups connect with decision-makers.
Show evidence
“An Umbrella organisation for all Hindu Clubs, Voluntary Organisations & Societies.”
Source:Charity Commission“Raise concerns, regarding any proposed legislation which affects Hindus adversely.”
Source:Charity Commission“Founded in 2001 to bring the Hindu community of Walsall and adjoining areas together and to empower them to play an increasingly active role in the social, cultural and economic life of the area.”
Source:Organisation
A life-stage model of community support
Its described support spans youth, women and older people, suggesting the Forum may build community capacity through affiliated groups rather than run a uniform programme for all residents.
Why it matters
This helps distinguish the organisation from a general advice charity: its operating model appears to depend on supporting community-led groups with targeted needs and relationships.
Show evidence
“Assist running of a youth club, by providing advice and guidance to youth worker.”
Source:Charity Commission“Assist women's group with administrative support.”
Source:Charity Commission“Assist elderly persons' club, explaining benefits and health advice.”
Source:Charity Commission
Faith identity is paired with an explicitly wider public-benefit remit
Although Hindu identity is central, the charity's objects indicate an intention to address poverty, sickness, education and social welfare without restricting benefit by religion or other protected characteristics.
Why it matters
The Forum may be positioned to connect culturally specific trust and knowledge with broader local inclusion, creating potential for partnerships beyond Hindu organisations.
Show evidence
“The advancement of education and the relief of poverty and sickness among the inhabitants including but not limited to those of the Hindu faith.”
Source:Charity Commission“To promote the benefit of such inhabitants without the distinction of sex, sexual orientation, race or of political religious or other opinions.”
Source:Charity Commission“Raising awareness of Hinduism.”
Source:Charity Commission
- Whether the youth, women's and older people's groups are currently active, and how many people they reach.
- Whether the Forum maintains a community centre or delivers direct services beyond support, advice and representation.
- The website references activities from 2017 and 2018, so current partnerships and priorities are unclear.
Remaining uncertainties
- Recent annual reports, accounts or activity reports showing current programmes, beneficiaries, staffing and volunteer capacity.
- Evidence from member organisations and partners, including Walsall Council, about current collaboration and the Forum's convening role.
Additional evidence needed
Charity Commission profile
Activities
Assist running of a youth club, by providing advice and guidance to youth worker. Assist women's group with administrative support. Assist elderly persons' club, explaining benefits and health advice. Raising awareness of Hinduism. . An Umbrella organisation for all Hindu Clubs, Voluntary Organisations & Societies. Raise concerns, regarding any proposed legislation which affects Hindus adversely
Charity objects
I) THE ADVANCEMENT OF EDUCATION AND THE RELIEF OF POVERTY AND SICKNESS AMONG THE INHABITANTS (OF THE AREA OF BENEFIT) INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO THOSE OF THE HINDU FAITH, WHO ARE DEPRIVED AND WHO LACK THE PHYSICAL AND/OR FINANCIAL RESOURCES THEREBY ENABLING SUCH PEOPLE TO HAVE AN INCREASED ABILITY TO OBTAIN EMPLOYMENT AND TO BE ABLE TO PLAY A PART IN THE SOCIETY IN WHICH THEY LIVE. II) TO PROMOTE THE BENEFIT OF SUCH INHABITANTS WITHOUT THE DISTINCTION OF SEX, SEXUAL ORIENTATION, RACE OR OF POLITICAL RELIGIOUS OR OTHER OPINIONS, BT ASSOCIATING TOGETHER THE SAID ORGANISATIONS IN A COMMON EFFORT TO ADVANCE EDUCATION AND TO PROVIDE FACILITIES IN THE INTEREST OF SOCIAL WELFARE FOR RECREATION AND OTHER LEISURE TIME OCCUPATION WITH THE OBJECT OF IMPROVING THE CONDITIONS OF LIFE FOR THE SAID INHABITANTS. III) TO ESTABLISH A COMMUNITY CENTRE (HEREINAFTER CALLED "THE HINDU FORUM") AND TO MAINTAIN AND MANAGE THE SAME, WHETHER ALONE OR IN CO-OPERATION WITH ANY LOCAL AUTHORITY OR OTHER PERSON OR BODY IN FURTHERANCE OF THESE OBJECTS...