The Gospel Oak Project CIO
Charity 1188761
Overview
Summary
The Gospel Oak Project CIO appears to operate as a small, place-based connector in the Gospel Oak area of Hall Green, using accessible community activities to reduce social exclusion. Its role seems less about a single specialist intervention than about maintaining everyday social and learning infrastructure: places, resources and routines through which residents can meet, gain information and participate. The available evidence suggests a broad inclusion mandate, with particular relevance to people experiencing deprivation, but gives limited detail about who is currently reached.
Operational geography
Evidence and reasoning
Supporting evidence
Hall Green North
Confidence: low
Direct evidence places the charity's current work in the local Hall Green/Gospel Oak community, including support for parents and carers of preschool children during the year ending 31 March 2025. However, the available evidence does not directly confirm activity within Hall Green North ward specifically. The evidence supports a neighbourhood focus, but does not explicitly confirm the ward in which current activity is delivered.
- The Gospel Oak Project CIO trustees' annual report, year ended 31 March 2025 (Charity Commission)
The charity reported working with Target Newsletter to reduce isolation among parents of preschool-aged children and described its activities as aimed at improving life expectations and reducing isolation in the local area. - Charity Commission register entry for The Gospel Oak Project CIO, charity 1188761
The charity states that Gospel Oak Community Forum arranges community library, book-fridge, adult-learning and coffee-morning services in the area of Hall Green known locally as Gospel Oak.
Remaining uncertainties
- The charity's registered-office location at St Michael's Church is not, by itself, conclusive evidence that all of its services are delivered there; the current annual report does not name service venues.
- The Charity Commission activity description lists a community library, book fridge, adult learning classes and coffee mornings, but the 2024-25 annual report specifically documents work with Target Newsletter rather than confirming that each listed service was active during that year.
- The partnership with Target Newsletter indicates some reach across Hall Green and surrounding areas, but the available evidence does not identify specific additional Birmingham wards in which The Gospel Oak Project CIO itself currently delivers activity.
- There is no evidence sufficient to treat the charity as operating district-wide or citywide, notwithstanding the Charity Commission's broad 'Birmingham City' operating-area classification.
- The available evidence does not directly establish that the charity operates within Hall Green North ward specifically.
Additional evidence needed
- A current programme, timetable or venue list confirming which services are presently operating and where they are delivered.
- Confirmation from the charity or St Michael's Church of whether the church centre is a regular delivery site for Gospel Oak Project activities, rather than only its registered office.
- Current partnership documentation from Target Newsletter identifying the geographic distribution or locations of activity funded or supported by The Gospel Oak Project CIO.
Areas of work
- Disability
- Education/training
- General Charitable Purposes
Who they help
- The General Public/mankind
How they help
- 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
Everyday services appear to be its inclusion strategy
The organisation appears to address social exclusion through low-threshold, repeatable activities such as a library, book fridge, classes and coffee mornings, rather than through a narrowly defined support programme.
Why it matters
This suggests its value may lie in creating regular points of contact for residents who might not engage with formal advice, education or support services.
Show evidence
“Arranges a community library, book fridge, adult learning classes and coffee mornings.”
Source:Organisation“Promotes social inclusion by preventing social exclusion, relieving the needs of socially excluded people and assisting them to integrate into society.”
Source:Charity Commission
It may function as local civic infrastructure
By combining learning, informal social contact and shared access to books in one neighbourhood, the organisation appears to provide a community platform rather than simply delivering separate services.
Why it matters
This makes the organisation potentially important as a convenor: other groups may be able to reach residents, share information or build relationships through its existing activities.
Show evidence
“Arranges services in the area of Hall Green known locally as Gospel Oak that will bring the community together.”
Source:Organisation“These services include a community library, book fridge, adult learning classes and coffee mornings.”
Source:Organisation
Its remit is broad, while its geography is specific
The organisation appears to hold a wide charitable mandate covering social and economic deprivation, education and disability, while concentrating activity in a clearly defined local area.
Why it matters
This combination may allow it to notice interconnected local needs, but it also raises useful questions about which groups and needs it can realistically prioritise.
Show evidence
“Primarily serves people residing in Hall Green Birmingham and surrounding areas known as Gospel Oak.”
Source:Charity Commission“Its charitable activities include general charitable purposes, education/training and disability.”
Source:Charity Commission
- Which residents use the services, including whether people facing the greatest exclusion are reached.
- Whether the organisation works with schools, advice services, disability groups or other local partners.
- How its community activities are funded, staffed and sustained.
Remaining uncertainties
- Service attendance, participant feedback and demographic information, collected appropriately.
- Information on referral routes, partnerships and the outcomes of learning or social activities.
- A recent annual report or account of local needs, delivery model and future priorities.
Additional evidence needed
Charity Commission profile
Activities
Gospel Oak Community Forum arranges services in the area of Hall Green known locally as Gospel Oak that will bring the community together. These services include a community library, book fridge, adult learning classes, coffee mornings.
Charity objects
TO PROMOTE SOCIAL INCLUSION FOR THE PUBLIC BENEFIT, PRIMARILY (BUT NOT EXCLUSIVELY) AMONG PEOPLE RESIDING IN THE AREA OF HALL GREEN BIRMINGHAM AND SURROUNDING AREAS KNOWN AS GOSPEL OAK, BY PREVENTING PEOPLE FROM BECOMING SOCIALLY EXCLUDED, RELIEVING THE NEEDS OF THOSE PEOPLE WHO ARE SOCIALLY EXCLUDED AND ASSISTING THEM TO INTEGRATE INTO SOCIETY. FOR THE PURPOSE OF THIS CLAUSE ‘SOCIALLY EXCLUDED’ MEANS BEING EXCLUDED FROM SOCIETY, OR PART OF SOCIETY, AS A RESULT OF BEING A MEMBER OF A SOCIALLY AND ECONOMICALLY DEPRIVED COMMUNITY.