Thousands of families to receive essential goods from region's first 'multibank'

The charity was launched in Birmingham today (Monday, March 10) and will see more than 750,000 donated products handed out to around 75,000 families over the next 12 months.

It will be led by Birmingham Voluntary Service Council (BVSC) with support from former UK Prime Minister Gordon Brown, Amazon, and the Mayor of the West Midlands, Richard Parker.

The West Midlands Multibank will take donations from businesses with goods including clothing, crockery, and cleaning products, to toiletries, towels and toys.

Multibanks were co-founded by Mr Brown and Amazon and are led by prominent local charities who provide social workers, teachers, charities and community groups with the brand new items to distribute to local families.

According to a report into child poverty almost half (46 per cent) of Birmingham’s children are growing up in poverty, up from 27 per cent in 2015.

It also found that teachers and youth workers are frequently having to spend their own money to meet the basic needs of young people, while GPs and medics voiced their concerns about the mental and physical toll poverty is having on those impacted.

One of the solutions proposed by the report was the creation of a Multibank in the region.

Amazon helped set up the West Midlands Multibank, which will operate from an 8,000 sq. ft warehouse in Saltley and has pledged £80,000 to cover the site’s rent this year.

Amazon Web Services (AWS), the company’s cloud computing business, will provide additional digital skills support and training for people accessing the Multibank in the region.

The project is also backed by the Multibank Fund, established by Comic Relief and Amazon, who have committed an additional £6 million over the next four years to fund hubs across the UK.

To mark the launch of the West Midlands Multibank, which will operate from an 8,000 sq.ft warehouse in the Saltley area of the city, Mr Parker will donate 1,000, four-week bus passes, worth £64 each, to be given to families in need.

Richard Parker, Mayor of the West Midlands, said: “Too many families are struggling to afford the basics, and no child should have to go without.

“The Multibank is making a real difference – providing essentials that ease pressure on parents and bring a bit of joy to children who need it most. This also shows what can happen when businesses step up for their communities.

“Donating surplus stock isn’t just about reducing waste – it’s about giving families a helping hand when they need it most.”

Brian Carr, CEO, Birmingham Voluntary Service Council, said: “At BVSC we work hard with our community and public sector partners to tackle child poverty, which is a growing scourge on our society.

“Now, thanks to Gordon Brown’s vision and to the generous support of Amazon and Comic Relief, the West Midlands Multibank is established and will be helping local charities, schools and social workers to access essential goods for families in need.

“This is a visionary initiative that has the potential to tackle poverty and reduce pollution all whilst improving people’s lives.

“We look forward to growing across the West Midlands, and to welcoming more charities and private sector donors into the effort.”

John Boumphrey, UK Country Manager, Amazon, said: “Our goal is simple, to help as many families across the West Midlands as possible, by connecting surplus goods from Amazon and other businesses, with those who need it most.

“We’ve now donated seven million products to more than 600,000 families by working with committed partners to scale the Multibank across the UK.

“But this is just the beginning as we bring together our resources, logistics expertise and AWS technology to operate this vital hub, and with support from the charity and business sectors we will reach even more people this year.”

And Gordon Brown said: “The opening of the West Midland’s Multibank will help families, schools and all family support services across the region to have the material means to relieve and turn around the dreadful hardship being experienced across this region.

“It just shows what we can do when we choose to come together to make a difference. Together, we are bringing immediate relief to many aspects of household poverty and I hope, restoring hope to all families that better days still do lie ahead.”