Carers’ Voices Find a Permanent Home at Birmingham’s Council House
Earlier this year, Forward Carers brought unpaid Carers together through creative writing and artwork groups, offering space to reflect, connect and express their lived experiences of caring. The work created through these groups was first shared publicly in our Carers’ Voices exhibition at Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery, where it prompted reflection, conversation and a deeper understanding of unpaid caring.
We are now proud to share the next stage of this journey.
Artwork on Permanent Display
A selection of artwork from the exhibition is now on permanent display at Birmingham’s Council House. This is a meaningful location — a place where decisions affecting the city are made. Having Carers’ work displayed here ensures their voices remain visible and present at the heart of civic life.
Marking the Moment Together
To celebrate the installation, we invited the Carers whose work is now on display to visit the Council House and see their artwork in its new setting. They were then welcomed into the Lord Mayor of Birmingham’s room for hot drinks and cakes, creating time to reflect, connect and celebrate together.
Also in attendance were Councillor Mariam Khan, a strong supporter of unpaid Carers, alongside senior leaders from Adult Social Care, including Adult Social Care Commissioner Julie Bach, Louise Collette, Gordon Strachan, and Stuart Lackenby, Head of Adult Social Care. Their presence reflected the importance placed on listening to lived experience and valuing Carers’ contributions.
A Lasting Legacy
The permanent display represents more than an exhibition outcome. It is a lasting reminder of the vital role unpaid Carers play and the importance of keeping their voices visible within the systems that shape their lives. The project has encouraged some Carers to continue processing their emotions through their artwork and poetry as part of their self-care, with one starting a writing group and another launching her own website to showcase her work.
We are incredibly proud of the Carers who shared their creativity and stories, and we look forward to continuing to create opportunities for Carers’ voices to be heard, valued and respected across Birmingham.
