A free, welcoming event for parents and carers to share ideas about food, family life and coping with rising household costs.

Food, Money and Dignity: Community Conversations on the Cost of Living

Feeding a family when food and household costs are rising can involve difficult everyday choices. Food, Money and Dignity is a free, welcoming community event bringing parents and carers together to talk about these realities, share ideas and find out what support is available in Birmingham.

The event will explore how food choices are shaped by what we would like to eat, food prices, household income, time, childcare and energy costs, caring responsibilities, culture and access to affordable food.

What can you expect?

You’ll have the opportunity to:

Hear short research and community perspectives on food, money and family life.

Take part in a practical small-group activity based on real-life family situations involving food, money, time and other household pressures.

Explore practical ideas for managing food choices when money, time and household pressures are stretched.

Share ideas and learn from other parents and carers.

Have your say on what families need and what could work better.

Discover useful local food and community support, and take home a practical resource with information you can use after the event.

Leave a message for researchers, services or decision-makers about what you think needs to change.

Enjoy refreshments during the event.

This event is part of the ESRC Festival of Social Science 2026 and is being delivered by a team of PhD researchers at Aston University.

Description supplied by the event organiser.