Welcome to the Birchfield 'Our Bigger Story' website. This is part of the multi media evaluation of 15 Big Local areas in England. The website is an opportunity to follow what is changing in Birchfield as a result of Big Local over a ten year period.
The aim of the website is to share the learning from everything that is happening in Birchfield with other Big Local areas and highlight what works in communities with a wider audience of practitioners and policy makers.
Improve your confidence and self-belief in your job searching and career aspirations. The Job Club is delivered by New Beginnings Creative CIC and is on Fridays from 10am till 4pm at 16 Grosvenor Road, Birchfield B20 3NP. Due to Covid-19 restrictions the one-to-one sessions are by appointment only. Help can also be provided online or by telephone if preferred. Help is provided with job search, access to education, employment, training and enterprise opportunities, and support with CV writing and job applications. There is free internet access and printing.
Delighted to receive recognition from the Royal Horticultural Society and Heart of England in Bloom for the continued efforts to maintain and develop the Secret Garden. Although the annual In Bloom campaign couldn't happen this year because of Covid-19, residents have invested time and effort in their gardens, if not more so! Covid-19 has if anything made us more aware of the value of green space whether a front or back garden, park or other public open space, or those open spaces often hidden between or behind buildings where children play. Thanks especially to Jimoh and Faith from Eco Gardeners for their work in the Secret Garden including family activities through the Grow Your Soup project and the addition of a mud kitchen. We look forward to being part of Bloom in Birchfield next year and the wider In Bloom campaign. If you would like to volunteer to help with green space projects in the area or with Bloom in Birchfield, please do get in touch. We need your help.
Great to see the Boat House Cafe open once again and the boats on the lake for the Birchfield Big Local Family Fun Picnic at Handsworth Park. Thanks to everyone involved - especially Russell and Nyah who organised the day and Andrea and Tony for hosting at the Boat House Cafe. We were entertained by DJ Fitz and a solo performance by a young artist - Screws and Co. There was an arts workshop and play activities which everyone enjoyed including a dance and freeze competition. James took family photographs on the day which were hugely popular. We had the odd shower, but it made little difference. Everyone was determined to make the best of the weather, glad to be outside and enjoying the company.
The latest Together Birchfield newsletter with information on COVID-19 and useful contacts
April Newsletter containing information on Covid 19 and contact details for local services.
The spring flowers in the planters at the corner of Calthorpe and Grosvenor Road are looking great. Well done Barbara and Lurlyn.
In June 2019 Our Bigger Story hosted a 2 day event for all the case study areas. During this time, each of the OBS areas mapped their journey. Here are a few photos.
Stepping Forward is offering the opportunity for people to learn new skills, for example, conversational English and basic IT and build their confidence. The support provided will be tailored to meet the specific needs.
Free play sessions were organised over the Easter holidays for the local children. The Secret Garden continues to grow every Monday when Big Local volunteers and community members join together to help build and renovate the area.
It is one of just six sites in Birmingham to receive funding and is a partnership involving Birchfield Big Local. The funding will enable the landscaping of the green space including building new raised beds and a seating areas.
Birchfield Big Local held its first Christmas Choir Concert. The choir made up from the United Reformed Church and Big Local volunteers and guests. Birchfield Big Local are now looking to repeat the event this year.