Birchfield

Birchfield Big Local is next to the site for the developments surrounding the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham - with the building of new apartments (originally planned as the athletes village), a transport hub and new road layouts. Over the past 5 years Our Bigger Story has been following the impact of these changes on the Big Local area. This film, the third in the change all around us series, explores the legacy of the Games for Birchfield.

In 2019 we made a film about the impact the coming of the Commonwealth Games to Birmingham would have on the Birchfield Big Local area. This film follows the changes that have since been made over the last two years in terms of new housing, road and rail links. A further film will record the actual coming of the Commonwealth Games to Birchfield and Perry Barr

COVID-19 highlighted the lack of quality green space in Birchfield area. This film records the Big Local's efforts to change this and ways in which what limited green space there is can be used creatively for the benefit of the community.

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.

Light Night Arts Commission in Birchfield, North Birmingham Work with the local community to create a Light Night celebration in partnership with Gallery37/Punch Records, Birchfield Big Local and Saathi House. We have a £20K to commission artists or an arts organisation to create three/four light-based, highly visual, LED, neon or projection installations celebrating the heritage and cultural diversity of the Birchfield area. The birthplace of Birchfield Harriers and Aston Villa FC, Birchfield is now a vibrant multicultural area with a rich cultural heritage including Grovesnor Road Studios " the second oldest operational recording studio in the UK after Abbey Road.

Great performance by Kate, Lekan and Reuben at the Creative Civic Change Pop up event today at Grosvenor Court. You can hear the rain, but people enjoyed from their windows and balconies. Some photos of the pop-up music event at Grosvenor Court, Birchfield. Thanks to Kate, Lekan and Reuben for a great performance and Tom for providing shelter. We are planning another pop-up event at another location next week, with hopefully better weather!

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.

Winston Harris - Malkeys Music Productions - has been working with a group of young people in Birchfield on this video - Forward to Success. Enjoy!

Birchfield Big Local is the residential area closest to the site of the Commonwealth Games Athletes Village. This photo-story records both how the areas around Big Local have changed over the years and the major infra-structure and accommodation changes that are planned for the 2022 Games. This is a record of how the area looks and feels prior to major roadworks, the building of the Athletes Village and the redevelopment of the Birchfield shopping area. Our Bigger Story will continue to record the impact of these changes on local communities up to, and after, the Games themselves.

This video was produced as a result of a multimedia workshop with young people as part of the Summer Scheme this August 2019. A small group of young people worked with Winston Harris - Malkeys Music Productions - to create a track from scratch using instruments, software and creative writing sessions. The group also created a video for the track which is to be released later.

The event was to launch the booklet and mural produced as part of the 'My Endz' project with young people. At the event we were joined by guest speakers Father Bob Stephens (St Mary's Church, Handsworth), artist and photographer Vanley Burke and Hector Pinkney MBE. Young people entertained with words and music. The project was funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund and coordinated by Kate Luxmoore (Ifa Yoruba Contemporary Arts Trust) and Russell Green (Birchfield Big Local Youth Worker) with assistance from Nyah Cole and Daniel Hamilton.

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.

In these three short films, Andrew Simons introduces the proposed Birchfield Big Local community hub and plans for the future. Members of Birchfield Residents' Action Group (BRAG) then talk about the work of the Action Group, reflect on change over time in Birchfield, the allotments project/Birchfield in Bloom and the role of Birchfield Big Local. In the final interview film, the local planners of the new Birchfield Jazz Festival talk about the thinking behind the Festival in promoting Birchfield and local artistic talent.

This film introduces the work of ATHAC (Access to Heritage, Arts and Culture) in Birchfield. ATHAC is a locally run social enterprise which supports children with disabilities to access creative and environmental activities which have enhanced their educational attainment.

This film records Christmas Celebrations at Birchfield Big Local. On addition to Christmas carols, music and poetry readings certificates were awarded to participants in the English Conversation and IT classes " as well as celebrating the work of Big Local volunteers.

Andrew Simons looks back on a year in the life of Birchfield Big Local. The highlights include the work of the Birchfield Environment Group, the Secret Garden development, Birchfield in Bloom, playschemes and family fun days " and much more.

Shaida Nagis talks about how a Birchfield Big Local small grant helped to develop the School+ project. The project provides additional homework support for children from local primary schools and, in particular, supports newly arrived children with learning English.

Yunus Memi talks about how a Big Local small grant helped get young people involved in litter picking and improving the environment in Birchfield.

Birchfield Big Local: Small Grants and Social Enterprise " 6/10/16 This film introduces the work of Birchfield Big Local. It focuses particularly on the use of small grants, and support from UnLtd, to develop sustainable local social enterprises. These include Hope Acupuncture Clinic, School+ (homework club), Eco Gardening Services and holiday playschemes

In this film Dorothy Dixon talks about developing nursery provision and picking up a closed down out of school club for children in Birchfield " and the support received from the Big Local.

Andrew Simons looks back on a year in the life of Birchfield Big Local. The highlights include the work of the Birchfield Environment Group, the Secret Garden development, Birchfield in Bloom, playschemes and family fun days " and much more.

Dr Rhonda Lee talks about developing the Hope Acupuncture Clinic as an affordable social enterprise service for local residents " and supported by Birchfield Big Local. Some of those attending the clinic also talk about the health benefits of the services provided by the Hope Acupuncture Centre.

Birchfield Big Local partnership talk about what Big Local has achieved in the community and their hopes for the future. In particular they highlight the role of volunteers in delivering local services against the Big Local's objectives.

In this film local residents talk about the benefits of volunteering with Birchfield Big Local: the skills and knowledge they have gained and how they hope this will lead to employment.

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.