Newsletter
Community rights providing new opportunities in Birmingham.
More than sixty representatives from local community organisations gathered in Birmingham last week to discuss the latest Community Rights at a Locality event hosted by Birmingham Settlement.
The new Community Rights are part of the Localism Act introduced in 2011 with the aim of devolving more decision making powers from central government back into the hands of individuals, communities and councils.
Don Foster MP, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for the Department for Communities and Local Government was guest speaker at the event entitled ‘Communities Taking Control – Solutions from the frontline’. Other speakers include Steve Wyler, CEO of Locality and Alison Seabrooke, CEO of the Community Development Foundation.
Martin Holcombe, CEO at Birmingham Settlement said, “We had a hugely successful day with input from a wide range of organisations that were able to share their experiences and discuss the challenges they have faced.”
Steve Wyler added, “This was an opportunity to see beyond the legislation and discover how initiatives are actually working at grass roots level. It was inspiring to see how many varied projects are making a real difference in local communities.”
Birmingham Settlement is part of Locality’s West Midlands Regional Action Group and a kickstarter for the national Community Organisers programme.
Money Advice closure this week.
Our Community Money Advice Centre (CMAC) at Alma House in Newtown will be closed this week. Instead we will be running a limited drop in service at the Centre for the Aston Family on Witton Road in Aston, from 9:30am-1pm on Monday 13th, Tuesday 14th and Thursday 16th May. Drop in will return to the normal time and place next week.
Aston Telling Tales casting call out.
Together with Women & Theatre and Aston Hall Birmingham Settlement are running Aston Telling Tales, a project to collect and share the stories of people who have lived and worked in Aston.
Women & Theatre are producing a performance to share eight stories, showing the contrast between stories from the 1600s and those from the modern day. For this production Women & Theatre are inviting people who wish to perform in the play to attend a casting callout to show their skills.
If you think you’ve got what it takes attend the casting event on:
Date: Thursday 2nd May 2013
Time: 4:30pm-6:30pm
Where: Stable Cafe, Aston Hall
For further information download the flyer below.
Furniture and electrical goods at Shirley shop.
The Birmingham Settlement shop in Shirley (209 Stratford Road) now sells small pieces of furniture and in the near future will begin selling electrical appliances. Come along for a great bargain, and if you have any spare goods that you don’t need anymore (such as chairs or lamps) then bring them into the shop for us to sell. Money raised from Birmingham Settlement’s charity shops supports the delivery of our services in Birmingham, so being a customer or donor of our shops will allow you to invest directly back into your own community.
Changed opening times for Money Advice drop in service.
Our Money Advice drop in service is now open at the following times:
- Mondays – 9:30am-3:30pm.
- Tuesdays – 9:30am-3:30pm.
- Thursdays – 9:30am-3:30pm.
You don’t need an appointment to come to our drop in service, just come along with all of your paperwork (e.g. letters from Jobcentre Plus or your creditor) and wait for an advisor to see you.
We also now take appointments on Fridays for those who don’t wish to wait at our drop in service – Please contact us to request an appointment.
Newtown shop re-opened on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
From this week our shop in Newtown is re-opening on Tuesdays and Thursdays, such that it is now open from 10am-2:30pm on Mondays to Fridays.
Winter Crisis Appeal – Help us to relieve the hardship of local people.
At this time of the year many people find themselves in a desperate financial situation having had to spend money on Christmas celebrations and this year is worse than ever. With soaring fuel and food bills and ongoing unemployment many have to choose between heating their homes and feeding their families.
Birmingham Settlement helps local people by offering a range of money advice services to enable people to stabilise their finances and pay off their debts. This winter we have seen a 13% increase in clients coming to our drop-in service. January has proved to be busier than ever and we urgently need to find extra funds.
We are asking whether you would be able to make a donation to enable us to help local people at this difficult time of year, or if you might be able to arrange a collection for us. Alternatively, could you make a donation of clothes, books or toys to help our charity shops raise funds to support our work, while also providing affordable goods to local people?
How you can donate
- Send a cheque payable to ‘Birmingham Settlement’ to Rob Netherway at Units 4-7 Alma House, Newtown Shopping Centre, Birmingham, B19 2AB.
- Donate online through JustGiving or Everyday Hero:
- Set up a standing order or make a bank transfer – You can set up a regular donation through JustGiving (http://www.justgiving.com/birminghamsettlement/Donate) or please contact us for details.
- Bring donated goods into your nearest Birmingham Settlement shop.
To find out other ways you can support Birmingham Settlement please see click here.
Gastro event at Opus Restaurant.
Opus Restaurant, together with Gastro Card and Kitchen School are holding an event to help raise funds for Birmingham Settlement. The event will take place from 12:30pm on 12th March 2013 at Opus Restaurant. Tickets cost £30 and will include a meal, glass of wine, guest speakers and raffle. So come along and enjoy some great food while also helping to raise funds for Birmingham Settlement.
Click here to download the event flyer, which include event details and menu.
Return of the Stay Warm, Stay Well project.
Last year Birmingham Settlement delivered the Stay Warm, Stay Well project in partnership with Birmingham City Council. We are running this project again in 2013 where we are once again providing financial advice to help people keep their homes warm during the winter months, including helping you to reduce your energy bills and gain access to the benefits you are entitled to. If you need assistance during these cold months please get in touch to see how we can help.
Aston Telling Tales.
Are you interested in the local history of Aston? Do you want to discover fascinating stories about the people who lived and worked there – those whose lives don’t appear in the history books? Or do you want to be involved in a performance at Aston Hall?
Come and find out more about the ‘Aston Telling Tales’ project and how you can get involved.
When: Monday 11th February 2013
Where: Meet in the cafe at Aston Hall
Time: 10.30am–3.00pm
This is a free event. Tea and biscuits will be provided. Please bring your own lunch.
For further information contact Terina or Rachel at Women & Theatre on 0121 449 7117 or email rachelsnape@womenandtheatre.co.uk
For more information about the project click here to download this information sheet.
