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Local charity MECC Trust half century of service

Lord Mayor of Birmingham urges new arrivals to city to volunteer, as he celebrates Balsall Heath charity MECC Trust’s five decades of service

Friends Institute to close. Act now

The Moseley Road Friends Institute has stood for 125 years now that legacy is under immediate threat – petition.. Commissioned by Richard Cadbury 1897, built to serve as a hub for education, recreation, and the improvement of life for all Birmingham residents.

Sally

I come here every Wednesday morning. It’s very therapeutic and relaxing.

George

You need human contact. One of the things I like about coming here is that you can come and just have a cup of tea.

Sakina

I didn’t know how to cycle. I learnt at the age of 23… Now, with my husband, I’ve been on an eight and half mile ride along the canals.

Mizan

You lose calories. It’s good to be outdoors instead of stuck inside all day.

Yasmin

It’s more than just riding, biking is a great reminder and experience, every time anyone rides, of the joy and fullness of life and living.

Hasnain Najafi

There have been people who have had recent operations and the doctor has recommended cycling. It helps. People over 60 are coming for rides and they are doing well. I’m thinking, it’s amazing, it’s really liberating for people.

Gulamabbas

Every Saturday morning, Gulamabbas teaches people to cycle from Balsall Heath Cycling Club’s base opposite Clifton Road Mosque. We spoke with him at the Let’s Ride Birmingham event to find out more about his own cycling journey.

Kheira

I’m in my fifties and I only starting learning to ride 4 or 5 years ago. If I can learn to ride and become a ride leader then anybody can ride.

Shabana

I lead the Women Wellbeing Hub for Sparkbrook. We do quite a lot of sports activities for local women. This is one of our partners. So we coordinate some of the activities and this is the main hub.

Jutta

Being a textile designer, of course I can sew things together but I’ve never done embroidery so my first two pieces I was just stabbing at cloth.

Jude

Sitting together and working on something is a comfortable way to get to know people.

Mahnaz

Stitching is therapeutic and relaxing.

Paula

I’ve learnt to cut up an old t-shirt and use the cotton again to knit with. All things to do with sustainability. I’ve done these things again at home.

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