News

Balsall Heath’s ‘Hometown Hero’

Late last year, Birmingham resident were asked for their help in finding the unsung legends of sport in the West Midlands. From hundreds of nominations received, 10 ‘Hometown Heroes have been selected as volunteers, coaches and grafters who keep grassroots sport alive.

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Celebrating communities grants

There’s still time for residents and community groups to apply for money from a £2million fund to help people in all 69 of the city’s wards feel involved with the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games.

The Celebrating Communities Small Grants Funding Scheme has been assembled by Birmingham City Council to maximise the benefit and legacy of being the Proud Host City for the Games.

The deadline for round one applications is 1 June 2021.

The scheme will allocate funding across the city’s wards using a formula that takes into account local deprivation data and the size of the ward.

Celebrate the Commonwealth Games your way and apply today to receive a grant for anything between £100 to £10,000.

Specular Reflecular

Moseley Road Baths CIO are so excited to be bringing back Specular Reflecular after having to close in March last year due to Covid. This time the exhibition, created by Juneau Projects, will be held in the slipper baths. The exhibition will run from:12-4pm Monday 31st May- Friday 4th June.

Artists Juneau Projects have worked with hundreds of local people to create a beautiful hand-painted animation that celebrates Moseley Road Baths and the community that surrounds it. People of all backgrounds and ages attended workshops and made individual frames for the animation by painting over live-action footage of local swimmers. Each frame reflects the memories, personality and style of its local creator. Combined, they create an ever-changing collage of colours, light and water; which also reflects the vibrancy and eclectic nature of Balsall Heath.

Viewers are invited to relax on specially created wave furniture and soak up the atmosphere of this unique heritage space, while watching the light from the projected film and newly uncovered windows refracted through multi-coloured translucent decorations.

Specular Reflecular was funded part of Trust New Art, the National Trust’s programme of contemporary arts and is funded by Arts Council England. We have brought it back post-Covid thanks to the DCMS Cultural Recovery Fund.

Booking is essential and to keep everyone Covid-safe there will be one slot per hour where you and your group (either up to 6 people, or 2 households) get exclusive access for 20 minutes to enjoy the animation.

What have you heard about Covid?

Women and Theatre is working in partnership with Moseley Road Baths and local women in Balsall Heath, to create a series of short videos which share information about Covid-19 and promote positive wellbeing messages.

Janice Connolly of Women & Theatre, poet, writer and performer Rupinder Kaur and film maker Rachel Gillies will be talking to women of all ages and backgrounds about concerns, anxieties and misinformation about Covid-19 guidelines and vaccines. Join them for a swim and a chat and then get creative with some fun workshops to develop the short films.

Sessions take place on Mondays (17th and 24th) and Thursdays (20th and 27th), 11:15am-1:15pm over the next few weeks. For more information, call Matt Smith on 07849 214 799 or e-mail ma*******@****************co.uk.

Call out for volunteers to help with vaccinations

Do you live or work within the following areas?  Balsall Heath, Sparkhill & Moseley Edgbaston Kingstanding, Erdington & Nechells Nechells, Saltley & Alum Park Shard End & Kitts Green Small Heath Washwood Heath.

Could you help these communities with vaccination activity?  If so, please contact our colleagues within University Hospital Birmingham via email BM*@*****hs.uk they would welcome you assistance.

Support for women

Anawim is for every woman. Take that first step by reaching out to us.

We will listen to you and support you without judgement. You don’t need to disclose any details you don’t want to. Choose a contact method which suits you.

Free helpline: 0800 019 8818

Live chat: www.anawim.co.uk

Safe, open Drop-in: See opening times at www.anawim.co.uk

Springfield Food Pantry – shop for £4 a week

£4 is all it costs for a weekly shop when you pop into Springfield Pantry – a new initiative in partnership with The Springfield Project.

Join as a member for just £4 and access a weekly shop for all your essential food, grocery and toiletry items and check each week for new stock.

To Become a Member: https://your-local-pantry.force.com/s/member-sign-up or come in Tuesday or Thursday, 9:00am-11:00am and a volunteer will help you sign up.

Address: 57 Park Road, Sparkhill