Category: Witton Lodge Community Association

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COMMUNITY ANCHORS: Volunteer opportunities for 18-25 years old with the Erdington Neighbourhood Network Scheme

ENNS meeting with local community groups at Perry Common Hall / Photograph supplied by WLCA

Words by Witton Lodge Community Association

Erdington Neighbourhood Network Scheme (ENNS) is looking for young people (18-25) who would like to volunteer with the constituency wide organisation and join their official funding panel.

Launched in 2019, ENNS funds and supports community groups and charities across Erdington – helping them to deliver a wide range of activities and services, from Castle Vale to Kingstanding.

From walking groups and mental health support to arts and craft sessions and coffee mornings, the ENNS has so far invested over £750,000 into local projects for people across Erdington – overseen by Witton Lodge Community Association (WLCA).

The ENNS is now looking for young adults to join their team of volunteers and sit on their funding panel, giving them valuable experience and a chance to get more involved in their community.

ENNS are particularly looking for people who are interested in supporting their local community by attending Funding Panel and Steering Group meetings every quarter. No previous experience is needed, just your willingness to get involved.

If you are aged 18-25 and ready to volunteer with the ENNS, or want to learn more about, then contact WLCA by emailing: [email protected]

What can the ENNS offer volunteers?

To make sure volunteers feel confident and supported in their role, ENNS will provide:

  • Full training and guidance on reading applications and making fair, informed decisions.
  • Reimbursement for any out of pocket expenses, including travel mileage and bus fares.
  • Invitations to community events, where you can connect with others and see the impact of your contribution,
  • Volunteer lunch in ENNS meetings, as a thank you for your time, energy, and commitment.

Why join the ENNS volunteer team?

Volunteering with ENNS means being part of a welcoming, inclusive community where your insights matter. You’ll help shape services that directly improve people’s lives, and you’ll meet great people along the way.

Overarching role and responsibilities of ENNS funding panel members

As a member of the ENNS funding panel your role is to support the investment of resources into and within the Erdington constituency, primarily for disabled adults and older adults.

Outside of Perry Common Hall / Photograph by Ed King

ENNS funding panel activities

Panel members meet four times a year (every three months) for up to three hours at Perry Common Community Hall. The funding panel will:

  • Receive and discuss reports on where investments have been made and where investments are needed (also referred to as mapping gaps)
  • Receive and discuss applications and where appropriate award micro and small grants up to £20,000
  • Support community organisations and groups in the delivery of services to disabled adults and older people (also referred to as community development and infrastructure need)

Who are the volunteers ENNS are looking for?

ENNS are particularly looking for people who are interested in supporting their local community. No previous experience is necessary as ENNS will:

  • Provide training and support in reading applications and making decisions about them.
  • Reimburse any out-of-pocket expenses (travel mileage, bus tickets)
  • Invite you to various community events and welcome you to our volunteer’s lunch.

Launched in 2019, the Erdington Neighbourhood Network Scheme (ENNS) is a portfolio of local community groups and activities – supporting over 50’s and adults living with disabilities.

To become and ENNS volunteer or lean more about the organisation email: ENNS [email protected]

For more on Witton Lodge Community Association, visit www.wittonlodge.org.uk

Witton Lodge Community Association is a leading partner in the Erdington Local COMMUNITY ANCHORS programme, supporting independent local and community journalism.

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COMMUNITY ANCHORS: Looking forward into 2026 with Witton Lodge Community Association

WLCA Chief Officer Afzal Hussain standing outside Wellbeing Hub on Erdington High Street / Photograph by Ed King

Words by Afzal Hussain – Chief Officer of Witton Lodge Community Association

Happy New Year, Erdington!

Now is a great time to set new goals and make those changes that you’ve been promising yourself. Many of us start the year thinking about new resolutions – whether that’s improving our health, learning new skills, finding a new job or getting more involved in the community.

Whatever your plans, now is the perfect moment to take action and Witton Lodge Community Association is here to support you.

If finding work or building your skills is on your list, then get in touch, we also have a project for our younger residents. WOW! is a fantastic programme that supports 18-21 year olds with training, guidance and opportunities to prepare them for the world of work. It’s a great way to open doors to new possibilities.

There are also exciting developments in local health services. The NHS is working towards introducing a Neighbourhood Health Service, designed to bring care closer to home and make it easier for people to access the support they need.

Your ideas and feedback are vital to shaping how this service works for our community so please get involved with ‘Community Voice’ and help create something that truly meets local needs.

Witton Lodge Community Association champions local community voices and we remain immensely grateful to our volunteers and local groups. Volunteers are the lifeblood of our communities, their time, energy and passion keep vital services running.

If you’re ready to take the plunge and become a volunteer, get in touch with us and we will work with you to make it happen.

For more on Witton Lodge Community Association, visit www.wittonlodge.org.uk

Witton Lodge Community Association is a key partner in the Erdington Local COMMUNITY ANCHORS programme, supporting independent local and community journalism.

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COMMUNITY ANCHORS: Stronger together – why community engagement is vital for Erdington

Community Voice session run by WLCA at Perry Common Community Hall / Photograph supplied by WLCA

Words by Witton Lodge Community Association

With its rich tapestry of cultures and backgrounds, Erdington thrives on its diversity. While this multicultural makeup is a huge strength it also highlights the need for robust community engagement.

When people from all walks of life actively participate together, it doesn’t just feel good, it can become the engine for positive, lasting change across our constituency.

Community engagement in areas like Erdington is about more than just attendance at meetings. It’s about ensuring every voice is heard and valued, regardless of language, origin or background.

Our Community Voice project provides residents across the area with a platform to influence and create services to help tackle issues impacting people and communities, head-on. This united viewpoint and co-production of services is far more powerful than any initiative simply handed down from authority figures and decision makers.

That is why, since being established in May 2024 by Witton Lodge Community Association, the Community Voice initiative has proven to be a great vehicle for empowering people to make the changes they want to see happen. New initiatives around housing, arts, health and youth are currently being developed.

This approach ensures that efforts are impactful and sustainable and is helping to create a unified, supportive network working for the greater good of Erdington.

Community Voice is yours. Get involved and make things happen.

To find out more about Community Voice or to get involved with the project, please call Steve Sharma on (0121) 382 1930 or email: [email protected]

For more on Witton Lodge Community Association, visit www.wittonlodge.org.uk

Witton Lodge Community Association is a key partner in the Erdington Local COMMUNITY ANCHORS programme, supporting independent local and community journalism.

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COMMUNITY ANCHORS: Nominate your unsung heroes for a King’s Award – free information session on Monday 20 October

Words by Witton Lodge Community Association

If you’re ready to shine a deserved light on the incredible work volunteers do in our community, you need to join us for an essential information session on the King’s Award for Voluntary Service (KAVS) —the highest and most prestigious honour a volunteer-led organisation in the UK can achieve!

This special event is free to attend and will be held from 1-3pm on Monday 20 October – at Hays, One Colmore Square, Birmingham, B4 6AJ.

To book your place at this event please click HERE.

The session is brought to you in partnership by Birmingham Voluntary Service Council (BVSC) and Witton Lodge Community Association (WLCA) and will be a definitive guide for understanding and securing this ultimate recognition for Birmingham’s finest volunteer groups.

This session is the perfect way to learn more about the KAVS, including:

  • The criteria that makes a volunteer group eligible.
  • How and who you can nominate to receive this esteemed lifetime recognition.
  • Hearing directly from BVSC and WLCA about the significance of this award and the nomination process.

KAVS is issued once a year to celebrate groups that have made a significant impact and a lasting difference to people and places. Previous sessions, like one recently held at Perry Common Community Hall, have highlighted the prestige and legacy of the award for the groups that receive it.

If you are a Birmingham resident, or work in the city and know of any amazing volunteer groups who deserve this recognition, this is your chance to give something back to the unsung heroes who work so hard and tirelessly to make life better for all of us.

For more information on the KAVS, visit the official website at www.kavs.dcms.gov.uk

To book your place at this event which takes place at Hays, One Colmore Square Birmingham B4 6AJ, from 1-3pm, please click HERE.

For more on Witton Lodge Community Association, visit www.wittonlodge.org.uk

Witton Lodge Community Association is a leading partner in the Erdington Local COMMUNITY ANCHORS programme, supporting independent local and community journalism.

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COMMUNITY ANCHORS: Witton Lodge Community Quiz returns to Perry Common – Friday 3 October

Words by Witton Lodge Community Association

Guess what’s making its long-awaited return to thrill and delight all in one night?

That’s right, the beloved Witton Lodge Community Quiz – held at Perry Common Hall on Friday 3 October, as organised by Witton Lodge Community Association (WLCA).

So, dust off thinking caps and refill your lucky pens for some quizzical fun with friends, family and neighbours.

After an absence of more than three years our popular brainteasing bonanza is back bigger and better than ever.

Running from 7pm to 8.30pm, this is your chance to enjoy a laugh-out-loud evening for young and old alike. You can expect rounds packed with fun twists and cheeky surprises.

So why not come and pit your wits against some of our community’s very own Stephen Fry’s and Carol Vorderman’s.

Perry Common Community Hall / Photograph by Ed King

The Witton Lodge Community Quiz is £2 per person with payment on the door. Teams of up to six people are allowed with children aged under 10 admitted free.

You can’t afford to miss the quiz that’s more than just a night of questions and answers, it’s a night of connection, laughter sprinkled with a little friendly competition.

For more on Witton Lodge Community Association, visit www.wittonlodge.org.uk

Witton Lodge Community Association is a leading partner in the Erdington Local COMMUNITY ANCHORS programme, supporting independent local and community journalism.

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COMMUNITY ANCHORS: Community groups invited to join B:CAN and drive change in Birmingham

Words by Witton Lodge Community Association

Community anchor organisations across Birmingham are invited to join the ranks of a new collaboration network aiming to transform local lives and revitalise our neighbourhoods.

The offer is open to all community-led groups who deliver services which benefit city communities and the people living and working in them.

The Birmingham Community Action Network (B:CAN) brings together some of the most dynamic and influential community organisations in support of one strategic goal – to drive and deliver impactful change across the city.

A number of B:CAN led initiatives have already taken shape in communities across Birmingham. B:CAN Mental Health is being coordinated and delivered by five partners who deploy friendly service advisors to help people on a range of issues.

B:CAN Energy, supported by Energy Redress funding, involves teams of Community Energy Advisors providing people with accessible energy advice to help them save money, reduce household energy use and support with suppliers and debt issues.

Strength in numbers

Now, organisations are being invited to apply to join the Network to further strengthen collaboration, improve provision and extend the reach of services to those people who need it most across Birmingham.

Witton Lodge Community Association is a proud member of B:CAN with Chief Officer, Afzal Hussain leading the network as its current Chair. He said the Network’s potential to impact lives and create a legacy of positive change for Birmingham is an opportunity not to be missed.

“This new network has come together to do things differently in tackling and reducing inequality and deprivation in Birmingham and local communities need a central role in the decision-making process, so effective change is delivered where it is needed most,” told Afzal.

He added: “We welcome applications from organisations and groups based in Birmingham that share our ethos of community-led action. This is a fantastic opportunity to not only strengthen the B:CAN network and reach more residents but to make new connections and access funding opportunities.

“Whether you’re a small, local group just starting out, or a larger established organisation, B:CAN is your chance to develop sector connections that will help develop and grow your business while enhancing the Network’s reach and output.”

So far, 21 of the city’s most respected community organisations have joined B:CAN to work together to collaboratively bring positive and impactful change across the city.

Join B:CAN

Applications are now being invited from Birmingham based community organisations to join the network as either a Member or Affiliate and we also welcome applications from partners who are interested in funding the B:CAN network or B:CAN projects.

For more information on joining the network visit www.bcan.co.uk or CLICK HERE.

For more on Witton Lodge Community Association, visit www.wittonlodge.org.uk

Witton Lodge Community Association is a leading partner in the Erdington Local COMMUNITY ANCHORS programme, supporting independent local and community journalism.

 

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COMMUNITY ANCHORS: School uniform giveaway benefits families

Kingstanding police helping distribute school uniforms at McDonald’s in Kingstanding / Photograph supplied by WLCA

Words by Witton Lodge Community Association

Witton Lodge Community Association (WLCA) were thrilled and privileged to support a wonderful school uniform giveaway which has given local families a timely boost ahead of the new academic year.

Kingstanding Police Constable, Faye Purcell, came up with the fantastic idea of kitting out primary school children, while sitting in her garden three weeks ago! 

Community collaboration

More than 40 families have benefited from the Back-To-School initiative which was delivered in partnership with Vision 4 All, Perry Common Community Watch, and Remmer Restaurants (McDonald’s).

“A few weeks ago I was on leave, just sat in my garden and thinking to myself, what can I do to give something back to the local community,” said Faye.

“Then the school uniform idea just popped into my head and I felt it was something that could be achieved. I made a couple of phone calls to see if people would be interested in supporting the idea and lo-and-behold here we are, three weeks later, giving families and their children a real boost. It’s fantastic.”

An appeal was put out to Erdington families with children aged from five-to-11 years inviting them to claim free school essentials including uniform, stationary, pencil cases and bags.

Within 24-hours of the project being posted on social media all the had been claimed; issued to parents on a first-come-first-serve basis.

Vision 4 You helping distribute school uniforms at McDonald’s in Kingstanding / Photograph supplied by WLCA

Families benefit

Two sessions, one held at Witton Lakes Eco Hub and the other at the McDonald’s restaurant on College Road in Kingstanding gave families the chance to collect their items.

Franchise Manager at McDonald’s Nikki Remmer, said: “It’s been really wonderful to support families in the local community in this way.

“As soon as we heard about the project we wanted to get involved.”

The uniforms were donated by Vision 4 All.

Founder of B Major CIC, Bianca-Jade Adeniran, said: “This was the group’s second annual school uniform giveaway which is an amazing initiative, especially in these times that are challenging for so many families.”

For more on Witton Lodge Community Association, visit www.wittonlodge.org.uk

Witton Lodge Community Association is a leading partner in the Erdington Local COMMUNITY ANCHORS programme, supporting independent local and community journalism.

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COMMUNITY ANCHORS: Volunteers on the Ground for Eco Hub Works

Groundwork West Midlands Corporate Volunteers working at Witton Lakes Eco Hub / Photograph supplied by WLCA

Words by Witton Lodge Community Association

A partnership project with Groundwork West Midlands saw a team of Corporate Volunteers pour into Witton Lakes Eco Hub to carry out landscape improvements.

Volunteers from HS2 were on site to help to demolish the Community Orchards existing raised beds, relocate Compost Bins and repaint several metal benches.

Supported by volunteers from the Friends of Witton Lakes (FOWL), they also completed preservation treatment works on the Eco Hub’s fencing and wooden play equipment.

Chair of Witton Lodge Community Association, Linda Hines MBE, who has the same position with FOWL, praised the collaboration effort.

“Several years ago, Groundwork West Midlands got in touch with us to inform us that they organise groups of Corporate Volunteers to help with community projects.

“Over the next three years we had volunteers from different organisations come to help us twice a year. Today’s visit has been fabulous!! The volunteers worked solidly all day long and have transformed the grounds. We are really proud of what they have done and they are rightly proud of themselves too.”

Groundwork West Midlands Corporate Volunteers working at Witton Lakes Eco Hub / Photograph supplied by WLCA

Rachel Riley, Healthy Lifestyles Project Officer at Groundwork West Midlands, helped to coordinate the work.

She said: “We brought 21 volunteers to Witton Lakes Eco Hub. The site is beautiful and very well run by the staff and volunteers.

“We were made to feel very welcome by the team at Witton Lodge Community Association, so I just want to say, on behalf of all of us, a big thank you.”

For more on Witton Lodge Community Association, visit www.wittonlodge.org.uk

For more on Groundwork West Midlands visit www.groundwork.org.uk/westmidlands

Witton Lodge Community Association is a leading partner in the Erdington Local COMMUNITY ANCHORS programme, supporting independent local and community journalism.

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COMMUNITY ANCHORS: Growth, Renewal and Fun

Witton Lodge Community Association Chief Officer Afzal Hussain, outside Wellbeing Hub on Erdingotn High Street / Photograph by Ed King

Words by Afzal Hussain – Chief Officer of Witton Lodge Community Association

At Witton Lodge Community Association, we’re proud to see our Witton Lakes Eco Hub continue to thrive as a vibrant, welcoming space for local residents.

This summer has been especially exciting, with a packed programme that has brought together people of all ages and backgrounds to learn, connect, and just enjoy nature. With a mix of workshops, outdoor learning, and family-friendly activities – there really is something for everyone.

A key highlight has been the completion of the Makers Yard – a brand-new creative maker-space rooted in the principles of recycle and the circular economy. Designed to spark creativity and enterprise, the Makers Yard gives residents the chance to develop practical skills, explore new ideas, and contribute to a culture of recycling and sustainable making.

We’re grateful to support from BMet College, PF Stokes and Bournville Village Trust and of course Friends of Witton Lakes who have either offered or are already running workshops from the Makers Yard.

We’ve also had the pleasure of welcoming a number of key stakeholders to the Eco Hub, including funders, partners, and civic leaders. Their visits reflect the growing recognition of the work we’re doing to build vibrant, inclusive, and sustainable neighbourhoods.

At Witton Lodge, we know that real change starts locally. The Eco Hub and Makers Yard are more than just facilities – they’re platforms for showcasing local talent and strengthening community connections.

For more on Witton Lodge Community Association, visit www.wittonlodge.org.uk

Witton Lodge Community Association is a key partner in the Erdington Local COMMUNITY ANCHORS programme, supporting independent local and community journalism.

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COMMUNITY ANCHORS: dig into family fun this Active August at Witton Lakes Eco Hub

Words by Witton Lodge Community Association

On your marks, get set and go go go and enjoy an Active August at Witton Lakes Eco Hub!

Our action-packed schedule of fun family-friendly activities means there something for everyone to savour, every weekday from Monday 4 to Friday 29 August.

You can unleash your creative instincts with our arts and crafts sessions and Bulls in The City workshops; get closer to local wildlife with Duckling Watch and give those green-fingers a good work out with gardening activities which include growing fruit, herbs and vegetables.

You can also learn how to build your own planter.

Family enjoying summer activities with Witton Lodge Community Assocation / Photograph supplied by WLCA

For the more adventurous of you why not share your detective skills in our scavenger hunts or put your imagination to good use with our creative sessions or in our newly opened Makers Yard!

With a range of outdoor games, workshops and a food/gardening events, every appetite is catered for – so get involved and make sure this August is your most active yet!

Most Active August activities are FREE – check the flyer for full details.

It all kicks off on Monday, 4 August from 1pm at Witton Lakes Eco Hub, off Faulkners Farm Drive, B23 7XX.

If you have any questions or need further information please call our friendly team on (0121) 227 3200.

On your marks …

For more on Witton Lodge Community Association, visit www.wittonlodge.org.uk

Witton Lodge Community Association is a leading partner in the Erdington Local COMMUNITY ANCHORS programme, supporting independent local and community journalism.