Tag: crafts

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NEWS: Free Community Meal and ‘design your own Christmas decoration’ workshop at Oikos Café on Thursday 27 November

Words by Ed King

On Tuesday 27 November, Oikos Café opens its doors and invites all Erdington locals to another free Community Meal – cooked and served by volunteers from Oikos Church.

Doors at the High Street hotspot open at 5pm, with the Community Meal continuing until 6:30 – providing local families and individuals a hearty hot meal and a chance to socialise in the café.

Held on the third Thursday of every month, the Oikos Community Meal is a lively and popular event that attracts people from all over Erdington.

Free Community Meal at Oikos Cafe on Erdington High Street / Photograph supplied by Oikos Cafe

Erdington Business Improvement District (BID) will also be setting up a couple of stalls outside the front of Oikos Café on Thursday 27 November, from 4:30pm, giving away a few special Christmas treats and free hot drinks.

Erdington BID will also be kicking off a series of festive arts and crafts workshops on Thursday, where young people and locals can design their own Christmas decoration – with all materials will provided by Erdington BID.

The unique and handcrafted decorations can then be hung up and displayed up Erdington High Street on Saturday 20 December – ahead of a special Christmas lantern parade, organised by Erdington BID, which will usher in the yuletide and Winter solstice.

More ‘design your own Christmas decoration’ workshops will be held on Saturday 6, Saturday 13, and Saturday 20 December – alongside the Santa’s Grotto and Winter Warmer events, in conjunction with Erdington Rotary Club, coming to Erdington High Street on the run up to Christmas Day.

Erdington High Street’s Christmas lights will also be switched on at 5:30pm on Saturday 6 December – with Erdington Ward Councillors Robert Alden and Gather Moore joining Santa to officially illuminate the festive season in Erdington Town Centre.

A spokesperson for Erdington BID told: “We are officially kicking off our Christmas programme by supporting the fabulous Oikos Community Meal this Thursday [27 November], and giving away some free Christmas treats and hot drinks outside Oikos Café.

“Come down, say hello, and treat yourself to a hot chocolate and mince pie on us.”

They added: “And why not design your own Christmas decoration whilst you’re with us – which can then be hung up on the High Street on 20 December. We’d love to see everyone’s personal decorations on display this Christmas, showing some love for the local community and celebrating the spirit of the season.

“We really hope you can join us at Oikos or any of our Winter Warmer events, on Erdington High Street every Saturday across December – up to Christmas Day.”

The design your own Christmas decoration workshops, Santa’s Grotto, and Winter Warmer events are being organised as part of Erdington BID’s LOVE YOUR LOCAL COMMUNITY campaign, to celebrate Erdington Town Centre and encourage more positive engagement on the High Street.

LOVE YOUR LOCAL COMMUNITY projects are part-funded by the UK government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund, with support from Birmingham City Council and the West Midlands Combined Authority.

For more on Oikos Café visit www.oikoscafe.co.uk

For more on Erdington Business Improvement District visit www.erdingtonhighstreet.co.uk

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COMMUNITY SPOTLIGHT: The Recovery Foundation – empowering good mental health through hope and community

Words by Hema Chumber

The Recovery Foundation exhibition of participant’s artwork at Secret Arts Studio Space, Erdington / Photography by Emma Bown

The Recovery Foundation, a mental health charity based in Erdington, has been supporting local residents for the past five years by offering a range of free services aimed at improving wellbeing and building resilience.

Over the last half decade, the charity has become a key resource for individuals facing mental health challenges, helping them find hope and strength during difficult times.

in 2025, The Recovery Foundation will mark its fifth anniversary, a significant milestone for an organisation that began with a clear mission to provide accessible and person-centred care.

Today, The Recovery Foundation supports over 100 people each week through its various services, all of which are designed to meet the needs of those experiencing mental health difficulties.

The Recovery Foundation founder, Emma Sitole (left) at exhibition of participant’s artwork at Secret Arts Studio Space, Erdington / Photography by Emma Bown

Emma Sithole, CEO of The Recovery Foundation, said: “We are celebrating our five year anniversary this year, and are in the midst of organising a celebratory event for this.

“It’s been an incredible journey and we are so glad to see the positive impact we’ve made on people’s lives in Erdington.”

The charity provides several key services designed to offer practical support, build confidence, and improve mental wellbeing.

One of the core services are the Hope Groups, which run over four weeks and help individuals explore what ‘’ means to them and how they can maintain it through challenging times.

Hope Group participant holding journal used as part of The Recovery Foundation sessions / Image supplied by The Recovery Foundation

The groups are facilitated by trained staff with lived experience of mental illness, ensuring that participants are supported by people who understand their struggles. Attendees can join the groups either in person or online.

One service user commented: “I left each session of the Hope Group feeling great and thinking more positively.”

Another service user, added: “The group gave me the space to feel heard and understood in a way I hadn’t experienced before. Coming together to talk and share our issues has really helped. I have already recommended this group.”

The Recovery Foundation also runs Rainbow Minds Matter, a similar programme tailored specifically to the LGBTQIA+ community.

It provides a safe and supportive space for individuals to discuss mental wellbeing, again facilitated by staff with lived experience.

Woodland Wellbeing session at Pype Hayes Park / Image supplied by The Recovery Foundation

The charity also offers the Creative Arts Programme, which offers participants the chance to engage with arts and crafts in a relaxed and informal setting – as well as Woodland Wellbeing, a six-week programme that combines nature and wellbeing.

Woodland Wellbeing is set in Pype Hayes Park, as activities such as natural crafts around the campfire take place for participants to build connections and friendships while enjoying the outdoors.

This has helped the charity to reach a diverse group of individuals, who may otherwise have struggled to find support.

The Recovery Foundation remains committed to expanding its reach and providing vital support to the local community.

With plans to continue growing its services and celebrating its achievements, the locally based charity looks forward to another five years supporting people in Erdington and neighbouring areas.

For more information on The Recovery Foundation, or to get involved with any of the free services mentioned, please visit www.therecoveryfoundation.org.uk or email [email protected]

Watch out for more COMMUNITY SPOTLIGHT features from Erdington Local, online and in our monthly newspaper.

If you are from a community group or an active volunteer anywhere in the Erdington constituency then we want to hear for you. Please email our Community Reporter Hema Chumber at: [email protected]