Words by Hema Chumber
A small but vibrant charity is helping people across Erdington and Birmingham discover their creative confidence – one poem, painting, or play at a time.
Arts All Over the Place (AAOtP) has been championing wellbeing through the arts for over 14 years, running regular creative workshops and sessions from a unit in the remaining Central Square shopping precinct on Erdington High Street.
From poetry and painting to crafts and drama, the creative activities AAOtP offer aim to uplift, empower, and connect people – particularly those living with disabilities – giving them a safe space to express themselves and try something new.
Central to the charity’s work is breaking down barriers and offering people the chance to build confidence in their creativity.
Margaret Murray, Freelance Artist at Arts All Over the Place, said: “It’s really important for us to focus on individuals or groups who don’t get a lot of input from organisations, or haven’t had the chance to take part in certain things.
“We don’t want people or groups to feel marginalised.
“With this role you meet great pockets of people, it can be challenging at times, but more than anything, it’s rewarding. It’s about giving people a voice, to be visible and change things through visibility.”
Margaret comes from a teaching background in art and now uses her creative practice to engage with, and support, others in the community.
She added: “It’s important to encourage people who are low in confidence and self-esteem to realise their own potential and get involved with community projects.
“This can sometimes even be a stepping stone towards employment, and the social skills people gain let them feel more confident to take part in things within their communities.
“It’s a safe, sensitive, and understanding space with peer support.”
One of the group members recently used their experience with Arts All Over the Place to help in shaping their career, progressing to work as an arts coordinator in a care home – bringing music, writing, and creativity to this new setting.
Volunteers are also at the heart of everything AAOtP does, helping to run sessions and support participants. Their commitment recently shone through in a national charity initiative that caught the imagination of the group.
One talented knitter inspired them to take part in a project for Age UK, creating 500 miniature woolly hats to sit on top of Innocent smoothie bottles. For every bottle sold with a hat, a donation was made to Age UK – and the group is well on its way to going beyond that 500-hat target.
Whether it’s through art, drama, crafts, or community action, Arts All Over the Place continue to prove that creative expression has the power to bring people together, boost wellbeing, and open up new possibilities for everyone involved.
Currently supporting a project to raise awareness over violence towards women and girls, AAOtP have been the central creative partner for the Mothers Without Hands programme – which will be holding a procession in Erdington Town Centre in June, led by internationally renowned artist Tereza Buskova.
Using their workshops to help build a special headdress that will be front and centre of the parade, which will begin at Oikos Cafe and walk down Erdington High Street towards St Barnabas Church, Arts All Over the Place participants are able to use their craetivity to support meaningful projects outside of their own sessions.
The group has also brought their energy and colour to communities across the Erdington constituency, with sessions held in Perry Common and on Castle Vale – alongside other venues across the city.
To find out more about Arts All Over The Place, their ongoing projects, or how to get involved, please visit their website at www.artsallovertheplace.org.uk
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]
