Tag: ENNS

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NEWS: Northside Welcome Centre in Stockland Green celebrates 20 year anniversary of community support

Outside of Northside Welcome Centre at 176 Streetly Road, Stockland Green / Photograph supplied by Northside Welcome Centre

Words by Ed King

On Friday 14 August, Northside Welcome Centre will celebrate 20 years of community support and services.

Located at 176 Streetly Road, Stockland Green, the local community hub runs a varied programme of activities to encourage social inclusion, positive health and wellbeing, and learning new skills.

The weekly calendar hosts sessions including exercise classes, advice surgeries, walking groups, coffee mornings, arts and crafts and computer skills workshops.

Through funding from the Erdington Neighbourhood Network Scheme (ENNS), which supports many community groups and projects across the constituency, Northside Welcome Centre has also recently launched a Cooking Club – where a professional chef will lead workshops on how to prepare food that helps challenge arthritis and inflammation.

Promotional poster for Cooking Club at Northside Welcome Centre

The Cooking Club will run alongside a series of weekly session giving advice on how to manage arthritis and promoting good joint health – as well as a regular gentle movement class to encourage suppleness and mobility.

Held on Tuesdays and Thursday, the new programmes are being promoted as part of Northside’s ‘Move well, eat well, live well’ project – with all activities funded by the ENNS.

Launched in 2006 by Sikh Nari Manch UK, Northside Welcome Centre grew from the registered charity’s work supporting women in the local Sikh community.

Craft and knitting session at Northside Welcome Centre / Photograph supplied by Northside Welcome Centre

Sikh Nari Manch UK was founded in 1998 by Bibi Gurdev Kaur OBE, but built the Northside Welcome Centre so it could operate a wider network of support and services for all faiths and genders.

A spokesperson from Northside Welcome Centre told: “Since opening Northside Welcome Centre in 2006, we have been proud to provide a welcoming space for local people, offering activities, friendship, wellbeing support and opportunities to bring our community together.”

They added: “Over the past 20 years, thousands of local residents have benefited from the Centre and we are looking forward to celebrating this journey with our volunteers, Centre users, supporters, partners and funders.”

Computer and digital skills session at Northside Welcome Centre / Photograph supplied by Northside Welcome Centre

The 20-year anniversary celebration on 14 August will take a look at the centre’s two decades of support, with special recognition of Northside’s volunteers and supporters.

There will also be live Indian classical music and Tabla, as well as a special lunch for invited guests.

For more on Northside Welcome Centre visit www.northsidewelcomecentre.co.uk

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COMMUNITY SPOTLIGHT: CAMEO – a welcoming social group that brings older locals together

Members of CAMEO taken during group excursion / Image taken from Erdington Local archives, from feature on community groups supported by the ENNS

Words by Shaun Hand

For 25 years, Erdington’s CAMEO group has been helping retired local residents to connect, stay active, and keep learning.

Erdington Local spoke to Volunteer Co-ordinator Angela Richards to learn more about the group, how it works, and what their plans for the future are.

“We’re not just a group that sits down,” tells Angela. “CAMEO is for older people who still want to contribute; who still want to learn and do things.”

The volunteer-run group, whose name stands for ‘Come and Meet Each Other’, convene every Tuesday morning, from 10am until 12pm, in the church hall at the back of Six Ways Erdington Baptist Church on Wood End Road. Meetings include refreshments, quizzes, guest speakers, and more. The group also organise regular daytrips, both locally and further afield. All for just £2 per week.

Angela first became involved with CAMEO because her mother, Gloria, was one of the group’s original volunteers. “I used to go and pick her up,” Angela explains. “And then I got involved, doing little things like helping to find activities and speakers.”

Image of senior adults in a social setting / Image taken from Adobe Stoke Images

Fast-forward to today, and CAMEO enjoys a wide range of both activities and guest speakers. The weekly meet-ups start with a chat over tea and toast. As Angela says, “It’s a chance for people who feel lonely or isolated and want to meet up, talk, and do things with people of a similar age. Some members are bereaved and dealing with loss, and this is the only chance they get to sit and socialise with others.”

Physical health is also important, with sessions including some light chair exercises and health-focused talks from speakers such as Dr Jha of Kingsbury Road Medical Centre. In some instances, these talks can prove potentially life-saving.

Six Ways Baptist Church, where CAMEO hold regular meetings / Photograph by Ed King

After one on sepsis, Angela herself realised that, “I was able to highlight someone who wasn’t well. She went into hospital, and it turned out she did indeed have sepsis.” There are also visits from staff at Wheelwright Road Pharmacy, offering tests on things like blood pressure and eyesight.

Beyond the church hall, the group also gets out and about. Upcoming daytrips include a visit to the National Memorial Arboretum at the end of July and the Trentham Estate in September. They also stay closer to home, organising trips to local garden centres and the like.

You get a lot for a couple of quid a week, then. But as Angela points out, it couldn’t happen without extra funding.

Angela Richards accepting award from Care UK at Elederflower Grange opening event / Photograph by Shaun Fellows (Shine Pix Ltd) and supplied by Care UK

When I speak to her, she’s keen to thank the Sutton & Erdington Lions Club for nominating her for her (well-deserved) £500 award from Care UK’s new Elderflower Grange care home on Orphanage Road – “a wonderful, forward-thinking establishment” – which will help CAMEO continue their incredible work.

Further support has come from the Erdington Neighbourhood Network Scheme.

“I just want people to be aware there are good things going on in Erdington,” Angela says. “Especially for older people.”

CAMEO is one of the finest examples.

For more information on CAMEO contact Angela Richards directly on 07342 154 267 or by emailing angelarichards82@yahoo.co.uk

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: community@erdingtonlocal.com

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COMMUNITY ANCHORS: Let’s Get Together with Erdington Neighbourhood Network Scheme – at St Barnabas Church on 10 April

Words by Witton Lodge Community Association

Let’s Get Together this April!
Join the Erdington Neighbourhood Network Scheme (ENNS) for a vibrant community gathering at St Barnabas Church on 10 April 2025, between 11am–2pm.

The annual, FREE, Let’s Get Together event offers residents across the Erdington constituency a chance to connect with local groups, professionals, and services that support independent living
and wellbeing.

Everyone is welcome to pop in and meet teams from ENNS-funded organisations, Occupational Therapists, Adult Social Care teams, as well as Social Prescribers.

The teams are on hand to help you explore activities, advice services, and community initiatives designed to tackle isolation, improve health, and enhance quality of life.

The ENNS team will also be available to answer questions and guide attendees to tailored support, including grants for community projects (up to £10,000).

St Barnabas Church, Erdington High Street / Pic by Ed King

Come & Connect
ENNS supports older adults and younger adults with disabilities, fostering connections through partnerships with voluntary groups and social enterprises.

Whether you’re seeking a group to join or simply need practical advice, this event is your gateway to Erdington’s thriving community network.

ENNS Neighbourhood Networker Fauzia Begum said: “Our annual Let’s Get Together event provides a fantastic opportunity for members of the community to find out what’s available locally.

“Following a successful 2024 turnout, we are gearing up for an even bigger Let’s Get Together event on 10 April 2025.”

She added: “We are really excited to welcome our community on the day to connect with local groups and access vital resources available across our area.”

Event Details
Date: 10th April 2025
Time: 11am – 2pm
Venue: St Barnabas Church, High Street, Erdington, B23 6SJ

No booking required – drop in and join Erdington’s thriving community network!

For further information you can contact the ENNS team on (0121) 382 1930 or email enns@wittonlodge.org.uk

For updates, click here to follow Erdington NNS on Facebook: @ErdingtonNNS

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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NEWS: Erdington Court Bowls Club receives grant to encourage locals to ‘Bowl for Health’

Pics supplied by Erdington Court Bowls Club

Erdington Court Bowls Club (ECBC) has been given a grant of £6,453 to offer bowls sessions to local individuals and groups as part of its ‘Bowl for Health’ programme – awarded through the Erdington Neighbourhood Network Scheme (ENNS)

Each session, held weekly, will last an hour, with participants paying only £2.50 which will also include a drink and biscuit at the clubhouse.

All equipment and training is supplied by ECBS, a registered charity, and no previous bowls experience is necessary to take part. The Erdington based bowls club are keen for ‘all ages and abilities’ to join in on the sport.

Club Marketing Officer and Trustee Ray Woods said: “The news of this grant was fantastic. It enables us to build on the experience of hosting a ‘Bowl for Health’ programme last year – and also hosting  groups of special needs school students and adults.

“Our ultimate goal is to provide 9-10 hours of fun bowls per week in our indoor arena.

“We have links with the North Birmingham Branch of Parkinson’s UK and they are already receiving their initial coaching. We also have other groups who are interested.

“We also plan to use the sessions to increase ethnic, disabled, and female involvement in bowls.

The grant has been awarded by the Erdington Neighbourhood Network Scheme and Birmingham City Council, in association with Witton Lodge Community Association.

EBCS launched their ‘Bowl for Health’ programme in 2022, using the sport to encourage both social engagement and a healthier lifestyle.

Sport is well known for helping to reduce stress and anxiety, as well as building team dynamics and a sense of community. Bowls in particular can improve eye and hand coordination, as well as offering company in a sociable setting through the Erdington based club.

Ray Woods added: “The sessions aim to address loneliness, isolation, and depression, and this complements our three Warm Welcome Space events each week.

“Already, the grant has enabled us to buy more bowls to enable us to run the sessions to larger groups.”

Erdington Court Bowls Club was founded as a youth club around 1900 by the Erdington Wesleyan Methodist Church, with tennis and cricket preceding bowls – which was introduced in 1925.

In 1976, Erdington Court Bowls Club built one of the first six rink artificial greens in the world. In addition, a full length four rink indoor arena was built, approximately 30 metres long, which hosts both flat and crown green bowlers from clubs in the area.

Erdington Court Bowls Club is part of the Erdington Recreational Trust (ERT) – a registered charity whose aims are to provide recreational and leisure facilities for the people of Erdington and the surrounding area.

Paulette Hamilton MP for Erdington said: “It’s absolutely terrific news that Erdington Neighbourhood Network Scheme has awarded Erdington Court Bowls Club £6,453 to deliver their ‘Bowl for Health’ programme.

“The club is doing some great work and during my recent visit, I learned about their amazing Warm Welcome Space events that are helping local people through the cost of living crisis this winter.”

For more on Erdington Court Bowls Club visit www.erdingtoncourtbowlsclub.org.uk or call 07967 686230

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NEWS: ‘Let’s Get Together’ community group showcase at Erdington Court Bowls Club – TODAY, 11am to 1pm

Words by Ed King

Today (Thursday 20 October) a special community group showcase will be held at Erdington Court Bowls Club – introducing activities and services supported by the Erdington Neighbourhood Network Scheme (ENNS).

Running from 11am to 1pm, with a light lunch and refreshments provided, ‘Let’s Get Together’ is totally free to attend – and a chance for people over 18 to discover, and get involved in, activities and programmes in their area.

From local art groups, coffee mornings, and adult swim classes, to support groups for carers and people suffering with Alzheimer’s, ‘Let’s Get Together’ will be an opportunity to learn about local services and community groups operating across Erdington.

There will also be a chance to meet an Adult Social Care Team and Occupational Therapists Team, alongside ENNS networkers who will help people find the right groups and services.

Further organisations attending the ‘Let’s Get Together’ event include: Midlands Medical Partners (Eaton Wood), The Alzheimer’s Society, Cuppa Squad, Salus Fatigue Foundation, No.7 Arts, Erdington Court Bowls Club, Compass Support, Care for Carers Group, The Meeting Place Café, Arts All Over the Place, CAMEO, and AquaBabes

The Erdington Neighbourhood Network Scheme (ENNS) is delivered by Witton Lodge Community Association and Compass Support, helping community groups access funding and support.

Chantelle Holmes, WLCA Project Monitoring & Quality Officer, told Erdington Local: “The ENNS Let’s Get Together event is a fantastic opportunity for residents of Erdington over the age of 18 to find out what groups and activities are happening in the local area that help to reduce isolation and help them to live independent and connected lives.

“It is predominantly aimed at the over 50’s and for adults who have additional needs, the activities range from things like arts and crafts, day trips, groups for carers, swimming sessions, music lessons and many more.

“It is also an opportunity to meet some of the Occupational Therapists, some of the Adult Social Care Team and Social Prescribers too.”

Erdington Court Bowls Club is a registered charity, part of the Erdington Recreational Trust, and one of the few flat lawn bowls clubs in the area.

Ray Wood, trustee of the charity and Marketing Officer for Erdington Court Bowls Club, added: “The objectives of the charity have always been to support the local community. Earlier this year we decided to increase our local links in a number of ways.

“Our lounge has been under utilised in recent years and we were delighted when officers of the nearby Witton Lodge Community Association approached us to host their exhibition of local neighbourhood support groups.”

‘Let’s Get Together’ will be held at Erdington Court Bowls Club on Thursday 20 October, between 11am and 1pm. Free to attend, a light lunch and refreshments will also be provided.

For more on Erdington Court Bowls Club visit www.erdingtoncourtbowlsclub.org.uk

For more on the ENNS, as delivered by Witton Lodge Community Association, visit www.wittonlodge.org.uk/our-projects/living-well/supporting-you/erdington-neighbourhood-network-scheme