Tag: Satpal Singh

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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: Northside Welcome Centre – a heartfelt hub for the Perry Common community

Outside of Northside Welcome Centre on Streetly Road / Photograph supplied by Northside Welcome Centre

Words by Hema Chumber

At 176 Streetly Road, in the heart of Perry Common, Northside Welcome Centre has been a lifeline for the local community since 2005.

Run by the charity Sikh Nari Manch UK, this volunteer-led hub offers a welcoming space for people of all ages and backgrounds, especially those experiencing loneliness, poor health, or isolation.

The Centre has grown to become more than just a building – it’s a place where connections are made, friendships are formed, and lives are transformed.

Offering a wide range of activities from coffee mornings and arts and crafts to Tai Chi, digital skills training, and mental health support workshops, the Centre is rooted in the needs of the local community.

This holistic approach aims to support the wellbeing of everyone who walks through its doors.

Arts and crafts sessions on Northside Welcome Centre / Photograph supplied by Northside Welcome Centre

Satpal Singh, Manager of Northside Welcome Centre, said: “We listen to the community and work to provide what’s needed, whether it’s through social activities or vital services.

“It’s about creating a place where everyone feels welcome and can thrive, no matter their background or circumstances.

“We’re looking forward to unveiling the improvements that will help us better serve the community, and we’re also very proud of our ongoing work and the positive impact it’s having.

“We’re not just about providing a service, we’re here to build relationships, offer support, and ensure people have the resources they need to improve their lives.”

Computer class at Northside Welcome Centre / Photograph supplied by Northside Welcome Centre

One of the Centre’s most exciting projects is the development of Erdington’s first Digital IT Hub.

This initiative will offer essential tech skills to those who need them most, helping bridge the digital divide and improve access to opportunities.

Alongside this, the Centre is undergoing a major revitalisation, which will improve accessibility, signage, lighting, and the overall environment to make it even more welcoming for all.

Northside Welcome Centre has long been recognised for its outstanding work, having earned the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service and the Matrix accreditation for its high-quality advice and guidance services.

These accolades reflect the Centre’s commitment to excellence and its unwavering dedication to the community.

Excercose class at Northside Welcome Centre / Photograph supplied by Northside Welcome Centre

Service users and volunteers alike speak highly of the Centre’s impact on their lives.

One visitor shared: “Northside Welcome Centre is more than bricks and mortar – it’s a lifeline for many.

Another added: “I love coming here because I can connect with people, make friends, and feel a sense of belonging.”

Looking ahead, 2026 will mark Northside Welcome Centre’s 20 year anniversary of serving the community – a milestone the team is eager to celebrate with supporters and friends.

Workshop at Northside Welcome Centre / Photograph supplied by Northside Welcome Centre

The anniversary will be a chance to reflect on the progress made and look forward to the next chapter of growth and impact in Perry Common.

Whether you’re looking for a space to socialise, learn new skills, or receive support, the Centre continues to be a place where people can connect, grow, and thrive.

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

Or you can email Satpal Singh at satpal_snm@yahoo.co.uk or call his mobile on 07963 123 751.

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: hema@erdingtonlocal.com