Words by Steph Porter / Pic supplied by Urban Devotion Birmingham (UDB)
Friends playng at youth group run by Urban Devotion Birmingham / Pics supplied by Urban Devotion Birmingham
Friendship is a vital part of life.
Having people to share experiences with and talk to creates a sense of belonging that can be deeply grounding. Not only does friendship support social wellbeing, it’s also linked to improved brain function, lower anxiety, and even longer life expectancy.
For many young people, friendship is everything – messages from friends that wake them up, football at break, deep conversations at lunch, time in the park, or evenings at their local youth club. It’s how they explore the world, build social skills, and develop a sense of self.
You rarely see young people alone, and that’s something to be celebrated. We want young people to experience the joy and growth that comes through connection.
Recent programmes like Adolescence on Netflix have highlighted just how formative these years are, and how vital it is for young people not only to experience healthy friendships, but also to have safe, trusted adults walking alongside them as they navigate the highs and lows of growing up.
Of course, friendship isn’t always easy. Peer pressure, feelings of exclusion, and the pressure to fit in can make it complicated.
That’s why, at UDB, we are passionate about creating spaces where friendship can truly thrive, whether that’s in our clubs or out in the community.
We’re also committed to being a listening ear when young people face worries or fallouts, and we’re privileged to walk alongside them as they figure out this essential part of life.
Words by Ash Porter / Pic supplied by Urban Devotion Birmingham (UDB)
UDB Mobile Youth Venue in Perry Common / Pic supplied by Urban Devotion Birmingham
If you’ve ever seen a big blue van cruising through Erdington or parked near your home, you might have witnessed something special—UDB’s Mobile Youth Venue (MYV) in action!
At UDB, we believe in young people. We invest in them, support them, and create spaces where they can be themselves, connect with friends, and have fun.
Through our youth drop-ins and activities, we offer a welcoming environment where young people can relax, enjoy a snack, and feel at home. But we know that not everyone finds it easy to step into a youth club—so we bring the youth club to them!
Our MYV is more than just a van — it’s a moving safe space. Step inside, and you’ll find comfy seating, heating, game consoles, and even a small kitchen.
Whether parked by some local houses, outside school, a community hub, or a park, it allows us to reach young people where they are, making sure no one is left out.
Maybe you’ve seen us parked up near a shop, by a park, or at an event — if you ever do, come say hello! We’d love to meet you and show you around!
So, next time you see the big blue van, give us a wave or stop by — because every young person deserves a place to belong.
Urban Devotion Birmingham team photo outside Hope House / Image supplied by UDB
Urban Devotion Birmingham (UDB) is a Christian charity working in North East Birmingham, with a mission to empower young people and their families. Founded in 2003, and officially registered as a charity in 2005, UDB supports over 2,500 individuals each year.
The charity aims to help those it engages with to become confident, well-rounded individuals, while building strong and supportive relationships within the community.
It runs various programs, such as drop-in clubs, mentoring, therapeutic support, detached youth work, and educational services in schools. UBD also runs faith-based groups for those who want to explore spirituality, aiming to help young people become confident and well-rounded individuals.
Urban Devotion Birmingham in session at St Barnabas Church, Erdington / Image supplied by UDB
Urban Devotion Birmingham is based at Hope House, 148 Witton Lodge Road in Perry Common – but its services span across several areas of the community, including Pype Hayes, Stockland Green, and neighbouring areas.
One of UDB’s key vehicles for outreach is its Mobile Youth Venue – a converted van that travels to different locations in the community during the week. This mobile service makes youth programs more accessible to young people by meeting them where they live and spend their time.
Amy Heyes, Co-Founder of UBD, said: “Our work is about removing the obstacles that hold people back. The children and young people of Erdington are brilliant, and we love getting the opportunity to support them as they grow.”
Urban Devotion Bimringham in kayacking session / Image supplied by UDB
Amy added: “At UDB, we believe that everyone has something to contribute, and we want to encourage people to play their part – our work wouldn’t be possible without our dedicated team of staff and volunteers, who are all central in helping to provide the services we do, to the local community.
“We welcome any one who’s interested in getting involved to stop by Hope House and say hello, our friendly team are always up for a chat.”
A parent, whose child attends many sessions at the charity, also told: “I don’t know what my boys would have done without UDB – they wouldn’t have had the experiences they have had here, without them.
“It’s a fun and inclusive environment for children and young people, especially to meet new people and make friends. It’s like a family here, and my boys love being a part of the UDB family.”
Urban Devotion Birmingham team next to Mobile Youth Venue / Image supplied by UDB
UDB’s focus is not just to provide services to the community. With a strong emphasis on empowerment from a young age and creating opportunities, the charity also works to ensure young people are playing an active role in shaping their futures.
Volunteers play an essential role in the charity’s work, from mentoring young people to helping run events and practical activities like transport or gardening.
Those who wish to support Urban Devotion Birmingham can also donate goods and help in spreading the word about their work.
For further information on Urban Devotion Birmingham and a calendar of its upcoming events and programmes, please visit www.urbandevotion.org or call 0121 350 9370.
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]
Languages, like Japanese, Sanskrit, and Arabic have multiple words for different kinds of ‘love’. In English we only have ‘love’. Has ‘love’ lost some of its meaning? I love both chocolate and my children—but not in the same way!
At Urban Devotion Birmingham, we believe that God loves every person in Erdington, and we seek to show that love to everyone we meet. Jesus said that loving your neighbour as yourself was one of the most important commands.
But here, it’s a care that doesn’t stop, a desire for the absolute best for that person, a willingness to have the difficult conversations for their better, a readiness to put others first.
Every time we walk the streets in our UDB blue clothing, connect with children and young people in their schools or run activities, this love drives us. We do it not just because it’s good, but because we care about the children, young people and families here.
As I walk through Erdington, noticing the people and places around me, I often wonder—what if we all chose to show a little more love to one another? It doesn’t have to be big. Maybe it starts with a friendly ‘hello,’ thanking shop staff, or simply holding onto litter until we find a bin.
Small acts of kindness can make a big difference. Let’s show Erdington a little more love and see what happens.
As we head into a new year, the bubble of excitement, new habits and dreams can quickly be popped by Blue Monday, ‘the most depressing day of the year’.
This is especially the case for our children and young people. According to a 2020 report, 1 in 6 children aged 5-16 are likely to experience mental health problems.
At UDB, we work with a number of young people who are experiencing problems with their mental health, and we see social media having a big impact on this.
Adolescent brains, not yet fully developed and highly mouldable, are being barraged by a constant stream of content. For some, their brains are becoming wired to need the next notification or to be entertained constantly.
In Jonathan Haidt’s book The Anxious Generation he suggests people become anxious and depressed when “they feel isolated, lonely or useless”.
It’s interesting that in a generation more ‘connected’ than ever, we are seeing large numbers of young people who feel isolated and lonely, and consequently, anxious and depressed.
As a community we can make a difference to the mental health of the young people we know. Things like in-person conversations, asking how they are doing, doing things in the physical world with them. These are all small steps, which when done consistently, can make a huge difference.
In a time of the year where mental health conditions can be amplified, why not make an intentional effort to make a difference for yourself and others?
(Ed’s note – this column was written for the Erdington Local printed edition and first published on 20.12.24)
All over Erdington there are Christmas lights twinkling from windows. For many, this is a season filled with joy. For others, it’s more complicated.
Wherever you stand, Christmas carries a powerful message: light shines in the darkness, and the darkness cannot overcome it.
At Christmas, we celebrate God stepping into a dark world, arriving as a baby to bring hope that changes everything. In uncertain or heavy moments, the birth of Jesus reminds us that God’s love is present.
In the bible it puts is like this: “The true light that gives light to everyone was coming into the world.” (John 1:9)
Life’s challenges don’t vanish with the turn of a calendar page, but Christmas reminds us that we don’t have to face them alone. The light of Jesus shines in the darkest places, offering hope to carry us forward.
In Erdington, UDB works to be a light through our support of children and young people. Our drop-ins provide a space to connect, have fun, and discover hope for the future. If you’d like to learn more, scan the QR code.
From all of us at UDB, we wish you a Merry Christmas. We look forward to seeing you in the New Year!
Words by Steph Porter / Pic supplied by Urban Devotion Birmingham (UDB)
Volunteers with Urban Devotion Birmingham
(Ed’s note – this column was written for the Erdington Local printed edition and first published on 15.11.24)
What did you used to want to be when you were older?
As a child, I wanted to be a teacher. Then, I wanted to be a stage manager in a theatre. Next, a social worker. Now, I’m a youth worker.
In 2023, The Prince’s Trust released new research on young people and aspirations, stating that since 2021, 57% of young people have lowered their long-term aspirations. A mind blowing and heart-breaking statistic suggesting another impact of COVID-19, the cost-of-living crisis and other experiences on young people today. But why do these correlate?
I wonder if, for young people, the priorities have changed. Their dream jobs become insignificant in light of looking after their family, their mental health, and experiencing life in the present when so many aspects of their worlds have changed so drastically in the last five years.
At UDB, we are all about helping the young people of Erdington to hope and dream again. The first step to envisioning your future is knowing you have a voice in it, believing that you were created for something more than your current context.
Our youth volunteer program seeks to do this by giving opportunities to young people to grow and develop their skills by working with children and helping run events in their local area.
The program also includes leadership development and one-on-one mentoring, enabling the young people to discover more about themselves and in turn, discover more about their future.
If you’re passionate about helping young people to dream again, please get in touch.
Urban Devotion Birmingham youth worker at The Undergroud, St Martain’s Church, Perry Common
Since 2004, The Underground has been a safe, welcoming space for young people in Perry Common to socialise, make friends, and engage with the UDB team.
Located beneath St Martin’s Church on Witton Lodge Road, the space is used by Oscott Academy during school hours, while UDB hosts various youth activities in the evenings. Young people can grab a toastie, play in the sports hall or hang out in our youth space.
We spoke to some regular attendees, asking why they come to The Underground and what they enjoy about it. Their answers varied: “To make new friends,” “It gives me something to do,” and “It makes me feel safe.”
They enjoy the food, toasties, sports, and the chance to “see some friends every week.” One young person shared how the space has “helped with my self-control” and how UDB is always there to support them when they feel sad or angry.
We believe it’s vital to offer young people safe, drop-in activities where they can feel relaxed, heard, and have fun.
We all crave spaces where we feel we can belong, and we feel privileged to be able to provide those spaces to many young people throughout Erdington.
Our sessions at The Underground are open to different age groups:
Mondays from 3:15pm-4:30pm for school years 3-6
Mondays from 5:00pm-6:00pm for school years 7-9
Wednesdays from 6:00pm-7:00pm for school years 9-13
For more details and to see where else we run drop-ins check out our QR code (above).
UDB has always partnered with local schools. We see, now more than ever, how stretched teachers and school staff are – trying to give their best with limited resources and recognition. If you are one of those people – thank you for all you are doing!
By my rough calculations, once a young person reaches the end of their education at the age of 18, they have spent the equivalent of two full years in school. That’s a lot of time. The opportunity schools have to support, shape and nurture the lives of the children and young people who attend them is huge!
We are privileged to be able to join schools in this opportunity wherever we can, always with a heart to connect with and support children and young people in Erdington.
As we look forward to a new academic year, we will once again be in some of our Erdington Primary and Secondary schools. If you see one of our team in your school then please come over and say hi – we love to hear from you!
We know that the start of the academic year can bring up a range of different feelings; expectations can seem higher, you have to get back into the term-time rhythm, you can be both excited and nervous about seeing people.
We are here to listen and support you as you transition back – just come along to one of our drop-ins for a chat; you can find the details on our website.
Words & pics supplied by Urban Devotion Birmingham
(Ed’s note – this column was written for the Erdington Local printed edition and first published on 15.08.24)
It’s a hot day. Walking along the street you spot a group of people looking into a parked car. One has a hammer and you watch as they smash one of the windows. The rest of the group starts cheering.
What’s going on? Would your judgement change depending on whether it was ‘a group of young people’ or ‘a group of old people’?
We make judgements to help us understand situations and keep ourselves and others safe. However, judgements can be skewed by information that isn’t reality. Newspaper headlines, biases, and people’s experiences influence how we feel, think, and the decisions we make.
With the lighter evenings and summer holidays in full swing, there are more children and young people out and about. Each one has their own story, hopes, and fears.
At UDB we want to be available to listen to these young voices and understand their perspectives. By making space, we can better appreciate the actions and intentions of others.
Back to the scenario: the group were young people who spotted a dog panting in a locked car. The owner asked for help having locked their keys in the car, so one of the young people ran to a shop and asked for a hammer.
What if I hadn’t revealed the full story? What story might you have assumed? It’s natural to form judgements, but sometimes it’s worth taking time to hear the whole story. Asking why can transform a situation.
