A guide to WHAT'S ON The week is organised by Ageing Better in Birmingham which is part of the National Lottery funded Ageing Better programme.
Set up by the Big Lottery Fund, the largest funder of community activity in the UK, Ageing Better aims to develop creative ways for people over 50 to be actively involved in their local communities, helping to combat social isolation and loneliness. It is one of five major programmes set up by the Big Lottery Fund to test and learn from new approaches to designing services which aim to make people’s lives healthier and happier. For more information about Ageing Better in Birmingham, please email [email protected] or call us on 0121 678 8876
Monday 21 January
Celebrating Age New initiative based at the MAC helping to reduce isolation in the Culture Club community by engaging people aged 70+ in the Arts. To get 10:30am - 1pm involved and for more information contact Lucy Rix, Community Midlands Arts Centre, Engagement Producer, call 0121 446 3261 or email Cannon Hill Park, B12 9QH [email protected] The Spitfire Over 50s Club Have a chat and a laugh with other people and discuss any 11am - 2pm concerns or issues you have within your community. Call Paul Spitfire House, 10 High Clayton on 07429 844099 or Spitfire Services 0121 747 5932 Street, B35 7PR Support group for people living with HIV, supporters & volunteers. Positive West Midlands Providing social support and sign-posting to other agencies. Come 11am - 4pm along, make friends and share experiences over free tea, coffee PWM, 190 Corporation and biscuits. You are welcome to just turn up, or you can contact Street, B4 6QD [email protected] Men and women over 60 who gather for a range of activities The Laurels promoting healthy living; leaf printing; flower pressing; planting 11am - 5pm seeds; growing plants, fruit, veg and more. Contact Patricia by The Laurels, Grange Lane, calling 0121 399 0331, or emailing Mere Green, B75 5JX [email protected]
The Over Active Club Community group designed with older people in mind. Come and 1pm - 3pm play indoor bowls and card games, enjoy a hot drink, snacks and Falcon Lodge Community conversation. At times, trips and get-togethers are organised. Centre, Church Hill Road, Please get in touch if you are planning to come along. Call 0785 B75 7LB 257 7255 Tuesday 22 January
The Cameo Club The "Come and meet each other" (Cameo) group of mainly retired 10am - 12pm older people meeting every Tuesday. Keep fit sessions, quizzes & Erdington Six Ways Baptist games as well as a monthly trip somewhere further afield. Carers, Church, Wood End Road, friends and family members welcome to attend. Contact 0121 382 B24 8AD 3005
Annie Wood Golden A chance for those over 50, mainly from within the Caribbean Elders Group community to meet up and enjoy games of bingo and dominos as 10:30am - 2:30pm well as coffee, tea and a chat. Exercise sessions are also Newtown Community incorporated into the group for those who wish to take part. Centre, B19 2SW Contact 0121 359 1219
Rainbow Bridge holds weekly networking coffee mornings to 'break Rainbow Bridge drop-in the ice'. This week there's also a free workshop in First Aid, & First Aid training delivered by St Johns Ambulance. Receive a free first aid pocket 11am - 3pm guide and become a community champion. Gain access to first aid Birmingham LGBT Centre, knowledge and skills, build the confidence to take action, help 38-40 Holloway Circus, others and meet new people! Contact B1 1EQ [email protected]
Arya Samaj Senior Citizens Group Come and socialize and enjoy yoga, herb gardening, social games 11am - 3pm and lively educational discussions. Hot lunch prepared fresh on the Arya Samaj West Midlands, premises is provided and membersare involved in planning the 321 Rookery Road, weekly menu and activities. Contact 0121 359 7727 B21 9PR
Community Carers Club Come along to the Community Carers Club every Tuesday and 11am - 3pm enjoy a range of activities such as Zumba/dance, Extend sessions, Church of God of Propecy, Craft, Baking, Dominoes. Lunch is provided for £4.50. Everyone is 17a Broad Road, Acocks welcome! Contact Ms. Rosalie Jones on 0778 446 4358 or email Green, B27 7UZ [email protected]
Three Estates Disabled and Carers Support Based at Hawkesley community centre, weekly extend exercise group classes and refreshments. There are a number of other activities 1pm - 3pm organised by T.E.D.S. throughout the year and if you would like to Hawkesley Community know more, you can request further details by calling 0121 399 Centre, 51 Edgewood Road, 0122 or emailing [email protected] B38 9RN Tuesday 22 January
Charisma Club Regular wellbeing sessions including Tai Chi, healthy lifestyle 2pm - 4pm workshops, confidence building, stress relief, healthy eating and Isra Community Room, more. Snacks and refreshements provided. Contact Pauline 354 - 356 Stratford Road, [email protected] or call Kheira 07594 379 571 B11 4AA
Oscott Knit Natter and Craft Group with projects ranging from simple craft items to more Craft Club complex pieces. Materials and patterns provided. We help one 2pm - 4pm another by sharing our skills over coffee and tea. You can also Oscott Community Centre, bring your own pieces along to complete. Birdbrook Rd, B44 9TY Contact 0121 437 0033
Sprung: Ballet & Tap Free for LGBT + Allies of all ages. 6:30pm - 9pm Free dance sessions – a mixture of different styles –start in January PWM, 190 Corporation 2019 with tap and ballet. Places are limited, so please register your Street, B4 6QD interest by email: [email protected]
“It’s no exaggeration to say that reading can transform British society…”
If you love reading but age, disability or caring responsibilities stop you from visiting the library, then let the library come to you.
Library Services at Home is free and supports people of all ages who have difficulty accessing the library. The service is provided by dedicated and trained library staff. Phone: 0121 464 1118 Monday to Friday, 8:30am until 4:15pm
Why not try out a communal loan, turning a shared lounge into a mini library? Bring people together around books. For more information, email or call Kate: [email protected] - 0121 362 3656 Wednesday 23 January
Free workshop in First Aid Skills delivered by St Johns Ambulance. First Aid Skills for 50+ Receive a free first aid pocket guide, tea and coffee! Become a 10am - 12:30pm local community champion, and gain access to first aid knowledge Sparkhill Foodbank, Unit 20 - and skills; build the confidence to take action, help others and meet 21 Rovex Business Park, Hay new people! To sign up, contact Hall Road, Tyseley, B11 2AQ [email protected]
Sheldon Seniors Connect Seniors from the local community meet in a safe environment to Club socialise, share life experiences and skills and make new friends 10am - 1:30pm and celebrate the diversity of the local community. Coffee Sheldon Community Centre, mornings, arts and crafts, health and well-being, quizzes, games Sheldon Heath Road, B26 and a computer course. Call 0121 743 5662 2RU
Tower Hill Partnership Medical Practice Patients Fortnightly. Patients and carers/family members will be able to Group socialise over refreshments with games, cinema afternoons and a 11:30am - 1pm variety of events guided by the needs of the group. Staff from the Tower Hill Partnership practice offer advice including medication reviews, healthy eating Medical Practice, 433 Walsall sessions. A range of speakers and a local choir are invited on Road, certain dates. Call 0121 411 0487 Perry Barr, B42 1BT
Communitea Sewing Group Whether you are a sewing whizz or just want to learn new skill then 6pm - 8pm this sewing club is for you. £5 per person to cover materials and Age Concern Birmingham, refreshments. Contact John 0121 362 3650 76-78 Boldmere Road, B73 5TJ
Park Court Smilers Exercise classes organised weekly. Everyone welcome, especially 7pm - 8pm people who are caring for a friend, family member or loved one. Park Court, Boldmere Road, Contact Pat Mason 0773 625 7455 B73 5UW
Find us on the web! Visit www.ageingbetterinbirmingham.co.uk/ageingtogetherweek Thursday 24 January Women's Walking Football 50+ The beautiful game, but at a walking pace. Starts 24 January and 9:30am - 10:30am continues every Thursday. Contact by email or phone: The Academy Building [email protected] 0121 327 2299 (extension 414) Villa Park, B6 6QE Coffee Morning 4th Thursday of every month, the Sanctuary holds a coffee morning 10am - 12pm for the local community. Pop in, get to know some people in the The Sanctuary,Tangmere area. Call Laura Grigg on 0121 748 8112 Road, B35 7PX The Speaking Circle Functional English speaking skills led by a qualified tutor. Sessions 10am - 5pm include guided container gardening sessions where you learn about Tyseley Community Centre, traditional gardening skills, plant names etc. Come and join. Call 280 Foremans Road, B11 Fiaz on 0750 368 9034 or email [email protected] 3BY Kingstanding Thursday Weekly lunch club for people over 50 whose carers are also Club welcome. Gentle exercises and a mixture of activities as well as 12pm - 2pm lunch. A charge of £1.50 is collected to contribute to the costs of St Johns Hall, 124 Warren the meal. Contact 0121 386 4345 Farm Road, B44 0QN A 3-course lunch is served from 12.00, provided by the Real Junk Tea & Chat Social Group Food Project Birmingham on a pay as you feel basis for anybody in with lunch the community. There is also a small shop provided by the RJFPB 12pm onwards on a donations basis. From 1.30 to 3.00pm the members of the Tea Bishop Latimer Church Hall, and Chat group run their weekly programme which includes light 60 Beeton Road, Winson refreshments, 'sit down exercise' and the activity for the day. Green, B18 4QD Contact Adella on 0121 551 4938 or email [email protected]
Rainbow Bridge If you’ve ever wanted to go to a group but felt nervous about not Thursday drop-in knowing anyone, have always wondered what is offered at 12pm Birmingham LGBT Centre but have never visited, or you are looking Birmingham LGBT Cetnre, for a group or activity that is right for you – Rainbow Bridge is 38-40 Holloway Circus, here! Drop in or for more information, contact B1 1EQ [email protected]
First Aid for 50+ Free workshop in First Aid Skills delivered by St Johns Ambulance + 3pm - 4:30pm receive a free first aid pocket guide, tea and coffee! Become a local Community Cafe, community champion, and gain access to first aid knowledge and 78 Boldmere Rd, skills; build the confidence to take action, help others and meet B73 5TJ new people. Contact [email protected] Thursday 24 January
Open theatre and social group providing the LGBT community + Acting Out friends with a fun, relevant and interactive theatre experience. 7pm - 9pm Take part in all aspects of putting on productions, from writing The Wellington Hotel, 72 scripts and directing to technical and performance! If you want to Bristol Street, B5 7AH join, but are nervous about coming to the first meeting, contact [email protected]
BGLAD Birmingham Gays Friendly support and social group for those suffering from & Lesbians Against depression or other mental illness; all members understand Depression session + depression or other conditions like anxiety, OCD or stress. Cannot First Aid training offer counselling or individual support but can guide towards 7:30pm - 9:00pm options, and is part of the MIND peer support network. This Birmingham LGBT Centre, Thursday there's a free First Aid training session delivered by St 38-40 Holloway Circus, Johns Ambulance. Call 0121 301 1284 B1 1EQ Friday 25 January Bridging the Gap Intergenerational horticultural project bringing students from The 10am - 12pm Hive College together with residents from local care homes. The Hive College Wilson Contact Julie Pallister Tel: 0121 306 4800, Stuart School, Perry [email protected] Common Rd, B23 7AT
Positive West Midlands is a support group for people living with HIV Positive West Midlands & our supporters & volunteers. Providing social support and sign- 11am - 4pm posting to other agencies. Come along, make new friends and PWM, 190 Corporation share experiences over free tea, coffee and biscuits. You are Street, B4 6QD welcome to just turn up, contact [email protected]
Ageing Better LGBT The group welcomes members of the LGBT community and Housing Group professionals from housing and care providers, to discuss the needs 12:30pm - 3:30pm of older (and younger) LGBT people and support sensitive and Birmingham LGBT Centre, appropriate services. If you have an interest in these issues and/ 38-40 Holloway Circus, or who work for housing and related services, contact Maria on B1 1EQ 0121 643 0821 or [email protected]
First Aid for 50+ Free workshop in First Aid Skills delivered by St Johns Ambulance + 11:30am - 1pm receive a free first aid pocket guide, tea and coffee! Become a local The Sanctuary community champion, and gain access to first aid knowledge and Tangmere Drive, Castle skills; build the confidence to take action, help others and meet Vale, B35 7PX new people! Contact [email protected] Saturday 26 January
Mboka Mosika Come and join in on the fun! People from the African community, Time TBC mainly Congolese and Angolan and over 50, meeting weekly at the African Heritage Hub, African Heritage Hub in Balsall Heath for gentle Rumba dancing and 14- 20 George Street, food and refreshments. For more information or to join the group B12 9RG contact Miguel on 0774 164 2121 or email [email protected]
Unity in Age Based in Balsall Heath, this friendly group meets for fun and Time TBC friendship. Weekly coffee mornings, Tai'Chi and confidence TC Centre, 450 Moseley building. Get in touch with Sil Rauf or Chantell, call 0794 0744 616 Road, B12 9AN or email [email protected]
New Book Launch Hear poems read from the new book of Author Patricia Hambridge. 2pm - 4pm Read by her daughter and joined by Patrica’s husband and Westhall Court, Sheldon grandchildren. Patricia sadly passed away in 2013 and this is the Heath Road, B26 2DQ last of her books to be printed. Imaan is a small, volunteer-led charity, led by and working for Imaan Muslim LGBT+ LGBTQI Muslims that aim to represent the breadth of the Islamic 5pm - 7pm faith and the range of identities and narratives of the LGBTQ Birmingham LGBT Centre, community and allies. This Birmingham group meets on the last 38-40 Holloway Circus, Saturday of the month at Birmingham LGBT Centre. Contact B1 1EQ [email protected] Sunday 27 January A non-scene social group for bisexuals, pansexuals or those who Brum Bi Coffee are exploring or questioning their sexuality. An easy-going social 1:30pm - 4:30pm group where people can be themselves and meet new people. Damascena Coffee House, Group meets every 4th Sunday of the month. Contact Temple Row, B2 5NY [email protected]
A non-religious space with no formal liturgy sacred and secular Illuminate music playing. Some silence is observed in a darkened room, a 5pm - 7pm discussion follows led by a group member or an informal chat in the Birmingham LGBT Centre, second half. It is a space for reflection and inspiration without a 38-40 Holloway Circus, particular religious dimension. You are welcome to just turn up, or B1 1EQ contact Loz on [email protected]
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