Community Updates
1. Solihull Parenting Team Timetable
Please click here to view the new timetable for the autumn term 2024 detailing the groups starting in September.
In addition, access to the range of online Solihull Approach courses remains free of charge to Solihull parents & carers and guidance is attached on how they can register for this resource.
Please feel free to pass on to any interested parents and carers, as well as any colleagues.
Any queries, please contact the team via bsmhft.parenting@nhs.net
2. Summer Reading Challenge 2024
Solihull Libraries are launching a challenge to children aged 4-12 to read six books across the school summer holidays and collect stickers and rewards along the way. The challenge begins on Saturday 13 July but you can join at any time and take part at any Solihull Library (you just need to visit the same library each time). If children meet the challenge, they will earn themselves a certificate, a medal and a free family swim at either of the Everyone Active leisure centres in Solihull.
But that’s not all! All those who complete the challenge can enter a free prize draw to be in with a chance to win a £15 gift card for the Entertainer, or a £25 gift card for Waterstones or £30 to spend in Touchwood. They could even win a family ticket to a family show at The Studio Theatre at The Core.
Visit the Summer Reading Challenge website here for lots of games and competitions, together with the Book Sorter where children can write reviews and get suggestions for new books to try.
It’s free to join the library, and free to take part in Marvellous Makers with lots of fun activities in libraries across the summer –for details of all the library events take a look at https://www.solihull.gov.uk/library-events
So, come to the library for some creative inspiration and keep your kids reading skills fit and healthy!
https://www.solihull.gov.uk/Libraries
3. Solihull on the Move Summer Programme 2024
Get Active this summer with a wider variety of physical activity sessions based in community spaces, with inclusive opportunities for all ages and abilities. The programme is FREE to attend and includes –
- Family Olympic park sessions: Inclusive summer holiday activities for children and young people aged 6-16 or young adults up to 25 with additional needs.
- Sensory Walks: Short walks taking place at Babbs Mill and Elmdon Park. Sensory walks allow you to use your senses to connect with your surroundings whilst you stay active
- Orienteering Score 45: Collect as many controls as you can within 45 minutes. Score points for each control visited but remember to get back to the finish within the time limit! Full instructions will be given by local orienteering club members.
- Park Active: A range of inclusive activity sessions In local parks for all ages, such as table tennis, multisports, fun games, walking sports, gentle exercise and much more
- Cycling: Beginner cycling activities including adult learn to ride, Get Pedalling for children and families and short family friendly guided rides.
- Swimming Festivals: Take part in our swimming festival on Sunday 4 August at Tudor Grange Leisure Centre and Sunday 11 August at North Solihull Sports Centre.
For further information visit www.solihullonthemove.co.uk/sogo or contact Solihull Active on 0121 704 8207.
Click here to view a copy of the programme and please feel free to share the above opportunity where possible.
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4. Balsall Common Library - What's on July - September
There are lots of activities for adults, children and families at Balsall Common Library this summer. Click here to download the new leaflet here
If you have any questions about the activities please call 01676 532590 or visit their Facebook page here
To view Balsall Common's events and events at other libraries in Solihull visit - Library events and activities (solihull.gov.uk)
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5. Birchmere House Care Home Summer Garden Party & BBQ
Join the team at Birchmere House Care Home, 1270 Warwick Road, Knowle, Solihull, B93 9LQ for their garden party and join their friendly community for a delicious summer BBQ with refreshments, complimentary drinks, and live entertainment from vintage singer, Amy Price. The newly elected Mayor of Solihull, Councillor Shahin Ashraf MBE, will be joining them for the occasion.
All are welcome to join them for an afternoon of fun with burgers, hotdogs and complimentary drinks.
If you have any questions call 01564 732 400 or visit averyhealthcare.co.uk
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6. Caring Cuppa Coffee Morning
Calling all retired NHS staff & nurses!
Hosted by retired NHS nurses, indulge in a delicious coffee & cake as you connect with friends, old & new, to make memories and share experiences.
Join them for a natter and rekindle your caring spirit by reconnecting with like – minded, warm hearted individuals who share your compassionate nature.
Last Wednesday of every month 10am-12pm at 1584 – 1586 High St, Knowle, Solihull, B93 0LF.
If you would like to know more, please call 0121 667 8743.
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7. Join the Solihull Knitted Poppy Appeal
Solihull Parish are organising a knitted and crocheted poppy appeal for a special Remembrance Day installation at St Alphege Church this November. Whether you’re a seasoned craftsperson or looking to pick up a new hobby, why not help make this local poppy display a special one?
Solihull Parish are asking for poppies to dropped off by the end of September. The drop off points are:
- Listers Audi Birmingham, Shirley 790-820 Stratford Road, Shirley, B90 4BQ
- Solihull Parish Office, Solihull Town Centre Oliver Bird Hall, Church Hill Road, Solihull B91 3RQ
- The Greville Arms, Elmdon Heath Cornyx Lane, Solihull, B91 2RB
- Arena Hair and Beauty, Elmdon Heath 51 Yew Tree Lane, Solihull, B91 2NX
- John Lewis – Customer Services/Customer Collection Point
- Touchwood Shopping Centre, Homer Road, Solihull B91 3RA
- Sainsbury’s Solihull Superstore - Kiosk 11 Poplar Way, Solihull, B91 3BX
For more information or for poppy patterns, please contact Suzette Maguire via s.maguire@solihullparish.org.uk
To read more about the local poppy appeal, visit the Solihull Council website: Mayor joins local knitted poppy appeal for Remembrance installation at St Alphege Church | solihull.gov.uk
Volunteering Opportunities
1. Carers Trust Solihull - Volunteer Roles
At Carers Trust Solihull, they recognise the immense value of volunteers in supporting their
mission to care for the 20,000 unpaid carers in the area. They look after approximately
5,000 carers, ranging from 5 to 96 years old, they offer a variety of volunteering roles
tailored to suit different interests and time commitments. Whether you're available for a
few hours or have ample free time, they have a role that fits your needs.
Their volunteering opportunities include administrative support, a Sitting Service, Time
to Talk program, and healthcare liaison roles. To read more about these roles please visit Jobs & Volunteering - Carers Trust Solihull (solihullcarers.org)
They are looking for great listeners with patience, available between 9 am and 4 pm
Monday to Friday, who have access to their own transport or can use public
transportation within Solihull. A passion for caring, experience as a carer, or simply
enjoying the company of others is essential. Volunteers should be 18 or older due to
insurance requirements and preferably live locally.
In return, they offer a comprehensive induction and ongoing training, a DBS check,
reimbursement for travel and relevant expenses, and a meaningful experience that can
enrich your skill set or CV. You will be included within the community, part of a
supportive team, and receive their gratitude for your invaluable contribution
To learn more about the Carers Trust Solihull visit their website: https://solihullcarers.org/
If you have any questions about the volunteering roles please email anthony.hall@solihullcarers.org or call 0121 7881143 and ask for Anthony Hall.
Funding Opportunities
1. Grantfinder Funding Search - Multiple Funding Opportunities
The team have access to Grantfinder, a funding database, where there is a wide range of funding opportunities that cover a variety of topics. In each newsletter, one of the team will be pulling together a list of funding available.
Please see link to view the various funding opportunities at present: VCSE & COL grants July 2024
2. Community funds of over £440,000 now available
Groups in Solihull can now bid for a share of over £440,000 to improve their local neighbourhoods.
This funding comes from the Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) which is available for community groups in ten wards (Blythe, Dorridge, Elmdon, Knowle, Lyndon, Olton, Shirley East, Shirley South, Silhill and St Alphege).
The money is collected from new developments as part of the normal planning process. It is intended to support community projects in areas where development has taken place.
The CIL money collected in 2023/24 has been added to any unallocated funds from previous years.
The funds are either distributed directly to 13 parish and town councils in the borough or placed into ‘ward pots’ (in areas without a parish council). The CIL fund is now open to ‘bids’ from local communities in the ten wards, which must be submitted by Friday 1 November 2024.
This table details the amount of funding available for each ward:
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Area
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Funds Available
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Blythe
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£14,639
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Dorridge
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£48,449
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Elmdon
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£12,327
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Knowle
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£62,167
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Lyndon
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£20,585
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Olton
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£16,251
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Shirley East
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£13,314
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Shirley South
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£211,009
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Silhill
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£15,167
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St Alphege
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£27,182
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Total
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£441,090
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For more information visit our website here: Neighbourhood Proportion | solihull.gov.uk. If you are interested, please contact the CIL team via cil@solihull.gov.uk or call on 0121 704 8008.
3. The National Lottery Heritage Fund
The National Lottery Heritage Fund are running webinars for organisations who are interested in finding out about the process for applications for grants of between £10,000 and £250,000.
The informal 2-hour session will explore:
- how heritage can be used to bring about benefits for people, places and our natural environment.
- what a well-planned project looks like and;
- how to write a strong funding application to The National Lottery Heritage Fund.
You will also have the opportunity to share your project ideas and ask any questions you may have to their team. All guidance is tailored for organisations, groups and private owners of heritage based in the UK.
This webinar is for potential applicants who:
- are from a not-for-profit organisation or community group, or alternatively, are a private owner of a heritage asset.
- have an idea for a project that could connect people and communities to heritage.
- need a grant of between £10,000 - £250,000 in order to get started with your project.
The webinar will be especially helpful for first time applicants who are completely new to their funding or looking for a new strategy, Heritage 2033, update.
Book your free ticket on Ticketsource, your joining details will be sent to you two weeks and again two days before the webinar. If you have not received this email before the day of the webinar, please let them know using the ‘contact event organiser’ button at the bottom of the page.
You can book onto a session here: TicketSource - Discover Great Events & Things To Do Near You
My Solihull Map
With the My Solihull Map, you can find places to go, things to do and people to talk or listen to in your neighbourhood.
Please use this link to access the map: My Solihull Map
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