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These updates are collated by the Solihull Community Development Team and shared with you, our partners, within the community, to keep you updated with the different opportunities, funding, and activities that are happening in Solihull.
If you have any opportunities/ funding/ activities that you would like to promote,
please complete the Pro Forma, and forward to the Community Development Inbox at cdt@solihull.gov.uk.
Please note, deadline for article submissions is Thursdays at 12pm.
The following items in this week’s newsletter are:
Community Updates
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Older Adults Information Event – Balsall Common
- Building Stronger Communities Lunch
- Community Peer support Meet up: A New Space to Connect, Share and Feel Supported
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Women's Wellbeing Group
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Events at Eastcote Park
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Senior Moments at Fordbridge Community Centre
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Reminisce Cafe
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Housing and Wellbeing Event in Solihull
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Trailblazer Workshops – Unlock Your Potential
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Safer Solihull Partnership (SSP) Community Safety Strategy Consultation
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Easter Cycling Tuition for Children – Book Now!
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British Red Cross FREE workshops across West Midlands
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Free Support for Employment, Education and Training
Volunteering Opportunities
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Volunteer Gardener
Funding
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Grantfinder Funding Search - Multiple Funding Opportunities
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Rowntree’s – Free the Fund Community Grant Programme
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Local Community Spaces Fund - Asda Foundation
Community Updates
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1. Older Adults Information Event – Balsall Common
The Solihull Community Development Team, Balsall Parish Council and Meriden Ward Councillors (Cllr Heather Delaney) are working together to host an Older Adult Information Event for the local community.
Come along to meet a range of organisations offering helpful information, support and advice for older adults and their families
📆 Friday 27 March 2026, 11am–1pm, Balsall Common Village Hall, 112 Station Road, Balsall Common, CV7 7FF
☕ Pop in for a chat
ℹ️ Ask questions and get advice
👨👩👧👦 Bring a friend or family member
No booking needed — just drop in!
To view the flyer, click here
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2. Building Stronger Communities Lunch
Join Solihull College for a free Building Stronger Communities Lunch. Members of the Community Development Team will also be in attendance to meet residents. No need to book, just come along and:
- Find out about local free activities and courses for people who are not currently working including carers
- Learn how we can help you overcome challenges to learning new skills.
- Share your ideas for improvements to the local area.
- Enjoy lunch and a chat with people from your community.
📅 Wednesday 25 March, 11-1pm, Lily's Tea Parlour, Chelmsley Wood Shopping Centre, 40C-D Maple Walk, Chelmsley Wood, B37 5TD
For more information, email community.projects@solihull.ac.uk or scan the QR code on the flyer.
To view the flyer, click here
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3. Community Peer support Meet up: A New Space to Connect, Share and Feel Supported
Working in the community sector is incredibly meaningful — but it can also feel isolating. That’s why the Uplift Initiative CIC will be piloting a Community Group Support Meet Up, offering a relaxed and friendly space for people to connect with others who truly understand the challenges and rewards of the role.
This informal gathering is open to anyone involved in running or supporting a community organisation, whether you’re a founder, volunteer, trustee, or just starting out. The aim is simple: create a gentle space where people can share ideas, exchange experiences, and receive peer support from others.
📅 Thursday 19 March, 5- 6.30pm, Elmwood Place, 37 Burtons Way, Smith’s Wood, B36 0UG
There’s no pressure, no formal agenda — just a welcoming environment where you can breathe, talk openly, and feel supported by people who ‘get it’. Anyone working within or alongside a CIC, CIO or local community group is welcome. Whether experienced or new, you’ll find others ready to share, listen, and connect.
To book your ticket click here
To view the flyer, click here
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4. Women's Wellbeing Group
Women in the community are invited to join a friendly Women’s Wellbeing Group, held every other Thursday at the Evergreen Family Hub. The group offers a safe and welcoming space for women of all ages to connect, learn new skills and support one another.
📅Thursday 19 March, 1.30pm – 3pm at Evergreen Family Hub, 42 Kingshurst Way, Birmingham, B37 6DF.
They will be welcoming a Police Community Support Officer (PCSO) as a special guest. During this relaxed and informal session, the PCSO will share information about community safety, provide practical personal safety advice, answer questions and offer reassurance and support.
Regular sessions include creative workshops, outdoor activities, health and wellbeing discussions, confidence building and opportunities to make new friendships.
The session is free to attend and no booking is required. Any queries please email evergreen@colebridge.org
To view the flyer, click here
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5. Events at Eastcote Park
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Eastcote Park’s Red Nose Day Coffee Morning
Join them this Red Nose Day for our Community Coffee Morning to help them to raise money by purchasing homemade pastries, cookies and cakes made by their talented chefs. It’s a fun way to support a great cause, enjoy some delicious treats, and make a difference!
📅Friday 20 March, 11am–12.30pm, Eastcote Park, Knowle Road, Solihull, B92 0JA
To view the flyer, click here
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Eastcote Park’s Gentlemen’s Club
Join the team at Eastcote Park for a Gentlemen’s Club workshop led by Adam, Eastcote's Gardener. Adam will guide you through creating bug houses and bird feeders, helping to prepare your garden for Spring.
📅 Wednesday 25 March, 2.30 - 4pm, Eastcote Park, Knowle Road, Solihull, B92 0JA
All materials are provided, along with Adam’s expert guidance.
Booking is essential To reserve your place, please contact Ben on 0121 269 1236
All are welcome — see you there!
For more information about these events contact Ben Dalgetty on Eastcote.enquiries@cinnamoncc.com
To view the flyer, click here
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6. Senior Moments at Fordbridge Community Centre
A warm, welcoming space to connect, relax, and build friendships. Join us each week for a positive boost something to look forward to that lifts your spirits, nurtures your wellbeing, and helps you feel part of a supportive community. Everyone is welcome.
📅Every Wednesday, 12.30-2.30pm, The Fordbridge Centre, Nine Acres Drive, Chelmsley Wood, B37 5DD
Activities include:
- Tea, coffee, snacks
- Make new friends
- Build local connections
- Games
- Guest speakers
- Health, fitness & wellbeing
Feel free to drop in any Wednesday or if you have any questions please call 0121 770 0001.
To view the flyer, click here
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7. Reminisce Cafe
Fountains Care Home know the importance of supporting the local community and hold monthly groups, specifically for those living with dementia or caring for a loved one.
📅The last Thursday of each month, 11-12pm at Fountains Care Home, 1355 Stratford Road, Shirley, B90 4EF
Come along and meet with friends over light refreshments, and enjoy the variety of activities and entertainment their home has to offer.
If you have any questions please call 0121 733 8602.
To view the flyer, click here
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8. Housing and Wellbeing Event in Solihull
Aquarius Settle are a local housing support service, we support people in Solihull with mental health or substance misuse issues who are at risk of homelessness.
We are holding an event in Solihull for residents to meet with local organisations in housing, health and wellbeing for advice and support.
📅Tuesday 7 April, 1-3pm at the Fordbridge Centre, Nine Acres Drive, B37 5DD
If you would like to book a stall, please get in touch with Natalie Travers at natalie.travers@aquarius.org.uk
To view the flyer, click here
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9. Trailblazer Workshops – Unlock Your Potential
Young people aged 18–21 in Birmingham are invited to take part in our Trailblazer Workshops, designed to help you build confidence, develop employability skills and take your next step towards work or training.
📅Junction Community Centre, 100 Chapelhouse Road, Chelmsley Wood, Birmingham, B37 5HA
These workshops provide practical support including meeting employers, improving confidence and learning the skills needed to succeed in the workplace. Participants will also complete a personalised employment profile and action plan to unlock their own Work Ready Kit.
Participants can also access free sessions at WINNR Sports Gym & Boxing Gym every Thursday from 3pm–5pm at Unit 11, Croft Industrial Estate, Dunster Road, B37 7UU.
Sign up here
To view the flyer, click here
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10. Safer Solihull Partnership (SSP) Community Safety Strategy Consultation
Are you interested in understanding how crime and antisocial behaviour are tackled in Solihull? Would you like to have a say in the priorities identified for action in the new Community Safety Strategy 2026-29? If so, we would like to hear from you.
The Safer Solihull Partnership (SSP) is a collaboration of organisations including Solihull Council, West Midlands Police and Fire Services, health services and the Probation Service who are required by law to work together to address crime, disorder and antisocial behaviour in the borough.
The SSP is in the process of developing Solihull’s new three-year strategy and is consulting with key stakeholders on the themes that have emerged from national objectives, local police crime data and public surveys. The partnership is required to consult on these priorities to help decide where effort, resources and skills are focused, and hearing a range of views is integral to getting this right.
Whether you live, work or spend time in Solihull, your voice matters. We would be grateful if you could spend a few minutes to answer the short online consultation and help shape a safer Solihull for everyone.
Safer Solihull Partnership (SSP) Strategy Consultation | Your Voice Solihull
The consultation closes on Wednesday 25 March 2026
To view the flyer, click here
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11. Easter Cycling Tuition for Children – Book Now!
The SMBC Cycling Training Team has released more cycling tuition sessions for the upcoming Easter holidays. Bookings are live— secure a place and/or subscribe to get on the waiting list for any last minute cancellations - via the webpage link here
Easter sessions include:
- Learn to Ride (ages 5–7, indoors); For children who are not yet able to pedal independently and are learning to ride for the first time.
- Learn to Ride (ages 8+); For older beginners who still need support learning to pedal.
- Cycle Confidence – Bikeability Level 1 (ages 8+); Not a Learn to Ride session. Suitable only for children who can already pedal independently and want to build confidence, control, and key cycling skills.
More information on cycling training and activities can be found on the Council’s Cycle Activities in Solihull web page
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12. British Red Cross FREE workshops across West Midlands
British Red Cross offer free community educational workshops for youth (age 10-19) and adults (19 and over)
Here is an overview of what they offer:
Youth First Aid and Adult First Aid
In this workshop, participants learn essential first aid skills. They help them to build the confidence and willingness to help someone in an emergency using everyday objects.
For youth only: (group size of 5-35)
Empathy Plus Migration
A workshop to learn about the experience of migration and reasons why people may have to leave home. The workshop helps students challenge assumptions about migrants, asylum seekers and refugees.
Coping with Challenges
This resilience-building workshop uses experiential learning to help young people learn resilience-building skills that help them cope better with the challenges they face.
For adults only:
Supporting Connections
This is to upskill people on how to support others who may be experiencing loneliness. They will learn how to spot the signs of loneliness, identify the barriers and benefits to forming connections, explore ways to help people deal with loneliness and build your confidence to help others manage loneliness
If you would like to book you can see availability here
13. Free Support for Employment, Education and Training
Are you out of work and school and unsure about your next step?
Solihull Council’s Employment and Skills Team can help your plan into work, education and training. The team offer free one-to-one support at a pace you’re comfortable with. They may even be able to support you with travel, lunch and work wear.
Find out more from the webpage or complete a short form to get in touch.
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Volunteering Opportunities
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1. Volunteer Gardener
Rose Cottage Care Farm are looking for a Volunteer Gardener to help plan and manage the Rose Cottage gardens.
Their team and guests will always be on hand to help with getting things done but they need someone who can keep the gardens on track; from mowing the lawns and planting the borders to sowing and looking after their vegetables.
If you are interested in helping out, please call 01564 635276.
To view the flyer, click here
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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: March 2026
2. Rowntree’s – Free the Fund Community Grant Programme
This year, four community projects in the UK and Ireland will receive funding of up to £10,000 to host fun, summer activities in the local community for people aged between 21 – 65 years old. This can include transforming an outdoor space or community garden, running a summer art festival or purchasing sports, arts, theatre or music equipment.
For more information and to apply click here
It is a short window of application – the deadline is 31 March.
3. Local Community Spaces Fund - Asda Foundation
Local Community Spaces funding is to support community groups throughout the UK who provide a safe space for people to meet and be together.
They know accessible community spaces can be a lifeline for local people, and many of these
spaces require funding to repair, renovate and develop them so that they can continue delivering vital activities and services. In addition, loneliness and isolation continue to be highlighted through our Community Insight Survey as top areas of concern for local communities throughout the UK.
Through our Local Community Spaces Fund, we will continue playing our part in helping to fund safe and welcoming community spaces that bring people together, connect communities and address loneliness and isolation. We have invested over £3.75 million in community hubs since 2022, and will continue to support these hubs in 2026.
For more information and to apply visit Local Community Spaces Fund | Asda Foundation
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
If you have any opportunities/ funding/ activities that you would like to promote, complete the Pro Forma, and forward to the Community Development Inbox at cdt@solihull.gov.uk.
Please note, deadline for article submissions is Thursdays at 12pm.
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