Edgbaston Community Centre Newsletter - September 2026
- LCC Admin
- 2 hours ago
- 5 min read
A Message from the Chair
Welcome to our latest Edgbaston Community Centre newsletter.
As we move into autumn, I have been reflecting on what has been another incredibly positive and encouraging season for our community. What has stood out most to me over the summer is the sheer range of activities that have taken place across the centre, particularly those aimed at supporting children, young people and families.
Throughout the holiday period, our building has been buzzing with activity. From play schemes and youth-focused programmes to wellbeing activities and community events, it has been wonderful to see so many people making use of the centre and benefiting from the opportunities on offer.
One of our major achievements this summer has been the completion of our Garden and Nature Project. Visitors will already notice significant improvements to our outdoor areas. Thanks to the commitment of our Wellbeing Group and other volunteers, our garden spaces and planters have been transformed with vibrant flowers and greenery, creating a more welcoming and attractive environment for everyone.
We have also begun introducing sustainable initiatives across the site, including water collection systems and environmental improvements that will help us become a more sustainable community building. This is only the beginning. We are working closely with local partners on ambitious plans to further transform our grounds, improve biodiversity and create a greener, healthier environment for future generations.
Thank you to everyone who continues to support, volunteer and participate in the life of the centre. Together, we are making a real difference in our community.
Derrick Dunkley
Chair
Edgbaston Community Centre
Community Spotlight
Celebrating Djamila's Contribution
We would like to recognise and thank Djamila Oinaala, who recently joined the team and has already made a tremendous impact.
During a particularly busy summer period, Djamila effectively managed many of the day-to-day demands of the office, providing invaluable support to staff, volunteers and visitors alike. Her positive attitude, professionalism and commitment to helping others have quickly made her an important part of our community.
Thank you, DJamila, for everything you have done so far. We are delighted to have you as part of the team.
Café & Community Centre News
Exciting Changes for Our Café
We are pleased to announce the next stage in the development of our café services.
To improve accessibility and convenience for building users, we are introducing a Digital Café concept that will extend availability beyond traditional staffed opening hours.
Through the introduction of new vending and self-service facilities, visitors will be able to access hot drinks, refreshments and snacks whenever the building is open. This means that whether you are attending a meeting, training session, community group or event, refreshments will be available throughout the entire day.
This is an exciting step forward especially for those who in the past havent been able to access refreshments in the evenings or on Fridays. We will continue to modernise our services and improve the experience for everyone who uses the centre.
Watch this space for further developments.
Faith & Community Life
Skegness Community Trip Success
We were delighted to host another successful community trip to Skegness during the summer.
The day provided a fantastic opportunity for people of all ages to enjoy time together, build friendships and create lasting memories. Thank you to everyone who attended and helped make the trip such a success.
Due to the positive feedback received, we are already exploring future trips and excursions.
Community Days Draw Strong Attendance
Summer saw the delivery of two excellent free Community Days, bringing together local residents, families and community organisations.
It was encouraging to see so many people engaging with activities, making new connections and enjoying all that the centre has to offer.
Coffee, Chat & Discussion
We are also pleased to have launched a new weekly gathering:
Coffee, Chat & Discussion Every Wednesday at 7.00pm
This informal group creates a welcoming space where people can enjoy a coffee, ask questions, explore the Bible and engage in meaningful conversation.
We have already welcomed several new attendees and look forward to seeing the group continue to grow.
Looking Ahead
Community Garden Project Expansion
Over the coming months, visitors will begin to see significant improvements taking place around the Community Centre Grounds. As we seek to continue off the success of the NNS funded Nature in Mind Project
Through the support of community partners including HG Construction, we will be developing a larger community growing space where local people will have opportunities to help grow fruit, vegetables and plants.
If you enjoy gardening or have experience growing produce, we would love to hear from you. This project will provide opportunities for volunteers of all ages to get involved.
Improvements to Site Facilities
We are also planning improvements to the way our grounds are organised, including the community investment of HG construction of a dedicated storage area for waste and recycling bins. This will help improve the appearance of the site and make better use of available parking facilities.
Working Together on Responsible Parking
As many of our users will know, the Community Centre provides free parking for residents, visitors and building users.
While the vast majority of people use the facilities responsibly, occasional misuse can create challenges for genuine users of the building.
We are currently working constructively with local schools and community partners to encourage greater awareness and cooperation. Our aim is to maintain free parking and avoid introducing barriers or parking charges wherever possible.
We would like to thank everyone who continues to use the facilities responsibly and support a positive environment for all.
Wellbeing, Training & Learning Opportunities
A particularly encouraging aspect of the Centre's development has been the continued growth in health, wellbeing and training-related activity.
The Centre has become a valued venue for organisations including the NHS Diabetes Prevention and Remission Programmes, Alzheimer's Society, Age UK, Citizens Advice, Learning Curve Group, City Year and Faith Fostering, among others. Through these partnerships, the Centre supports programmes that improve health outcomes, tackle social isolation, develop skills and create pathways into employment. This combination of health, education and community support activity reflects our vision of the Centre as a place where people can connect, learn, thrive and fulfil their potential whilst strengthening the social fabric of our local community.
If you are looking for training opportunities or represent an organisation seeking a venue for courses, workshops or community learning activities, we would be delighted to hear from you.
Room Hire
Whether you are organising a meeting, training course, celebration, community gathering or event, Edgbaston Community Centre offers flexible and affordable spaces for hire.
Our rooms are suitable for:
Meetings and conferences
Community groups
Training sessions
Children's activities
Faith and cultural events
Celebration events
Health and wellbeing programmes
To enquire about availability and pricing, please contact us.
Contact Us
Edgbaston Community Centre 40 Woodview Drive Edgbaston Birmingham B15 2HU
📞 Contact us for room bookings, volunteering opportunities and community activities.
🌐 Visit our website for the latest updates and events www.edgbastoncommunitycentre.org.uk
Get Involved!
We are always looking for volunteers, partners and supporters who share our vision of creating a vibrant, welcoming and sustainable community hub for Edgbaston.
Together, we can continue making a positive difference in our neighbourhood.
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