Bearwood Hub Newsletter
Bearwood Community Hub's Wrap up of the year!
Wednesday Warm Welcome Wrapped!
This year over 3,000+ hours were given by dedicated volunteers across our projects, including Wednesday Warm Welcome, Stay & Play, Afterschool Play, Smethwick Arts Activities & the Urban Room.
Between December 2023 and December 2024, Bearwood Community Hub supported local members of the community with over 1,083 queries, referrals or offers of direct support.
Our busiest Wednesday was on the 6th November, with over 74 people joining our community lunch and a total of 110 individuals visiting our Warm Space on that day alone!
Wednesday Warm Welcome visitors were in the top 0.01% of cheese and potato pie consumers, with it being the favourite dish for community lunch!
Wednesday Warm Welcome - 18th Dec Christmas Lunch
A mighty-big thank you to James at Warley Meats who is donating a Christmas Turkey and to Janis Box who is donating home-made mince pies towards our community Christmas Lunch on the 18th December.
We’ll be feeding 50 members of the community (+ volunteers!) on the 18th December, there are a few spaces left for anyone who would like to sign up, you need to do so by tomorrow (Wednesday 11th December) and to let us know your dietary requirements. Or if you’d like to contribute something to our meal you can click the link below to donate.
Winter Warm Packs
We have a number of FREE winter warm packs for adults and children from Sandwell Public Health. If you know anyone struggling with keeping warm this winter, they can access packs through our Wednesday Warm Welcome, as well as fuel voucher referrals with Citizens Advice.
Warm Packs include:
Hot water thermos
Hot water bottle
Warm gloves, socks and trousers
Hot chocolate
A warm blanket
Urban Room at Smethwick Library!
We are utterly thrilled to share with you that Bearwood Community Hub have been commissioned by the West Midlands Combined Authority to start an Urban Room at Smethwick Library!
What is an Urban Room?
An Urban Room is a space where people can come together to help create a future for their local area. Although they can be different in many ways Urban Rooms share the same principles:
A focus on our shared built environment - streets, neighbourhoods and public spaces
An open door - all welcome, especially those who are traditionally under-represented in decision making about the future of our towns and cities
Exploration through creative activities - to prompt curiosity and fresh thinking
To be ‘on-site’, that is, located in the places that are being discussed
The urban room will be at Smethwick Library Tuesdays 10am - 5pm and Fridays 10am - 3pm, until the end of March 2025.
The Toy Maker by Infamous Community Arts at Thimblemill Library Sunday 15th Dec 2 & 4pm
A family festive show inspired by various traditional stories from around the world. Visit the Toymaker in his workshop as he prepares to go out on his deliveries. A storytelling performance, performed by one actor who skilfully animates various puppets and props to weave together all the differing stories to create a funny, anarchic, moving and beautiful journey through various cultures and makes for visually stunning theatre.
Show length: 45 minutes
Age rating: 5+
New Year Holiday Play! 3rd Jan 2025 at Bearwood Baptist Church
We’re really excited to be bringing you a New Year Holiday Play session with Powered by CAN on the 3rd Jan! 11am - 4pm for 6 - 12 year olds (or up to 16 for children with SEND).
Join us for Circus Skills with Creative Active Lives, a hot lunch, Steve the juggler and UV play with Powered by CAN!
Bearwood Community Hub Christmas Closure Dates:
Bearwood Co-Work - closed between 21st Dec & 6th Jan
Wednesday Warm Welcome - closed on 25th Dec & 1st Jan, re-open Wed 8th Jan
Stay & Play - Closed on 23rd & 30th Dec, re-open Mon 6th Jan
Grief Kind Space - Closed on 23rd & 30th Dec, re-open Mon 6th Jan
Wellbeing Service - closed between 21st Dec & 6th Jan, re-open Tues 7th Jan
Urban Room - closed between 21st Dec & 6th Jan, re-open Tues 7th Jan
Where to find a little extra help over the Christmas period
New Beginnings CIC - Delivering Joy campaign, accepting referrals for families needing gifts until 18th December, recipients will need to be able to collect items.
Birmingham Christmas Shelter - open 24 hours for 5 days over Christmas
West Midlands Fire Service Winter Clothing Event - Saturday 14th December 11am - 3pm