While the Birmingham district of Kingstanding often makes headlines for deprivation and crime, a local hub is working tirelessly to showcase the area's vibrant community spirit and support network.
More Than Headlines: The Real Kingstanding
New Heights Warren Farm Community Centre operates a seven-day-a-week timetable designed to bring people together during difficult economic times. The centre's business administrator, Jamie Heath, acknowledges the area's portrayal. "You see it in the news a bit, and it's not spoken nicely about," he said. "There's always 'something going on', which isn't great. But the positive side is we have a great community here."
The centre's diverse offering is a direct response to the challenges of the cost of living and food poverty. Activities range from Tai Chi, line dancing, and women's fitness to crochet sessions, a dementia choir, and family boxercise. A community network officer is also on hand to offer advice on issues like benefits.
A Lifeline of Activities and Support
The vast majority of the groups are free, and where a small charge is necessary, it is typically just £1 or £2. The centre focuses on providing opportunities, especially for the elderly, families, and children, who might otherwise miss out.
"We do our events for Youth social action, so we try and get all of the kids in the community in and do some good," Jamie explained. "We'll take them on different trips to different places too. Last month, we took the kids to Cadbury's World."
Practical support is also a cornerstone of their work. This includes a fortnightly food pantry and innovative slow cooker sessions, where participants learn to make easy meals and are given a free slow cooker and ingredients to take home.
Christmas Compassion and a Call to the Community
The centre's commitment is perhaps most poignant at Christmas. Every Christmas Eve, volunteers prepare and deliver around 100 traditional Christmas dinners to people in the community who need them. They also run a toy donation scheme.
"We've budgeted and have the resources for 100 people," Jamie said of the meal delivery. "I wanted to spread the news of all the things we do. If there's anyone in the area in need, they should feel they can come to us."
Jamie emphasises the social benefit of the centre, noting that it helps combat isolation. "There's people who feel a bit proud to speak out, but when they're actually here and they're around other people... it really benefits them as a whole. And the more people that come in, the more people there are to build relationships instead of sitting at home."
