Browse, Borrow & Return The Old Print Works 1-5pm Explore the Birmingham Resistance Library collection, become a member and borrow a book. Membership is open to all. You can browse the catalogue in advance online too – birminghamresistancelibrary.co.uk
More details to follow
Donations- donate a book on the day, link in bio for our wish list or donate a book related to ‘resistance’ that you have read and recommend.
Browse, Borrow & Return The Old Print Works 1-5pm Explore the Birmingham Resistance Library collection, become a member and borrow a book. Membership is open to all. You can browse the catalogue in advance online too – birminghamresistancelibrary.co.uk
Design and Print a Bookmark The Old Print Works 2-3pm Design a bookmark and print 5 copies. Facilitated by Print and Matter @printandmatter.
Read and Reflect Circle The Drawing Room (The Old Print Works) 5-6.30pm An open space to share and discuss books and writings on resistance. Read an extract from one of the library books, share something you have written, or simply listen/ join the conversation. No pressure, everyone welcome.
There will be a drop-in drawing/colouring activity suitable for all ages from 1-5pm in the Director’s Office.
Donations- donate a book on the day, link in bio for our wish list or donate a book related to ‘resistance’ that you have read and recommend.
Join us at the Old Print Works for the community screening of A Bedroom For Everyone, a new film commissioned by Ed Webb-Ingall, currently showing at Grand Union 1pm-4pm The Drawing Room, The Old Print Works
Taking inspiration from Leeds Animation Workshop’s powerful short animation ‘Home and Dry’ from 1987, which remains strikingly relevant today, ‘A Bedroom for Everyone’ serves as a sequel of sorts, shifting our focus to the current housing crises and the essential role of grassroots organizing. It prompts us to reflect on the progress we have made and the work that still lies ahead. 💪🏠 The script of this animation was crafted collaboratively with members from four inspiring activist and community groups: Save Druids Heath and Acorn Union from Birmingham, Akwaaba Social Centre for Migrants and Housing Action Southwark & Lambeth from London. By incorporating the voices and perspectives of those with lived experience of the housing crisis, the film acts as a powerful resource, inspiring individuals to seek out local groups, lend a helping hand, raise awareness, and contribute to the cause. It is a testament to the strength of collective action and the transformative potential it holds. 🌍❤️ We invite you to engage with ‘A Bedroom for Everyone’ as a resource that can be shared with anyone interested or engaged in housing struggles. Reach out to us at info@grand-union.org.uk if you would like to showcase this impactful film in your community setting. Let’s empower one another, raise our voices, and ignite positive change. Together, we can make housing a fundamental right for all. 📧🎉 Available in Arabic, English, Polish, and Spanish. 🌍🌟 Made by: @Edwebbingall @Sofia_niazi @astroidg With support from: @acornbirmingham @sifafiresideofficial @leedsanimation @makinglevel @stirchleycd @granby4streetsclt @Acorn_notts @nottm_contemp @luxscot @rule_of_threes The Women Asylum Seekers Housing Project Generously funded by: @oak_foundation @aceagrams @artfund @unibirmingham @serpentineuk
The ‘Hell Bus’ is an exciting interactive art installation by artist Darren Cullen (@SpellingMistakesCostLives) exposing the dirty tactics polluting industries employ to green their public image. Joined by campaign group Adfree Cities and environmental organisation Switch It Green, people of all ages will be welcomed aboard the exhibition to be entertained, educated, and encouraged to get involved.
The bus has already made appearances at COP26, Glastonbury Festival and Boomtown, and featured in comedian Joe Lycett’s Channel 4 documentary ‘Joe Lycett vs The Oil Giant’. It is sure to catch some eyes in Birmingham.
The exhibition’s tour is timely, as public concern surrounding planet-harming activities and fossil fuel expansion is high while greenwashing by large corporations is leaving individuals feeling unsure of the solutions. The ‘Hell Bus’ tells this story in a fun and accessible way, while Adfree Cities and Switch It Green are on hand to provide people with simple, effective ways to take positive action against oil and gas companies like Shell.
Come and join us to celebrate the opening of Oriental Star Express exhibition in collaboration with @oldprintworksbrum. The celebration includes artist talk by @faishussainism, showing of our film ‘Request Line’, great music by @rizmi_____ , and food. This is a free event and everyone is welcomed. Booking below
‘We Are Here’ Campaign invites you to put your feet up, have a cuppa, some biscuits and talk to Climate Nan about the challenges that our homes, streets and neighbourhoods are facing. Climate Nan, as part of the We Are Here Campaign, will be parking her caravan at multiple locations across Ladywood and Balsall Heath between the 11th and 13th August as part of a tour of communities who have invited her to talk about the climate crisis. Residents can visit, share their concerns and discuss what can be done. Climate Nan will be offering a friendly ear to the neighbourhood with a warm invite and welcome into the caravan where you can either write a letter to the PM or local MP and or record a contribution to the podcast that will be recorded throughout the tour.
Other stops of the tour:
Friday 11th August, 10:00 -2:00 PM at the Neighbourhood Supper Club Summer Special hosted by CIVIC SQUARE and neighbours at Midland Sailing Club, Icknield Port Rd, Birmingham B16 0AA
Retrofit Balsall Heath is planning a day of tours, talks and teas to mark our one year anniversary and celebrate our Retrofit journey so far. In June 2022, drawing inspiration from Balsall Heath’s unique legacy of grassroots local democracy and the strength of positive relationships between local faith communities, Retrofit Balsall Heath secured agreement from Birmingham City Council for the local community in Balsall Heath to tap LADS 3 funding to retrofit 700 local homes. So far, nearly 200 homes have had work done to make them more energy efficient, helping to tackle fuel poverty, health disparities, and the climate crisis. We have learned that “Retrofit” is more than a technical term for insulating existing homes to make them fit for purpose and fit for the future. It is a transformative concept for whole communities; for community neighbourhoods and landscapes, and for individual hearts and minds. We hope to share our stories, lessons learned, joys and tribulations. We welcome practical, financial, spiritual accompaniment and assistance for our next steps. https://zerocarbonhousebirmingham.org.uk/ https://www.facebook.com/RetrofitBalsallHeath Please join us for our Retrofit Open Day 2-6pm Friday 30th June 2023 hosted by zerocarbonhouse Birmingham – you can book here
As part of Moseley Road Baths’ Diving In project, the former Women’s Slipper Baths at Moseley Road Baths are being brought back to life. We plan to bring two of the former washing baths back into use this summer as a space of relaxation and wellbeing for adults in the local area and beyond. But what does a relaxing space look like to you? Would YOU take a bath in Moseley Road Baths? And if not, what would make you want to?
The fantastic artist Sharonjit Sutton has created an illustration of the Women’s Slipper Baths for you to annotate and sketch what you would like to be in the space. Come and get creative and help shape our plans this year!
11.30am-1pm – Directors Office, The Old Print Works – courtyard entrance
Calling Residents / Voters. You are being asked to decide Yes or No in a postal ballot in November whether a Neighbourhood Council is set up for our area. Your chance to learn more, think about how it might make improvements; meet the steering group who advocate this change. 11.30am to 1pm drop in in the Directors’ Room, Old Print Works (courtyard). Saturday 12th November
Directors Office – 1.30pm – 4pm- The Old Print Works, courtyard entrance
An information sharing session about Home Energy Efficiency Grants
Homeowners and tenants with a B12 postcode can apply for grants to have work done on their homes that could significantly reduce their energy bills. Other postcodes in Balsall Heath can also apply.
There’s no household income cap, but the scheme is for older homes like these …
The scheme is completely free for eligible owner-occupiers. Private landlords need to pay a 1/3 contribution.
Want to know more?
Please join us for information sharing – for you and your neighbours/street.
It’s a chance to learn more about the scheme, how to apply for the grant and get your questions answered.
Please invite your friends and neighbours from Balsall Heath.
A three-page paper form needs to get filled in to apply – DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS 23 NOVEMBER!!
If you can’t make it please email
RetrofitBalsallHeath@gmail.com or
mecctrust@hotmail.com or
phone MECC 0121 440 3500
https://www.mecctrust.co.uk/ or drop in at MECC, 93 Court Road, off Edward Road, B12 9LQ