We take pride in our work for people and our passion for the local community.
We want to work with our local community to improve health and wellbeing.
We want to work with our local community to reduce the impacts of poverty.
We want to help and support our children and young people reach their full potential.
We want to make our local community a place where people feel pride in where they live and work.
Local woman has been campaigning to try and ensure the North Smethwick Area is served by a good bus route. Shirley, has written to the Mayor of West Midlands, Andy Street, following a petition by local community members.
Shirley wanted local people to know the results and has asked us to publicise the response from the West Midlands Combine Authority/Transport for West Midlands and also a copy of the new 89 bus route.
Thank you Shirley, you are a local gem.
As part of Sandwell’s annual community safety partnership campaign across their six towns, which aims to raise awareness, boost engagement with our communities, tackle concerns and showcase services and support that are available all year round to help people stay safe.
Each week had a focus on a specific town where there was a number of themes running throughout the campaign. We took part in Week 5 of the Smethwick campaign to raise awareness of Scammers. We was supported by Sandwell Council’s Trading Standards Team, Community Partnerships Team, Sandwell Community Offer, NSDT and the Inspector from Smethwick Policing Unit.
We gave out over 100 Think Jessica, “Don’t Fall for a Scam” guidance books.
Shortly after her mother Jessica died in 2007, Marilyn started the Think Jessica campaign.
Her aim was, firstly, to shock the government and postal services into taking action and protecting others like her Mum.
Secondly, she wanted to educate professionals about the powerful psychology criminals use to trap their targets, and how it is strong enough to turn them against their loved ones and those trying to help them.
If you want to know more about the Think Jessica campaign and join them in being committed to protecting people from fraud, then click here for more information.
Congratulations to our own Chief Executive in being recognised as part of Black History Month this October by Sandwell MBC who have celebrated the accomplishments of black women in Sandwell.
Jennifer Harrison, Chief Executive of North Smethwick Development Trust, was among those who shared their stories.
Click on the link here to find out more
Following a lengthy campaign, based on conversations we were having with local community members, regarding community concerns about litter and parking issues, a meeting was held, where representatives from The West Bromwich Albion Football Club, Sandwell Council, SERCO, Local Councillors and the Albion Foundation were present to listen to and address concerns for people living on the Albion Estate, we promised to provide feedback to the range of questions asked . A leaflet was produced that was distributed to the Albion Estate, Community Centres and local shops. Here is a copy of that communication updating you to some of the questions that were asked and a second communication with further updates.
Big thanks to the Mayor of Sandwell, Councillor Richard Jones and his Consort Richard McVittie in joining us and officially opening our Queens Platinum Jubilee Party here at Brasshouse Community Centre.
With thanks to funding from the Asda Foundation and a donation from the Bangladeshi Islamic Centre (BIC) including support with the delicious chicken & vegetable biryani, we had a party, her Majesty would be proud of and a showcase of community spirit was abundant.
Over 150 people attended, and special thanks to the amazing team at North Smethwick Development Trust and the Bangladeshi Islamic Centre (special thanks to Rabia and Abdul) including Staff, Volunteers and Directors in bringing todays events together. Congratulations to Mel on winning the gran prize at the raffle a fantastic prize worth over £100 with thanks from Teamworks Birmingham and Yo Sushi.
We had a tea party of sandwiches, cakes, soft drinks, savouries, scones, clotted cream, jam and much more. We had music and live entertainment from the fantastic Craig Girling-Jones (Male vocalist), activity packs and hall decorated with enough bunting and red, white & blue as you could cope with. We had a photo studio, led by Ken Harrison Photography and thanks to Satinder and Luke for supporting with capturing the spirit of the day with beautifully took photographs. We had mendhi, face painting, outdoor games, bubbles and a chill out zone in our beautiful community gardens.
So thank you to everyone who came.
We are passionate about our local area and do our bit to make sure North Smethwick is a safe place to live. We have played a key part in improving transport links to make it easier for locals to get around.
Volunteering not only helps locals, it can often be life changing for the person volunteering. Find out why our volunteers love being a part of our team and how it has transformed their lives.
“I believe in the value of what they offer here for the community and that even inspired me to want to give something back. I now do a few hours a week voluntary support at the centre helping where I can in the community café.”
“Supporting the children’s out of school snack shack or the Wednesday free community meal. I think that is a wonderful thing to offer. Especially if people are struggling (as so many people are nowadays). It’s a really good thing. People can come sit down chat with other people for a few hours and get a free two course meal and sometimes even a bag to take a way. How wonderful is that. I love coming to the Brasshouse. I wish it was closer but I don’t mind the journey to come because I really believe in what they are doing for people.”
“I started volunteering so I could support my mom as I am her informal carer to help and encourage her to socialise. I enjoy volunteering because I like seeing people happy, also just making the place brighter at Brasshouse with doing the gardening.”
“It’s good that it’s so local to us. Since I’ve been volunteering at Brasshouse I’ve learned new skills, so has mom. It’s helped with confidence to meet people and approach people for both of us. Brasshouse has been fantastic for both of us, mom even comes on her own now when I can’t make it. I never thought she would be confident to do that. It reassures me. I’ve learned so much about mom as we’ve been doing things together and that makes our relationship better, we are learning new things about each other all the time.”
“Volunteering gives me pride that I have tried to support my community, where I live with my friends and neighbours. If nothing else I am proud of that because I believe in the people that live here I can see that we have so much potential and that’s what makes me just want to do what I do.”
It is rewarding to me in that way. It has also been rewarding in other fantastic ways that I could never have imagined too. Brasshouse mission statement states that it is the anchor at the heart of the community and I can truly say it has been my anchor is so many ways participating in activities or in my various volunteer roles Brasshouse has been a part of my life for so long, and my life has been part of north Smethwick community forever.
Our work with the local community doesn’t just change lives, it saves lives. Read more to find out how we helped Paul and Surinder.
We provided support to a marine veteran suffering PTSD, who really struggled to leave his home.
We delivered cooked meals twice a week and food and laundry packs. On one occasion, we helped provide one of his daughters with a new coat. She was so over the moon, as for the first time in 3 years she had something new for herself, “which wasn’t a hand-me-down”.
Surinder (24) a single mum with 1 child struggling to make ends meet.
Due to being left in serious debt following a bad relationship, she often had to go to food banks to provide food. She would often go without food to feed her Son, so we stepped in and provided food, toiletries and household cleaning and laundry items to help. She said how much this helped her pay off some of her debts and how it meant that she could have regular meals again. She was put in touch with additional support services and is now receiving help.
Our work wouldn’t be possible without the support of our partners and investors. Want to give back to the community? Sign up today to fund our work and projects.
Membership is an essential way to collaborate with our community and for the Organisation to support members of the wider community. So, please if you can, become a member today. You’re welcome to increase your donation to support the upkeep and development of the Centre at any time.
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