North Smethwick Development Trust

Knit & Natter
2025-03-05 09:30 - 11:30, 2025-03-12 09:30 - 11:30 UTC | Brasshouse Community Centre
KNITTING & CROCHETING
Why not come along to knit and or crochet, etc and enjoy a tea or coffee and a natter at our warm and welcoming group every Wednesday between 9.30am and 11.30am
A selection of wool is available to purchase or bring your own.
Refreshments provided

ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages)
2025-03-05 09:30 - 12:30, 2025-03-10 09:30 - 12:30, 2025-03-12 09:30 - 12:30, 2025-03-17 09:30 - 12:30
In partnership with the Sandwell Language Network (SLN) and EPIC CIC (Empowering People in Communities), we provide a programme of free, community-based English language learning support. The programme aims to tackle health and economic inequalities, reduce isolation and promote community cohesion through basic language skills learning across Sandwell.
SLN language learning courses run January 2025 – July 2025, and:

delivers pre-entry and entry-level ESOL classes, to meet a need and plug the gap in basic language skills provision (BOOKING ESSENTIAL TO REGISTER ON COURSE)

delivers ‘IELTS’ courses for people to prepare for the International English Language Test to enable them to study or work

supports language learners to

access health and wellbeing support, and improve health literacy
be better able to find work and to progress within work, through ‘employability booster’ sessions alongside language learning
access IT as part of their language learning
interact more confidently with local services and
connect with people in their neighbourhood
access advice, wellbeing, and employability services in local centres
access wider community learning opportunities and progress to courses with Sandwell Adult and Family Learning, Sandwell College and other education and training providers

co-ordinates a Sandwell ESOL Forum for tutors and volunteers, with free accredited training and professional development opportunities

provides access to a free online Language Toolkit

Emotional Health and Wellbeing Sessions
2025-03-05 13:00 - 15:00, 2025-03-12 13:00 - 15:00
We understand that you might be worried about the Cost of Living and how it could effect your emotions, so we want you to know that support is available to you.
Join the Kaleidoscope Plus Group team to help improve your wellbeing through our regular sessions.
Wednesdays 1.oogm – 3.oogm

Managing Stress & Anxiety
Mindfulness
Self-Care
Sleep Hygiene
Building healthy relationships
Confidence and Resilience
Frustration & Anger
Nutrition & Diet
Sharing Information on services available
Creating a Wellbeing Action Plan

All sessions take place at the Brasshouse Lane Community Centre Brasshouse Lane, Smethwick, B66 1BA
Please call 0121555 5672 or email info@nsdt.org.uk to book your place.

KSOL (Key Stages online) Sandwell Tuition Centre
2025-03-05 17:30 - 19:30, 2025-03-12 17:30 - 19:30
Since opening their tuition centre in this popular area, they have helped hundreds of children reach their full potential and achieve their 11+ goals.
The team of talented teachers at the Sandwell tuition centre are dedicated to working with each and every child on an individual basis. Getting to know their strengths and weaknesses allows them to create uniquely tailored daily tests, specific to their needs. This, alongside the 2-hour weekly teaching sessions, provides the perfect launch-pad to go forwards and reach 11+ success.
2 hours of personalised tuition per week
Each child will receive 2 hours of tuition per week at the Sandwell Centre. During the session, tutors will cover weak points highlighted through the online tests and teach a new topic from their 11 plus curriculum.
Daily personalised online tests (Mon-Fri) with TargetTeach® Technology
From Monday – Friday, each child will receive online tests in Maths, English, Verbal and NVR. These tests will be tailored around any weaker areas identified by your child’s allocated 11 plus tutor.
Feedback from your child’s 11 plus tutor
Once a month, your child’s tutor will email a progress report which will include feedback, tips and a visual chart of how your child is progressing. Whenever you need additional help or advice, chat to the tutors at the centre or give them a call during office hours.
A whole team to support you and your child
With KSOL you will have a whole team to support you and your child. Give yourself the peace of mind that there will always be a tutor available to help you through the entire 11 plus process.

Cost of Living Support Programme
2025-03-06 09:30 - 13:30, 2025-03-13 09:30 - 13:30
Cost of Living Support Programme

Do you need some additional support to help you to cope with the cost of living crisis?
We are offering a free and confidential service:

Benefits and debt advice
Energy advice
Help with budgeting
Employment support
Help to get online

All in a single service, provided by trained and experienced advice workers from Sandwell Consortium and Citizens Advice Sandwell & Walsall. (Access to a female advisor is available)
We want to help you to have a real change in your financial circumstances through an increase in your household income and a reduction in your household expenditure.

Go Play - Smethwick Sessions
2025-03-06 15:00 - 17:30, 2025-03-06 15:00 - 18:00, 2025-03-11 15:00 - 17:30, 2025-03-13 15:00 - 17:30, 2025-03-13 15:00 - 18:00
Join Powered by CAN here at the Brasshouse Community Centre every week for a fun filled play session that is free for the family to attend. Activities include:

Min sport games
Family games
Themed Arts and Crafts
Technology play

and much much more

St John Ambulance (Youth Programme - Aged 5-11)
2025-03-06 18:45 - 20:15, 2025-03-13 18:45 - 20:15
Being a Badger
Badgers are the youngest St John people, aged under 11. Anyone can join a Badger Sett, which operate across England. Badgers usually meet once a week for around 1 hour 30 minutes.
Badgers take part in a wide range of fun activities based on essential first aid and other fascinating topics, earning badges and certificates for each one. For every three subjects a Badger completes, they receive an award until they achieve their Super Badger Award.
To give each new Badger the best possible introduction, Welcome Badger provides a range of activities to ensure all new Badgers and their parents/carers are provided with all the essentials in the first few important weeks.
Our Badger programme covers a wide range of subjects and activities, from first aid to communication skills, to healthy living and being safe. All the subjects have been written by St John people with the aim of Badgers in mind and to support children through their learning and development journey.
Badgers can:

learn first aid
make new friends
get creative with arts and crafts
find out how the body works and how to stay healthy
learn about helping their local community
take part in team games
develop leadership and communication skills, and much more!

G FORCE MARTIAL ARTS KICKBOXING
2025-03-08 09:00 - 13:00, 2025-03-15 09:00 - 13:00
Martial Arts For All The Family in Smethwick
GAIN CONFIDENCE, LEARN A SKILL , GET FIT, FEEL AMAZING!
Discover how to stay safe while having fun with G Force! Start your journey towards better personal defence with our family-friendly martial arts classes.
(CHARGES APPLY)
Martial Arts Programmes include
Titans (4-6 years age group) – This younger children’s programme is intended to get them into martial arts while also having fun and learning how their body moves.
G Force Juniors (7-12 years age group) – Designed to develop children in the key areas of life with CONFIDENCE, RESPECT, DISCIPLINE, COURAGE & MOTIVATION while learning to protect themselves in a FUN & FRIENDLY environment …
G Force Adults (13+ age group) – Supporting adults in achieving their mental and physical potential. They offer a safe and positive atmosphere in which you can meet your goals, whether you’re looking for physical fitness, self-defence, or an athletic social outlet.
G Force Ladies Only (18+ age group) – G Force Ladies Classes are fantastic for helping women of all ages and ability improve their HEALTH & FITNESS while also building confidence and a more POSITIVE MINDSET in a FUN and friendly supportive environment.

St Pauls Councillor Surgeries - Councillor Sukhbir Singh Gill
2025-03-08 11:00 - 12:00
A councillor’s primary role is to represent their ward or division and the people who live in it. Councillors provide a bridge between the community and the council. As well as being an advocate for local residents and signposting them to the right people at the council, you will need to keep them informed about the issues that affect them.
In order to understand and represent local views and priorities, they need to build strong relationships and encourage local people to make their views known and engage with them and the Council. Good communication and engagement are central to being an effective councillor.

To do this they have regular contact with the general public through either Council meetings, telephone calls or surgeries. Surgeries provide an opportunity for any ward resident to go and talk their councillor face to face and these take place on a regular basis.
Your Councillor will discuss any concerns or problems relating to Council services and listen to your views on issues that you feel are important.
Councillors are not paid a salary for their work, but they do receive allowances. By law, all members of the Council are required to complete a Declaration of Interest form, the details of which are published annually.
Your Local Ward Councillors for St Pauls

Councillor Aqeela Choudhry
Party: Labour Party

Tel: 07855 985 100

Councillor Sukhbir Singh Gill

Party: Labour Party

Tel: 07929 729 532

Councillor Muhammad Loan

Party: Labour Party
Tel: 07424 965 084

Christ Apostolic Faith Chapel
2025-03-09 10:00 - 12:00, 2025-03-16 10:00 - 12:00
All welcome

Growing Friends (Gardening for Wellbeing)
2025-03-10 09:30 - 11:30, 2025-03-17 09:30 - 11:30
An interactive gardening sessions, designed to tackle isolation and loneliness through the building of friendships, boosting mood whilst getting some gardening tips.
You do not have to have been a gardener to join in. Lots of practical things to do.
Course run in conjunction with “With Nature in Mind” with funding from players of the National Lottery Community Fund

The Aman Group
2025-03-11 10:00 - 12:00
Improving women’s (predominately South Asian Women) holistic wellbeing, through gentle exercise, informed sessions, trips out, befriending, relieving stress and anxiety, improving relationships, creating life balances, mindfulness, self-improvement, positive thinking and career support.

Sandwell Falls Prevention Exercise - A Falls Free Life
2025-03-11 13:00 - 14:00
Falling down can be frightening. A fall can cause injury and create a situation where a person’s confidence is shaken.
The Falls Prevention Exercise Programme is a free service aimed at preventing falls in those aged 50+ or have mobility/balance issues.
What is it?
We offer a 12-week safe exercise programme at one of our community venues across Sandwell.
These exercises are designed to improve your mobility, balance and strength.
If you are unable to attend one of our community sessions, we can provide a workbook for you to exercise safely at home.
The team will also provide Information, Advice and Guidance on ways to prevent falls and maintain your mobility and balance.
The service will also refer you to the other community support services available if necessary.

Eligibility

Eligibility

Aged 50 and over
Sandwell resident or registered with a GP in Sandwell

Inclusion Criteria (1 or more of the following):

Fear of Falling
Feeling unstable
History of Falls (injurious and non-injurious)
Low bone density and/or family history of osteoporotic fracture.
Be able to stand independently with/without walking aid
Be able to mobilise independently with/without walking aid

Exclusions

GP has said that you have a heart condition and has recommended only medically-approved physical activity.
Pain
Angina
Acute systemic illness (cancer)
Visual or vestibular disturbances
Significant drop in BP during exercise
Unstable or acute heart failure
Unable to maintain seated upright posture
Impaired cognition
Diagnosis of dementia

FREE 12 WEEK WEIGHT LOSS PROGRAM
2025-03-11 18:00 - 19:30
Your Health Sandwell, a weight management service providing tailored face to face and online support to adults 18 years + striving for a healthier lifestyle.

This 12-week programme is designed for meaningful behaviour change. It includes expert-led activity sessions tailored for all fitness levels. With food and nutrition workshops for both significant and sustainable lifestyle adjustments, essential for realistic health goals.
A bit about the programme and how long it is.

12 week programme with weekly face to face or online sessions. There is an option for people who attend face to face sessions to attend online exercise classes.
Each session is approximately 1.5 – 2 hours long and includes an opportunity to ‘weigh in’ and speak to your ‘Healthy Lifestyle Advisor’.

Eligibility:

Live or GP within Sandwell
Aged 18+
BMI over 25 (23+ ethnic communities)

Sip & Chat
2025-03-14 10:00 - 12:00
Sip Chat and relax with friends
This is a relaxed, welcoming space for everyone to connect, share ideas, and swap stories. Whether you’re new to the community or have been here for years, this is your chance to meet friendly faces, build new connections, and get inspired by the stories of those around you.
Grab a drink, pull up a chair, and let’s make our community even stronger, one conversation at a time.
No need to book, just turn up on the day.
