Hi Subscriber,

Welcome to our April e-bulletin and finally to spring! With spring comes new beginnings and we are delighted to announce three new projects we are bringing to life.

We also want to take this opportunity to say congratulations, happy birthday, good luck and thank you to some of our learners, staff and volunteers.

Keep reading to find out more.

When: Wednesdays 10.30am - 11.30am
Where: Birmingham Settlement, 359 – 361 Witton Road, Aston, Birmingham, B6 6NS

Starting on 5th April, we launched a FREE community dance programme at our centre in Aston. Classes are on Wednesday mornings from 10:30am to 11:30am.

These are beginner classes geared mainly towards individuals aged 50+, but open to all.

The programme aims to boost physical and mental wellbeing through exercise, reduce isolation, help people to learn new skills and have fun!

The classes will offer you the chance to try a range of different dance styles including ballet, jazz, tap and Caribbean styles (please enquire for specific dates for each style).

No previous experience is needed, just willingness to get involved!

To find out more please check out our website at bit.ly/BSCD17 .

For four months we have been working closely with three Masters students from Aston University; Sian, Gareth and Natalie. As part of their studies they joined us for a three to four month work placement during which they each undertook a research project exploring our services and our internal processes.

Through their work we have been able to better understand the needs of our clients, develop new, more effective internal processes and learn more about ourselves as an organisation all of which will help us to develop our work so that we can better meet the needs of our local community.

We would like to say a big thank you to Sian, Gareth and Natalie for all of their hard work and wish them all the best for the remainder of their studies.

When: Tuesdays 9.30am – 10.30am
Where: Birmingham Settlement, 359 – 361 Witton Road, Aston, Birmingham, B6 6NS

On Tuesday 2nd May 2017 we are launching a female only fitness class aimed at young women aged 18 to 24. The classes start at 9.30am and will run for 12 weeks (term time only) until Tuesday 25th July.

The fitness classes are run by a qualified, experienced female coach and will be tailored to the interests of the participants offering you the chance to try out different fitness sessions from boxercise and circuit training to aerobic fitness.

The sessions are aimed at women aged 18 to 24 but if we have space remaining we will welcome other women to join us too, so be sure to come along.

To find out more about our fitness classes, please check out our website at bit.ly/BSFOFC17 or get in touch with Maxine on 0121 250 0781, via email at max@btu.org.uk or call our main number on 0121 250 0777.

In October 2016 we began delivering free pre-entry level English classes for women. The course offered women the chance to improve their English language skills through interactive, practical sessions and focused on topics to help them in day to day situations. The learners have been studying hard for over six months and since the course began we have seen their knowledge and confidence grow enormously.

This month with the course coming to an end, we were proud to host our English My Way Graduation Ceremony and Party with learners and their families joining us to celebrate their hard work and successful completion of the course.

We would like to say thank you to the Good Things Foundation for funding the English My Way course and a massive congratulations to all of our learners.

These sessions would not have been possible without the support of our fantastic team of volunteers who gave up their time week in, week out to support our learners and facilitate these classes, so we would also like to say a very, very big thank you to our volunteers.

To find out more about future English Classes at Birmingham Settlement, please get in touch with Rob on 0121 250 0777 or via email at robert.netherway@bsettlement.org.uk.

When: Tuesdays 10am – 12pm
Where: Birmingham Settlement, 359 – 361 Witton Road, Aston, Birmingham, B6 6NS

We are excited to announce the launch of a new social group. The group is open to all but also has a particular focus on those who speak English as a second language. ‘Coffee and Conversation’ offers an informal, welcoming environment for individuals to meet others, make friends, practice English and have fun! We also have plans to organise games, activities, trips out and guest speakers for the group. 

This new social group is a result of our successful English classes as following these, many of the women taking part wanted to keep in touch and continue practising their English skills. The sessions will be open to the public and start on Tuesday 25th April 2017 at 10am.

To find out more about ‘Coffee and Conversation’ please contact Rob on 0121 250 0777 or via email at robert.netherway@bsettlement.org.uk.

It’s happy days in our Sutton Coldfield shop with “Birthdays” galore being celebrated.

Four volunteers celebrate Birthdays in April and Shop Manager, Lisa Higgs is awaiting the “birth-day” of her baby.

A get-together was arranged to wish Lisa well as she starts her Maternity Leave and to sing Happy Birthday to our lovely volunteers and thank them for their help and support.  Cathy Wynn, the acting Shop Manager, prepared a delicious spread with lots and lots of cake and fizzy pop and a good time was had by all!

Fancy joining the fun and getting a slice of the next cake? Why not join us as a volunteer? Pop into our shop on Birmingham Road, Sutton Coldfield or check out our website at bit.ly/BSVRA17 to find out more. 

• 10am - Tuesday 25th April: Coffee & Conversation launches
• 9.30am - Tuesday 2nd May: Female only Fitness Class launches

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