Unused church hall sought by the Active Wellbeing Society

During the Covid-19 pandemic, the Active Wellbeing Society’s #BrumTogether project has been Birmingham’s coalition of voluntary, community and faith groups, for essential supplies and support. The network included more than 80 partner organisations working together to provide those most in need with essential support and services. This has involved co-ordinating and delivering food parcels, hot meals, hygiene products, clothing, baby supplies and children’s activity packs to families.

The AWS is now scaling down the #BrumTogether emergency food deliveries, but has secured funding from the Lottery to put together more food parcels for the most vulnerable in Birmingham over the next eight to ten weeks. However, the AWS has to vacate its temporary home at the Aston Students Union by Friday 28 August, because the Students Union requires the building from then.

Therefore the AWS has to find a new packing and distribution venue as quickly as possible, in order to be able to arrange set-up during the week beginning Monday 24 August, to enable packing and delivery to continue from Tuesday 1 September.

The AWS is looking for a community venue such as a church hall where no other activities are taking place. The hall should have access to the site in terms of opening times. It should be secure and close to transport links for volunteers who will be arriving by bus. There should be adequate parking and unloading space, to allow off-loading a large van and bringing pallets of food straight into the building. The hall should be free of pests, and have facilities such as a small kitchen, toilets and tables. The minimum amount of packing and storage space should be 5,000 square feet. The venue must be easy to maintain in terms of avoiding damage to any flooring, frontages, walls and doors, though the AWS would make good any damage incurred while using the venue.

It would be also useful if any potential site might be available over the longer-term, in case a regional/national lockdown is imposed and #BrumTogether food operations have to recommence.

More information the Active Welfare Society and the #BrumTogether project can be found HERE. With offers of help, contact AWS Quality and Governance Lead Andrew Richardson at THIS ADDRESS.