Last week was a super busy, but amazingly fun, time for the team at Norton Hall Children & Family Centre.

THURSDAY we litter picked as part of the Keep Britain Tidy spring clean.

FRIDAY we had two parties for Eid2025!

One for our youngest children who come to our Sunflower Nursery, followed by an afternoon community garden party for, well, everyone!

SATURDAY we had the absolute pleasure of opening the garden gate on our new WASH project based at Ward End Park House. We proudly welcomed local people and families to explore the green space that is 'connecting communities with nature' in the heart of Ward End.

So, what is the WASH?

It's a community-led growing garden with small orchard, outdoor firepit and campfire conversation circle, forest school skills area and wildlife pond in the heart of East Birmingham.

Our experienced and friendly leaders, working in partnership with The Friends of Ward End Park, shared free family activities such as Plant a Pot, cooking in our outdoor Pizza oven, chalk drawing of a Gratitude Gallery, and nature-inspired portraits from environmental artis Jaimie Jackson.

Visitors (over 250 visitors!) enjoyed tours of Ward End Park House, also known as the White House, to learn about its history and the remaking of this impressive Grade II listed building.

Karolina Medwecka-Piasecka, shared her thoughts, "Birmingham City Council's East Birmingham Inclusive Growth Team made a commitment to build stronger local economy and empower community to be an integral part of that process. Making better use of our assets, supporting local organisations and local entrepreneurs and creating local jobs are some of our key priorities. Investing in Ward End Park House and bringing it back to use is the first step on this journey."

The sun shone, the bhangra drums played, children played and there were happy faces everywhere... particularly those enjoying lunch and cake at our Lakeside Café.

What we saw was community cohesion at its best, and a fabulous few days of community-led B8 events!

Immense thanks extend to local partnership who shared this community inspired afternoon with us including Birmingham City Council, Saheli Hub, Loconomy, B8 Network, LTA Tennis for Britain, Cooperative Futures, Hodge Hill Arts Forum, Active Birmingham, the Unity Hubb and Ward End Wellbeing Centre, along with our WASH partners Birmingham & Black Country Wildlife Trust, New Leaf Sustainable Development and The Friends of Ward End Park.

Thanks to National Lottery players, Norton Hall Children and Family Centre has received almost £600,000 from The National Lottery Community Fund, the largest community funder in the UK.