Our team at Witton Lodge recently had the pleasure of hosting Councillor Mariam Khan, Cabinet Member for Health and Social Care, and Jo Tonkin, Interim Director of Public Health for Birmingham City Council. We were delighted to welcome these guests for an insightful tour of our three key hubs, getting a firsthand look at the lifechanging work we do within our community.

Our guests began their visit at Perry Common Community Hall, where Debbie Bates, Head of Operations, provided an overview of Witton Lodge’s diverse services, highlighting our crucial work in areas such as Health and Wellbeing, Employment and Skills, and Information, Advice and Guidance.

A standout feature of the presentation was the importance of our Health and Wellbeing Hub on Erdington High Street. This vital community resource welcomed over 4,000 visitors between April 2023 and March 2024. We proudly showcased our collaborative approach, partnering with organisations like Shelter, Birmingham City Council Adult Social Care, and Occupational Therapists to address our residents’ diverse needs and work towards reducing health inequalities.

During the discussion, Chief Officer Afzal Hussain and Resident Chair Linda Hines MBE shared the remarkable efforts of the Covid Task Force. With the invaluable support of our dedicated staff, volunteers, and the late Jack Dromey, we kept our doors open when many other community organisations were forced to close. This allowed us to provide crucial wellbeing support to our community during the challenging and scary times of the pandemic.

The round table discussion also touched on our work as a community landlord, with Witton Lodge Community Homes managing over 206 homes. Our recent property transformation in Court Farm Road was discussedonce-derelict property that has been renovated and transformed into a much-loved home. Today, it’s occupied by a local family whose lives have been positively transformed by this initiative, demonstrating the tangible impact of our work in the community.

The tour continued to Sycamore Court; our 40-apartment assisted living complex where Homes and Assets manager Gareth Hopkins showcased the vibrant community life there.  We enjoyed catching a lively game of Bingo and meeting residents and the fantastic Hot Stuff kitchen team preparing lunch!

The visit concluded with a tour of Witton Lakes Eco Hub, a shining example of community-led regeneration. Linda proudly shared the remarkable journey of transforming a once-abandoned Park Keeper’s Cottage into a thriving eco-friendly community and environmental hub. This project, made possible with the support of funders and Birmingham City Council, showcases our commitment to sustainable community development and the power of asset transfers in the city.

During the visit, Councillor Khan had the pleasure of meeting some of our dedicated volunteers, including Denis, our amazing 96-year-old local resident and volunteer who runs the weekly chess club at the Eco Hub. Denis’s inspiring story of overcoming social isolation through volunteering really resonated with Councillor Khan, highlighting the transformative power of community engagement. We are thrilled to have Denis in our Volunteering Team at Witton Lodge, his commitment to running the chess club at such an inspirational age really exemplifies the positive impact our Eco Hub has on individuals and the wider community.

Take a look at what Councillor Khan thought of the visit below.