‘There is such a need out there. Young people’s lives are being ruined as we speak but Building 4 Hope is working, lives are being transformed and it’s an incredible privilege to be part of it’
Kevin Byrne – AMCIPD, MinstLM (Founder)
Events
9th July: Jeremy presents … a musical afternoon – tickets on sale shortly!
17th September at 6pm: Family Beetle Drive, a fun evening with supper.
21st October: Musical evening with Shirley Community Gospel Choir
19th November: Quiz with supper.
3rd December: Out of The Blue Concert
21 January 2023: Charley Branson and Friends – a musical eventing
18 March 2023: A GRAND AUCTION!
Several people have enquired how they can make donations. Bank transfers, quoting Building4Hope, cheques and cash are welcome, or why not use the donate button here and choose Building4Hope.
Wednesday 1st June: 3.30 pm Jubilee Celebration
Ninety-nine revellers poured into the church with red, white and blue dresses, jackets,waistcoats and many a hat or fascinator. The entertainment was provided by the Ladies Contact Choir with their Director of Music Lucila Lang and accompanied by
Jean Hamilton on piano. They sang a varied programme of songs that were the Queen’s favourites and songs from the shows. A great start to our celebrations. Then there were the scones with accompanying jam and cream and of course, the tea and coffee! Thank you, Soupatalks for hosting this celebration and for baking all those scones! A good time was had by all!
The Great Birmingham Run 2022 took place on 1st May and Allen ran well. In fact, he ran so well that Molly is regretting promising to sponsor him a LARGE amount if he beat a certain time! There is nothing like an incentive! There is still time to sponsor him so let’s make sure he raises a wonderful sum of money for this year’s church project. You can donate using the Building4Hope Project Button Here or contact the church office on 0121 705 7367.
MUSIC FOR A SPRING AFTERNOON
We were delighted that so many people attended ‘Music for a Spring Afternoon’ on 23rd April. What a joy to see the church so full! It was also a great pleasure to welcome Kevin Byrne, the founder of Building4Hope, who was able to join us. The Robson Duo filled the church with the music of Moszkowski, Borodin, Tchaikovsky and Addinsell and gave us an afternoon of pure delight, followed by hot drinks and delicious cakes in the Community Hall. Warmest thanks to all who came along, and to our wonderful team of cake makers, who enabled us to raise the wonderful total of £1,160 for Building4Hope.
LET THEM EAT CAKE
Members of our church family going across to the Community Hall for refreshments after morning worship on April 24th were in for a treat. Freddie and his friend Thomas had organised a Cake Sale to raise funds for Building4Hope. There had been a flurry of baking in preparation and cakes and delights of every size and flavour, from lemon drizzle cake to flapjacks to fudge, were on offer. The few cakes remaining at the end of the morning were sold to neighbours at home. With the support and generosity of their customers, a final grand total of £150 was raised. Well done to Freddie and Thomas, and thanks also to their parents for their support.
FOOD, GLORIOUS FOOD
The first event was well attended with a hall full of people enjoying the Ploughman’s lunch and it was good to share fellowship and food together. Thanks go to the people who baked cake to enjoy with our lunch. A total of £373.79 got our fundraising off to an encouraging start.
Building4Hope is a small local charity in Shirley, set up in 2017, to offer a new beginning to disadvantaged and vulnerable young adults aged 16-25. Their primary focus is on disadvantaged young people who are no longer in the education system, not working or being trained for work., aged between 16 – 25 yrs living in and around Birmingham and Solihull. Building4Hope is focused on candidates who generally have few academic qualifications and low self esteem. It gives them the opportunity to gain training and education which they would otherwise not be able to access.
Kevin Byrne set up Building4Hope after working for many years in a mainstream college as a head of school. He saw many individuals struggle to complete their courses and many more prevented from applying as they did not meet the college’s entry requirements. Many students come with learning barriers, personal issues and family situations which impact on their ability to engage with any form of education.
The courses focus on the skills needed in the construction industry, but the lecturers look beyond these skills, supporting their students in their studies, personal life and on into their careers. Currently Building4Hope is in a position to train 20 students per year but as the charity’s reputation has grown, so have the list of referrals and waiting list of learners. Their aim is to expand to 30 students per year.
Find out more about Building4Hope here
Project Aim
However, this cannot happen without financial support. And that is where we want to help. Our aim as a church family is to raise £10,000 so please give us your help. There will be a programme of events (Covid permitting) which will appeal to all ages. Please get involved, suggest ideas for fundraising, come and support the events, invite the wider community and, of course, remember the project in your prayers.
We have a core team of eight members and hope to co-opt support from many more as we begin to plan events. Want to know more or offer help? Please contact us.