Retrofit Balsall Heath

Please note slight timing change 12-2pm (rather than 11.30am -1.30pm) for our first pop-up Retrofit session at St Paul’s Venture next Tuesday, 23 June 🏡 with Pop corn making, badge making, flag making for the Balsall Heath Community Festival (walking east/west procession Sunday 5 July)

Home 🏡 Retrofit sessions are popping up in local parks across Balsall Heath in July. Please pop along to one AND/Or join us for the East/West Retrofit Walking Procession with drums, banners and flags Sunday 5 July - meet in Balsall Heath Park 11am. Depart 12 noon 🥁 🚶🏽‍♀️👩🏽‍🦽 🏠 🚶🏽‍♂️

More details here:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1QeSD1SNnC1iGFM6ni3fs2dcMMH6awLAFhLPkHJHV-H8/edit?usp=drivesdk

Our Garden - Sacred Spaces of Balsall Heath Balsall Heath Local History Society Balsall Heath City Farm Friends of Balsall Heath Park - FBHP Saheli Hub Extinction Rebellion Birmingham Fruit & Nut Village KSIMC of Birmingham Muslim Students House Bahu Trust UK ChangeKitchen CIC Jericho Foundation

Book your free tickets here for the People's Emergency Briefing at The Old Print Works, Balsall Heath on Saturday 13 June 2026.

Book your free tickets here:
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/peoples-emergency-briefing-balsall-heath-tickets-1990527996822

Across the UK, communities are screening this powerful new 50 minute film about the climate and nature crisis and what it means for all of us, along with positive action we can take. It's also about conversation as communities come together. Whether you're curious to know more, or already involved, all are welcome.

Join us for our screening followed by a discussion and free cake provided by Change Kitchen CIC at:

The Old Print Works, 498-506 Moseley Road, Balsall Heath, Birmingham, B12 9AH

17 Saturday 13th June 2026
4.30pm to 6.30pm (Doors 4.15pm)

The Mix Community Cafe is open before the screening.

Recommended for age 16+

Please share widely, especially with local leaders, MPs and councillors.

For more information see www.nebriefing.org

1990s recollections of the editor - Balsall Heathan Ollie volunteering at the Balsall Heathan was the perfect opportunity community reporting - as editor, writer, page planner and distributor

Retrofit Balsall Heath is taking part in Balsall Heath Community Festival 2026 We’re inviting local residents to join us in a procession traversing Balsall Heath from east to west; from Balsall Heath Park to Calthorpe Park, on Sunday 5 July. We’re going to be carrying banners made in workshops with local artist Thakoordin celebrating the strength and resilience of Balsall Heath’s vibrant community.
Retrofit Balsall Heath recently hosted a workshop with Jane to specifically make a “Retrofit” themed banner which will have its first outing on 5 July.
Retrofit is a technical term which means making good,“fit” buildings from existing buildings. We are applying this approach to homes, neighbourhoods, hearts and minds: making good and better what we have already.
Join us for all or part of the procession: for the beginners drumming workshop in Balsall Heath Park, to see the historical exhibition of Balsall Heath Carnival, for the model “Wendy” house retrofit street performance in George St Park - where we will demonstrate how to install insulation, draughtproofing, and renewable energy production (solar panels and heat pumps) in local homes to reduce energy bills and improve health and wellbeing.

For more info about the Festival check out: https://balsallheathan.org/balsall-heath-community-festival/

Our “Retrofit” banner making workshop … coming together for Balsall Heath Community Festival 3-13 July 2026

Our “Retrofit Balsall Heath” banner-making workshop with @janethakoordin_ Coming together for Balsall Heath Community Festival 3-13 July #balsallheathcf @believeinbalsallheath

We have a few places still available for our free banner making workshop for over 12s, youth, and adults, at The Old Printworks, Moseley rd, TOMORROW Friday 29 May, 2-4pm Lunch/refreshments from 1pm
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1_uXx0M3ymmlN4JRIbotAYyYNAGA1kjCI9e25cLcM28M/edit?usp=drivesdk

Please get in touch to find out more or book a place: [email protected]

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The Old Print Works
Saheli Hub
Muslim Students House
Balsall Heath City Farm
Balsall Heath Local History Society
Fruit & Nut Village
KSIMC of Birmingham
Bahu Trust UK

At Retrofit Balsall Heath, we welcome the hope that the new Renters’ Rights Bill brings for tenants seeking greater security and stability in their homes. Safe, secure housing is fundamental to healthy communities, and stronger protections have the potential to make a meaningful difference to people’s lives.

It is therefore deeply concerning to see reports of some landlords seeking to evict tenants before these changes come into force. At the heart of our work is a commitment to housing equality, community wellbeing, and the belief that everyone deserves the security of a place they can truly call home.

We stand in solidarity with those affected and with all renters facing uncertainty at this time. Progress in housing should never come at the cost of pushing people into insecurity. A fairer housing system must be rooted in dignity, compassion, and long-term stability for all.

‘Everyone was in tears’: the tenants given eviction notices just before ban in England Shock and fears for future, including possible homelessness, after landlords rushed to issue section 21 notices before 1 May