Mini-Newsletter 2015 no.24

 
Thursday 12th November: Birmingham Christian Homelessness Forum meeting  from 10.30am to 12noon at The Church at Carrs Lane. Colin Marsh (Birmingham Churches together) will talk about the new website “Standing in the Gaps” and the possibility of a homelessness networking/connecting event in Birmingham. Our Chair, Neil Johnson, will be feeding back on the recent Homelessness Accreditation day that was run by Birmingham City Council. If you are unable to attend please send an update on your work to:    
Emma Neill, Shelter Project Coordinator, on 07584426841 or Email e.neill@housingjustice.org.uk or shelters@housingjustice.org.uk
 
Saturday 14th November: “Focus on Volunteer-Led Groups” from 10am to 1pm. in the Holy Cross Centre, Upper St John’s Street, Lichfield.
Caritas Archdiocese of Birmingham Holy as part of its mission to support this work and to share good practice, has invited five different groups from around the Archdiocese that are all volunteer led to share their experience with others. The five groups will be placed at five tables in the centre and those who come will have the opportunity to move around each of the tables to listen to and talk to those who run these groups. The groups are:

• The Solihull Welcome – where volunteers offer hospitality and support to destitute asylum seekers and refugees.
• The Starfish group – an ecumenical group based in a Catholic Church centre in Tamworth who provide a welcome and breakfast to vulnerable isolated people in the community, some of whom experience mental health issues.
• A new Bereavement support group – working ecumenically, and with local funeral undertakers and a local hospice, this group based in a Church centre offer support to those recently bereaved.
• Tuesday Club in the parish of St Anthony’s, Kingshurst– started by local parishioners and running for some time this group of volunteers provide a much needed service that supports isolated older people.
• A Life support group – how a group of local volunteers support the work of Life in all its many aspects

To register please E-mail  admin@caritas-aob.org.uk or write to Caritas AOB, St George’s House, Gerards Way,Coleshill B46 3FG.
 
Saturday 21st November: Conference on ‘Human Rights and Faith Perspectives’
from 11am to 4pm in the Council Room, MA Building, University of Wolverhampton, Wulfruna Street, WV1 1LY.
This conference will explore approaches to human rights from a number of faith based perspectives. It will bring together academics, activists and the general public to share their experiences and to discuss effective strategies from a diversity of religious traditions and communities when addressing and campaigning around issues concerning human rights.
 
This is a free event and lunch will be provided. Places can be booked by either

• Registering through Eventbrite at https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/conference-on-human-rights-and-faith-perspectives-tickets-19077082066?aff=es2   OR
• By sending an email to Dr Opinderjit Kaur Takhar, FHEA, Senior Lecturer in Religious Studies,University of Wolverhampton at O.Takhar@wlv.ac.uk to register your interest and any other information you require.