Befriending Services
Opnocs
Opnocs works to alleviate loneliness and social isolation of older people. They primarily serve south Birmingham. They have volunteer befrienders who visit or phone citizens on a weekly basis. Sometimes the citizens supported get together for a meal or afternoon tea. In addition, there are regular trips and events throughout the year. There are also weekly coffee mornings and chair yoga in Kings Heath.
Email: info@opnocs.org
Tel: 07951 737875
Benefits Advice
Spitfire Advice Services
Benefits advice for the North of Birmingham
Tel: 0121 747 2932
Citizens Advice
Benefits advice for the South of Birmingham and East Birmingham
Tel: 0344 477 1010
Birmingham Settlement
Benefits advice for West and Central Birmingham
Tel: 0121 250 0765
Alternatively, contact Birmingham City Council’s Contact Centre for a range of advice (welfare benefits, council tax, housing & more) on 0121 216 3030.
Dementia Services
Alzheimer's Society
Singing sessions held online and face to face by Alzheimer's Society brings people with dementia together, in a safe and friendly environment.
Tel: 0333150 3456
Email: coventry@alzheimers.org.uk
For face to face sessions.
Tel: 0333 150 3456
Email: Birminghamandsolihull@alzheimers.org.uk
Employment Advice
Clarion
Clarion can offer benefits calculation, interview technique, clothing support, employability support and in work support for Northfield Constituents.
Tel: 0121 411 2157.
MENCAP Employ Me Birmingham
Free employment support for young people with learning disabilities between the ages of 18-24. Starting from the 26th February. The programmes offer a range of workshops in CV writing, skills development, and
confidence building. For more information:
Email: Jamila.augustus@mencap.org.uk
Tel: 07929 724174
Email: ricki.sidhu@mencap.org.uk
Tel: 07977 033665
Energy Advice
Macmillans
Macmillans energy advice team can help families with their heating and energy problems. They provide support from benefits advice to cash grants.
Tel: 0808 808 00 00 Monday to Friday 9am – 8pm.
https://www.macmillan.org.uk/cancer-information-and-support/get-help/financial-help/energy-advice
Equipment
MAPS
Remap is a charity that helps disabled people of all ages to live more independent lives. Their network of skilled designers create bespoke solutions for for equipment that doesn't exist on the standard market. All items are funded free of charge. For a referral visit:
https://www.remap.org.uk/referral-form/
Family Services
Home Start Birmingham
Home-Start Birmingham operate an open referral policy. Ensuring that support is available to any family who is experiencing stress or difficulty and has at least one child under the age of five. To make a referral visit:
https://www.homestartbirmingham.co.uk/referrers/
Food Banks
Your Local Pantry
Members pay a small weekly fee, typically £3.50, for which they can choose at least ten items of food each week, along with additional opportunities of volunteering and training. For more information:
https://www.yourlocalpantry.co.uk/find-a-pantry/
Gardening
Gardening with Disabilities Trust
The Gardening with Disabilities Trust was created to help people with disabilities back into their gardens. They do this by means of small grants to cover all kinds of adaptations or equipment. For more information:
info@gardeningwithdisabilitiestrust.org.uk
Thrive
A FREE gardening project in Kings Heath Park. Open to citizens aged 50+. To register or for more information:
Email: birmingham@thrive.org.uk
Hoarding Advice
Clouds End
Clouds End works on the development of multi-agency hoarding groups (consisting of a tailored group of external individuals/organisations, from psychiatrists to cleaning companies, that will help in an individual’s progress in clearing their hoarded property), and has helped establish self-help groups across the UK, running 4 of them locally in Birmingham. For more information go to: https://www.cloudsend.org.uk
Hot Meals
The Food Cycle Birmingham
Enjoy the company of other citizens from your local area over a delicious meal, prepared with care by FoodCycle volunteers. Everyone is welcome,regardless of background or circumstances. No referral needed.
Kingstanding, Saturdays 1pm at The 610 Centre, 610 Kingstanding Road, B44 9SH
West Heath, Sundays 1pm at West Heath Community Centre, Condover Road, B31 3QY
Aston, Sundays 1.30pm at Birmingham Settlement,359-361 Witton Road, B6 6NS
Falcon Lodge, Mondays 3.30pm at Falcon Lodge Community Centre, Churchill Road, B75 7LB
Longbridge, Mondays 7.30pm at Longbridge Methodist Church, 1654-1658 Bristol Rd South, B45 9TY
Walsall Green Lane, Wednesdays 7.30pm, Green Lane Baptist Church, Burrow Street, WS2 8NX
Mental Health Support
The Mental Health Recovery Hub Groups
The Mental Health Recovery Hub Groups consist of 24 peer led support groups located at various venues across Birmingham. There is no cost to attend the groups but some groups take a small donation for refreshments. Outings and meals cost but attending is optional
Email: Mohammed.B.Khan@birmingham.gov.uk
Talking Space
Talking Space offers an out of hours, safe space to chat with intervention workers about low moods,anxiety and suicidal thoughts. Open to anyone 18+. By appointment only.
Tel: 0121 262 3555
Email: help@birminghammind.org
Older Adult Services
Age Concern
Information and Advice from claiming benefits to finding the right residential care, their friendly team of dedicated staff and volunteers, provide free, independent advice and support with welfare benefits, pension advice, housing, completing forms and later life planning.
Tel: 0121 437 0033
Pharmacy
Pharmacy Care Matters
Community pharmacist Kirpal does home visits, provides blister packs and automatic pill dispensers. He can review medication and advise. He liaises with GP's regarding booster jabs. He will undertake home visits for vulnerable adults in need of flu jabs.
Tel: 0121 449 0089
