Past Projects

'It's a Cracker' by The Good Yarners (2022)

Over the Christmas holidays in 2022 our ‘The Good Yarners’ group yarn bombed 16 post box toppers and we created a Step and Smile Challenge trail around Brandwood to encourage people to walk, run or cycle and explore the area as well as admire the artworks.

This project was part of our Laughter Lines programme funded by Sports England as part of the Active Communities scheme.

'Happiness is...' by The Good Yarners (2023)

What makes you
smile? What makes you feel happy?

This is the
question we asked our Good Yarners group and here is what they crafted for a
trail launched on International Day of Happiness in March 2023. Each topper
also has a sound track and a few words… find out more!

This project was part of our Smiles in Brandwood project funded by Selly Oak Neighbourhood Network Scheme.

Door Huggers
(2022)

We wanted to do something practical to help people during the energy crisis and also reuse the wonderful crochet and knitted flowers made by the lovely crafters for the Brighten Up Brandwood yarn bomb. 

 

We made and gave away ‘door huggers!’ AKA draft excluders. A really effective way of blocking off drafts under doors and keeping the heat in your room. Practical acts of kindness self-funded by Our Scene CIC.

Planter Power (2022)

For twelve weeks we ran a community DIY build & environmental improvement project for the over 50s. Our Pallet to Planter project started in late February.  We reclaimed wood and repurposed it to build 44 planters which we then gave away! 

We then delivered planters all over the area for residents to adopt and grow small wildflower meadows in their front gardens and driveways (‘pit stops’ for pollinators) – so everyone gets to enjoy the blooms – especially the bees.

Understanding Brandwood (2022)

At the beginning of 2022 we teamed up with the local Neighbourhood Network Scheme to do some community engagement and activity planning work which included a resident survey, face to face meetings and some focus group discussions. We wanted to understand what matters to people living in Brandwood’s neighbourhoods, what social connections people enjoy and need, and how many people identified as experiencing loneliness. Most importantly we tried to understand what projects and activities residents were interested in and how we could help reduce social isolation. This work is helping to shape our plans moving forward. 

Brighten Up Brandwood (2022)

Between May and August 2022 we are ran a project to shine a spotlight on all the brilliant places and people who live in the Brandwood area, brighten up our streets with creativity and wildflower meadows and bring people
together at events, workshops and community litter picks.

Together we wanted to put our little corner of South Birmingham on the map, encourage people to get talking and give the rest of the city something to talk about!