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A look back from the Morsbag Group and its first pop-up shop at JQ Festival

The Birmingham Scrapstore Morsbag Group was invited to take part in the Jewellery Quarter Festival on 29th and 30th July 2017.

A talking point: Antique sewing machines

We had a great spot for our workshops, in the foyer of the Big Peg, and had a wonderful display of our newly acquired antique sewing machines, which were a great talking point for many people who were reminiscing about watching grannies and parents who used to use the wonderful old machines.

Korbond, the UK’s leading brand for haberdashery, crafting and clothes care supplies resources for the Festival.

We intended to run a workshop to demonstrate the making of Morsbags and talk about why we are involved in this great movement, however, adults and children were so interested in the workshop that they asked if they could make a bag too, providing an opportunity for most to use a sewing machines for the first time. All the fabric used was from The Scrapstore Birmingham or the Group’s own resources, these had been cut into kits by our super volunteers and staff.

Attendees at the event included children as young as seven having a go and making their own bag, and both male and female adults were sewing for the first time.

High profile visitors

We also had a visit from Jenny Taylor, star from The Great British Sewing Bee television programme, who supported visitors in making their bags.

In addition, Rosie Eley, who has been responsible for the production of over 50,000 Morsbags, also visited us at the Festival.

Put to good use

We gave away 249 Morsbags in total, 87 of which were made over the weekend, which proved to be a great success.

The bags that were left over from the weekend are going to The Real Junk Food Project in Birmingham, which will mean that individuals won’t need to ask people to use plastic carrier bags to take away the food on offer.

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Superheroes, space, transport and under the sea at The Pod

BPCN is currently delivering the summer Play in Parks project across parks, recreational spaces and community centres across Birmingham.

We were very privileged to deliver at The Pod in Nechells to children aged 4-11 years old over our second week of activity with fantastic artists Adrienne and Kirsty from We are Frilly.

Arts and crafts

Each day incorporated a different theme with use of The Scrapstore Birmingham materials to make arts and craft based creations. Becky Coley at Birmingham PlayCare Network said:

“Children were able to make shark hats, superhero costumes, cars and UV art throughout the week. Staff, parents and children were inspired by the art created and loved participating in the sessions.”

Thank you

BPCN would like to give a big thank you to the The Pod for letting us get involved with their fantastic scheme, we can’t wait to work with you again soon.

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Children’s Quarter partners with Birmingham City University and puts call out for survey responses

Children’s Quarter (CQ) is an emerging cooperative of thirty independent organisations establishing  a shared ethos for delivering, supporting, expanding and campaigning for community services to benefit children and young people who are at risk of social exclusion due to disability or any additional need and to supporting their families.

What does Children’s Quarter want to achieve?

Birmingham needs more local, affordable, customised, responsive, community- based services for children and young people with disabilities or who have experienced mental health challenges or emotional and social trauma.  Driven by a commitment to equality CQ will SHARE skills, funds, human and physical resources with parity across large and small providers committed to inclusion.

“Every child is our gift, our judge and our future and those most at risk require our best investmentOne quarter of Birmingham’s one million citizens are children and young people.  One quarter of them have disabilities or additional needs”

How can you help?

CQ is partnering with Birmingham City University’s Centre for the Study of Practice and Culture in Education (CSPACE) to map and audit existing provision in advance of our launch on Monday 20th November, United Nations Universal Children’s Day.  The launch has already drawn support from key national and local service leads.

Please could we ask you to complete the survey – password to access is – children

 

Many thanks from the Board of Children’s Quarter