The idea
Our community has been one of the most affected by the pandemic and needs a place where we can begin to connect again. The WellMind Center will be an anchor for our community offering a number of initiatives to reduce social isolation and support people to live happier more fulfilled lives.
We have tons of space for classes, groups and activities. But we have other things too like cracks in the walls and broken windows. With your support we can raise the funds needed to give the community the safe space it deserves.
When the space is made over, it will host the 'Wearing our Heritage' community project which is in partnership with Walsall College, bringing together groups made up of South Asian, Ghanaian and British-born South Asian women. The groups will be sewing and learning new skills in order to make a fusion fashion outfit related to their heritage.
The groups will work towards the first exhibition to be held at the Centre, the 'Wearing our Heritage' showcase next Summer!
What we'll deliver
- Decoration of the Exercise room
- Host the 'Wearing our Heritage' fashion project sessions
- Host our first exhibition next Summer displaying the 'Wearing our Heritage' outfits
Why it's a great idea
The WellMind Community Center will be a hub for individuals to access to improve their wellbeing and the collective wellbeing of the community that it will serve. The benefits will be as diverse as the wonderful Birchills Leamore community we support and our team will be on hand to help support the achievment of these outcomes and benefits.
Friendships will be forged at a post school run coffee morning. Self-confidence will be regained in a stroke recovery class. Isolation will be challenged in our gardening club. Horizons will be broadened in an English class for non-English speakers.
Beyond these individual benefits the impact will be felt across the community. We see the hub as a means of untapping the potential and awesomeness of the community we serve. As such we can't wait to see the positive shockwaves that having happier, healthier and more personally connected citizens has on the surrounding community.
Steps to get it done
- Decorate the exercise room
Set in the old youth center on Proffitt Street local residents have wondered why a building that holds so many community memories and has so much potential has been closed for so long. As it stands now the building has a lot going for it. We have a working lift so our activities will be accessible. We have an outside space that will hold a wellness garden. We have a beautiful kitchen that will be the place where stories are shared and cups of tea drank. With this makeover it will breathe a new lease of life to the building, so that the community can make use of the space!
