The Dorothy Parkes Centre kicked off the new year in style with an action packed January. We reopened on Tuesday 3^rd January with the regular groups and activities and the School Uniform Giveaway returned on Friday 6^th January with a number of families benefitting from free school uniform. On the Saturday, our hardy volunteers braved some awful wet and windy conditions whilst doing the monthly Community Litter Pick.

 

 

The following week, our new Cosy Communities project kicked off on Thursday 12^th January, thanks to funding from Creative Black Country. We hosted our tenth Baby Brunch on Saturday 14^th January, and we resumed Nature Buddies sessions at our Community Allotment following on from a short winter break. On Sunday 15^th January we were delighted to welcome Birmingham Rep and their community tour of Jack and the Magic Beanstalk. We sold 100 tickets to young families at a reduced rate, thanks to funding from the Sir Barry Jackson Trust and everybody appeared to have a great time, oh yes they did.

  

At the end of January, we hosted an Indoor Car Boot Sale with over twenty stalls selling goods including bric-a-brac, clothes, crafts, toys and unwanted Christmas gifts. The event was well attended by people searching for a bargain and it raised £385 for the Centre.

  

 

Behind the scenes, our new Centre Manager, Jodie Griffiths, and Administrator, Trudi Blake, continued to settle into their new respective positions, and all staff completed their annual training. We had good news in regards to funding as our Loss Matters project received an extension grant for 2023 and the Community Offer, in partnership with St Albans, will also be extended into 2023-24.