2018 came to a spectacular end for Halas Sing and Sign and the Dance group. They were requested to perform in Birmingham on 5th December at an NHS event which has led to further bookings later this year – watch this space!
And on 23rd December we were once again part of a wonderfully festive concert at Birmingham Town Hall.
January 2019
We launched our annual quiz in January. Don’t forget to call into the office for your quiz sheet next time you visit us.
Members of the Meeting Place, supported by local artist Sarah Bagshaw, designed a business card to be used by the Sing and Sign and Dance groups to promote their performances. We’re starting to get really quite booked up now so, if you want us to perform at your event, please get in touch soon!
It was lovely when staff and volunteers at Coffee Cups received an email all the way from Canada. This was from a customer who, although he had emigrated 2 years previously, was still apparently missing his Coffee Cups’ breakfasts with black pudding!
Staff at our residential home received a “thank you” from “Cats Protection”. They raised £45 by donating rather than sending each other Christmas cards.
February 2019
The winter weather wasn’t going to stop our Sing and Sign members from getting out and about and they did a great performance for the shoppers in the Cornbow Centre on Dignity Day.
Charlotte and Clare, two members of our senior care team, also had a display board explaining what dignity was and handed out information about this to local shoppers.
On a not so cold February day, a number of people from the Meeting Place enjoyed the Spring like weather on a trip to Waseley Country Park.
You may recall from previous blogs that we ran an Arts Project in 2018 . The artwork started it’s tour of the West Midlands and is now on display in Tipton library. The artists were really proud to see their work on show and this tour will continue around the West Midlands until November
These are some of the venues that we have and are currently exhibiting at, please keep an eye on our website for forthcoming dates and venues.
Start date | End date | Location | Nature | Address |
18 March | 25th March | Walsall College | Display | Littleton Street West, Walsall. WS2 8ES |
1st April | 15th April | West Bromwich Library | Display / Digital | 316 High Street, West Bromwich. B70 8DZ |
15th April | 2nd May | Tipton Library | Display / Digital | Unity Walk, Owen Street, Tipton. DY4 8QL |
2nd May | 30th May | Wolverhampton Central Library | Display | Snow Hill, Wolverhampton. WV1 3AX |
30th May | 13th June | Blakenhall Bob Jones Community Hub | Display | Bromley Street, Blakenhall, Wolverhampton. WV2 3AS |
Halas Supported Employment were thrilled when 2 of our successful job seekers agreed to attend Halesowen College Open Day with us on 26th February. Sean and Luke had previously been students at Halesowen college and first met us at the college Open Day in 2017. Sean now works at Sainsbury’s and Luke has a job with DPD.
March 2019
Halas’ Music Show on 3rd March was a huge success. This was held at Benjamin’s in Halesowen where they always make us really welcome.
On 5th March, Sarah and Sophie attended another college Open Day to talk to students about how Halas Supported Employment could help them find work.
Later in March, Coffee Cups’ staff and volunteers were very excited to get their new accessible till. Coffee Cups is now able to accept payment by card and well as cash.
Some of the coffee shop volunteers had training to help them learn how to use the new till.
As Spring has sprung the Gardening Group members have pulled on their gardening gloves and got out their kneeling pads. All are looking forward to working towards even more bright and beautiful displays this year.
On 19th March a few staff from Halas were asked to present at the Hawne WI meeting. The presenters included Olivia who is an apprentice at Coffee Cups.
After her presentation Olivia said:
When I went to the WI meeting, I spoke to the group and told them what I did at the Coffee shop.
I felt very nervous about meeting the group and doing the presentation. I told them how much I enjoyed my work and what I have learnt.
After this some of the ladies came over to compliment me on my achievements. I felt very proud.
Halas Dance group were invited to perform with Hypa Dance at their show at Dormston school on 23rd March.
April 6th was a busy day. Halas Sing and Sign group took part in Halesfest in Halesowen town centre. Following a quick stop for refreshments they were again performing in the evening at a Concert organised by “Access In Dudley” at Queens Cross Network.
So what next ….
Birmingham City University is hosting this year’s “Positive Choices” conference (which is an annual event for learning disability student nurses and professionals). This year is particularly important as it celebrates 100 years of learning disability nurses being included on the nurse register.
As part of our ongoing and exciting relationship with the learning disability nursing department of Birmingham City University our Dance group and Sing and Sign have been invited to host a workshop with the theme “Let’s get Physical” at their “Positive Choices” conference on 25th April … step aside Olivia Newton John!
On Sunday 23rd June, Ruth has organised a 20 mile bike ride to raise money for Halas. Riders will leave from (and return to) the Bonded Warehouse in Stourbridge stopping for lunch at The Lock Inn Wolverley. A great fun activity for all the family.
For further details go to: https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/fruits-of-the-forest
On 23rd May we are holding a coffee morning at Coffee Cups to promote this event. Please come along, enjoy a delicious cake and coffee with us and book yourself a place on the bike ride to work it off!
On 9th June, our Sing and Sign choir will again be part of the Community Spirit concert held in Symphony Hall.
For more information about this project and to get tickets for this years performance, please use the following link
https://www.thsh.co.uk/get-involved/projects/community-spirit
28th June is “Care Home Open Day” and Halas Homes will be opening its doors to the local community.
As in previous years, we are looking forward to a busy day with lots going on for everyone’s entertainment. This is will include the exhibition from our Arts Project, performances from the drama group and local choir and other activities including golf and tombola
Finally, and as always, an enormous thank you to all our fantastic staff and volunteers who make all of this possible and are a credit to our organisation.