Perry Common Community Hall is a little treat nestled not far from Conker Island in the midst of…read morePerry Common / Kingstanding. The reason this place is so fab (aside from having had money from Advantage West Midlands, Birmingham City Council and Witton Lodge Community Association which has been used to make an amazing shiny new airy lovely space) is because the staff who work there are just passionate courageous people. You've all seen the knitted bull at the bullring at xmas, and more recently in a Union Flag getup? Well Witton Lodge and Perry Common worked together a couple of YEARS ago and managed to borrow the original lifesize maquette of the bull from it's current owner. It was installed in their carpark for an agreed period of time, during which they motivated local knitters to send in patches of knitting and then cobbled them all together to create a beautiful patchwork coat for the bull. THEY DID IT FIRST! They covered benches on the island, and lamposts and trees, and the residents were all so proud, and local shopkeepers would shoo away anyway picking at the knitting, and it was such a great community cohesion project done with very little money but lots and lots of love! Since then, the teams have continued working together to run other community events in their space and have continued building the social capital of the area! If you fancy popping along to the centre, there are plenty of classes that are run on a regular basis, and the rooms are also available to hire.

A community hall that has had a facelift makes this an even bigger gem than just a good community…read morehall. This one sparkles even brighter because it is supported by the Witton Lodge Community Association, which means right there that it is ran and supported by people from the area. Not only is it a great space with a hall and meeting rooms to hire but the staff are fantastic. They are passionate, helpful and enthusiastic. They are always eager to give new things a try, support people to get something happening in the community, and subside activity during trial periods to determine interest. Nestled in the heart of Perry Common, Kingstanding, on the edge of Conker Island, it is a greta place to visit and if something is happening on the island it's bound to be them that's doing it. They have knitting groups that were the first to fully cover the Bullring Bull, and if there isn't a group for something and there is interest then they'll get it happening. IJoin their Facebook group, find out when they are up to something and turn up and support them.

I've always been accused of being stressful so I decided to take up yoga. Classes were held at the…read moreKings Heath Community Centre. I had never heard of the community centre before, but I was keen to try out their facilities. The yoga classes went very well; I found yoga to be a very relaxing method of meditation and exercise. The facilities at the community centre were very good; the rooms were spacious and the floor was clean. I couldn't find any showering facilities, but that was not a problem because I live close by and could shower at home. The following classes and groups that take place here are as follows- Yoga Children's yoga Weight watchers Stay and play All nations church group Children's dance Circle dance (folk dance) Senior citizens dance Councillor's advice surgeries Home start Rhythm time for babies and toddlers 11+ Tuition Karate Scale model club African Caribbean group

I have been to a few events at Kings Heath Community Centre. In typical council community centre…read morefashion it has quite a boring exterior and interior for that matter, it is by no measure the most inspiring building I have ever looked at. However it seems to host a lot of events, I have been to a few there and I suppose they turn this otherwise boring centre into a valuable resource for the local community - that is essentially what it does, it's not supposed to appear pretty. It is a purely functional building that gives a space to members of the local community who need a space for an event, whatever that event may be.

Formerly known as the Guru Nanak Centre, the Greets Green Community Learning Centre can be used by…read morethe local community. I have used the Community Centre on a couple of occasions and I have been happy with the experience I have had. My mother has also taught aerobics at the Centre and said she was happy having her classes held at the Centre. The Community Centre has a gym and also a room where you can use the computers for internet access. You would need to phone the Centre on the above number to find out about the use of the gym and computers. But every time I have visited the Centre, I have not been disappointed and it pretty spacious. Parking can at times be a nightmare and you may have to pay to park.

Support Staffordshire Lichfield and District is a great third sector organisation which provides…read moredevelopment support and an active volunteer centre in addition to other services. However, this is a review for their meeting rooms. There are a range of meeting rooms available for hire. I use the therapy rooms which are inviting and neutrally decorated. The rooms are in a quiet location at the rear of the building whilst being well heated so your clients will be comfortably warm. The toilets are also clean, well maintained and conveniently positioned within the building. Booking is easy and takes a quick telephone call. There is an inviting reception area with seating and welcoming staff to greet your clients.

Cancer. This is a word that strikes fear into the heart's of every hypochondriac. If you get cancer…read moreyou are in big trouble, it is a horrible illness and it affects the victim and the families and friends of the victim. I remember when why Granddad died of lung cancer; it was an awful painful existence towards at his death. After he died I paradoxically avoided Cancer Research, because it is an insidious disease and research seemed futile. That was a long time ago and now I'm happy to go to their charity shops. This is a particularly good one and has a fine selection of clothes, vinyl and ornaments. Caner research do great work and who knows, maybe one day there will be a cure?

I regularly make donations to this store and the volunteers who work there are friendly and…read morehelpful. They do an eclectic mix of goods and personally I find that they always have a great section of books, for me I enjoy buying a few books and donating them back to the store to sell on again - yes I could use a library but spending some money in a charity shop does help. They also do stock some new products

This building dates back to 1876, when it was used as a junior and infant school. The school closed…read moredown in 1982 and the building was changed and adapted to become the Cradley Heath Community Centre and Citizens Advice Bureau. The centre has two large rooms and two smaller rooms that can be hired for functions, clubs and meetings. It is home to Cradley Heath Model Railway Club and also hosts loads of other activities including dog training sessions, Zumba classes, slimming groups and local councillor surgeries. I really like the building, but I fear that it is getting a bit run down and neglected. The community centre still plays a big part in local life and gets really busy during classes and events. Yet at quieter times, local kids tend to mess about around the building and I once saw one idiot climbing onto the apex of the roof.

I always thought this place was a school, til i saw the adverts for zumba outside on the gates…read more Well it was a school til it became a community centre and home for most the clubs in Cradley. Like the rest of Craldey is looks abit rubbish from the outside, and the inside still looks like a school. Everything here is council funded and in my opinion that means you'll find a leveled very safe and standard service throughout. Avoid if possible.

I've worked with St Basils on a number of occasions, usually in connection with a charity I work…read morewith, which helps put people into work. Each time I have an opportunity that could help any of the young people St Basils look after, the staff have spread the information to their colleagues and before I know it I'm getting calls from them or their clients looking to find out how they can get involved. ST Basils work with young people (up to 25) who are either homeless or indeed are in danger of losing the roof over their head. An active charity, full of energy and enthusiasm and keep to help those who have lost their way a little back onto the path that suits them best. Highly recommend if you can support them in anyway.

This place is your archetypal community centre, providing an important service to the residents of…read morethe Billesley and Yardley Wood area. I used to attend the centre to take my greyhound Tom to dog training classes, the less said about that experience the better. What impressed me was the amount of activities which appeared to be taking place here with the notice board indicating all manner of communal activities scheduled to take place. Whilst the decor itself could do with updating the purpose of the centre is an inherently good one and it is a lead which more local communities should follow.