Spring Round-up

Now that summer is truly in full swing and we are enjoying warmer days, we wanted to take a look back at what has been happening over the last few months at SJMT.

VE Day 80

VE Day 80 was cause for major celebrations across all of our schemes, with residents and staff eager to come together and mark this historic occasion.

Mason Court hosted an all-day party, which concluded with a delightful afternoon tea. Mason House hosted an indoor street party featuring a variety of homemade cakes. Some residents tried wartime food, including beef dripping sandwiches. They were met with a mixed reaction!

Welcoming visitors to Mason House

We were delighted to welcome Christine and Hilary from Blossomfield (Solihull) U3A, as well as Daniel Talbot from West Midlands Police, to Mason House recently.

Christine and Hilary came along to talk about the activities available to residents in our local area.

These include book clubs, history talks, walking groups, and many more activities to help residents thrive, maintain a healthy mind and body, and combat loneliness.

Daniel Talbot, our local West Midlands Police PCSO, attended a residents' meeting to distribute goodies and offer helpful advice.

Residents’ Scrutiny Panel - relaunch

Our new Residents' Scrutiny Panel, launched in April, was attended by residents from six local housing providers, including representatives from SJMT and Yardley Great Trust.

The initiative empowers residents by bringing them together to share ideas and influence change in areas that impact their lives, including policies and procedures.

The group will meet monthly at various schemes, giving them the opportunity to explore and gain more ideas for their own homes. Please speak to a staff member if you’d like more information.

Shine update

Young people from our Shine Project got together with residents from Mason Cottages for a friendly pool and darts tournament.

Everyone had a great time, and it was an essential and meaningful opportunity for our young people to spend time in a safe, intergenerational space with our residents.

Mason Cottages won this time, so Shine has challenged them to a rematch soon.

Shine’s weekly Craft and Connect group were proud to have some of their work displayed in Chelmsley Wood Library. The group is for young adults experiencing mental health challenges, and those who take part in the sessions have built their own supportive community.

One group member said:

“I am so happy that I have found this group and that I have found Shine. For the first time since moving into supported accommodation, I feel like I belong to a group; I’m not tagging along. I can make friends that are not just online.”

We’re delighted to have begun a new partnership with Transport for West Midlands, offering free and discounted travel to support young people with bus travel across the West Midlands.

We often hear about the difficulties our young people face with travel expenses, so this is an essential and very welcome way to support their independence and social networks, helping them to build their aspirations.

A big well done to Helen and Simon

Lastly, we’d like to congratulate our Shine Supporters, Helen and Simon, who recently completed a CACHE Level 2 Certificate in Counselling Skills through Solihull College.