News

Kynton Swingle

Youth Work Week 2024

Staff and young people at Youth Project Acocks Green are proud to be supporting Youth Work Week 2024. This year’s theme focuses on the ’right to youth work for all – delivering positive futures for young people’, highlighting the importance of safe, warm and welcoming spaces for all young people, regardless of their background or identity.

This week we reminisced on the activities and programmes we have delivered over the past 6 years. With the support of funders and partners and families we have been able to offer; Cooking workshops, Trips, social Action, Duke of Edinburgh, HAF summer programmes Girls group and open access at low cost or even free, reducing barriers to access Youth Work. These spaces have been a space for young people to connect and belong; a communal space outside of school for young people to be themselves.

Kynton Swingle, Community Development Manager at Fox Hollies Community Association said, “every young person should have the right to a safe space where they can express themselves, explore their identity and values and have access to opportunities that improve their lives. Since starting this project, we’ve been extremely passionate about trying to make this a reality for as many young people as possible, and with the current challenges young people face, we’re more determined than ever to make it a reality.”

To find out more about our work, head over to our young people’s page on the website or head over to our social media pages.

Kynton Swingle

Fox Hollies Forum Unveils Community-Crafted Remembrance Day Memorial

Fox Hollies Forum is proud to announce the completion of a new Remembrance Day memorial, a collaborative effort by several local community groups. This poignant tribute to those who have served and sacrificed is proudly on display for the whole community to enjoy.

The memorial, a testament to the spirit of community and remembrance, was created through the combined efforts of:

  • Yarn and Yarn: This talented knitting group contributed unique and heartfelt knitted poppies, adding a touch of warmth and colour to the memorial as well as commemorating those who had fallen through decorative soldiers.
  • Acocks Green Men’s Shed: Skilled craftsmen from the Men’s Shed constructed the memorial’s wooden silhouettes, cross and planters.
  • Fox Hollies Forum Gardening Group: The gardening group meticulously cleared the area and completed the planters.
  • Fox Hollies Forum Preschool: The preschool setting contributed artwork with handmade poppies to decorate the piece.

This collaborative project embodies the spirit of remembrance and community engagement. The Fox Hollies Forum invites everyone to join us in honouring those who have served and to pay tribute to their sacrifices.

Terry Smith, Yarn and Yarn knitting group lead said, “Fox Hollies Forum, a community within a community came together to create this installation. It is to remember the service of all those who have defended our freedom and protected our way of life.”

The community installation will be on display at Fox Hollies Forum, Greenwood Avenue throughout the week of Remembrance.

Kynton Swingle

Youth Project Acocks Green Gets Active Thanks to £25,000 People’s Postcode Lottery Grant!

We’re thrilled to announce a fantastic boost for our work with children and young people! Fox Hollies Community Association has received a generous £25,000 grant from the People’s Postcode Lottery, made possible thanks to players of People’s Postcode Lottery.

This vital funding will directly support our efforts to get more young people in Acocks Green and surrounding areas active and healthy. Through exciting new initiatives, we’ll be encouraging participation in physical activities and fostering a sense of belonging for children and young people who may not otherwise have these opportunities.

More Active Futures for Young People

The People’s Postcode Lottery grant will allow us to extend our children and young people to create a behaviour change programme that will positively reinforce physical activity amongst young people. These initiatives go beyond physical health, aiming to build social connections and teamwork amongst young people in our community.

Investing in Our Community

“Thanks to the players of People’s Postcode Lottery, we can continue to make a positive impact in Birmingham,” says Kynton Swingle, Community Development Manager at Fox Hollies. “We are excited to see the positive outcomes this funding will bring for the children and young people we serve.”

About Fox Hollies Community Association

Fox Hollies Community Association, operating our of our community hub, Fox Hollies Forum has ran the Youth Project Acocks Green initiative since 2018, with the aim of making Acocks Green a great place to be a young person. We are dedicated to creating a strong and vibrant community by providing opportunities for connection and belonging. Learn more about us at https://foxholliesforum.com/.

People’s Postcode Lottery: Making a Difference

People’s Postcode Lottery is a fantastic charity lottery that raises millions of pounds every week for good causes across the UK. Learn more about the People’s Postcode Lottery at https://www.postcodelottery.co.uk/.

Kynton Swingle

Great Birmingham Run Success! Huge Thanks to Our Amazing Runners!

On Sunday, May 5th, a fantastic team of staff, volunteers, and even a youth club member from Fox Hollies Forum laced up their running shoes and took on the challenge of the Great Birmingham Run!

We’re incredibly proud of each and every one of them for taking part and raising vital funds to support our work here at the Forum. Their dedication and commitment will directly benefit the children and young people we serve. A big shout-out goes to Jake, Stacey, Izzy and Kynton, who all crossed the finish line with tremendous smiles. Whether they were seasoned runners or complete beginners, their participation makes a huge difference.

Thanks also go to everyone who sponsored our runners. Your generosity means we can continue to provide vital services and activities for our community.

If you missed the chance to sponsor our runners but would still like to donate, you can still donate via: https://gofund.me/3c59896c

We’re already looking forward to the next Great Birmingham Run!

Kynton Swingle

Support our work with Children & Young People

Over the past five years we’ve worked hard to develop our children and young people’s provision under the umbrella of Youth Project Acocks Green.

In that time we’ve worked with hundreds of children and young people, served thousands of meals to those most in need and provided countless hours of fun, support and opportunity.

In pure numbers we’ve:

  • 2193 free meals to children & young people in 2023 alone,
  • We’ve had over 10,000 interactions with young people,
  • Provided over 5000 hours of community volunteering by young people since starting.

But to keep doing that we need your help. Your help to continue providing safe spaces for young people to explore their passions, develop friendships, be themselves, get support.

To support our fundraising campaign, please find the link below to our fundraising page. https://www.gofundme.com/f/save-our-youth-club-support-our-summer

If you want a deeper conversation about how you can support our work, we’d love to hear from you. Contact our Community Development Manager, Kynton Swingle on kyntonswingle@foxholliesforum.com