St Joseph to Open New Community Hub in Ladywood

St Joseph, the newly announced development partner for the regeneration of the Ladywood Estate, has helped safeguard the future of the Ladywood Community Project, which has been supporting the community for almost 40 years, by providing office and events space within a new hub in Ladywood. 

The 5,000 sq.ft community space will provide a new home for the Ladywood Community Project. The Ladywood Project supports thousands of local people with financial advice, advocacy and vital provisions. It is currently housed in the Ladywood Health and Community Centre, which is under threat of closure as part of changes to the Council’s budget. 

The Community Hub will also be the on-site home of the St Joseph project team and a regular base for consultation and engagement with the community.  

Birmingham City Council confirmed St Joseph as the development partner for the Ladywood Estate regeneration project last week.

The new Community Hub will be based at Botany Walk in the former Council neighbourhood office. The developer will invest in upgrading the building, creating a new flexible community space and other facilities that can be used for events and other community activities.

St Joseph has leased the building from the Council for a minimum of five years. A new permanent Community Hub will be built as part of regeneration works longer term. 

Stephen Kirwan, Managing Director, St Joseph said: “Our new Community Hub at Botany Walk will be a modern, multipurpose space for local people. 

“The Ladywood Community Project provides vital support and services to residents and we have been working with the team there to ensure they can continue to deliver their vital work by providing them with a new space.

“We are committed to supporting the Ladywood community and the new Hub is a key part of how we plan to work hand in hand with residents. With our team based in the Hub, we will be there to provide updates and information on the regeneration, but we also want it to be somewhere people can come to access support, services or just meet up.” 

Caron Hallahan, Co-Ordinator at Ladywood Community Project added: “The new Botany Walk hub will be a place for the community to gather, access support and influence regeneration plans for the Ladywood Estate.
 
“The Ladywood Community Project has provided vital support to the community for nearly 40 years. After a worrying time, this commitment by St Joseph means we, and others, can continue our work. It was important to us to remain in the centre of Ladywood and be a constant, visible presence for anyone who needs help. Being based at Botany Walk means we will be here when people need us.”

Work on the building is due to begin over summer with the new centre scheduled to open later this year. St Joseph is currently working with the Ladywood Community Project to ensure they have appropriate accommodation following the threat to their existing home. 

St Joseph recently launched a new Ladywood community website, an email and a telephone number to support residents. 

The new community website, www.ladywoodcommunity.co.uk will provide the latest news, events, and information as the project progresses. Residents can also get in touch by email at ladywoodcommunity@stjosephhomes.co.uk and telephone on 0800 368 7592. Both will be staffed Monday to Friday, 9am – 5pm for any queries. 

Residents will be contacted directly with further information about upcoming events and ways to get involved in shaping plans for the area.