People who visit the Nechells Pod said friendships formed at the community centre have helped them survive the loss of partners, debt and fight to get their pensions together.
image [https://cdn.magzter.com/1583835501/1742609668/articles/tAO3RuC5vy9FkH9LA8sys/5676729622.jpg]
The Pod, which opened in 2008, is a family hub that runs a food bank, warm space, activities and festivals for the community living in and around Nechells' tower blocks.
Margaret Miah, 70, has been going to the Pod for the last 20 years and praised the support available.
"Anybody that needs advice, I say come to the Pod," she said. "We look forward to coming to the Pod."
Margaret said for those who moved there after the war, one draw was the community spirit of Nechells' tower blocks.
"I moved to Nechells when I got married," she said. "I saw the tower blocks and said 'one day I am going to live in there! We spent 12 years in there."
Margaret, who described herself as a "Ladywood girl", is a member of Friends in Nechells, one of the first groups to be set up after Nechells Pod was created from a derelict nursery in Oliver Street.
The Friends, for residents over 50, was established by people had lived in the area for decades, but today the Pod hosts everything from baby groups to a free counselling and debt advice.
Bordered by Alum Rock and Aston, Nechells is one of the more deprived wards in the city and a book has been published on the history of the area.
The Living History book draws together testimony and archive pictures showing how much the area has developed.
Packed with memories, the book tells how Nechells was targeted by German bombers during the Second World War because of...
image [https://cdn.magzter.com/1583835501/1742609668/articles/tAO3RuC5vy9FkH9LA8sys/5676729622.jpg]
The Pod, which opened in 2008, is a family hub that runs a food bank, warm space, activities and festivals for the community living in and around Nechells' tower blocks.
Margaret Miah, 70, has been going to the Pod for the last 20 years and praised the support available.
"Anybody that needs advice, I say come to the Pod," she said. "We look forward to coming to the Pod."
Margaret said for those who moved there after the war, one draw was the community spirit of Nechells' tower blocks.
"I moved to Nechells when I got married," she said. "I saw the tower blocks and said 'one day I am going to live in there! We spent 12 years in there."
Margaret, who described herself as a "Ladywood girl", is a member of Friends in Nechells, one of the first groups to be set up after Nechells Pod was created from a derelict nursery in Oliver Street.
The Friends, for residents over 50, was established by people had lived in the area for decades, but today the Pod hosts everything from baby groups to a free counselling and debt advice.
Bordered by Alum Rock and Aston, Nechells is one of the more deprived wards in the city and a book has been published on the history of the area.
The Living History book draws together testimony and archive pictures showing how much the area has developed.
Packed with memories, the book tells how Nechells was targeted by German bombers during the Second World War because of...
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Birmingham Mail (Digital) - 1 Issue, March 22, 2025