Black History Month recap

13/12/2021

BHM 21 Saltbrook Place Celebrations (1)

Black History Month 2021 gave us all a chance to come together to learn and celebrate the impact and richness of black history. This year we were happy to be able to celebrate in the community again, as the pandemic prevented us from doing so last year.

Here are a few highlights from the month:

Inspiring the next generation

To kick off the celebrations some of our staff visited local schools and read ‘Coming to England’ to the children.

The book by Baroness Floella Benjamin is based on the Windrush generation. We donated the books to the schools so the children could continue to enjoy the story.

One of our residents recorded a reading of the book so that we could send it to Birmingham Children’s Hospital along with some other books for the children to enjoy.

“It was such a privilege and joy to be able to enlighten the next generation and help them to appreciate and understand Black History Month. The children found the story really interesting and asked so many questions. We talked about being kind to all people regardless of gender, culture or social background.”

- Lisa, Project Manager

Celebrating at our schemes

Throughout the month residents and staff from across our supported living schemes celebrated in a variety of ways. Saltbrook Place, The Foyer and The Snowhill all hosted a range of activities throughout the month.

The schemes discussed individual themes and put up displays in honour of black singers and celebrities. Activities included quizzes, poetry competitions, art classes and even a Caribbean cookery class. Staff and residents were also able to enjoy Caribbean and African food and music.

Our Retirement Living schemes also got involved in the festivities. Camoys Court set up a hall of fame for residents to learn more about black history. We donated boxes of black tulip bulbs to several of our schemes so that residents from the gardening clubs could plant them in their communal gardens. We're looking forward to seeing them in bloom next year.