Power in Place gathers local groups and changemakers to meet, network and share ideas for improving Birmingham’s green spaces. We’d love you to spend the whole day with us, or just drop-in to the activities that interest you!

COFFEE & CALM

WITH BIRMNGHAM SETTLEMENT 

10:30AM-11AM, Central Field

Arrive early and enjoy a peaceful coffee on the terrace of the Red Shed, join a relaxing outdoor yoga session surrounded by birdsong (come as you are, no need for mats or yogawear), or take a moment to pause and reconnect through a guided mindfulness session in nature.

You’re warmly invited to start the morning with us.

COMMUNITY COMPOST BUILD

WITH BIRMNGHAM SETTLEMENT 

11AM-2PM, Compost Zone

Our Friends of the Field volunteer group meets every Wednesday and Friday at the Nature & Wellbeing Centre to help care for the 3-acre space.

Drop in for as long or as little as you like to find out more about life as a green volunteer and get hands-on to co-build a new community compost bay – reducing waste and supporting growing across the site.

No experience needed – get involved at your own pace!

EXPLORING A ROLE FOR EVERYONE: BLOCK PRINTING WITH CIVIC SQUARE

WITH CIVIC SQUARE

WORKSHOP 12PM-3PM, MEET THE TEAM 10:30AM-4:30PM,

Creative Shed

We invite you to join some of the CIVIC SQUARE team to explore how there is a role for everyone in neighbourhood retrofit, at a time of accelerating climate risk.

Through a hands-on block printing workshop led by artist and Re_Club practitioner Natasha Taheem, explore how everyday practices of repair, reuse, reimagination, resistance and more can become entry points into wider neighbourhood transformation, led by the people who live there.

Give an old item of clothing a new lease of life through block printing. Using a collection of wooden printing blocks, participants can print onto fabric patches or bring along a garment to customise and transform.

THE PEOPLE’S EMERGENCY BRIEFING

WITH GREENPEACE UK

1:30PM-3PM, Off Grid Zone

An eye-opening new film bringing the latest evidence on what’s happening with climate and nature and the impact on everyday life in the UK, followed by a discussion on what we have seen.

Age rated 16+ (film 50 mins followed by discussion).

PLANT WITH PAT!

WITH BIRMINGHAM SETTLEMENT

2PM-4PM, Plant Zone

‘Plant with Pat’ is Birmingham Settlement’s friendly gardening drop-in led by dedicated volunteer, Pat.

Taking place every Thursday, it’s great for those who want to learn the basics of planting, growing vegetables, and managing a garden – or those with no garden or experience.

Drop in to have a chat with Pat – find out how Pat runs the group and supports others to get involved with gardening. Explore what’s growing the polytunnel – and get hands on too!

SEEING IN COLOUR!

WITH COMMUNITY ENERGY BIRMINGHAM

2:30PM-5PM, Off-Grid Zone

CEB is a volunteer-led community benefit society helping Birmingham residents cut carbon and reduce energy bills through community-owned renewable energy, practical advice and local climate action.

Drop-in to the Off Grid Zone to see life through a thermal imaging camera, discover how this colourful technology can help make homes warmer, greener and more energy efficient.

THE SETTLEMENT STORY

WITH BIRMINGHAM SETTLEMENT

ALL DAY, Large Dome

Immerse yourself in the history of Birmingham Settlement. We are one of Birmingham’s oldest charities with a history spanning over 126 years, and it’s time we shared our Settlement Story!

From the pioneering women who started it all, our humble beginnings in St. Mary’s (now known as Newtown) and our current sites of the Sports & Community Centre and Nature & Wellbeing Centre, come along and explore our origins – plus, find out what we have in store for the future.

We’d love you to share your Settlement stories and memories too!

NEIGHBOURHOOD PICNIC & PLAY!

WITH BIRMINGHAM SETTLEMENT

3PM-6:30PM, Central Field

We warmly invite friends and neighbours to join us for a community picnic on the field! Bring a blanket and picnic or grab a bite from the Red Shed Community Cafe, meet neighbours, drop-in to activities and enjoy time together. Featuring:

· RECLAIM! Co-design your dream community garden, imagine a greener future using found and recycled materials (3PM-6PM).

· Sports, kids crafts and classic family games (3PM-6PM).

· Plant with Pat – try a Plant with Pat session, our friendly volunteer-led beginners gardening drop-in. If you’ve never grown anything before, Pat will show you how! (3PM-4PM).

Nature Navigators inclusive nature activities – explore the Overnight Moth Trap, get hands-on with pond dipping. Meet by the pond (4PM-5PM).

SHE: THROUGH THE WILD!

WITH KENEISH DANCE & KD CULTURE

4:30PM-5:30PM, Ampitheatre

A contemporary African-Jamaican live music and dance experience honouring the woman as provider, nurturer and life-force. Through movement, music and storytelling, shackled histories of restriction are transformed into a joyful reclamation of nature and freedom. Like rivers that sustain, soil that nourishes, and fire that warms, SHE: Through the wild becomes the heartbeat of community – cultivating love, resilience and connection across generations.

Supported by Healing Arts Birmingham.

CAMPFIRE OPEN MIC: NEIGHBOURHOOD VOICES!

WITH BIRMINGHAM SETTLEMENT

5PM-6:30PM, Nature Zone

Gather round the campfire to bring the day to a close for stories, poetry, music and song in this relaxed and welcoming community open mic. Get your voice heard or simply come along to listen and support others.

Sign up on the day at the Birmingham Settlement Information stand or take a slot when you arrive and share your voice in this relaxed and welcoming open mic celebrating neighbourhood, creativity and collective power.

Use the filters below to explore what’s on over the three days.

We are very grateful to our 2026 festival sponsors for helping us to make the festival happen: Ladywood Network Neighbourhood Scheme, Severn Trent Water, CIVIC SQUARE and The Bell Group for their generous support.