NEIGHBOURHOOD FUTURES FESTIVAL: SATURDAY (ALL DAY)
GET YOUR FREE TICKETSSATURDAY 27TH JUNE - 10:30AM-5PM
Locations and timings are weather-dependent and may be subject to change.
THE SETTLEMENT STORY
WITH BIRMNGHAM SETTLEMENT
Large Dome
Step inside our geodesic dome and 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!
POP-UP CHARITY SHOP
WITH BIRMNGHAM SETTLEMENT
Large Dome
Did you know Birmingham Settlement has four charity shops across Birmingham – Boldmere, Wylde Green, Sutton Coldfield and Kingstanding? Every purchase helps support the work of our charity while creating skills, confidence and opportunities for over 50 volunteers.
Visit our pop-up charity shop in the dome to browse our pick of the shops and grab yourself a bargain for the summer season!
with children’s, women’s, and men’s clothes galore, there is something for everyone and at amazing prices to boot!
HEALING ARTS EXHIBITION
WITH BIRMNGHAM SETTLEMENT
Location tbc
Visit a showcase of arts, crafts, sewing, paintings, and drawings from our amazingly creative session attendees across the Sports & Community Centre and Nature & Wellbeing Centre!
From Little Settlers to Art Group (50+), Sewing group to Crafty Club, or Creative Shed to Cuppa & Chatter, find out what’s on offer across our centres.
Plus, why not have a go at creating your own artwork? Pop by, grab a pencil and paper, and have a go at sketching the Edgbaston Reservoir or the surrounds of nature! Artwork created will be included in our live festival exhibition. The perfect activity for adults and children alike!
RECLAIM! CO-DESIGN A COMMUNITY GARDEN!
WITH BIRMINGHAM SETTLEMENT
Small Dome
What do you want to see in a community garden? Can spaces for nature and people coexist in harmony?
Step into our geodome to co-design a model community garden and imagine as you dream of a greener future. Using found, foraged and recycled materials you are invited to share ideas, experiment, build and contribute to a collective artwork that reflects the community’s hopes for nature, climate and connection.
Across the festival weekend, watch it evolve into a living installation that reflects our shared hopes and vision.
BLACK SMITHING & HERITAGE CRAFTS
WITH NEWBIGIN COMMUNITY TRUST
Festival Marketplace
Newbigin Community Trust is a community-led organisation rooted in the vibrant and diverse neighbourhood of Winson Green.
Join community members of Newbigin for a festival takeover!
Try hands-on heritage crafts including blacksmithing demos, clay and silk creations and beautiful sewing – come along to meet the friendly faces of this wonderful, locally-rooted organisation.
BIKE FIX UP
WITH NEW ROOTS BIKE PROJECT
Festival Marketplace
Is your bike worse for wear? Get it fixed up and looking sharp with Steve from New Roots Bike project.
Bikes will be seen on a first come, first served basis. There is no guarantee of your bike being fixed if it is busy. Please arrive early to avoid disappointment.
Please note that it is unlikely that anything too complex will be fixed at the festival to enable as many bikes as possible to be serviced.
FOREST SCHOOL
WITH GROW WILD
The Nature Zone
Pop into our Forest School, a firm favourite with little ones and parents alike.
Climb, build, dig, create and explore, get messy in the mud kitchen, and let little imaginations run wild. With plenty of opportunities for free play, discovery and adventure, it’s the perfect place for littler ones to connect with nature at their own pace – and for older ones to enjoy a moment of calm and tranquility among the trees.
Suitable for children of all ages. SEND friendly.
CLASSIC SPORTS & GAMES
WITH BIRMINGHAM SETTLEMENT
Central Field
Sports, games and outdoor fun on the festival field all day!
Join in classic games and sports with our Community Action team and don’t miss our inaugural Festival Tug of War – the question of course is, can the kids beat the grown-ups this year?!
DROP-IN NATURE CRAFTS
WITH THE BARBER INSTITUTE
Festival Marketplace
The Barber Institute is an art gallery and concert hall based at the University of Birmingham bringing art, music and research to life. They are a welcoming and responsive museum that puts people and their well-being at its heart.
Join the Learning and Engagement team for a drop in creative activity inspired by nature and the environment using artwork in their collection.
WASTE CREATIONS
WITH VEOLIA
Festival Marketplace
Veolia are a global resource management company, and in Birmingham, they work with the council to treat the waste and recycling in the city. Veolia runs the 5 household recycling centres, the ERF (where waste gets incinerated) and the MRF (where recycling gets sorted).
Join the Veolia Eco Team to discover what can be crafted out of discarded and waste materials as you increase your understanding of recycling.
Also drop in to learn more about their Sustainability Fund, and other opportunities for community groups.
WATER SAVING BUS
WITH SEVERN TRENT
Festival Marketplace
Hop aboard the Severn Trent Education Bus for hands-on activities and family-friendly challenges all about water!
Discover what should (and definitely shouldn’t!) go down the loo and sink, pick up simple water-saving tips for home, and learn how small actions can make a big difference.
Meet the team to find out more about how we can all protect rivers and the environment, as well as the support available to help customers manage their water bills.
COMMUNITY MARKETPLACE
VARIOUS STALLHOLDERS
Festival Marketplace
Drop in our variety of stalls ranging from local organisations and community groups to businesses providing hands-on workshops, demos and activities. Find out more about what’s going on in the local area and how to get involved.
Meet with organisations such as Birmingham Friends of the Earth, Edgbaston Neighbourhood Network Scheme, Incredible Surplus, Warm Earth, Act on Energy, Birmingham Young People’s Services, National Literacy Trust and many more!
Take part in activities like seed sowing, interactive games, quizzes, arts and crafts, wellbeing sessions, and more.
Use the filters below to explore what’s on over the three days.
FINDING THE FESTIVAL
Birmingham Settlement Nature & Wellbeing Centre, Edgbaston Reservoir, 79 Selwyn Road, Ladywood, Birmingham, B16 0SL
Find out more about the Neighbourhood Futures Festival
LEARN MOREWITH THANKS TO OUR 2026 FESTIVAL SPONSORS
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.
Birmingham Settlement Sports & Community Centre
Birmingham Settlement Nature & Wellbeing Centre
Edgbaston Reservoir, 79 Selwyn Road, Birmingham, B16 OSL.
natureandwellbeing@bsettlement.org.uk
0121 250 0771
Birmingham Settlement Money Advice Centre
Unit 2, 1st Floor, Alma House Newtown Shopping Centre, Birmingham, B19 2AB.
money.advice@bsettlement.org.uk
0121 250 0777
Training & Learning
© Birmingham Settlement | Charity Registration Number: 517303