NEIGHBOURHOOD FUTURES FESTIVAL: SUNDAY
GET YOUR FREE TICKETSSUNDAY 28TH JUNE - 10:30AM-5PM
Locations and timings are weather-dependent and may be subject to change.
Relax, Connect & Feel Good!
WITH REIKI MATTERS
11AM-2PM, Wellbeing Tent
Reiki is a Japanese energy-healing practice aimed at promoting relaxation, stress reduction, and overall well-being by channeling energy through the hands.
Learn about the art of Reiki with Harpi from Reiki Matters and relax with simple breathing exercises, listen to key Reiki principles, build on your confidence, and jot down affirmations on wooden hearts to take home as keepsakes.
CONNECT MORE
WITH TINA FRANCIS TAPESTRY
12PM-5PM, Wellbeing Tent
Often, craft activities take place in large groups, but sometimes doing something yourself can be just the tonic you need.
Drop in for a gentle stitching session with Tina, where conversation can flow naturally – or not at all – depending on how you’re feeling. Add your own stitches to a collective community canvas that will become a permanent artwork for Birmingham Settlement’s Nature & Wellbeing Centre.
Whether you’d like to talk about life, the neighbourhood, nature, climate, community, or simply enjoy a few peaceful minutes, you’ll find a warm welcome and a listening ear.
MORNING MINDFULNESS
WITH BIRMINGHAM SETTLEMENT
11:30AM-12:15PM, Off-Grid Zone
Join the Settlement’s mindfulness maestro and Community Trainer David for moments of mindful meditation.
Learn how to ground yourself with the help of nature; tune into the sound of the birds, the rustle of trees in the breeze and discover how the wonders of the natural world can help our wellbeing.
FAMILY FUN YOGA
WITH BIRMINGHAM SETTLEMENT
11:30AM-12:30PM, Central Field
Take part in a playful outdoor family yoga session with our Community Action Worker Ewa!
Ewa will talk you through a variety of yoga poses and relaxing breathing exercises in the beautiful surrounds of our green space.
All ages and abilities welcome – come as you are, yoga mats provided!
CHAMBER PERFORMANCE
WITH CBSO YOUTH ORCHESTRA
11:30AM-12:30PM, Bonga Tent
Join the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra’s (CBSO) Youth Orchestra as they bring the local community together in celebrating the musical output of some of Birmingham’s finest young musicians.
Expect a moving performance as they take you on a musical journey.
CLEAN UP OUR NEIGHBOURHOOD
WITH CLEAN UP UK
11:30AM-12PM, meet tbc
Join our friends Clean Up UK for a community litter pick.
Do your bit in keeping the area clean and litter free around the Edgbaston Reservoir Local Nature Reserve and the Nature and Wellbeing Centre festival site, all while meeting neighbours and clocking up those daily steps!
Why not take part in our regular litter pick the last Friday of every month too?
NATURE NAVIGATORS!
WITH BIRMINGHAM SETTLEMENT
12PM-1PM, Meet at the Creative Shed
Calling all nature lovers – join us to explore the wildlife of Ladywood!
Explore the overnight moth trap to discover which nocturnal flyers have been enjoying the festival as we slumber, then get hands-on with pond dipping, discovering the incredible variety of wildlife living beneath the water’s surface.
A family-friendly activity for curious explorers of all ages.
COMMON GROUND: A COMMUNITY COLLECTIVE
WITH WOMEN & THEATRE
12:30PM-1:30PM, The Amphitheatre
Our resident theatre company Women & Theatre presents scratch performances by local artists and community members exploring our connection to place, land and the environment.
Expect a diverse mix of spoken word poetry, monologues and extracts from Women & Theatre’s play ‘New Land Girls’ – a piece which explores women’s connection to land today.
After the performances, you are invited to take part in a short discussion about the topics and themes presented in the work.
CARNIVAL OF PLANTS & ANIMALS
WITH ARTIST FLAVIA BERTRAM
1PM-4PM (procession around 3.30PM), Bonga Tent
If you could be any plant, animal or force of nature, what would you be?
Drop in and create your own colourful mask or paddle fan celebrating your favourite creature, flower, tree or element using collage, cardboard and bright paper.
Whether you’re a fluttering butterfly or a mighty oak tree, celebrate the life around us!
All of this making will culminate in a lively procession and Carnival Boogie together to celebrate the fact that life exists! What a miracle!
OFF-GRID SILENT DISCO
WITH BIRMINGHAM SETTLEMENT
1PM-4:30PM, Off-Grid Zone
Enjoy a unique outdoor party powered by people and green energy – without disturbing the birds and bees!
Grab a headset, tune in and dance like wild beneath the trees in a beautiful open-air dancefloor. Choose your channel and enjoy all the joys of the discotheque while staying connected to nature.
Tai Chi WITH VINH
WITH BIRMINGHAM SETTLEMENT
1PM-2PM, Central Field
Try out the art of Tai Chi with Vinh, who hosts a weekly session at the Nature & Wellbeing Centre. Suitable for all ages and abilities, come and try out a range of Tai Chi forms, holds, and basic movements in this workshop.
ONE RHYTHM IN NATURE & AMPE ALIVE!
WITH AFRO CREATIVE LEGACY
Drumming 1:30PM, Games 3PM, Central Field
Join Afro Creartive Legacy for One Rhythm in Nature, an interactive African drumming session inspired by the rich musical traditions of West Africa. Learn rhythms on the djembe, take part in call-and-response drumming, and help create a vibrant community drum circle where everyone can join in.
Then step into Ampe Alive, a playful movement experience based on the traditional Ghanaian game of Ampe. Combining rhythm, clapping and movement, this much-loved game has brought children and communities together for generations.
Reimagined for all ages, it offers a fun way to connect, move and celebrate African heritage as a living, shared cultural practice.
JOURNEY STICK STORY WALK
WITH ECOBIRMINGHAM
2PM-5PM, Off Grid Zone
Join ecobirmingham on a short family walk where we stop to take in the sensory pleasure of being in nature and find out about the folklore behind some of the plants and creatures.
Each family will choose a journey stick and find natural materials to add to their stick on the walk.
At the end of the session, there will be a story-making activity using the journey sticks. Activity suitable for all!
BOARD GAME CAFE
WITH BIRMINGHAM SETTLEMENT
2PM-5PM, the Creative Shed
Our volunteer-led Board Game Cafe takes place in the Red Shed the third Saturday of every month.
It’s a chance to meet new people in a low-pressure social environment as you enjoy games with a cuppa. Join volunteer Harry for a special festival edition of this popular activity.
Find him in the Creative Shed with his smorgasbord of boardgames, and enjoy a game or two! Individuals welcome – we’ll help you find a playmate!
CHESS CLUB!
WITH BIRMINGHAM SETTLEMENT
2PM-5PM, Kids Zone
Join our regular Chess Club volunteer and local resident Dominic for a game of chess.
The chance to ask questions, chat, and find out about the weekly Birmingham Settlement chess club at the Nature & Wellbeing Centre.
Enjoy our large chess board and have fun with others as you learn the art of this strategic game! This session aims to open up the game of chess to everyone, beginners or any level.
RAINBOW FISH TO THE RESCUE!
WITH RIVERSIDE PERFORMING ARTS
2:30PM-3PM, The Amphitheatre
Come and dive down under the sea and help Rainbow Fish as he looks for ways to save his friend Bumpy Back fish, who is very unwell.
Learn about caring for our planet and help Rainbow Fish face his fears as he journeys to the sea monsters cave. Children and families are invited to actively participate in the story while learning about caring for oceans and waterways.
An interactive storytelling performance suitable for all ages.
THE MONSTER CLEAN UP!
WITH TONI’S TOTS DRAMA
3.30PM-4.30PM, Meet in the Off Grid Zone
Can you help the team tackle a mischievous plastic-polluting monster?
Join Toni’s Tots Drama for The Monster Clean-Up! A high-energy, imaginative adventure for ages 2–8, filled with music, movement and fun.
Meet animal puppets along the way, problem solve for the characters, and ultimately save the day in this fun, lively session encouraging children to participate in the adventure throughout.
SERENITY IN THE CITY YOGA!
WITH NJOY YOGA
4PM-5PM, Central Field
Join in an outdoor yoga festival wind-down as part of N-JOY-YOGA with Natasha Joy, designed to bring people together in a calming, inclusive, and uplifting space within nature.
The 60-minute session will be a gentle to moderate flow suitable for mixed abilities, combining breathwork, mindful movement, and grounding practices, incorporating elements of seasonal awareness in alignment with the Summer Solstice period.
Accessible to beginners whilst still offering depth for more experienced practitioners. The focus will be on connection to self, to others, and to the natural environment.
Visit the NJOY YOGA website here.
BHANGRA FIT!
WITH DESIBLITZ
4PM-5PM, Starting by the Red Shed, finish in The Amphitheatre
Help us close the Neighbourhood Futures Festival in style!
Join DESIblitz with renowned Bhangra instructor Sohan Kailey for an energetic and interactive Bhangra Fit session that celebrates South Asian culture through music, movement, and fun.
This lively experience combines traditional Bhangra dance moves with simple fitness routines designed to get everyone moving. Enjoy the infectious beats of Punjabi music, and be part of a vibrant cultural experience that encourages participation, wellbeing and togetherness.
No experience needed, just bring your enthusiasm and be ready to join in!
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