Developing a Nature and Wellbeing Centre for all
We have now finished phase 2 of our developments which includes the building of two geodesic eco-learning domes and an amphitheatre! Stay up to date with developments on this page.
The Story So Far
The Red Shed is a wellbeing Centre, providing shelter, accessible toilets, kitchen facilities and a meeting space – all of which the reservoir lacked prior to it’s completion in August 2021.
Since opening, a programme of regular community activities has taken shape including Little Settlers Nature Club (Stay, Learn & Play), Mindfulness and Wellbeing Sessions, ‘Cuppa and Chatter’ as part of our Ageing Well Programme, a Growing & Gardening Club, and a Running & Wellbeing group.
We have held community events such as a Family Fun Day alongside developing various partnerships such as Women and Theatre, Be Festival, Trade School with Civic Square, and Birmingham City University, as well as delivering our own Neighbourhood Futures Festival.
Eco Learning Domes
The learning domes are comprised of an 8m ‘Sanctuary’ dome and a 6m ‘Retreat’ dome. They are made from aluminum and glass and are unique to the city of Birmingham. They are primarily used as classroom settings to deliver eco-learning activities and events to raise awareness of global environmental issues, explaining the steps we can take to limit our impact on a local level, as well as how to improve and protect our immediate and wider environments.
The domes provide an immersive and well-connected experience to nature and the environment, allowing communities to feel connected to nature irrespective of the weather!
Amphitheatre
To support the performing arts we have built an amphitheatre which consists of an open-air stage, bandstand and seating arena. This is an eco friendly build, using leftover resources from the building of the Red Shed, the domes, paths and other landscaping.
It has a ‘natural’ appearance with a grass finish. The amphitheatre offers a creative space for a range of performances such as drama, cultural and musical. Various organisations, who we have previously partnered with, are keen to use the space including Women in Theatre, Artscoop and Curiosity Productions.
In July 2023 we held our first Neighbourhood Futures Festival at the site.
The building is just off Selwyn Road and is accessible from the path around the Edgbaston reservoir.
The full address is:
Birmingham Settlement Nature & Wellbeing Centre
79 Selwyn Road,
Birmingham,
B16 0SL
But that's not all - we have bolder ambitions
- A straw building with additional indoor space for activities
- Crops on the field, to supply local business and support local people
- The installation of compostable toilets
Work with us
If you have an idea or community project you’d like to develop at The Red Shed, please get in touch, we’d love to hear from you:
email: sam.marsh@bsettlement.org.uk
call: 0121 250 0777
