Away From It All (AFIA)
Quality time together for families in tough times
Birmingham Mothers’ Union helps to fund holidays or days out. The scheme (AFIA) is open to any family experiencing difficulties who wouldn’t otherwise be able to have a holiday. AFIA also funds day outings for groups, such as single parents’ groups, or those from a women’s refuge or inner city holiday club. Applications need to be supported by a referring agent such as a head-teacher, social worker, member of the clergy or a member of the medical profession, who knows the family in a professional capacity.
Application forms can be requested from the Mothers’ Union Office or by email from afiabirmingham@hotmail.co.uk.
Prisons
Volunteer members currently work at Birmingham Prison and Swinfen Hall Young Offenders Institution. In Birmingham, Christmas cards written by members are distributed to inmates of all faiths or none. These are much appreciated as it shows prisoners that someone cares sufficiently to write a card to a stranger at a time of year when he is unable to be with family and friends. Volunteers also help with some family visits.
At Swinfen, members are involved in showing Mothers’ Union care in different areas. We support both Dads and visiting families with children, by running a crèche on family visits and this is totally inclusive – all faiths or none. We encourage Dads to communicate with their families with a “Being a Dad” course and by encouraging them to make books specifically for their children. We are also involved with Bereavement Care Courses for prisoners and members visit prisoners with no one to visit them. People we are working with know we are volunteers. If they ask we tell them we are Mothers’ Union.
See our poster Gifts needed for Prisoners Children for our Appeal for Children’s Christmas presents and for guidelines on what to donate click Christmas Gifts for Children of Prisoners in Birmingham
Women’s Aid
Refuges exist for women and their children who have been subject to domestic violence and are safe confidential places where they live until safe accommodation can be found for them.
This project covers the collection by Branches of goods that can be used at places of refuge. Toiletries, nappies, towels, and similar useable goods are collected together with dried foodstuffs.
Parenting
Providing quality time for parents and carers
Birmingham Mothers’ Union has volunteer parenting facilitators, trained to national standards. They run groups in a friendly, supportive atmosphere. Parents/carers can learn parenting techniques that really work, share experiences and advice and have fun together! The response from those who have been on Mothers’ Union parenting groups has been wonderful.
‘I like the way it suggested good ways of handling situations without focusing on rights and wrongs’.
If you would like more information about attending or facilitating a group please contact the Mothers’ Union Office
Baby Project
Members knit small size clothes such as cardigans, hats, vests (tabard style) and blankets to give to hospitals for use by premature babies. Members also sew gowns and “Angel Pockets” for still-born babies and premature babies. Volunteers to make these goods are always welcome.
Click here for knitting guidelines
Click here for knitting patterns
Refugee Support
Volunteer members work with an outside agency, “Karis”, assisting with teaching English and helping with child care at the “Karis” centre in Ladywood. Older children are taught socialising skills. Members also assist with the provision of refreshments at the welcome centre for Asylum Seekers in Solihull and liaise with people seeking asylum.
Marriage Project and Promotion
Marriage provides a nurturing, stable environment for couples and children where relationships can flourish. Mothers’ Union encourages those preparing to make the commitment of marriage, and supports those who are already married giving care when difficulties are being experienced.
In Birmingham Diocese, volunteers attend “Wedding Fairs” with a bright display stand and talk to couples preparing for marriage. Dispelling myths and encouraging them to explore the opportunities for a wedding in church.
“Loving for Life” is a training for facilitators to enable them to support clergy in the provision of marriage preparation. For more information click here
Worldwide
The Worldwide Group in Birmingham organises events to provide support for Worldwide Projects such as Literacy and Development and the Family Life Programme. Funds are also raised for the Relief Fund to provide early assistance to communities in times of trouble and disaster. Many members also have collecting boxes to support these funds.
We join with the diocese in collection goods for our Link Diocese in Malawi.
