News

September 2026 

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Would you like to become a trustee? We are looking for new people to join our friendly trustee board. Trustees are vital in shaping the future work of our charity and we welcome applicants with a diverse range of experience and interests. 

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If you would be interested in helping KNS deliver its strategic plan and make a real difference in the areas we work, we would be delighted to talk with you and explain more about the role. 

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We are seeking to appoint trustees for three years. In line with our governing documents, Trustees must be guided at all times by our statement of faith and the guiding principles of KNS. 

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To find out more about the trustee role please contact: michaela.brookes@karisneighbourscheme.org 

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We will send a pack of information to introduce the role and arrange a call/opportunity to speak with a Trustee. 

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August 2026

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This month we had our annual staff away day - this time on the canals of Warwickshire - it's only right that coming from Birmingham we spend some time on these watery routes!  We had a lovely day sharing food, reconnecting with each other, practicing steering and manoeuvring a boat (!) and watching the world go slowly by. 

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July 2026

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In July we heard that we had received a large grant from the Evnia Living Fund for our baby bank, and another significant sum from Edgbaston Neighbourhood Network Scheme (ENNS) for our Karis BeFriends work. We also received a grant from the Harry Payne fund, a regular supporter of our Karis BeFriends work. We thank you all.

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Our projects continue to be busy - updates on each of them follow!

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Children and Families has seen a few changes with the removal of many of the asylum seekers and refugees housed in nearby emergency accommodation, following new government policy. Some of these families who were well known to us, and who have been here for quite some time, have been removed as far as Aberdeen. Where possible we are helping to make that transition less stressful by connecting people to charities and organisations that could support them in their new locations. Our drop-in group continues to be popular and the introduction of a second English class has been warmly received. Baby bank currently has a very short waiting list and is managing to meet all referrals within two weeks. 

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Men's Space continues to make a strong and measurable contribution to men's wellbeing. Since January we have supported 80 men through 494 interactions with 17 new referrals being given timely follow up. Engagement has increased across weekly one to one sessions and group activities, particularly the Walking Group and Table Tennis club. These help to consistently reduce isolation, improve mood and build social confidence.  Our new monthly events (which are open to family and partners) are going well with our last event welcoming 28 attendees. Each event has a different theme and participants report feeling improved social connection, reduced loneliness and greater confidence in engaging with others. 

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Karis BeFriends supports older people to help them flourish in later life. Our three regular events - Time for Tea, Senior Life Group and Art Group - are very popular and this year we involved our staff in the Art Group by asking them to embroider a self portrait! These were complemented by participants' contributions and the final result was a giant banner which now adorns the Karis offices.  We have continued to receive lovely feedback from people taking part in our activities, and support many people through individual home visits as well as through the groups. We've made some trips including to the CBSO 'Cuppa Concert' (see photo) this one specifically focused to be accessible to those with dementia. A small group of musicians interact with the audience and encourage singing. We had a great time! We must also say goodbye to two of our long standing volunteers who will be enormously missed - Jan and Steve. They have moved away and we will all miss them so much.

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KBF Advice and Ladywood Community Advice are always busy. Our advisors help people struggling to apply for benefits (and in many cases identify benefits to which they are eligible). So many people find it difficult to access forms, find information, and deal with subsequent enquiries and our staff are on hand to help with all these challenges. Recent feedback includes that from a 75 year old who received two extra benefits to which she was entitled, who said the help we gave "made loads of difference - getting things I didn't think I was entitled to - I am so grateful." Another individual with health needs who had been scammed into lending his support worker a large sum of money received our help in retrieving this, which was successful and made a huge difference to him.  Ladywood Community Advice has had to relocate this year and is currently operating from the Unitarian Church but the location is a bit small and there is limited parking so we continue to search for a better site.

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Our Social Prescribing Link Worker has been very busy, with a high number of referrals. Recently she has delivered peer support groups that help those with long term chronic health conditions, worked with some over 50s groups to help reduce isolation (with Age Concern), assisted with getting home adaptation and care assessments under way for clients, helped people to obtain travel passes, supported clients through a 12 week healthy lifestyle programme and advised on many other areas of challenge.  It's a busy, busy job!

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June 2026

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Once again, the Baby Bank Alliance, an umbrella organisation for about 400 of the country's baby banks, has kindly donated to our service. This donation comes via the Save the Children Fund and is most gratefully received. It will help with our running costs and stock supplies.  We have also received funding from Baron Davenport's Charity (for Karis BeFriends) and the Edward and Dorothy Cadbury Trust and Souter Trust (both for Men's Space).

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May 2026

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This month we have received grants from the Eveson Trust (for Karis BeFriends), Henry James Sayer Trust (for Men's Space), Hortons (for Children and Families and Men's Space) and  the Tramore Trust (for core costs). We are so grateful for this support.  We also received a fantastic donation from a husband and wife with close connections to Karis and are immensely grateful for being in their thoughts for this kind donation.

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April 2026

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This month we have received, with gratitude, funding from VWV (for core costs), Warburtons Community Fund (for baby bank) and the Woodroffe Benton Foundation (for Karis BeFriends).

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March 2026

Thank you funders!
We are delighted this month to have received funding from the Grantham Yorke Trust (for Children and Families Work) and the R&D Turner Trust (for Karis BeFriends).

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February 2026

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This month we are grateful for funding received from the Black Country Community Fund (through the Heart of England Community Foundation) for our Men's Space project, and Oakmans Estate Agents who came to us with a donation of £250 - this will go towards our core costs.

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January 2026

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At Christmas we celebrated the retirement of Helen Watts from Karis. She has worked as a Chaplain for Wellbeing in Primary Healthcare since 2016.  She has led the Listening and Guidance team that includes Alison Thompson, Anthea Wright and Jane Grimshaw (shown in photo). Helen will be sadly missed by the Listening and Guidance team, Karis Neighbour Scheme, and Karis Medical Centre staff as she has brought wisdom, care, support and humour to those she has worked with. She will also be deeply missed by those patients she has journeyed with. Patients and staff have found her compassionate care and support have brought hope and strength through challenging times. We were able to celebrate Helen for who she is as well as what she has done and wish her well for her retirement.  Helen wanted to say, “Thanks to everyone for everything! Working at KNS has been such a wonderful experience!” 

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This month we would like to thank the George Fentham Trust for their donation towards our Karis BeFriends project. 

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