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What began in a single cupboard-sized room with four chairs has grown into a thriving five-room community hub with a classroom, a counselling space in development, and activities running every day of the week.
At the heart of Uplift Community Space is Naima, a trained interpreter who speaks eight languages. Her warmth and ability to communicate across cultures makes the space truly open to all. “Trust is so important,” she says. “We want people to feel safe, to feel like this is everybody’s home.”
Uplift is based in a once-derelict church in Small Heath, Birmingham. Today, it is alive with laughter, learning, and friendship. Guests walk in and are greeted by name. People from more than 15 language backgrounds gather together, sharing food, stories, and support.
Weekly activities range from coffee mornings, mentoring for children, fitness groups, toddler sessions, and interfaith dialogue projects. Each programme is led by volunteers, many of whom come from lower-income families themselves. As one space leader, Yasmin, puts it: “We are all volunteers, and everyone goes above and beyond. We pay them in food.”
Naima describes the space as “accessible at any time for everybody.” Guests often call it a “home from home experience” where “everybody is welcome.”
Food is often at the centre of life in Uplift. With support from partners such as Cadent, the space has given out more than 300 slow cookers to local families. Cookery classes bring together groups of women who share recipes, learn new skills, and cook meals in a variety of languages thanks to Naima’s translation.
The space also runs a cafe to support people affected by homelessness, where asylum seekers and local people sit together around a hot, home-cooked meal. One guest described it as “just like my mum’s food.”
Beyond food, partners such as MECC Trust and King Trust bring advice on energy efficiency, training, careers, and job searching. Support is holistic, recognising that wellbeing includes both practical needs and emotional care.
Thanks to new NHS funding, Uplift will soon host a dedicated counsellor for both adults and young people. This support is vital for guests who often feel wary of formal systems but find safety in the trusted space Naima has built.
A local doctor also volunteers regularly, offering health checks for blood pressure, diabetes, and general wellbeing. In Naima’s words: “We can get them the help they need.”
Uplift’s impact stretches far beyond its walls. Volunteers have cleared derelict parks, making them safe again for families. Annual ladies-only and men’s-only trips provide opportunities for cultural experiences that would otherwise be inaccessible, from waterparks to seaside visits. Children enjoy mentoring, basketball, storytelling, and arts programmes, while parents gain time to learn about balanced living.
Faith leaders from the local Sikh, Muslim, Catholic, and Church of England communities also work alongside Uplift, making it a unique hub of interfaith cooperation in Birmingham.
The vision of Uplift is simple but powerful: to be a home from home, accessible to all. Every week, hundreds of people walk through its doors for advice, for companionship, for food, for exercise, and for joy.
As Naima says, “This is everybody’s home. We welcome the community in, anyone can use our rooms for free.”
With continued support, Uplift Community Space will keep growing, turning once-derelict spaces into places of life, belonging, and hope.
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