Hello,January has raced by. Here I am sharing a few links to events taking place early next week and into February. Today if you're walking past the coworking space you'll see Stirchley Sewing School has a Saturday course running. I continue to be very happy that the coworking space can facilitate this brilliant initiative by new sole trader Charlotte Stacey. In terms of coworking space news, things are ticking along nicely. It's lovely to see lots of newcomers have joined in the last few weeks, including a local textile artist who came for a change of scenery and no screen-based work.Speaking of, I should have a screen break with it being the weekend!See you next week.Kerry
Meet the CoworkerLast week's "Meet the Coworker" (new series by Rachel Baker over on The Old Post Office's instagram) is me - Kerry Leslie - founder.I'm not regularly in the coworking space nowadays - though very much still involved with operations (and on cleaning duty every weekend along with this newsletter) so I thought it would be good to introduce myself!What do you do for work?I’m a Community Support and Development Officer for Birmingham City Council. I started the job in autumn last year. I’m probably best known for my previous role/ freelance work: identity and exhibition design in the arts/for some of Birmingham’s arts and community festivals (@bykerryleslie). I also chair @stirchleycommunitymarket as well as running The Old Post Office as a social enterprise - mostly behind the scenes since I started my new job. There are lots of fab keyholders/hosts helping out with the day to day!What's your favourite thing about The Old Post Office?The community. It wouldn’t exist without the support of keyholders, coworkers, event hosts, sewing school and immediate neighbouring businesses.What's your favourite spot in Stirchley and why?There are so many local highlights. I love to take my toddler to Storytots at Stirchley Library, especially when it’s on the same day as Stirchley Community Market which is held at Grade II listed Stirchley Baths. I co-founded @friendsofstirchleylibrary and although I’ve not been directly involved for years, the library will always be a special place for me.Thanks Alice @ageable for the photo--If you'd be up for being featured in our Meet the Coworker series, reply to this email and we'll send you the details
Learn how to sew with expert and friendly tutor Charlotte, different short courses available for various ability levels: www.stirchleysewingschool.com
Links
The Clear Space aka Laura Babb, coworking space keyholder, has a Sound Bath in collaboration with Space Therapies on 30 January in Bournville, event info via The Clear Space's website.
Laura's weekly wellbeing walks are still going strong - well over a year now - and you can sign up to find out more info/how to join on this link. Walks take place first thing on a Friday morning - they are planned so you could easily be back for work/coworking for 9am
Two local illustrators have started a drawing events series at RA coffee hub in Kings Heath. Jess Mikhail and Andy Doodles have set up an eventbrite with more info about Alternative Life Drawing and the next one is Thurs 1 Feb
There's an artist residency opportunity with Feed Futures, for aritsts interested in exploring issues related to "human milk, pregnancy, feeding, public space or care" the deadline for applications is 7 Feb and there's more info on instagram
Friends of Stirchley Library have funding and have hired a new Volunteer Coordinator - they're getting stuck in and there's a LOVE YOUR LIBRARY day during half term on Thursday 15 February - a day of activities supported by Stirchley Art Room. More details on this instagram post
Piece of Cake Production Company joins BIMM University to talk about how to navigate the creative industries as a global majority creative. Free, Performers College Birmingham, Fri 16 Feb from 4pm, register on eventbrite
"Is starting a co-op right for you?' find out at this event delivered by Stirchley Co‑operative Development in partnership with Co‑operatives UK at Stirchley Baths on Saturday 2 March. Me and a few coworking space keyholders have booked on to this event, as we start to explore the co-op structure for the future of the coworking space. Exciting!
P.s. If you'd like to come and cowork, you can book your desk via this link