The TUC-WMCA Skills Partnership, the pioneering initiative between the union movement and the West Midlands Combined Authority has recently been looking beyond the ordinary and getting out into the community to talk to ordinary working people about the benefits of being in a trade union and continuing learning throughout one’s adult life.

The idea came about when the Partnership Lead, Matt Pointon, supported local author and activist, Abda Khan on her recent Tappay Tales Arts Council-funded project where she worked with local community groups to promote writing for well-being. She connected the Partnership with two local community centres and the events were organised.

The first event, held on 16/11/22 at the Moseley Community Hub in Birmingham saw a cohort of largely older learners enjoying a Writing for Well-being session ran by Abda and a Laughter for Wellness hour provided by Feelgood Communities. There were also presentations by Birmingham Adult Education and the u3a which were enthusiastically received.

Trustee of the Moseley Muslim Association which runs the Moseley Community Hub, Ilyas Shaikh said:

Events like these are very much needed in this area, all events and also presentation by the guest speakers were very useful, informative and more important included everyone no matter what difficulties (age, health, language etc.) participants had. We are looking forward to organising further events in liaison with the TUC-WMCA Skills Partnership.

On 28/11/22 a second event was held at Highfield Hall Community Centre in Hall Green. Again, participants enjoyed sessions by Feelgood Communities and Abda Khan as well as presentations by Community trade union and the Workers’ Educational Association. Feedback was again positive with Maz Iqbal from Highfield Hall stating:

The creative workshop taught us to put pen to paper, much needed in today's society where IT is taking over our thoughts and communications. Keeping journals or diaries help our thought process and can help to eliminate stress and can give us a skill in writing things like poetry.  The laughing workshop was unusual for many of us but the message was very clear: laughter IS the best medicine! It was very interesting to hear how it helps with our thoughts, lifting our spirits and keeps us healthy. We will definitely be hoping to run more workshops with these two themes and making sure the wider community will benefit as well. Thank you so much!

Speaking about both events, Muslim Woman of the Year 2019, Abda Khan added:

Events like these are much needed, because they go into the heart of the community, allowing people of all ages and backgrounds to participate without the worry of travel costs to attend a city centre venue, or being excluded from online events because they are not tech savvy or do not have the technology to be able to participate – certainly most of the participants had never attended a creative writing for wellness workshop before and thoroughly enjoyed the writing exercises and learning about how regular writing can have many benefits.

Following the success of the ventures, more community-orientated events are planned for 2023.