What a difference a year makes!

Today, June 13, FOLIO Sutton Coldfield is celebrating it’s first birthday safe in the knowledge that Sutton Coldfield library is no longer under threat of closure. Indeed the library is more vibrant and busier than ever before and this is as a result of some amazing partnership working.

Sutton Coldfield library is a special place, bursting with ideas, stories and activities, a space that has become a vibrant community hub that is attracting all ages of residents from the diverse communities who live in Sutton Coldfield. By working with Sutton Coldfield Town Council and Birmingham City Council FOLIO have been able to establish a very exciting play-café, Little Green Bookworm at the heart of the library. We have been successful in achieving funding from the Local Innovations Fund, Sutton Coldfield Charitable Trust, Birmingham Airport Community Trust Fund, Wylde Green Rotary, Sutton Coldfield Town Council, Active Citizens, the M6 toll Community Fund and the Lottery which has enabled us not only to set up a fantastic resource for families but also provide a wide range of activities to attract people of all ages into the library.

Since we have been established the four trustees along with a band of brilliant volunteers have provided arts and crafts workshops, author visits, the Flourish! programme, talks from Sutton Coldfield Park Rangers, a board games session and much more. In the future we are looking forward to establishing a Code Club and a Lego Club. FOLIO runs monthly meetings where the elders in our community, The Elderberries, can come together in a safe space within the library, to share memories and reminisce about times gone by.

All of our activities and workshops have been as a direct result of community consultation and we are proud that our varied programme has been designed by the community for the community.


A video with some of the highlights of the past year

On our first birthday we would like to thank everyone who has supported us, we are particularly grateful to our funders, volunteers and the staff from the library and Little Green Bookworm. FOLlO Sutton Coldfield was set up to save our library but it has far surpassed this aim by creating a rich, resilient, creative and nurturing community resource in our wonderful Sutton Coldfield library. It really is a dream come true!

Back when Sutton Coldfield was under threat of closure we were delighted when former Children’s Laureate sent us a message of support:

And on the occasion of our first birthday he’s sent us another one:

As we move into our second year, we’d love to have your involvement. Do get in touch and be part of a wonderful success story!

Today we are 1!

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