A Brief History of Fireside
In 1982, the Birmingham City Centre Churches opened a Drop-In Centre in the crypt of St. Martin's-in the-Bullring, one of Birmingham's principal Anglican churches. It catered for homeless and lonely people in the Birmingham area, and could only cope with thirty service users at any one time; they were offered limited services. At this time it was entirely staffed by volunteers.
In view of the obviously copious demand, discussions took place between St. Paul's Convent, Selly Park, and the the Birmingham Council of City Centre Churches (BC4). The Convent decided to pay for an open-door day centre if a suitable building was available. Eventually they located premises in Pershore Street previously used for storage by the adjacent Fireplace City. £375,000 was spent refurbishing and renovating the premises and it was decided to name it 'The Fireside'. This was in November 1994.
The centre offered practical and emotional support, providing clothing, free food and beverages, telephone use and access to some agencies involved in alcohol and drug work by way of referrals. A paid Director was appointed together with a paid Project Co-ordinator and the volunteer group expanded from church groups, volunteering agencies and some students, principally from the University of Birmingham. In 1998 the Centre came close to shutting down owing to financial problems so that, temporarily, the paid staff had to be dispensed with. A long term volunteer assumed office as Acting Director who eventually became a paid employee on funds becoming available.
A new Project Co-ordinator was appointed in 1999 and links between Fireside and other agencies were forged including SIFA, Focus Tenancy support, mental health and primary health services for the homeless, housing providers and hostels. Further successful funding bids were made and a Deputy Director, two project workers and an administrative worker were recruited. In 2001 Fireside was successful in a funding bid to the National Lottery and secured the services of resettlement and education/training workers. This functioned from April 2002 to March 2005 when it temporarily ended when the grant came to an end. In January 2006 two new paid workers were appointed from successful funding bids. A new Project Manager was appointed in October 2005.
Fireside's existing main funding sources include Birmingham City Council Social Care and Housing Departments, the Tudor Trust, Dion (Irish Government) and many smaller, private donations and fund raising events. Expanded services include resettlement, education and training, and employment placements.
Fireside is currently in the pocess of merging with SIFA (Supporting Independence From Alcohol).
"offering friendship, hospitality and support to people who are homeless, unemployed or lonely in our inner city"
Last updated on 20th July 2007