Birmingham Adult Education Service

Our learners have been busy creating a special recipe book sharing dishes that matter most to them, each one filled with personal stories and memories. 💛

Food is more than just what we eat, it connects us to home, family and tradition.

For Alaa, Syrian Tabbouleh is more than just a dish, it’s something he learned from his mother and now shares with his own children.

As a dad of three, Alaa takes pride in passing this tradition on, bringing his family together through food and keeping a piece of home alive at the table.

Ingredients:

• Two to three large bunches of flat-leaf parsley, finely chopped
• One quarter of a cup of bulgur
• One half of a cup of fresh mint leaves, finely chopped
• Two medium tomatoes, finely diced and drained
• One half of a bunch of spring onions
• One third of a cup of virgin olive oil

Method:

Put the bulgur into a bowl and add some water. Leave it until it softens.

While it softens, chop the parsley and mint into small pieces, then chop the tomatoes and onions into small cubes.

Put all the ingredients into a large bowl and add the bulgur.

Add the olive oil and a little salt.

Stir the mixture well and taste.

You can also add some lemon juice to improve the flavour.

Looking to get creative this summer? We’ve got a range of exciting courses coming up in Northfield and Erdington!

Northfield
Art – Watercolours (Improvers)
Fridays | 09:30–12:30
5 June – 17 July 2026

Erdington
Floristry – Floristry Skills (Intermediate)
Tuesdays | 10:00–12:15
2 June – 7 July 2026

Floristry – Floristry Skills (Improvers)
Wednesdays | 12:30–15:00
3 June – 8 July 2026

Floristry – Floristry Skills (Improvers) – Evening
Wednesdays | 18:00–20:30
3 June – 8 July 2026

Whether you're building on existing skills or taking your creativity to the next level, there’s something for you.

👉 Pop into your local centre to enrol, and

Just 13 days to go until our Community Learning Creative Arts End of Year Show!

Enjoy a vibrant live exhibition, with interactive art activities for everyone to try. Experience a live photoshoot, and don’t miss the chance to buy flowers and bespoke arts & crafts at the arts market.

Come along to be inspired, support our learners, and celebrate creativity in all its forms.

📅 Tuesday 9 June
🕙 10:00am – 1:00pm
📍 Library of Birmingham

https://forms.cloud.microsoft/pages/responsepage.aspx?id=cvyK9n3GCUK8D4sm3L3QGWnCH6Qbc5lLkHaYiQ9l15hUN1ZFUzFGWDIxOFIxTE8xWEg4QUhOU1FRUS4u&route=shorturl&fbclid=IwY2xjawSDjEpleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETFRWTBHNGxwN01BZHdENUFCc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHkGK2vMS7NyRZSUC8hrGaLTCg3Qrj5QEQ4S4ePyiueQTnD08rUkBzzAOS0_V_aem_nKvElq67gyElVeTS7SiQ_w

18 days to go! 🎉

Our learners have been getting creative, designing a brilliant range of handmade greeting cards for our Community Learning Creative Arts End of Year Show 💌

Each one is unique, full of personality, and perfect for gifting or sending a special message.

You’ll be able to browse and buy them at our arts market – with many available for just a few pounds.

📅 Tuesday 9 June
🕙 10:00am – 1:00pm
📍 Library of Birmingham

Reserve your free ticket NOW 👇

https://forms.cloud.microsoft/pages/responsepage.aspx?id=cvyK9n3GCUK8D4sm3L3QGWnCH6Qbc5lLkHaYiQ9l15hUN1ZFUzFGWDIxOFIxTE8xWEg4QUhOU1FRUS4u&route=shorturl&fbclid=IwY2xjawR9KDxleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETFRWTBHNGxwN01BZHdENUFCc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHtP-lbjrw73Ipv8BS95hZNFuuV7biMspKxXmX127Qf1EsjWvPZFhE_3ay7Tt_aem_NHwUaS58EFf8VG4IHDSOGw

Service Disruption: Thursday 21 May

The Library of Birmingham will be closing at 3pm today due to the Aston Villa Victory parade taking place in the city. The parade concludes at the Library of Birmingham, and a celebration will be taking place at Centenary Square.

We have therefore needed to postpone tonight's classes due to run at the Brasshouse Centre. We apologise for any inconvenience.

Our Watercolour for Well-being learners have been busy creating a beautiful collection of handmade pieces for our Community Learning Creative Arts End of Year Show! 🎨

From delicate watercolour bookmarks and greeting cards to unique handmade keyrings, learners will be showcasing and selling their creations at the arts market - with plenty of items available for just a few pounds.

📅 Tuesday 9 June
🕙 10:00am – 1:00pm
📍 Library of Birmingham

Come along and show your support, and pick up a bespoke gift or two while you’re there.

Reserve your free ticket using the link below 👇

https://forms.cloud.microsoft/pages/responsepage.aspx?id=cvyK9n3GCUK8D4sm3L3QGWnCH6Qbc5lLkHaYiQ9l15hUN1ZFUzFGWDIxOFIxTE8xWEg4QUhOU1FRUS4u&route=shorturl&fbclid=IwY2xjawR6VWlleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETFsZFo5ZEtmYjR4V1hFN050c3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHljSfnVmkX_si9geNjkU19CMpggYroTWn-75Q9zMaHa3TV_ivhsZ-i-_RY3C_aem_RP2d9UEFTDOH6_27XnzHeQ

Fantastic to catch up with Matthew, one of our SEND learners, at the Botanical Gardens in Birmingham, where he is currently volunteering. Thanks to Bethan, the Head Gardener, for making this such a wonderful opportunity for him.

A brilliant collaboration in action! 🎭📸

Our Performing Arts for Wellbeing group recently teamed up with photography learners on a creative project to help promote our Community Learning Creative Arts End of Year Show.

Inspired by Peaky Blinders and the women’s suffrage movement, learners worked in costume and character to create powerful, Birmingham-rooted imagery and performance pieces.

It’s been fantastic to see learners from different courses come together, build confidence, and bring their ideas to life.

Don’t miss the final showcase on 9th June – it’s set to be something special! ✨

Our talented learners have been busy creating some fantastic artwork to help promote our Community Learning Creative Arts End of Year Show! 🎨✨

We’ve loved seeing how the class has interpreted “We Are Birmingham” – each piece tells its own unique story and celebrates what makes our city so special.

There were so many incredible creations that we just had to share a few of our favourites with you.

Keep an eye out, you’ll spot their artwork featured on posters, social media and event materials on the day.

Take a look and let us know which pieces stand out to you.

📅 Tuesday 9 June
🕙 10:00am – 1:00pm
📍 Library of Birmingham

Reserve your free ticket using the link below 👇

https://forms.cloud.microsoft/pages/responsepage.aspx?id=cvyK9n3GCUK8D4sm3L3QGWnCH6Qbc5lLkHaYiQ9l15hUN1ZFUzFGWDIxOFIxTE8xWEg4QUhOU1FRUS4u&route=shorturl&fbclid=IwY2xjawRz6lhleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETEzM0duWkliWk5TQklBdUFnc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHmtMjVY7GdJzNX9XtyDNvohAZjY6HJfL1La06iq0nC1rSSjQ1DX4T52apQ9D_aem_pht-uweHKt052rYTCkFIJw

Our learners have been hard at work creating artwork that could feature on the poster for our Community Learning Creative Arts End of Year Show.

Today we met Sharon, whose piece is a tribute to her grandmother Betty and the women of Birmingham. Betty was one of the women involved in the iconic Banner for Birmingham art project in 1992, designed by Sandi Kiehlmann.

Inspired by the original banner, Sharon has updated it for today’s Birmingham, including landmarks like the Library of Birmingham. She also shared photos from the original unveiling, bringing back fond memories for her and her family.

The original Banner for Birmingham can still be seen at Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery - UK

We’re excited to see how the rest of the class interpret what We Are Birmingham means to them!