Focus Birmingham

Have you or someone you know been affected by sight loss?

We offer one-to-one and group counselling sessions delivered by a BACP registered counsellor. These give people space to talk, explore what they are going through and develop ways to manage the stress and anxiety that can come with sight loss.

To find out more, call our Support Line on 0121 393 4849 and we will guide you through the services available.

Support like this makes a real difference, but it can only continue with the backing of people who believe in it.

If you are able to donate, your support helps us keep vital services available for people affected by sight loss and complex needs. Visit www.focusbirmingham.org.uk.

Image description: A green graphic with navy text reading “Let’s talk”, with “Counselling” written underneath. Two white arrows point up towards the word “Counselling”. On the right, white icons show two people with speech bubbles between them.

Calling all local makers, sellers and small businesses.

Stall spaces are available at our Summer Fete on Saturday 11 July, 12pm to 3pm, at Focus Birmingham.

They cost £25 each and it's perfect for someone who sells handmade gifts, crafts, cakes, treats, books, beauty products or something a bit different!

Please tag them or share this post with them.

All booking information is available on our Summer Fete webpage: https://www.focusbirmingham.org.uk/Event/focus-summer-fete-2026

Or contact Charlie with any questions.

Email: [email protected]
Call: 0121 720 3100

Image description: A colourful poster for the Summer Fete, with bunting, flowers and grass along the bottom. Four photos from last year’s event show people in pirate costumes, visitors playing hook-a-duck, face painting and a ribbon-cutting moment under a balloon arch.

The poster says the event takes place on Saturday 11 July, 12pm to 3pm, at Focus Birmingham, 48–62 Woodville Road, Harborne, B17 9AT.

A reminder that Focus will be closed on Monday 25 May and Tuesday 26 May for the Spring Bank Holiday.

If you or someone you support needs information or advice during the break, our website has details of services that may be able to help. These helplines are also available 24/7.

Birmingham Mind Helpline, call: 0121 262 3555 (or Freephone 0800 915 9292)
For mental health support, guidance, advice and signposting.

Samaritans, ring: 116 123
For immediate emotional support, day or night.

We will be back to full operation on Wednesday 27 May.

Image description: A navy graphic with white text reading “Bank Holiday.” Curving pink and blue arrows sweep around the edge to represent movement and direction.

Our free Living Well With Sight Loss Course is back 🚨

Over 4 weeks, you’ll get practical advice, useful information and real support to help with everyday life after sight loss.

The course covers:

Staying independent
Benefits and support available
Tips, gadgets and useful products
Eye health
Hobbies and interests
Other services that can help

It is free to attend, refreshments are provided, and it is a great chance to meet other people affected by sight loss and share experiences with people who understand.

Held at Focus Birmingham, 48–62 Woodville Road, Harborne, B17 9AT.

Upcoming sessions:

𝐌𝐨𝐧𝐝𝐚𝐲𝐬, 𝟏𝟎𝐚𝐦 𝐭𝐨 𝟏𝟐.𝟑𝟎𝐩𝐦
29 June to 20 July
24 August to 21 September
26 October to 16 November

𝐓𝐡𝐮𝐫𝐬𝐝𝐚𝐲𝐬, 𝟏𝐩𝐦 𝐭𝐨 𝟒𝐩𝐦
4 June to 25 June
30 July to 20 August
1 October to 22 October
26 November to 17 December

To book your place, call 0121 393 4849 or email [email protected] or [email protected].

Please share this with someone who might be interested.

Image descriptions: Two yellow and dark blue graphics about the Living Well With Sight Loss course.

The first graphic introduces the free 4-week course and includes booking contact details. The second graphic lists upcoming Monday and Thursday course dates.

𝐍𝐨𝐭 𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐲 𝐣𝐨𝐛 𝐢𝐧 𝐜𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐥𝐨𝐨𝐤𝐬 𝐥𝐢𝐤𝐞 𝐜𝐚𝐫𝐞.

We're hiring and it takes all kinds of people to support people affected by sight loss and complex needs.

We’re currently recruiting for:

HR Manager
Hub Leader
Drivers
Activities Support Worker
Care Support Worker
Children’s Sight Loss Counsellor

Some roles are hands-on. Some are strategic. Some keep the day moving. All of them matter.

Please share this with anyone who might be interested, or view our current vacancies here: https://www.focusbirmingham.org.uk/jobs

The Focus Birmingham Summer Fete is back!

Join us on Saturday 11 July, 12pm–3pm, at Woodville Road, Harborne for games, stalls, a tombola, bouncy castle, homemade treats, arts and crafts, a raffle, entertainment and plenty more.

Every pound raised helps the people we support stay connected, build confidence, and live life more fully. Open and accessible to people with additional needs and disabilities.

Save the date. For more details, raffle tickets and stall bookings, visit focusbirmingham.org.uk.

Image description: A colourful poster for the Summer Fete, with bunting, flowers and grass along the bottom. Four photos from last year’s event show people in pirate costumes, visitors playing hook-a-duck, face painting and a ribbon-cutting moment under a balloon arch.

The poster says the event takes place on Saturday 11 July, 12pm to 3pm, at Focus Birmingham, 48–62 Woodville Road, Harborne, B17 9AT.

Every Wednesday, people come to Focus for more than a cuppa.

Our weekly coffee morning gives people affected by sight loss somewhere to talk, connect and feel less isolated.

For Mental Health Awareness Week, we’re sharing what it means to some of our regulars.

Jill said: “It’s an important place for people with limited sight and staff make you feel welcome.

“I miss the company when I’m not here. I like everyone and I’m a sociable person. Everyone here is nice and I can’t fault anyone.”

Debbie said: “It’s a pleasure coming here and they’ve always got a range of wonderful activities.

“It makes Wednesdays special and you have something to look forward to. It breaks my week up, then I get to see my sons on the weekend.”

Ricky said: “I’m sure everyone feels the benefit from Focus, one way or another.

“Even people who are non-verbal, everyone gets something positive from their time here.

“It’s a good social network and everyone’s friendly. If you feel up to it, it’s worth coming along.”

If you know someone who might enjoy coming along, please get in touch. And if you have a skill you would like to share with the group, we would love to hear from you.

Let’s tackle social isolation together.



Image descriptions: Three photos from a Focus coffee morning. They show people spending time together in a community room, including a smiling woman at the table, another regular sitting for a portrait, and a man concentrating while painting.

Social care doesn’t just have a funding problem. It has a belief problem.

We recently welcomed BBC Birmingham to Focus to talk about social care, and what services like ours mean to the people and families who rely on them.

Featuring our own Cate Burke, Stephen, who we support, and his mum Celia. Click the link below to read:

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c4glnvrn9pno?at_link_type=web_link&at_link_id=7EFE812C-4538-11F1-8147-9F1CCFA4C5D4&at_medium=social&at_format=link&at_link_origin=BBC_Birmingham&at_campaign=Social_Flow&at_bbc_team=editorial&at_ptr_name=facebook_page&at_campaign_type=owned&fbclid=IwY2xjawRoHzdleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETEwVWhOekRoMFZFNjhYN2tMc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHgil9rOkFVTk4iopJ4d2M5gqzZgdHz7eZvP0CcqZ9YqIlk__7iDiAlVZLYd6_aem_PAuE0uf3Jtq6R3uXMWKxgg

'Birmingham families desperate for adult social care support' Focus Birmingham helps over 3,000 people with sight loss and complex needs but is at full capacity.

After 35 years in care, Sharon joined Focus and found something new.

Sharon joined us just a few weeks ago as an Activities Support Worker, and she is already loving every minute. With experience working with older people, she is now helping to deliver activities in our hubs including cooking, sports, sign singing and Friday discos - bringing real energy to the people we support.

She has also spoken about how welcome the team has made her feel since day one. That matters to us. We see every day why high-quality, person-centred social care matters, and we work hard to create a culture where new starters feel supported.

We’re proud to have Sharon with us this Celebrating Social Care month.

If you would like to join our team, we are currently recruiting for a HR Manager, Hub Leaders within our Day Service, and an Activities Support Worker. Find out more at focusbirmingham.org.uk/jobs



Image description: Graphic featuring Sharon, an Activities Support Worker, smiling at the camera. Her photo is shown inside a phone frame on a bright yellow background with colourful confetti. Text on the graphic reads “We’re ” and the Skills for Care logo appears in the top right.