Community Information Fair

Events

Tuesday 20 Feb

10:00am - 4:00pm

Positive Images Festival hosts the Community Information Fair as part of its festival celebrations.
The Fair is located in the heart of the City Centre and features 13 marquees with 26 stalls offering a great opportunity to find out about the work of local community groups and other public service organisations. You will also be able to find out about the services they offer to the people of Coventry.

Please visit our planning page if you would like a stall



Organisations taking part in 2023 2024 Fair is cancelled.

Bardsley Youth Project

Serial homelessness is common in young people, with ‘sofa surfing’ at friends’ houses hiding the true extent of the problem and limiting access to statutory support. We are a youth homelessness prevention and crisis relief charity that offers emotional and practical for young people aged 16-25 based in Coventry city centre who are homeless, at risk of homelessness or worried about their housing situation. All of our activities are provided free of charge to young people and are aimed at supporting young people to obtain and maintain tenancies. The young people ‘opt in’ to use our services and engage as much or as little as they choose. At Bardsley, we value the views of our young people and aim to adapt the support services we offer to meet their needs.  - For more information please visit: www.Bardsleyyouth.org of find us on Facebook and Instagram @BardsleyYouthProject


EXTRA INFORMATION

Our services include:

  • 1:1 sessions - providing practical and emotional support to gain the skills young people need to find accommodation and keep it.
  • Drop-in session at a hostel for homeless young people, providing a safe place for residents to engage and encouraging positive life choices.
  • Drop-in session for young people to access our services, ask their housing questions and be part a of positive community
  •  Onsite food bank specifically for young people.

Contact: 
Bardsley Youth Project, 
Hill Top, Coventry
CV1 5EP

Rachel Orman Mobile; 07497182856   Email [email protected]
Website www.BardsleyYouth.org

British Red Cross

The British Red Cross is part of the world’s largest humanitarian network, the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement. We work with the International Committee of the Red Cross, as well as the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies to help people in crisis all around the world. Although we are widely recognised for our involvement in responding to international emergencies, conflicts and disasters, the British Red Cross
also helps millions of people in the UK every year. Across the country, on any given day, our volunteers and staff could help someone returning home from hospital, a family who has been evacuated from their burning home, or a young refugee who has just arrived in the UK. We believe that the power of kindness will help us achieve our vision of a world where everyone gets the help they need in a crisis. 

Our services locally include Emergency Response: helping communities prepare for, respond to and recover from crises providing emotional and practical support during an emergency, Refugee Support and International Family Tracing: helping those settling into the UK including giving emergency food and clothing to casework support and reuniting families separated by conflict, Independent Living: offering short-term support to someone at home after a stay in hospital including providing mobility aids and other equipment. 

Contact: British Red Cross
Bradbury House, Wheler Road, Seven Stars Industrial Estate, Coventry 
Post code: CV3 4LB
Tel: 07710710946
Email: [email protected]
Website: redcross.org.uk
  @BritishRedCross

Coventry Adult Education Service

The Coventry Adult Education Service offers courses to Coventry residents predominantly over the age of 19 years, these range from Essential Skills such as Maths and English, ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages), courses for leisure - ICT and Computer courses, Sport and Fitness, Dance, Music, Arts and Crafts, Fabric Crafts and Dressmaking, Languages including British Sign Language.

We also offer accredited courses such as GCSE Maths and English and Childcare and Early Years Awards and Diplomas. We have a growing range of courses on our Study Programme for 16-19 year olds as well as offering Apprenticeships in Business Admin, Leadership and Management, Early Years and Teaching Assistants and Health and Social Care.

Most courses are offered in venues across the City, but a few are taught online. If you are interested in any of our courses, and would like to speak to someone, then please come to our marquee, we will be happy to advise. 

Please go to www.coventry.gov.uk/adulted to see our full range of courses or ring 024 7697 5200 for further information.
 

Contact: Coventry Adult Education Service
Southfields Old School
Hillfields Coventry
Post code CV1 5EJ
Contact Name     Lynda Powell
Email [email protected]
Website www.coventry.gov.uk/adulted                                

Coventry Association for International Friendship

The Coventry Association for International Friendship is a people to people organisation that promotes peace and understanding both in Coventry and in its twin and friendship towns and cities.

Contact: Linda Hirons   Telephone  024 76542909 Mobile  07580 567672 
Email  [email protected]
Website www.caif.co.uk
  caif@caifers 

Coventry Freeman’s Guild

Coventry Freemen are unique, as to become a Freeman is only by completing an indentured apprenticeship within Coventry. The original guilds were created in the 14th Century. Come and visit our stall for information about our membership, the Guild’s history and our charitable activities. On sale will be our historical colouring books - Coventry’s Guildhall, and Coventry’s Medieval Story.

Contact:  Peter Wilford
Telephone: 024 7644 3733   Mobile: 07810 77128   Email: [email protected]

Website www.coventryfreemensguild.wordpress.com/

 

Coventry Library and Information Service

Coventry Libraries has some for everyone, books, e-books, e-newspapers and events for all ages, and in different languages. Get your free library card and book gift, as well as a taste of what is on offer both in your local library and online with e-resources and online services.

Contact: 024 7683 2314
Website: www.coventry.gov.uk/libraries | Central Library, Smithford Way, Coventry   CV1 1FY
Facebook: www.facebook.com/covlibraries | Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/covlibraries

Centre for Lifelong Learning, University of Warwick

For more than 30 years the Centre for Lifelong Learning has been a centre of expertise in the education of lifelong learners in different contexts, with a focus on enabling adult learners to achieve their personal and professional goals by accessing a Warwick education, irrespective of background.

Our courses include:

  • Undergraduate programmes in part-time Social Studies, Counselling, Early Childhood, History, Classics, English and Culture Studies, French Studies and a degree apprenticeship in Social Work;
  • Short courses including Introduction to Counselling;
  • Postgraduate awards, certificate, diploma and masters in areas such as Counselling, Career Development and Coaching Studies, Coaching, Careers Guidance Education Information in Higher Education;
  • Research degrees on Adult Education and Lifelong Learning, Open Professional Studies, Social Work, and Social Work and Policy.

You may be eligible to receive funding for your study.

For more information, please visit https://warwick.ac.uk/cll
 

Centre for Lifelong Learning, University of Warwick
WCE 0.6, Centre for Lifelong Learning, Westwood Campus, Uni of Warwick, Coventry, CV4 8UW
Contact Number (Mobile/ Telephone) 02476151155
Website https://warwick.ac.uk/study/cll/
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/cll.warwick
Instagram https://www.instagram.com/cllwarwick/
Twitter https://twitter.com/CLLWarwick.

 

Healthwatch

Healthwatch Coventry is your local health and social care champion. If you need information or you’re ready to tell your story – we’re here to listen. 

You can add to the picture of what works well and what should change in NHS or social care. 

We can also help you to get the information you need to use local health and social care services through our information helpline. We help you to know what should happen and can signpost to support and help.
Contact: 0247 622 0381 | [email protected]

Website: http://www.healthwatchcoventry.co.uk/ 

27-29 Trinity Street 
Coventry CV1 1FJ

Coventry Irish Society

Mission Statement

Coventry Irish Society is an organisation which works predominantly with older Irish people with a specific target to support the vulnerable Irish. Our overall aim is to alleviate poverty, improve health and address social isolation in our local Irish community. 
The Society Provides a wide range of health and welfare advice, information and support to the Irish community including specialist advice such as Irish Pensions. Irish Passports and services to Irish Survivors and Irish Travellers.
We complete a broad range of health and welfare benefit and housing applications for clients including home visits and outreach work where necessary.
We organise a variety of Befriending Groups with the intention of enabling access to health and well-being information, advice, and services.
We run a half day per week Dementia support service.
We organise a variety of cultural and social events including a St. Patrick's Day Festival and promoting a positive sense of Irish identity and to celebrate Irish culture and heritage.

Coventry Irish Society
2nd Floor Eaton House
1 Eaton Road
Coventry
CV1 2FJ
Contact Name  Simon McCarthy                          
Telephone 02476256629
Mobile 07490134821

Email [email protected]

Website www.coventryirishsociety.com

The Highlife Centre

The Highlife Centre Ltd is a growing and reputable organisation serving beneficiaries in Coventry, Warwickshire and West Midlands. The YV (Youth Vision) Official Leadership Network work with young people aged 12 to 24 years old, to equip them with leadership skills that empower them to articulate their voices across various media, create a sea-change of youth leadership in local civics, social activism and entrepreneurship, become role models and an inspiration to the younger generation. The WAVA Hall is a social enterprise based in Coventry, and a sustainable arm of the Highlife Centre charity, which is committed to enabling people to become confident and productive in their communities to aspire and achieve their full potential.

The Highlife Centre
Contact Person Shabana Sarguro
31 Barras Green, CV2 4LY, Coventry
Contact Number Mobile 07557278313
Website www.thehighlife.org

Hope in Unity

Our service currently runs on a Monday and Tuesday 11.00am – 3.00pm supporting black elders in the community who are socially isolated, vulnerable and lonely (but not just for those faced with these situations). We have good conversations and provide practical help and support. We promote the benefits of Health, Wellbeing and practical activities from candle and card making, mosaic design, painting and many others, to stimulate both mental and physical wellness. We will be selling products made by the service users along with some Hope in Unity canvas bags that will enable you to carry away the products purchased on the day, all for a small cost.

Hope in Unity – Our service operates from 
Ansty Road United Reformed Church
210 Ansty Road
Wyken
Coventry
CV2 3EZ

Contact Name   Evadne Headley                                
Telephone 
Mobile         0796 843 8097
Email           [email protected]

Website      https://hopeinunity.org/ 

World on a Plate

World on a Plate is an exciting social enterprise created and run by the Coventry Refugee and Migrant Centre. Our purpose is to encourage multicultural learning and integration through the medium of food, while providing employment and entrepreneurial opportunities for refugees and migrants in Coventry. We offer catering services, regular supper clubs as well as participating in events and festivals.

World on a Plate,
Coventry Refugee and Migrant Centre.
Norton House, Bird Street, Coventry.
CV1 5FX.
Contact Name   Victor Iringere
Telephone   024 7622 7254
Mobile  07563020966
Email    [email protected]

Website  covrefugee.org

WATCH Charity and Hillz FM

Stall to promote sessions and activities taking place at WATCH and Hillz FM community radio stations.

  • Leaflets to promotes session such as conversational ESOL, confidence building, volunteer workshops, job club, radio training, youth sessions
  • Enourage visitors to come and register for employment support

Watch is open Monday to Friday from 9.00am to 5.000pm

Skillz with Hillz (Radio Training) – Tuesdays and Fridays 10am – 12pm
Volunteer Info Sessions – Wednesdays 9:30am – 10:30am
Young Hillz Youth Club – Wednesdays 3:30pm – 5:30pm
Job Club – Thursdays 10am – 12pm
Young Hillz Radio Training – Thursdays 3:30pm – 5:30pm
Conversational ESOL – Fridays 9:30am – 10:30am

WATCH Charity and Hillz FM
12 Victoria Street, Hillfields, Coventry, CV1 5LZ
Tel: 02476 550 564
Mobile: 078 5197 6369
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.watchcharity.org.uk


 

St Giles Trust 

We help people held back by poverty, exploited, abused, dealing with addiction or mental health problems, caught up in crime or a combination of these issues and others. We show people there is a way to build a better future – for themselves and those they care about – and help them create this through support, advice and training.

Working in custody and in the community, our peer-led approach underlines this work and is borne out by the fact that many of the team have first hand experience. 
We offer services across the Midlands helping people overcome barriers and access the services they need to progress their st-hand experience of the issues facing the clients they are supporting.

St Giles Trust 
3 Castle Yard 
Coventry 
 CV1 5RF
Contact Name: Jade Hibbert                               
Telephone: 07581 391 340
Mobile: 07581 391 340 
Email: [email protected] 

Website: stgilestrust.org.uk

 

Volunteering Matters

In Warwickshire, we have a number of exciting community led projects which we are looking to expand through the recruitment of volunteers. These include Connect+Go, Grandmentors, ESOL classes and more. These great initiatives help numerous people throughout the community – young people who need mentorship, isolated people who need community transport, refugees and asylum seekers who are learning English, and many, many more!

Volunteering Matters
Scala House
36 Holloway Circus
Birmingham
B1 1EQ (Project based in Nuneaton, CV11 5LS)
Contact Name      Jamie Din                             
Telephone 07377 692338
Mobile 07377 692338
Email [email protected]
Website volunteeringmatters.org.uk
 

Creative Kindness.

Creative Kindness will be running an on-going  workshop in the Positive Images Marquee on the day from 10.00am to 4.00pm  as part of the 10,000 Stars for Coventry Project.
Contact:  Shirley  Harper,  Creative Kindness.
 
Email: [email protected]
 

More events

Positive Images Festival 2024

15th June to 5th July 2024

Multicultural Craft and Food Fair

20.2.2024