New CEO Lucy Kenny is eager to work with the people of Moseley

We are delighted to welcome Lucy Kenny as the new Chief Officer of Moseley Community Development Trust (MCDT), who takes the reins from Lorna Brewster. Lucy brings a huge amount of local community experience to the role, and is eager to work with the people of Moseley for the benefit of the whole community.

Moseley Community Development Trust is the umbrella charity for a number of local community initiatives, including Moseley Exchange, Moseley Hive, Moseley Alternative Giving Campaign, and Moseley for Ukraine.

Lucy is an experienced engagement professional and a champion for community-led change, and has lived in South Birmingham all of her life. She has a background in programme management, volunteer management and community participation. Lucy has worked across the public, private and voluntary sectors, and has chaired Kings Heath Action for Refugees since 2021.

“My passion is about creating space and opportunities for people to engage with and improve their own communities”, says Lucy. “I love when people work together for the greater good.

“To me, the role of the CDT is to support Moseley’s diverse community, create connections and amplify the incredible amount of good work being done to make Moseley a better place to live, work and visit – now and in the future.

“I’m excited about the opportunity to build on the achievements of the team and play my part in supporting Moseley and the CDT into its next phase.”

Lucy has hit the ground running, and shown she really is eager to work with the people of Moseley.

“In the last couple of months, I’ve already met so many wonderful Moseley residents. You might have seen me popping up at meetings here and there, and can’t wait to meet more groups and residents over the coming months and years.

“I’m thrilled to be part of the team at Moseley Community Development Trust.”

And we’re thrilled to have you, Lucy. Welcome on board!

Thank you Lorna, for leading Moseley CDT and all its community activities for more than six years!

Last week, we bade a fond farewell to Lorna Brewster, irrepressible Chief Officer of Moseley Community Development Trust (MCDT) for the last six-and-a-half years. 

While the name ‘Moseley Community Development Trust’ may not be widely recognised locally, the impact of its work reaches right across the community and has mushroomed since Lorna took the helm in 2018.

If you are at all familiar with Moseley you will doubtless be aware of the Arts Market that coincides with the Farmers Market every month; and, because you’re reading this, you probably have a good idea about coworking, office space and room hire here at Moseley Exchange. 

But did you know these activities are run by Moseley CDT and help to fund an array of other activities that bring huge benefits to the local community? 

For example, Moseley CDT also runs the Moseley Alternative Giving Campaign and Moseley for Ukraine, and employs a Community Outreach Worker (Anji Page) and a Project Officer (Olga Popova) respectively. It also employs a Community Connector (Rhiannon Simpson).

As Community Connector, Rhiannon manages Moseley Hive on the High Street. Moseley Hive hosts workshops, craft days, community suppers, music groups, clothes swaps, and a repair cafe. 

But Moseley Hive is also a lifeline for many people in the area. 

On Thursdays, the Hive is home to the Community Fridge, where people can get fresh food and ingredients, and to a lunchtime Soup Club that provides a welcome hot meal. 

On Wednesdays it operates as a drop-in for Moseley Alternative Giving Campaign and Moseley for Ukraine, as well as other agencies such as the local women’s charity, Anawim

Anji, the Community Outreach Worker, is there to offer a hot drink, friendly chat, and practical support to vulnerable people in precarious social circumstances, such as those who are homeless or at risk of becoming so. 

Moseley for Ukraine is there to help local Ukrainian refugees access the services they are entitled to and support them in building their new lives in Birmingham.

Likewise, Anawim and other agencies are there as vital sources of support and advice.

This is all under the auspices of Moseley Community Development Trust, which Lorna has led with immense warmth and dedication since 2018.

Thank you Lorna, for all you have done for Moseley.

And a very warm welcome to Lucy Kenny, our new Chief Officer – but more on that in another post! 

Take the headache out of Self Assessment at Moseley Exchange!

Are you about to spend the festive season worrying about your online tax return because you just can’t face it doing it yet? You’re not alone, so why not join other people in the same position to help take the headache out of Self Assessment the right side of Christmas this year? 

We know how tempting it is to put these things off until the last minute, but we also know how much of a relief it can be to get them out of the way. So, on Thursday 12 December, Moseley Exchange is inviting people to join us in our coworking space to work on their online Self Assessments together. 

It’s a great chance to sit in a friendly and supportive environment away from the distractions of home, to carve out a time when you can focus on tidying up your taxes for the year.

This is not a workshop or advice session, so you will need to make sure you are set up to file your Self Assessment tax return online, and to bring all the documents you may need (see ‘Before You Start on page 1 of this pdf for a list).

And while we can’t advise on your tax return, we will have someone on hand to help you solve any issues you may encounter as you navigate your Self Assessment. 

The event is free, so it is also a great chance to try out our warm and friendly coworking space. Wifi is provided, and so is tea and coffee. Just bring your laptop and any documents you will need to complete your tax return.

We want you to have a great festive season, so join us on 12 December and take the headache out of Self Assessment this year so you can enjoy it to the full!

Register here