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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!

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! 

We’ve had a bit of snow to herald in the season, and now Moseley will crank the preparations up a gear this weekend with a flurry of seasonal markets to meet your Christmassy needs, including a mammoth two-day fair right here at Moseley Exchange – putting Christmas shopping in the heart of Moseley.