First Surgery at Ort

Ort Cafe is a great venue opposite Balsall Heath Library, ideal for our first surgery.  We had a decent turnout, and was commented the 'Surgery' type approach relaxed and made meetings more approachable and inviting to new people.  The Cafe was set up by artists, and not surprisingly is great for meeting artists, but as one attendee commented:


'I liked the Ort venue meeting, and the relaxed table mix, but not sure we're reaching the school and neighbourhood communities yet'

This one, I think is a bit of a priority, so first off, the surgeries will be at a range of different settings.  I'm also hoping the people from that venue will help us attract a range of people they already know from their communities.  So the next one will be Kitchen Garden Cafe (early July, date to be confirmed) and I'm looking into having a picnic on Cannon Hill Park and meeting in a school or two - Robin Hood Primary and Kings Heath Primary are more obvious choices, as we already know people there.

We are looking for more venues for this year, but the only (and most effective) way to do this is to find people with a venue willing to help organise surgeries.  Please contact me if you think you can help.

I'll be placing some of the comments on our facebook page to encourage people to write responses, to develop conversations.  Last, but not least, we need actions, art stuff to come from the surgeries. Only one surgery so far so early days, but from the conversations I was a part of, it's clear we are already bringing people together who are setting up workshops, events, other things.

• Notes from meeting
• Map updated
• Field for the Olympics