HS2‘s Community and Environments Fund has now seen Sähëlï Hub in Washwood Heath, Birmingham, allotted £75,000, marking the third project in the local area, with a total of £225,000 awarded to date. 

The other projects which have also received £75,000 in funding include the Dolphin Community Centre in Ward End Park, alongside a project which will see the improvement of water quality in Wash Brook.

The Sähëlï Hub was first set up back in 1998 as a ‘women-only’ project which offered health and wellbeing activities whilst supporting the needs of local Muslim women.

Since its establishment, the Hub has seen residents in Washwood Heath enjoy sessions and now runs three hubs in Calthorpe Park in Balsall Heath, Handsworth and Alum Rock and support more than 1,500 women each year.

The £75,000 grant awarded by HS2 will fund the latest Sähëlï Hub project, which aims to encourage community members, especially men, to take part in group-based sporting activities within the local area.

HS2 funding aims to support communities on the route of HS2 which have been disrupted through the construction of the high-speed railway.

At present, Washwood Heath is currently seeing preparation work take place for the building of the Washwood Heath Depot where HS2 trains will be serviced, stored and maintained and will feature a Maintenance Building, Network Integrated Control Centre and Cleaners and Drivers Building.

The Depot will see more than 550 high-quality long-term positions created for people in the local area.

Our amazing community groups have now secured nearly a quarter of a million pounds of HS2 support in Washwood Heath alone. It’s all part of our plan to make sure HS2’s arrival transforms East Birmingham with the biggest investment programme for decades. This is one more vital step along the way!

Liam Byrne, Labour MP for Hodge Hill

Even before the Washwood Heath Depot is built and open for business, the area is reaping the rewards of HS2 and this grant to the Sähëlï Hub is the latest community boost. Sähëlï Hub’s activities have already benefitted hundreds of people and the new project will further tackle health inequalities in East Birmingham.

Counillor John Cotton, Leader of Birmingham City Council

Once operational, the Washwood Heath development will be an amazing local asset, providing over 550 high quality jobs for local people. While we build the Depot, it’s important for us to support the communities nearby, so direct funding to community-led projects like Sähëlï Hub can ensure local residents feel supported throughout the construction period of HS2.

Luke Nipen, Head of Community Engagement for HS2