Birmingham Adult Education Service

Just one day to go ✨

Join us tomorrow for our Community Learning Creative Arts End of Year Show.

Experience a vibrant exhibition of learner artwork, get involved in interactive art activities, and enjoy a live photoshoot capturing creativity in action.

Browse and buy a range of flowers, bespoke arts and crafts, and handmade items at our Arts Market, created as part of our Enterprise Project – with many pieces available for just a few pounds. Payments can be made easily by card on the day.

📅 Tuesday 9 June
🕙 10:00am – 1:00pm
📍 Library of Birmingham

Join us to support our amazing learners and celebrate everything that makes our city special!

On Friday 5th June, BAES proudly celebrated the invaluable contribution of our volunteers at our annual Volunteer Celebration Event! ⭐

The event was very well attended, and we were delighted to be joined and supported by members of the Senior Leadership Team, including Ilgun, Helen, Pauline and Sameena, whose presence highlighted the importance of recognising our volunteers’ impact.

Throughout the academic year, 56 volunteers supported 82 placements across a range of curriculum areas, making a meaningful impact on learners’ experiences and success. From ESOL to Maths, English and other subjects, volunteers have played a vital role in supporting teaching and learning.

The event provided an opportunity to recognise and thank all volunteers for their time, dedication and commitment. Their support continues to make a real difference in building confidence, skills and opportunities for learners across Birmingham.

A special thank you from the Learner Services Team to all volunteers who have supported BAES this year – your contribution truly changes lives. ✨

Our learners have been working together to create a special recipe book 📖, bringing together dishes that hold real meaning to them, each one telling its own story!

Mohammed’s Koobideh Kebab is a dish that means a lot to him and his community, traditionally served at celebrations and enjoyed by so many.

He learned how to make it while working alongside his uncle, a professional chef, gaining hands-on experience in a busy restaurant kitchen.

For Mohammed, cooking this dish brings back those moments and keeps tradition alive, recreating the flavours he grew up with and sharing something that connects people.

Ingredients:

• 500 g of minced meat (lamb and beef)
• One large onion
• One teaspoon of salt
• One half of a teaspoon of black pepper
________________________________________

Method:

Grate the onion and remove all the juice.

Mix the meat, onion, salt and black pepper for a few minutes until the mixture becomes sticky.

Place the mixture in the fridge for one hour. This helps it hold together better.

Take some of the meat and press it onto a skewer, shaping it evenly with your hands.

Grill over hot charcoal. Turn the skewers quickly at first so the meat does not fall off, then cook slowly.

Important Tips:

The onion must be dry.

The meat should not be too fatty or too lean.

Our learners have been busy creating a special recipe book sharing dishes that matter most to them, each one filled with personal stories and memories. 💛

Food is more than just what we eat, it connects us to home, family and tradition.

For Alaa, Syrian Tabbouleh is more than just a dish, it’s something he learned from his mother and now shares with his own children.

As a dad of three, Alaa takes pride in passing this tradition on, bringing his family together through food and keeping a piece of home alive at the table.

Ingredients:

• Two to three large bunches of flat-leaf parsley, finely chopped
• One quarter of a cup of bulgur
• One half of a cup of fresh mint leaves, finely chopped
• Two medium tomatoes, finely diced and drained
• One half of a bunch of spring onions
• One third of a cup of virgin olive oil

Method:

Put the bulgur into a bowl and add some water. Leave it until it softens.

While it softens, chop the parsley and mint into small pieces, then chop the tomatoes and onions into small cubes.

Put all the ingredients into a large bowl and add the bulgur.

Add the olive oil and a little salt.

Stir the mixture well and taste.

You can also add some lemon juice to improve the flavour.

Looking to get creative this summer? We’ve got a range of exciting courses coming up in Northfield and Erdington!

Northfield
Art – Watercolours (Improvers)
Fridays | 09:30–12:30
5 June – 17 July 2026

Erdington
Floristry – Floristry Skills (Intermediate)
Tuesdays | 10:00–12:15
2 June – 7 July 2026

Floristry – Floristry Skills (Improvers)
Wednesdays | 12:30–15:00
3 June – 8 July 2026

Floristry – Floristry Skills (Improvers) – Evening
Wednesdays | 18:00–20:30
3 June – 8 July 2026

Whether you're building on existing skills or taking your creativity to the next level, there’s something for you.

👉 Pop into your local centre to enrol, and

Just 13 days to go until our Community Learning Creative Arts End of Year Show!

Enjoy a vibrant live exhibition, with interactive art activities for everyone to try. Experience a live photoshoot, and don’t miss the chance to buy flowers and bespoke arts & crafts at the arts market.

Come along to be inspired, support our learners, and celebrate creativity in all its forms.

📅 Tuesday 9 June
🕙 10:00am – 1:00pm
📍 Library of Birmingham

https://forms.cloud.microsoft/pages/responsepage.aspx?id=cvyK9n3GCUK8D4sm3L3QGWnCH6Qbc5lLkHaYiQ9l15hUN1ZFUzFGWDIxOFIxTE8xWEg4QUhOU1FRUS4u&route=shorturl&fbclid=IwY2xjawSDjEpleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETFRWTBHNGxwN01BZHdENUFCc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHkGK2vMS7NyRZSUC8hrGaLTCg3Qrj5QEQ4S4ePyiueQTnD08rUkBzzAOS0_V_aem_nKvElq67gyElVeTS7SiQ_w

18 days to go! 🎉

Our learners have been getting creative, designing a brilliant range of handmade greeting cards for our Community Learning Creative Arts End of Year Show 💌

Each one is unique, full of personality, and perfect for gifting or sending a special message.

You’ll be able to browse and buy them at our arts market – with many available for just a few pounds.

📅 Tuesday 9 June
🕙 10:00am – 1:00pm
📍 Library of Birmingham

Reserve your free ticket NOW 👇

https://forms.cloud.microsoft/pages/responsepage.aspx?id=cvyK9n3GCUK8D4sm3L3QGWnCH6Qbc5lLkHaYiQ9l15hUN1ZFUzFGWDIxOFIxTE8xWEg4QUhOU1FRUS4u&route=shorturl&fbclid=IwY2xjawR9KDxleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETFRWTBHNGxwN01BZHdENUFCc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHtP-lbjrw73Ipv8BS95hZNFuuV7biMspKxXmX127Qf1EsjWvPZFhE_3ay7Tt_aem_NHwUaS58EFf8VG4IHDSOGw

Service Disruption: Thursday 21 May

The Library of Birmingham will be closing at 3pm today due to the Aston Villa Victory parade taking place in the city. The parade concludes at the Library of Birmingham, and a celebration will be taking place at Centenary Square.

We have therefore needed to postpone tonight's classes due to run at the Brasshouse Centre. We apologise for any inconvenience.

Our Watercolour for Well-being learners have been busy creating a beautiful collection of handmade pieces for our Community Learning Creative Arts End of Year Show! 🎨

From delicate watercolour bookmarks and greeting cards to unique handmade keyrings, learners will be showcasing and selling their creations at the arts market - with plenty of items available for just a few pounds.

📅 Tuesday 9 June
🕙 10:00am – 1:00pm
📍 Library of Birmingham

Come along and show your support, and pick up a bespoke gift or two while you’re there.

Reserve your free ticket using the link below 👇

https://forms.cloud.microsoft/pages/responsepage.aspx?id=cvyK9n3GCUK8D4sm3L3QGWnCH6Qbc5lLkHaYiQ9l15hUN1ZFUzFGWDIxOFIxTE8xWEg4QUhOU1FRUS4u&route=shorturl&fbclid=IwY2xjawR6VWlleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETFsZFo5ZEtmYjR4V1hFN050c3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHljSfnVmkX_si9geNjkU19CMpggYroTWn-75Q9zMaHa3TV_ivhsZ-i-_RY3C_aem_RP2d9UEFTDOH6_27XnzHeQ