Latest News
September 2025
Summer updates
We said goodbye to Katharine (Karis BeFriends Advice) this summer, and Emma (maternity cover for Children and Families Work) who left in August. Emma has long connections to Karis, having first worked for this project 20 years ago! We continue the connection to her through her husband who remains one of our trustees. We thank Katharine and Emma for their contributions to our work and team; they will both be sorely missed. Meanwhile Zoe has taken over as project lead for Karis BeFriends, hitting the ground running, which is essential and much appreciated for this important area of our support.
This summer we also saw the closure of Ladywood Health and Community Centre. This building had sadly deteriorated beyond economic repair and, combined with its likely demolition as part of the Ladywood Regeneration Project, the council decided to close it. Although we were aware of this being a possibility, it was still with fairly short notice that we had to relocate our Ladywood Community Advice project which is now temporarily housed at the Unitarian Church nearby. This development coincided with the retirement of Bram, who has worked with us as senior welfare benefits advisor for many years with a long career in this line of work for a range of organisations within the city. It wasn't long before we saw Bram again however as he is now one of our volunteers!
With the end of baby bank's maternity cover in sight, and the resignation of its longstanding and much loved project lead, Ruth, we interviewed for a new staff member to manage this busy provision. We are pleased to say that Laura, who had been volunteering with the baby bank for over a year, was successful in getting the role and starts later this month. Laura's family have long and numerous connections with Karis and we are delighted to have her on board as a permanent member of staff! We thank Hannah for her work over the past year managing the baby bank while Ruth was on maternity leave.
Towards the end of September we also appointed a new permanent Children and Families project lead, Rach D'Mello, who comes to us with a background of working in schools special education provision. This role is immensely busy and diverse, and Rach has taken it on full speed and with a gorgeous supply of stationery and wall decor!
Summer updates
We said goodbye to Katharine (Karis BeFriends Advice) this summer, and Emma (maternity cover for Children and Families Work) who left in August. Emma has long connections to Karis, having first worked for this project 20 years ago! We continue the connection to her through her husband who remains one of our trustees. We thank Katharine and Emma for their contributions to our work and team; they will both be sorely missed. Meanwhile Zoe has taken over as project lead for Karis BeFriends, hitting the ground running, which is essential and much appreciated for this important area of our support.
This summer we also saw the closure of Ladywood Health and Community Centre. This building had sadly deteriorated beyond economic repair and, combined with its likely demolition as part of the Ladywood Regeneration Project, the council decided to close it. Although we were aware of this being a possibility, it was still with fairly short notice that we had to relocate our Ladywood Community Advice project which is now temporarily housed at the Unitarian Church nearby. This development coincided with the retirement of Bram, who has worked with us as senior welfare benefits advisor for many years with a long career in this line of work for a range of organisations within the city. It wasn't long before we saw Bram again however as he is now one of our volunteers!
With the end of baby bank's maternity cover in sight, and the resignation of its longstanding and much loved project lead, Ruth, we interviewed for a new staff member to manage this busy provision. We are pleased to say that Laura, who had been volunteering with the baby bank for over a year, was successful in getting the role and starts later this month. Laura's family have long and numerous connections with Karis and we are delighted to have her on board as a permanent member of staff! We thank Hannah for her work over the past year managing the baby bank while Ruth was on maternity leave.
Towards the end of September we also appointed a new permanent Children and Families project lead, Rach D'Mello, who comes to us with a background of working in schools special education provision. This role is immensely busy and diverse, and Rach has taken it on full speed and with a gorgeous supply of stationery and wall decor!