
It’s that Jolly Jan time of year again, and last week we were out and about in the Frankley and Kings Norton South areas, knocking doors and chatting to local citizens.
What is Jolly January?
Our focus is on reconnecting individuals with the various local services and activities within their community. For many, the third week of January can be a particularly challenging time

Why do we do it?
We know that so many people living in our communities are still isolated and disconnected. They are unaware of the wealth of local activities and support available in their immediate area and continue to fall through the cracks of our society. We want to connect with people, have a conversation and help them access the support and help that is out there.

What do we actually do?
We choose the second week of January because this is NOT a “jolly” time of year and is known for being the lowest time of the year for many people, and we knock doors.
We are armed with information about all the wonderful local activities, groups and support available nearby, and if someone isn’t in, we drop this information through their door, but if they are at home then we stop and have a chat.

The campaign is organised by Northfield Community Partnership, but we invite local partners and volunteers from across the constituency to join us, and they too bring their information and leaflets. This year we were joined by:
Frankley Parish Council, South Birmingham Stroke club, A local boxing club, Birmingham City football foundation and Cuppa Squad from the Frankley area,
Rob Grant – local ward councillor for Kings Norton south, Hawkesley CC, The Sweet Project, Digi-kick, and Age Concern Dementia support from KN South,
And Midland Mencap, Northfield Arts Forum, an Early Help representative from Gateway, CASBA, Redeemer Church, System fitness, 2 BCC CNSO workers from both Northfield and Edgbaston as well as 4 case workers from the local Northfield MP office.
We chose to spend the week knocking doors in just 2 of the Northfield wards this year, Frankley and Kings Norton South. We were out for morning and afternoon sessions and were blessed with cold but sunny and bright weather.
What did we achieve?
We delivered well over 1000 leaflets (500 in each Ward) and we had 201 conversations with local citizens in Frankley and 176 conversations in Kings Norton South.
We also hosted 2 drop-in sessions specifically for disabled adults and this was attended by about 15 people at each session.
Everyone we spoke to was grateful for the information shared and the opportunity to talk about how they were doing and where they might need some support. Having relevant local information shared with them directly on the doorstep was useful.
We reached many families who were keen to know about the family wellbeing support available at NCP, many of whom we know are living in temporary accommodation, as well as interest in some local boxing sessions for children and vulnerable adults. Several referrals to both the new Northfield Disability Forum, NCP’s Future Proof project supporting very vulnerable older adults, as well as signposting people who needed carer support, bereavement support and so much more.

Some referrals have already been followed up with some positive results:
“Future Proof booked an OT assessment for one man we met on the doorstep. He desperately needed a stair rail and other bits and was booked in for an art at your door visit too. The couple commented on how touched they were by the care shown. They were so happy they opened the door to Jolly January.”
“We spoke to a young gentleman as part of Jolly January about our KNAF CAF, which is a community meal and art session we run at Hawkesley CC. This man is an artist back in his own country and he’s just turned up today!!”
“We met a young parent with LD who is caring for her daughter but needs some support. The CEO from CASBA was with us that afternoon and is following this up immediately to offer this lady some support.”

Indirect outcomes?
It’s a great opportunity for local volunteers and colleagues from different organisations to meet and hear about the great work each are doing, and to respond to issues they hear about on the doorstep and learn first hand what is important to local citizens.
Already Jolly January is growing. Last year, Bournville Village Trust, after supporting the NCP campaign in 2023 and 2024, decided to organise their own Jolly January door knocking campaign. They have been out and about reaching their own tenants across the different areas they operate. It is great to see this developing across South Birmingham.

Thanks to everyone who made this year’s Jolly January campaign such a success. You can watch a quick snap shot of what the week looked like here.
If you want a copy of any of the Ward leaflets that summarise the help available, they are available. Please feel free to download and use them.
Comments