Features

Over 900 local people got involved in a weekend of activities on the Manor Park Estate in Aston as part of the UK wide initiative called Hope ‘08.

Volunteers of all ages

Hope is a national year long social action initiative uniting churches across all denominations to help make a difference in neighbourhoods and communities across the country.

Aston Churches Together

Under the banner of Aston Churches Together teams of over 60 volunteers from local churches embarked on a weekend of activities to help make a change in their community.

The volunteers of all ages and backgrounds descended on the Manor Park Estate on Saturday 4th May.

They spent the day litter picking, cleaning stairwells, mowing lawns, clearing weeds and much more…

Delivering a shopping gift

Birmingham City Council lent their support by collecting all the cleared rubbish at the end of the day.

Gifts of kindness

A local supermarket donated a gift of £500 worth of basic household essentials to the project. Some of the volunteers filled 500 shopping bags with the goods and delivered them as gifts to houses on the estate.

The weekend of activities ended on Monday 5th May with a family fun day on the grounds of Manor Park School. The day included bouncy castles, BBQs, music, football tournaments, face painting and other fun activities.

Enjoying Hope '08 Aston

Hope ’08 Aston Co-ordinator Revd Fiona Robertson commented: “It was fantastic to see so many people of all ages and backgrounds from the local community taking part in the event.”

In pictures

Take a look through pictures taken by one of the volunteers reflecting the eventful weekend.

Sharing in our community

Local churches involved in Hope ‘08 Aston include: Aston Parish Church, Salvation Army Aston, Shiloh church, Mount Zion Community Church, Birchfield Gospel Hall, Vineyard Church, St Margaret's Roman Catholic Church, St James and St Matthew church.

Volunteer helping to clear gardens

The churches are working together with other community organisations including Aston Pride, who are helping to fund project, the local police, Birmingham City Council, CAP (Christians Against Poverty) and Sport For Life.

Weekends of Hope

Aston Churches Together have got more Hope weekend events planned throughout the summer. Each weekend will be based in a different area of Aston and will serve the local community in some way.

Activities will include more neighbourhood clear ups, gardening, mural painting, church services, outdoor events, working together with local community organisations.

During the events Christians from the Aston Churches will also be sharing the message of Hope.

Hope '08 in Birmingham

Aston Churches Together further Hope weekend dates:

• 7th - 8th June

• 5th - 6th July

• 9th - 10th August

If you would like more information on Hope '08 in Aston or would like to get involved please contact Fiona Robertson.

Email: fiona@astonnechellscofe.org.uk or Tel: 0121 326 7390.

Nechells Churches Together are also running Hope events:

12th July Nechells Fun Day,

13th July Open Air service

20th - 21st September Car wash and Open air service

Also find out what other Hope 08 events are happening across the city by visiting the Hope '08 Birmingham website.

Tell us about YOUR Hope '08

Throughout the year there will be loads of stories, events and projects happening across the city and surrounding areas.

We want to know about YOUR Hope '08 events - send us your photos, stories and experiences and we will add them as features to the BBC Birmingham website.

Email: birmingham@bbc.co.uk