A new café is coming to the historic Rookery House in Rookery Park, Erdington, operated by Birmingham Hospice.
As well as offering good-value drinks and food, the café will provide a warm and friendly space for local people, with the venue available for community groups to book outside opening hours.
It will also take the hospice’s services into the community, providing information on the range of support the hospice offers local people.
It is due to open in the new year and we are looking for volunteers to help us bring our vision to life and assist in the day to day running by serving drinks and meals, using the till and – most importantly – being a friendly and welcoming face for our visitors.
As well as offering an opportunity to give something back to the community, volunteering is a great way to gain experience, build new skills and make friends.
Birmingham Hospice Director of People and Culture Michelle Stuteley said: “We’re very excited about the opening of our new café, bringing us into the heart of the Erdington community and giving us the chance to connect with even more people.
“Our volunteers play a vital role across the hospice and we couldn’t provide the care we do for our communities without them. We’re looking forward to welcoming another group of volunteers to the hospice family at our new café.”
Birmingham Hospice enjoys a long connection with Erdington, with the former John Taylor hospice having first opened in 1910. It merged with Birmingham St Mary’s Hospice in 2021, and adopted its current name in 2023.
Rookery House was built in 1727 for industrialist Abraham Spooner and was at one time home to leading anti-slavery campaigner William Wilberforce. It eventually became Erdington Town Hall and was then used as council offices for many years until 2008. The building has now been converted into apartments.
If you’re interested in volunteering, please see our website at www.birminghamhospice.org.uk/volunteer and keep an eye on our website and social channels for more news on the café opening.
