We are a community that believes in the transformative power of making, connecting, creativity and skill sharing towards a resilient, sustainable and cooperative future.
The Old Print Works was founded in Balsall Heath over 10 years ago in an old industrial heritage building that was vacated in 2009 and is now run by a charitable company, Make It Sustainable Ltd (company number: 7646675, charity number: 1153298).
We are reinvesting what we can in improving the building to be a long-lasting community resource. If you can make a donation to help us in our mission, it would be greatly appreciated.
Vision
Our vision is of an open & engaging, culturally rich, economically resilient and environmentally sustainable local community connected around and through an inspiring, shared heritage space.
Together we are creating a beautiful and inclusive future, sharing in the transformative power of making & creativity.
Mission
We provide affordable space and opportunities for makers & creatives to share, collaborate & innovate, and in the process preserve, transfer & develop skills, especially practical skills.
We are in the process of securing our building’s future to invest in & demonstrate its environmental sustainability, conserve & celebrate its heritage, and maximise the versatility, value & affordability of our spaces for the community.
We are striving towards a largely self-financing model where surpluses are reinvested in support of our charity’s vision, especially in serving the people of our local area, classified in the top 1% in the UK on the Index of Multiple Deprivation.
We believe everyone is creative, everyone has something to add and everyone has something to learn, and we seek to make this possible and enriching for all who come in through an open, inclusive, sharing and empowering community.
Hannah Greenwood chaired the charity since its creation and took a hands-on role in 2016, stepping down from the Board in 2024. She is currently carrying out the role of Interim CEO while we build up our resources to be able to advertise out this post. An experienced third-sector organisation leader with 25 years’ experience focusing on disadvantaged communities (UK and international), with particular skills in strategy, systems, engagement, project development, volunteer care and fundraising.
THE BOARD
The board is currently made up of 9 trustees and we are seeking a new Chair. If you are interested in joining our Board you can get more information here. We are particularly keen to hear from people who will help make our Board more representative of the community of Balsall Heath where we are based.
Dan Burwood is a professional photographer, co-founded Some Cities, and runs the community darkroom at The Old Print Works, having been one of our first studio partners (and a trustee since 2016). He has arts project management expertise, focusing on sustainable community change through arts, making, permaculture and appropriate technology. He lives in Balsall Heath.
Deon Bailey joined the board in 2023. He is a director of Sundragon Pottery, based at The Old Print Works and has helped oversee the growth of its membership and space over the past 5 years. He has experience in ensuring compliance of contractors during 10 years of working for Transport for London.
Farrah Chaudhry is a born and bred Brummie who started writing in her teens and since then storytelling has been her passion. A graduate of the Royal Court and Birmingham REP Foundry, Farrah has been reviewed by the Birmingham Post as a ‘writer to watch’. Farrah’s films have been selected for festivals and awards globally. Farrah was commissioned to write the play 'The Walls Between Us' by Sampad, for BEDLAM Festival 2021 and is an Associate Artist at 1623theatre company. Having visited The Old Print Works a number of times and finding it a remarkable place and a sanctuary, she wanted to contribute to its future.
Femi Adekunle is a social researcher specialising in participatory and deliberative research. He is currently a Civil Servant having previously worked for a social purpose consultancy and lectured in social theory and critical practice, teaching voluntary and community sector practitioners. Femi joined the board in 2019 and now has trustee responsibility for safeguarding. He lives in Balsall Heath.
Ian Greenwood founded The Old Print Works. He is a consulting civil/structural engineer with extensive design, hands-on construction and management experience and a real knowledge of the history of The Old Print Works and the area. He is particularly concerned with ensuring that children get opportunities to learn real hand skills as he did and ensuring The Old Print Works is as environmentally sustainable as possible.
Joey Islam manages large programmes of work from initial definition and scoping through to set up and delivery of new organisations, systems and suppliers, working with companies such as Jaguar Land Rover, Deutsche Bank and Accenture. When his children were younger, they enjoyed participating in woodworking at The Old Print Works. He is also a secondary school governor, and joined our board in 2016.
Jude Greenwood was a manager in the NHS, setting up and running various screening programmes across Birmingham. After completing an MBA she joined the School for Social Entrepreneurs, and set up a CIC aiming to grow wellbeing. After setting up and running a wellbeing project funded by a forward-thinking GP practice, Jude volunteered with The Old Print Works for many years, dealing mainly with lettings, bookkeeping and accounts, and joined the board in 2015.
Pip Bradley joined the board in 2023. Building on a background of community engagement and education and a successful small food business, Pip has established a successful local artisan market and more recently set up a CIC using food for social change.
Shreya Patel joined the board in 2023. She is an HR and Management graduate with 3 years’ experience in corporate operational management, coaching and recruitment. She runs a small business curating events around holistic wellness.
More details on the charity/company can be found at the Charity Commission and at Companies House.
Make It Sustainable Ltd
The Old Print Works
498-506 Moseley Road
Balsall Heath
Birmingham
B12 9AH
info@oldprintworks.org
07410 442334