Description:Originally based at Westminster Road School in Handsworth, WELD was formed in 1968 as a community education and arts project. It was set up by a group of teachers who wanted to create "a form of education that was more closely related to the needs of people in the area than mainstream education" (New Society 14th August 1975.) Although it was not developed by members of migrant communities, WELD was focused on addressing the needs of an area in which many had made their home.
Committed to community action, WELD's activities included:
1) a pre-school project
2) school and adult basic education projects
3) youth clubs and projects which included sports activities, arts workshops and an Asian girls club
4) painting and woodwork classes for adults
5) work with Trinity Heathfield Residents Association
6) school holiday play schemes
7) dance and drama projects with African, Asian and Caribbean influences
The project also provided a space where housing and inner-city policy was researched and discussed (Rex and Tomlinson 1979:256.)
Design and publishing agency Sidelines, which involved Birmingham photographers Derek Bishton, John Reardon and Brian Homer, ran a community photography project at WELD. Photographs taken by Sidelines which relate to the project and to the work of WELD can be found amongst the material collected by Derek Bishton in the City Archives MS 2478.
This photograph shows activities at a children's playgroup at Wilson Road in Handsworth where some of WELD's work was based.
Author: Sarah Dar