As we celebrate national Afternoon Tea Week (10-16 August 2026), we’re taking the opportunity to recognise one of SoLO’s longest-standing community partnerships, our annual Afternoon Tea at Wren Hall.

Since our first event in 2012, the Afternoon Tea has become a valued tradition, bringing together supporters, volunteers, families and the people we support for an afternoon of homemade cake, tea and conversation.

The Wren Hall Sunday Afternoon Teas are a much-loved community initiative. Each week, between March and October a different local charity takes its turn to bake the cakes and host the event, with volunteers preparing homemade bakes, serving refreshments and welcoming visitors. The hall is dressed with blue checked tablecloths and fresh flowers, creating a warm and welcoming atmosphere where everyone is invited to enjoy tea and cake while supporting a local cause.

Over the past 14 years, SoLO’s Afternoon Tea events have raised £10,000, with this year’s event contributing a fantastic £1,286.82. These funds help us continue creating opportunities for people with learning disabilities to build friendships, develop independence and take part in activities in their local community.

This long-standing partnership wouldn’t have been possible without the many people who have supported it over the years. We’d like to extend our thanks to Jill Leighton, who submitted the original application for SoLO to become one of the Wren Hall charities, to the community members from St Thomas Church and Dorridge Methodist Church, our staff, the people we support, their families, and everyone who has baked, cooked, volunteered or attended our Afternoon Tea events.

We’d also like to thank everyone at Wren Hall, Denise and Julie, for their continued support and for providing such a welcoming space for local charities to come together with the community.

As we mark Afternoon Tea Week, we’re grateful to everyone who has helped make this event part of SoLO’s story. Thank you.

 

 

We’re delighted to announce that SoLO has been chosen as the charity partner for Becketts Farm’s much-loved Sunflower Fields this summer.

Each year, Becketts Farm plants sunflowers and wildflowers across their fields, creating a beautiful free space for local communities to enjoy while raising vital funds and awareness for local causes. Throughout August, visitors will be invited to explore the sunflower fields and make a donation to support SoLO’s work.

Becketts Farm’s charity partnership is decided through team nominations, with colleagues invited to nominate a local charity that is close to their hearts. This year, SoLO received a number of nominations and was selected as their chosen charity partner for 2026.

Speaking about the partnership, Beth Crump said:

“Each year at Becketts Farm, we plant sunflowers and wildflowers on site in our fields for local people to enjoy free of charge and to raise money for charity. Our aim is to provide a free, positive space for the local and wider community to enjoy while raising vital funds and awareness for local causes. It’s always fantastic to see so many visitors enjoying the fields and be so generous in supporting our fundraising efforts.”

The partnership provides a fantastic opportunity to raise awareness of SoLO and the support we provide for children, young people and adults with learning disabilities, while bringing our community together in a fun and welcoming environment.

 

Visit the Sunflower Fields

The Becketts Farm Sunflower Fields will be open throughout August as part of their Summer Garden Party.

Dates: 1–31 August
Location: Becketts Farm, B47 6AJ
Entry: Free – no tickets required

Visitors can enjoy:

• 🌻 Walks through the sunflower fields
• 📸 Picnic areas and photo opportunities
• 🍦 Food, drinks, ice creams and treats from The Thirsty Goat Hut (daily, 10am–3pm)
• 🔥 BBQ food available Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays (11am–3pm)

A huge thank you to everyone at Becketts Farm who nominated SoLO and helped make this opportunity possible. We’re excited to be part of such a wonderful community event and hope you’ll visit the sunflower fields this summer. Every donation, big or small, will help us continue creating opportunities that enable children, young people and adults with learning disabilities to thrive.

This year’s Learning Disability Week was a vibrant celebration of our service users and wider community. Guided by the theme, “Do You See Me?”, the week provided a dedicated opportunity to shine a spotlight on learning disability awareness and advocacy. While the week brought focus, this commitment continues far beyond seven days and is embedded in everything we do at SoLO.

Across the week, service users and staff took part in a wide range of activities designed to inspire confidence, independence and joy. Community outings included visits to a cat café, Blakesley Hall and the Birmingham canals, alongside hands-on baking sessions, sensory and creative workshops, independent living challenges and fundraising activities. Celebration events at our drop-ins and supported living homes created further opportunities to connect, reflect and enjoy time together.

Alongside in-person activities, we also used our social media channels to share key messages from the week. This included myth-busting content, everyday achievements and lived experiences shared directly by our service users. These posts helped challenge misconceptions, amplify voices and celebrate identity in authentic and meaningful ways.

Beyond Learning Disability Week