As the High Sheriff of the West Midlands, I had the pleasure of visiting Fircroft College of Adult Education at the Cadbury Family Manor.
Established in 1909 by George Cadbury Jnr, the college was created to empower workers to enhance their knowledge and skills, enabling them to reach their full potential and share their learning with their peers. Following George’s passing in 1954, his family home and 6 acres of gardens in Selly Oak were repurposed into a vibrant centre of learning, known today as Fircroft College.
Fircroft College’s strong ethos of social justice, inherited from the Cadbury family, drives its charitable mission to assist those in need through education, embodying values of inclusivity and societal progress.
During my visit, I had the privilege of meeting with students and staff, gaining insights into the college’s impactful work where they offer a diverse range of courses, including personal and social development, functional skills (maths, English, digital literacy), work and volunteering opportunities, programs tailored for individuals from new communities, green skills and sustainability initiatives, as well as academic courses to support career advancement and higher education aspirations.
My visit to the Cadbury Family Manor was enriching and left a lasting impression of the college’s profound impact on individuals here in the West Midlands.
