Norton Hall: 0121 328 3043
Dolphin Centre: 0121 326 8343
The Dolphin Women’s Centre is based by the lake in Ward End Park, in the Washwood Heath area of East Birmingham. An area with a rich diversity of cultures but which faces a significant number of social and economic challenges. Our services are designed to support women to overcome challenges and access a wide range of learning and development opportunities.
Take a look at our volunteering case study here.
Our services at the Dolphin Women’s Centre are driven by the women in our community, and tailored to suit their needs.
We provide a safe, and welcoming open-door service for women of all ages, faiths, culture’s and economic backgrounds, including those most vulnerable. We also work with partners to provide more specialist support for women with learning difficulties and mental health conditions, refugees and asylum seekers, and women who have experienced drug addiction, sexual exploitation, domestic violence or homelessness.
We continue to grow, learn and work together to provide a person-centred holistic service that puts women’s needs at the heart of our provision.
Our service delivery focusses on 3 main areas, Employability, Education and Training, and Health and Wellbeing.
Every week, our friendly team provide a wide range of open sessions and regular activities for women in our community.
These take place in a safe and guided environment, either in the Dolphin Women’s Centre or in the lovely, light and welcoming Lakeside Cafe, all part of Norton Hall Children & Family Centre charity.
DOWNLOAD our poster here > DC Weekly Activities POSTER Autumn 2025.
CHECK OUT our accredited courses and training below.
Our Employability Provision supports women to develop their core transferrable skills and improve their chances of gaining employment through training, volunteering and coaching.
We work with women who are at different stages on their journey to finding employment including those who are furthest away from the job market to those who are ‘job ready’.
Our Education and Training provision incorporates one-to-one information, advice and guidance and a varied program of learning opportunities, to ensure women are able to develop and progress to achieve their learning goals.
A range of accredited courses enable women to gain the qualifications wanted by local employers looking for new team members.
Our Health and Wellbeing provision offers a range of recreational activities providing the opportunity for women to come together, develop a new hobby or skill, get involved in local environmental projects, and to access specialist mental health support.
These social activities are also hugely beneficial for women who feel socially isolated, suffer from stress and anxiety or have low moods.
If you would like to develop your learning, improve your skills or want to look towards volunteering and employment opportunities in your community, take a look at the courses we offer…
LATEST COURSE ANNOUNCED!
Starting on Friday 12th September 2025, you will gain a better understanding of diabetes and start living your best life.
Let our Nutritional Therapist, Mindset Coach and Chef support you to make those changes to living better with diabetes.
More than 5.8 million people in the UK are living with diabetes, which is an all-time high.
Almost 4.6 million people in the UK live with diabetes diagnoses.
Nearly 1.3 million people could be living with type 2 diabetes who are yet to be diagnosed.
This course is a series of workshops, through which you will gain confidence in a range of sewing, fashion and textiles skills. You will then use these skills to develop your ideas independently.
As part of the course you will create a portfolio of work demonstrating your ability which will be assessed which can then be used to progress onto further study of fashion and textiles should you wish.
Speak to our friendly Reception team on 0121 326 8343.
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DOWNLOAD AVAILABLE HERE:
Course facilitated by South & City College Birmingham.
GET STARTED
This course is a series of workshops, through which you will gain confidence in a range of sewing, fashion and textiles skills. You will then use these skills to develop your ideas independently.
Perfect to gain confidence to sew at home, or move up towards new work opportunities in the future.
Entry level 3 ESOL is required for this course. Course facilitated by South & City College Birmingham.
Speak to our friendly Reception team on 0121 326 8343.
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COURSE DETAILS
This course offers you the opportunity to explore a range of skills and ideas in fashion and textiles through a series of workshops, through which you will gain confidence in a range of fashion and textiles skills. You will then use these skills to develop your ideas independently.
As part of the course you will create a portfolio of work demonstrating your artistic ability which will be assessed which can then be used to progress onto further study fashion and textiles.
Through our course we aim to develop your creative skills using a broad range of methods. You will be encouraged to independently develop ideas, whilst looking at the work of other artists and designers
How will you be assessed? Students will complete two mandatory units and will be expected to create a portfolio of evidence against unit outcomes.
What are the entry requirements? Entry 3 English – reading, writing, speaking and listening. You will need to demonstrate a curiosity in fashion and textiles and an interest in exploring a range of creative skills and ideas.
Where can I progress next? Many former students have progressed onto full Level 1 Diploma in Fashion or combined with other qualifications Level 2 and 3 Art, Fashion and Textile qualifications. Alternatively students can progress into employment within the creative industry.
Perfect for beginners | 8 week course, £45 total to be paid prior to start date
WHEN: Starting Monday 22 September 2025, 1.00pm to 3.00pm, this is an 8 week course.
WHO IS IT FOR: Females aged 16 – 18 years (with parental/carer consent) and +18 years.
WHERE: Dolphin Women’s Centre, Washwood Heath Road, Birmingham B8 2HB.
Please contact Reception on 0121 326 8343 or pop in to pay and secure your place!
For beginners, accredited
Please contact Reception on 0121 326 8343 or pop in and ask to book your assessment.
Ideal for beginners | FREE
Please contact Reception on 0121 326 8343 or pop in and ask to book your assessment.
Ideal for beginners, language support given | FREE
Please contact Reception on 0121 326 8343 or pop in and ask to book your place.
Ideal for beginners, 8 workshops | £45 for 8 sessions
Please contact Reception on 0121 326 8343 or pop in and ask to book and pay for your place.
Ideal for those with little or no English language | £30 per term (6 weeks)
Please contact Reception on 0121 326 8343 or pop in and ask to book and pay for your place.
GET CONFIDENT
Accredited, level 1 | FREE
Please contact Reception on 0121 326 8343 or pop in and ask to book your assessment.
Ideal for those wanting to find work in the ‘Green’ sector | FREE
Please contact Reception on 0121 326 8343 or pop in and ask to book your assessment.
Wellbeing support | FREE
Please contact Reception on 0121 326 8343 or pop in and ask to book your place.
One-to-one support, Advice and Guidance, Benefit advice | FREE, 7 weeks programme
Please contact Reception on 0121 326 8343 or pop in and ask to book your assessment.
GET MORE
Entry level 3 required, accredited | FREE
Please contact Reception on 0121 326 8343 or pop in and ask to book your assessment.
Entry level 3, Accredited | FREE
Please contact Reception on 0121 326 8343 or pop in and ask to book your assessment.
Accredited Maths & English (Entry level 3 requirement) | FREE
Please contact Reception on 0121 326 8343 or pop in and ask to book your assessment.
