BIRMINGHAM INTERNATIONAL STUDENT HOMES Friendly Caring Supportive Comfortable Safe ANNUAL REVIEW 2016
Chairman s Message CHAIRMAN S MESSAGE 2015 Care and friendship Past guests Management team Trustees and Board Future developments Government regulations New areas I stayed only 3 months in Birmingham and the Wesley House but I had such a nice time here! I felt immediately at home here. All the residents are so nice and there is a really friendly atmosphere in the house. I enjoyed all the chatting during cooking and dinner and I made new friends here. I will miss this place! I also want to thank the staff for their kind support! Thanks very much! Marit, Netherlands A Home Away from Home We often ask ourselves how it is, with so much modern new student accommodation built in Birmingham by the universities and other organisations, that we continue to welcome so many every year. For this year has seen the occupancy of our homes rising to unprecedented levels. Whilst the total number of people who have stayed with us dropped slightly, the average length of each stay increased significantly. The answer is of course that, uniquely, we provide so much more than a posh room with all the bells and whistles. When people stay with us they really do experience a home away from home. When they encounter a difficulty in language, in understanding our culture and ways, or wrestling with bureaucracy, our people are there to listen and help. Whatever their difficulty, we are there to care and to support them. They also make so many friends. These friendships with people all over the world are there for life in so many cases. No surprise then that our biggest source of enquiry comes from personal recommendation from friends, acquaintances, course sponsors, and indeed course tutors themselves people who have in some way been touched themselves by our values. We look with some concern at ill-thought statements from government that do not seem to recognise the value of overseas students coming to our universities and to our communities. The record shows that welcoming these people and caring about them is so richly rewarding for them, for us, and for the community. Last year we reported the start of a new relationship with the Queen Elizabeth Hospital and it has been a highlight that this has grown this year with some of their overseas people choosing to stay on with us after their original introduction. These people add to our diversity and attractiveness Our offer to help with accommodation of the growing numbers of refugees in our troubled world has moved forward and we are to be a part of a Government pilot scheme for private sponsorship of care and accommodation to help some of these people settle into a new life. So it has been our privilege to welcome almost 300 guests from even more countries this year to share in the home we create for people so far away from home and it so good to see them developing friendships with people from quite different cultures and climes which we know they will cherish for the rest of their lives. As we say so often, we do not simply supply accommodation, we care for our guests and do our utmost to support them while they are in our country. In offering a home away from home we seek not just that our guests will be warm and comfortable but that they will also feel safe, secure and loved no matter what class, creed or culture they come from. Our people all place caring for the stranger in our midst as our first priority. I am so grateful to them and to our trustees, volunteers who give so freely of their time and expertise to support our team to make BISH such a welcoming place to be. So it has been our privilege to welcome almost 300 guests from even more countries
NATIONALITIES The academic year 2015 16 saw a reduction in the number of nationalities living in our two houses. As mentioned in the Chairman s Message, this has been due, principally, to residents staying wth us for longer. We welcomed people from 47 countries which led to a rich mix of cultures, faiths and indeed diets. We continue to be told that it is this diversity that is the major reason why our guests derive so much pleasure from staying with BISH. We are fortunate that their experience is so good that they recommend that students back at home stay with BISH if they are to study in Birmingham. Canada, USA, Mexico Argentina, Brazil, Colombia Our Austria, Albania, Bulgaria, Croatia, France, Finland, Germany, Greece, Italy, Ireland, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Rumania, Spain, United Kingdom In- OUR RESIDENTS In the past year we have had a total of 272 adults stay with us, 121 at Wesley International House and 151 at Asbury Overseas House. Burkina Faso, Ghana, Ivory Coast, Morocco, Nigeria, Somalia, Uganda Our guests have come from 47 different countries and in 2016 we had our first guest from Luxembourg Whilst the number of families staying with us has reduced, we are proud that we have had 37 children, including a new born baby, living with us at Asbury Overseas House. Azerbaijan, China, Hong Kong, India, Iran, Japan, Malaysia, Pakistan, Palestine, Russia, South Korea, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Turkey, Uzbekistan, Vietnam OUR GLOBAL FAMILY 47 NATIONS
SOME HIGHLIGHTS OF THE YEAR SURPRISE GUESTS Asbury Overseas House is built on a figure of eight plan with two courtyards enclosed within the building. Our surprise guest, a female duck flew into one of the Asbury quadrangles during May and gave birth to 11 ducklings. Regrettably, some were taken by a predatory magpie but 6 survived. They stayed with us until about July and their growth spurt during that period was amazing. Gemma (Team Leader Domestic Services) took great care of them, changing their water daily. Concerns about further predation and pest control issues led the staff to consult the RSPB who informed them that we could not take any action to remove the ducks. The ducks were a great favourite amongst those living at Asbury, especially the children, who would go along to see them daily to check on their progress. The question about the ducks future was answered when one day, the mother led her brood from the quadrangle, down a corridor and out of the front door to seek a new home elsewhere. In the spring of 2016, Junkbusters hit the streets of Birmingham on their mission to rid the city of unwanted items in a good cause. Not only do they reduce landfill but they collect much needed stock for the British Heart Foundation's charity shops, thus helping save lives. When information on Junkbusters became available, BISH residents responded to the opportunity by donating clothes, shoes, books and a multitude of other items. The photo shows Pam helping to load the Junkbusters' van. Opes sed nonummy tation verto augue pecus. Venio regula ea vel fatua incassum. regula eum consectetuer ut mos tamen enim. Feugait regula. Ut amet opes ideo gemino et Opes sed nonummy tation verto augue pecus.
The music goes on Last year s Review featured a number of musicians at BISH and some rather unfamiliar instruments. In 2016, the musical theme has continued with the replacement of the old piano at Wesley House. The picture features Gunal from Azerbaijan and other pianists from Iran and Italy can be heard tickling the ivories in the dining room. New skills to be taken back home The Meriden Family Programme has been offering Commonwealth Professional Fellowships for the past 5 years in conjunction with the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission. This scheme supports mid-career professionals from developing Commonwealth countries to spend a period of time with a UK host organisation for a programme of professional development. This training programme must have a demonstrable developmental impact in the home country through dissemination of the knowledge and skills acquired by the Fellows on their return. Meriden is a part of Birmingham and Solihull Mental Health Foundation Trust and promotes the development of family-sensitive, evidence-based mental health services with particular emphasis on the implementation of structured family interventions and carer support through training and supervision. As well as providing services within its own Trust, Meriden works externally across the UK and internationally with very recent projects in Canada, Japan and Ireland. Australia All 17 of the Commonwealth Fellows trained so far have come from either Uganda or Nigeria and all have stayed very happily at Wesley House which is about a 30 minute walk from Meriden s office. The first Fellow to undertake this programme was from Uganda and he is now coordinating family work across Uganda where many of the regions now have a health worker trained in family work. This represents real achievement and progress for all concerned including the Wesley House team who helped by providing comfortable, viable and supportive accommodation during the 7 week training period. Peter Woodhams, Carer Consultant
DIRECTORS The Directors continue to devote considerable amounts of time and expertise freely to BISH to ensure that the management team can make our homes good places to live. They are:- Lawrie Rumens - Chairman Peter Johansen - Hon. Treasurer Mike Fisher - Company Secretary Robert Dauncey Jayne Gilbert Dr Stuart Burgess Kevin Allen Malcolm Evans OUR TEAM Our team continually strives to give a high quality of service to our guests, whether it is arranging a booking, welcoming a new resident, cleaning a communal area, mending a leaking tap, refurbishing a flat or ensuring invoices are correct and timely. Their dedication and hard work continues to lead them to be rated highly in our residents surveys and make BISH homes the warm and caring places our residents enjoy. Janet West RETIREMENT JANET WEST Current and past BISH Board members and her colleagues bade a fond farewell to Janet who retired after 10 years service as one of the domestic team at Asbury Overseas House. Janet is looking forward to being able to spend quality time with her family and researching her family tree. She is planning to use the money raised from the collection made for her to buy a record player to enable her to listen to her vinyl record collection. The Board and Management Team thank Janet for her work over the past 10 years and wish her a happy and healthy retirement. Helen Wilde WELCOME HELEN WILDE Helen joined the BISH domestic team in August of this Opes year, sed nonummy having tation worked verto in augue similar pecus. positions in schools for a number of years. She is married with 3 Venio sons regula and ea has vel stood fatua incassum. on the touchline in all weathers regula eum watching consectetuer each ut mos of tamen them enim. play for their football team down the years. Feugait regula. Ut amet opes ideo gemino et Opes sed nonummy tation verto augue pecus.
The Team to take us into 2017 Paul Elzbieta Chris Maureen Gemma Anita Monika Tracey Helen The lengths some people go to, to ensure they are fit enough for a hard day s work!! Clive Errol Two of our team put in great efforts recently to run the Birmingham Half Marathon along with 13,000 others. The 13.1 mile circuit started in the City centre and headed off to Cadbury s at Bournville before coming back down the Pershore Road to Edgbaston cricket ground. The course then circled Cannon Hill Park before heading back to the city via Five Ways and Broad Street. Paul, our General Manager was pictured by some of the residents at Wesley House and were rewarded with an enthusiastic wave from Paul. Elzbieta, in the orange vest, was running strongly as she passed the iconic Selfridges building. Both participants were looking spritely as they came into work just a day after the event!
Satisfaction Survey Wesley International House Summary This survey shows that in many key areas, we continue to achieve high ratings. The survey does, however, point to factors that will require further work in 2017. In particular our work on providing better WIFI coverage and internet access must come to a rapid conclusion. Other suggestions for improvements will be considered against the available budget in 2017 and weighed carefully against other financial demands. I could have written an essay but do not have the time to express my gratitude for the love, care and atmosphere provided to me by residents, staff and managers of BISH/Wesley International House. They are so humble and polite. I wish that this service to humanity continues to bring cultures and humans together!! Best of luck...bish & team, KEEP IT UP. Naeem, Pakistan How long have you lived at Wesley? 1-3 Months 44% 3-6 Months 28%, 6 months+ 28% How did you hear about BISH? From a friend 33% BISH website 17% University accommodation office 28% Other 22% (Others inc. family relative, Google search, English Dept. QE Hospital). Did you find it easy to apply to us for accommodation? Yes 100% Did we provide you with sufficient information prior to your arrival? Yes 100% Did you feel welcomed on your arrival? Yes 100% Do you find staff friendly and helpful? Yes 100% Have you enjoyed living in the house? Yes, very much or yes it s been OK. 100%. What would make Wesley a better place to live? Some residents gave more than one answer. Percentages are those of all the replies. Improved internet 60% Improved kitchen facilities 7% Communal bathroom refurbishments 7% Improved soundproofing 7% Cheaper/free laundry 12% Opes sed nonummy tation verto augue pecus. Doors that don t Venio lock regula one ea out vel of fatua one s incassum. room. 7% Are you happy regula with eum the consectetuer security ut of mos the tamen building? enim. Yes 89%, No Feugait 11%. (Those regula. Ut saying amet opes no ideo asked gemino for more et frequent changing of the door entry code) Opes sed nonummy tation verto augue pecus. Would you recommend BISH to a friend/colleague? Yes 100%
Why does BISH appeal to our residents? 'What comes to mind when I think about Wesley is a real home away from home. I have spent an unforgettable time here and feel really sorry to leave. The whole atmosphere in Wesley is filled with goodness, love, care and amiability. I will really miss our dinners and breakfasts in the kitchen with my friends. I was one of the luckiest to find such a wonderful place! Thank you! ' Jamila, Azerbaijan, January 2016 I feel so lucky to have lived at Wesley for one year. Wesley is like a big family and I'll remember this special time for my whole life! Mang, China, August 2016. Enjoying an International meal at Wesley Exploring Birmingham together 'It was a really fantastic experience to stay at Wesley/ BISH. It felt like other family members with residents. Now I have so many friends from all over the world because I stayed here.' Aniket, India, July 2016 'After 6 unforgettable months, with great regret I have to say goodbye to Birmingham and to my beloved Wesley House. This was more than a simple student accommodation for me. This was a second family and the idea of leaving here so many friends makes me terribly sad! I discovered the existence of Wesley during a sunny day in September by chance and now I can definitely say that it was a really lucky day for me because I found the best accommodation that I might have.' Carlotta, Italy, March 2016 'I have stayed in the UK for 3 years and Wesley has made my stay like a second home. Thank you to all the staff for creating such a warm and welcoming atmosphere. I made great friends here and had lots of fun at our parties and get-togethers. I will miss the house and the residents very much and would recommend it to anyone who asks me for a great place to stay in the UK. Thank you so much!' Ulrike, Germany, April 2016.
Refurbishments and Maintenance 3 kitchens refurbished at Asbury Bathroom in Flat 206 refurbished 2 WCs refurbished Makeovers of two flats based on a new design template introduced to give a brighter, more contemporary feel along with new bright furnishings and artwork. Fire alarm upgrade Brand new washing machines and dryers installed in both houses following the negotiation of a better agreement with a new supplier. Roof repair work at Asbury Several new cookers purchased for Asbury New carpeting in part of Wesley Electrical review and upgrading at Wesley New towel radiators fitted in Wesley en-suite rooms. Extractor fans fitted in several rooms and flats in both houses in order to reduce condensation Obituary - PETER RUSSELL Peter was a Methodist minister on circuit in England for seven years before becoming a missionary in Nigeria in 1966. Whilst on furlough in 1967, the Biafran civil war broke out and he could not return. He then was appointed to the staff of Epworth Theological College in Zimbabwe (then known as Rhodesia). Students came from many countries in the south of Africa with other tutors being from Europe and America. Peter often broadcast on the radio and played an important part in the National Affairs Committee of the Christian Council of Rhodesia. His Christian approach to Opes many sed problems nonummy made tation verto him augue politically pecus. undesirable to the government Venio and after regula six ea years vel fatua service incassum. he returned with his family to England. Peter became Principal of Kingsmead College in Selly Oak and regula eum consectetuer ut mos tamen enim. much of his life was devoted to students particularly from African Feugait regula. Ut amet opes ideo gemino et countries. His involvement with missionaries led Peter to became Chairman of Opes the committee sed nonummy that tation ran verto Asbury augue Overseas pecus. House along with help from David Edden. His involvement came to an end when AOH was amalgamated with Wesley International House to form BISH. Peter died in early October 2016.
Finances and future developments FINANCES Our financial position remains strong with cash flow at the heart of our day to day management. Our high occupancy has allowed us to advance planned major work much of which is in train as we prepare this review Most of our income comes from room rental. However we have been fortunate again this year to receive a donation of 100 from Longbridge Methodist Church. These funds will be used to make a difference to our accommodation mainly by purchasing soft furnishings that can make a room a home. Birmingham International Student Homes financial year runs from 1st September to 31st August. A complete copy of the statutory accounts can be obtained by writing to the Company Secretary at 52, Oakfield Road, Selly Oak, Birmingham, B29 7EQ. This year we invested over 70,000 in maintaining and improving our properties and introduced more modern styles and combinations of FUTURE DEVELOPMENTS This year has been exciting as high levels of residency continued well into the summer period. The extra income earned is being spent advancing our programme of work which continually upgrades our facilities Our prime purpose remains the support of overseas students who are here to gain vital knowledge to take back to their own countries. These people of all cultures and faiths come together in friendship to live and work together whilst they are here. Their support of each other is vital to our purpose. We will continue to invest in our accommodation in keeping with the demand for rising standards and to reduce our environmental footprint. The Review of 2015 mentioned work needing to be done on the WIFI systems in both houses. This work has continued in 2016 and has been influenced by the advancing developments in IT. A final decision will be made early in the next financial year to make a significant investment in this area. Longer term, we continue to seek new relationships with other organisations which might increase the scale of our activity and attract investment in our cause.
Christmas is always a special time at Wesley House An alternative view of Wesley Common Room through the eyes of Bin Li, a Chinese student from Hunan Province who has been studying for a PhD in Geography since 2014. Contact us We promise that staying with BISH for your education in Birmingham will be life enriching, providing an experience that will never be forgotten Our homes are in easy reach of the universities in Birmingham with short rail and bus connections to the City Centre See more about us on our website or contact us by e-mail on or telephone us www.bish.org.uk enquiries@bish.org.uk For flats and single rooms at Asbury Overseas House and for single rooms at Wesley International House call: +44 121 472 0163 A Company limited by guarantee no. England 4428382