Our History

New Heights Charity has grown out of Christ the King parish’s concern for the local community and its wish to reach out and help those in need. Its origins date back to 2003 when Fr. Michael White joined the parish. After much discussion and consultation, a community group was formed in 2004.

From these small beginnings, a Management Committee was formed and New Heights became a registered charity in December 2006.The Parish bought a nearby shop premises which was refurbished to become a Community Café and the original office setting for the project. It was later extended to include additional office space, now home to New Heights counselling and welfare advice services know as NEST.

In 2010, the charity raised funds to built St John’s Community Centre, located on the same road as the cafe, next to Christ the King Church. For nine years, the centre has provided multi-purpose accommodation from which a wide range of services are delivered – many in conjunction with statutory and voluntary partner agencies.

The strength and success of the New Heights Project lies in its many volunteers who give tirelessly to help pursue the aims and objectives of the charity. It is our mission to build on this history and to develop further initiatives for the good of the people we serve in the Erdington Constituency.

Key Dates

2006 – New Heights became a registered Charity

2007 – Purchase and refurbishment of the Community Café

2008 – Development of the Capital Business Plan to build St Johns Community Centre

2009 – Construction of St Johns Community Centre

2010 – Opening of St Johns Community Centre

2010– New Heights wins ‘Best in Community Engagement of the Decade in West Midlands by Regen WM

2010 – New Heights wins Directory of Social Change, t he Everyday Impact Award for Long-term Enterprises

2011 – Extension of the Community Café

2011– New Heights staff are invited to the House of Lords to share and celebrate good practice in developing cohesive Community Services

2013 – New Heights wins ‘Big Society Award’ presented by Prime Minister, Mr. David Cameron

2014 – New Heights wins ‘Queens Award’

2020-  Sean Flynn received Mayor’s Lifetime Achievement Award reflecting the successes of New Heights