Community centres

Have you heard of the Sons of Rest? 

The Sons of Rest movement began in 1927 when a group of retired men met in Handsworth Park, Birmingham. One of the men, Lister Muff, suggested starting a club where people could make friends and enjoy their retirement together, the group grew quickly and opened its first building in 1930. The Sons of Rest buildings in Sandwell also grew and now has a long and valued history, of providing welcoming community spaces where older, retired people can meet, socialise, and enjoy activities in a friendly and supportive environment. 

Most of the historic Sons of Rest buildings across Sandwell were not acquired via a single purchase transaction; rather, they were historically built, owned or gifted often by a philanthropist's (a person who seeks to promote the welfare of others, usually through the generous donation of money, buildings or equipment to good causes) often for the sole use of retired people. These buildings were often sited on municipal parkland and public open spaces managed by predecessor local authorities such as West Bromwich, Smethwick, and Rowley Regis Borough Councils, before passing to Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council upon its creation in 1974.

The Sons of Rest buildings in Sandwell are now owned and maintained to this day by Sandwell Council, but you may be surprised that Sandwell Council do not staff these buildings with their staff, instead there is a wonderful partnership with retired local volunteers who have a desire to ensure the buildings remain open and welcoming. This reliance on volunteers is never taken for granted as the work and duties they undertake is impressive to say the least such as opening and closing up, putting equipment out and putting it away, attending meetings and making sure the building is accessible for contractors to undertake regular servicing of things like boilers, fire extinguishers and water quality testing to ensure people are safe whilst using these buildings. Volunteers will fund raise, in some cases charge for room hire and operate memberships to generate a small income that pays for cleaning products, toilet rolls, and things like tea, coffee and juice and in some cases to pay for a cleaner to keep the building clean.

Today, Sons of Rest buildings have evolved and are open to both male and female i.e. Sons and Daugter, older usually retired or over 50's local residents which is still in-keeping of what Sons of Rest buildings were set up to do, they continue to provide a wide range of activities, including social gatherings, games, exercise sessions, day trips, entertainment, health and wellbeing events, and community celebrations. 

New members are always welcome and getting involved is easy, whether by attending an activity, becoming a regular member, volunteering, helping to organise events, or simply dropping in to find out more. .

If you therefore wish to discuss the use or the hiring of the facility or you would like to learn more about what goes on then contact the Sons of Rest building nearest to you.

Please note certain Sons of Rest buildings may not be suitable or available to hire so please view the community centres in Sandwell as there may be better options available. 

1. Rowley

Britannia Park Sons of Rest

In 2025 as part of the £2.5 million Rowley Regis Green space Improvement Project Britannia Park Sons of Rest Community Centre was refurbished. It is now a key asset for the local community to get involved in a number of existing group activities such as dancing, arts, crafts and karate and much much more. The centre is run by a dedicated team of local volunteers.  

If you would like information about current activities and how much it costs to take part or if you would like to know how much it costs to hire the venue for a meeting or activity, then call 07592057079 to find out more or email comm_Partnerships@Sandwell.gov.uk

What’s On at Britannia Park Sons of Rest Community Centre

Where is Britannia Park Sons of Rest via Google Maps

Postal Address

Britannia Park Sons of Rest Community Centre
Rowley Village,
Rowley Regis,
West Midlands
B65 9AT

2. Tipton 

Home Lea Sons of Rest - Victoria Park

The Home Lea Sons of Rest building is run by a constituted group called ‘Victoria Over 50’s’ and is run by local volunteers, who give their own time to manage the facility and enable it to remain open and available for activities. The volunteers actively fund raise and implement a room hire fee charge that helps with purchasing items such as cleaning products, toilet rolls, tea, coffee etc, plus they pay for a cleaner to clean the building once a week. The Victoria Over 50’s group seeks to encourage residents from Tipton that are over 50 to actively get involved activities.

For further information about joining, activities, room hire email comm_Partnerships@Sandwell.gov.uk 

What’s On at Home Lea Sons of Rest 

Where is Home Lea Sons of Rest via Google Maps

Postal Address

Home Lea Sons of Rest building
Victoria Park,
Victoria Road
Tipton
West Midlands
DY4 8SW

3. West Bromwich

Eliza Corbett Sons of Rest (Hill Top)

Eliza Corbett Sons of Rest is a leisure club for 55+ year olds that provides recreational facilities, such as snooker, cards, dominoes and darts, they organise social activities aimed at creating new friendships and social networks for our members. There is around 30 active members within the organisation all of whom have a really enjoyable time.

For further information about joining, activities, email comm_Partnerships@Sandwell.gov.uk

Please note due to the size of the building this facility is not suitable for room hire.

What’s On at Eliza Corbett Sons of Rest 

Where is Eliza Corbett Lea Sons of Rest via Google Maps

Postal Address

Eliza Corbett Memorial,
Hill Top Park,
Hill Top,
West Bromwich
B70 0RZ

4. Wednesbury

Sons of Rest Community Centre Wednesbury 

Located on Foley Street beside Brunswick Park in Wednesbury, the Wednesbury Sons of Rest is a long-established social and leisure club that has provided friendship, companionship and recreational opportunities for older residents for many years. The club brings together both men and women in a welcoming environment where members can enjoy activities such as snooker, billiards, cribbage and dominoes, as well as social events, summer day trips and a traditional Christmas carol concert. The club is open Monday to Friday from 12 noon until 4.30 pm and has around 60 active members who regularly take part in its programme of activities. Anyone interested in joining can visit the club during opening hours to find out more, meet existing members and learn about membership opportunities. Situated next to the historic Brunswick Park, which opened in 1887 and remains one of Wednesbury’s most valued community green spaces, the club continues to play an important role in supporting social wellbeing and reducing isolation among older people in the town.

For further information about joining, activities, email comm_Partnerships@Sandwell.gov.uk 

What’s On at Sons of Rest Community Centre Wednesbury 

Where is Sons of Rest Community Centre Wednesbury via Google Maps

Postal Address

1 Foley Street,
Wednesbury
WS10 9HG

5. Great Bridge

Lees Memorial Sons of Rest

Lees Memorial Sons of Rest strives to promote social inclusion and well being amongst elderly people who may be excluded from society through ill health and social isolation by providing regular activities such as cards, dominoes, bridge, snooker, arts, crafts, day trips and regular fund-raising social activities and events. Anyone interested in joining can visit the club during opening hours to find out more and meet existing members and learn about membership opportunities.

For further information about joining, activities, email comm_Partnerships@Sandwell.gov.uk 

What’s On at Lees Memorial Sons of Rest 

Where is Lees Memorial Sons of Rest via Google Maps

Postal Address

1, Farley Park,
Whitehall Road,
Great Bridge,
West Midlands
B70 0HF