Settling in · Small Heath
Landing in Small Heath? Start here.
The first fortnight in Small Heath, in order: the paperwork that has to happen, then the places that make it feel like somewhere you could stay.
Week one and two
The order to do things in
1
Ring your Sama contact when you land
Whoever placed you. Tell them you arrived and that you are all right.
2
Apply for your National Insurance number
You can start work before it arrives, but do not leave it: your tax will be wrong until you have it.
3
Open a bank account
Passport, visa or share code, and proof of address. A letter from your employer usually does it.
4
Get a UK SIM
A local number makes the bank and the GP straightforward.
5
Register with a GP
Free at the point of use. Do it in your first week.
6
Check your tax code with HMRC
Get on the right code early or you will be paying too much for months.
7
Save your share code
You will be asked to prove your right to work and rent more than once.
8
Find the nearest shop, place of worship and club
The part that decides whether you stay, and the part no handbook covers.
Official, and free
Official finders
Run by the State, so they stay current. Search each one for your own town.
Find a GPThe NHS list of GP surgeries, searchable by postcode.Apply for a National Insurance numberYou need one to be taxed correctly. Apply once you are in the UK.Find an NHS dentistHarder than the GP. Start early and ring around.Check your visa and BRP or eVisaView and prove your immigration status online.Find your local police stationEmergency is 999 or 112. Non-emergency is 101.Understand your tax codeCheck what HMRC thinks you earn, so you are not overtaxed for months.Driving on a foreign licenceHow long you may drive on it, and whether it can be exchanged.Renting: know the rulesYour rights as a tenant, deposit protection and what a landlord may and may not do.Citizens AdviceFree, independent help with anything at all.Public transportNational rail and bus times and tickets.
Near you
99 places in Small Heath worth knowing in week one
From OpenStreetMap, the map that locals build, plus places our team knows. Every card has a map link. If one has closed or moved, WhatsApp us and it comes down.
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Places of worship
Every faith near you, listed so people can find a community when they arrive. Sama Talent Group is not affiliated with any religion or religious organisation.
Churches
St Mary's
Christian, Anglican
31 St Mary's Row, Birmingham, B13 8HW
About 3 km away
Cathedral Church of Saint Philip
Christian, Anglican. Hours: Mo-Fr 07:20-17:00; Sa 08:20-17:00; Su 08:20-17:15
Colmore Row, Birmingham, B3 2QB
About 4 km away
Salvation Army Citadel
Christian, Salvation army
24 St Chads Queensway, Birmingham, B4 6HH
About 4 km away
The Salvation Army
Christian, Salvation army
Gladstone Street, Aston, Birmingham, B6 7NY
About 5 km away
Our Lady of Good Counsel & St Gregory the Great Catholic Church
Christian, Catholic, roman catholic
Three Shires Oak Road
About 8 km away
Holy Trinity Church
Christian, Anglican
Church Hill Street, B67 7AH
About 9 km away
Smethwick Seventh Day Adventist Church
Christian, Seventh day adventist
St Pauls Road
About 10 km away
Londonderry Baptist Church
Christian, Baptist
Bristnall Hall Road
About 10 km away
George Road Community Church
Christian, Baptist
George Road
About 10 km away
Mosques and prayer rooms
Birmingham Central Mosque
Muslim
180 Belgrave Middleway, Birmingham, B12 0XS
About 2 km away
Faizan e Medina
Muslim. Hours: Mo-Su 08:00-23:30
Richmond Road, Birmingham, B33 8TN
About 3 km away
The Cube: Birmingham City Centre Islamic Hub
Muslim
96 Edmund Street
About 4 km away
The Olton Project
Muslim, Sunni
Kineton Green Road, Metropolitan Borough of Solihull, B92 7DY
About 4 km away
Madrassa-tul-Madina Aston
Muslim. Hours: Mo-Fr 15:00-20:00
284 Witton Road, Birmingham, B6 6NU
About 6 km away
Gurdwaras
Guru Nanak Gurdwara Smethwick
Sikh
128-130 High Street, B66 3AP
About 9 km away
Guru Nanak Gurduwara Bhat Singh Sabha Temple
Sikh
Highgate Place, Birmingham, B12 0DA
About 2 km away
Synagogues
Solihull & District Hebrew Congregation
Jewish
3 Monastery Drive, Metropolitan Borough of Solihull, B91 1DW
About 5 km away
Iglesia ni Cristo
Iglesia ni Cristo, Birmingham
About 11 km away
2 Causeway Green Road Oldbury, West Midlands B68 8LD
Worship services: Wed 7:00pm · Sat 10:00am · Sat 12:30pm (children)
Addresses and worship service times from the Iglesia ni Cristo directory, checked October 2026. Times can change, so check the locale's own page before you go. directory.iglesianicristo.net
Shops from home
Masala Bazaar Metro
Supermarket. Hours: Mo-Sa 09:00-20:00; Su 09:00-17:00
Walsall Road, Birmingham, B42 1AA
About 7 km away
U Mista Polish Supermarket
Supermarket
297-301 Bearwood Road
About 8 km away
Blessing Market African Food Store
Convenience
10 King Edwards Road, Birmingham, B1 2PZ
About 5 km away
Bismillah Halal Meat and Chicken
Butcher. Hours: Mo-Su 08:00-18:00
2 Woodridge, Birmingham, B6 6LN
About 6 km away
Euro Express International Supermarket
Convenience. Hours: Mo-Sa 10:00-21:00; Su 10:00-19:00
1541 Pershore Road, Birmingham, B30 2JH
About 6 km away
International Food Store
Convenience. Hours: 24/7
386-388 Bearwood Road
About 8 km away
Food and takeaways
Taste of Pakistan
Pakistani. restaurant. Hours: Mo-Fr 10:00-23:00; Sa-Su 06:00-23:00
6 Highgate Road, Birmingham, B12 8DP
About 2 km away
Abdul's Cafe and Diner
Indian. cafe. Hours: Su 14:00-21:00; Tu-Th 13:00-21:00; Fr-Sa 14:00-22:00
1191 Stratford Road, Birmingham, B28 8BX
About 3 km away
Vietnamese Street Kitchen
Vietnamese. restaurant. Hours: Su-Th 12:00-21:30; Fr-Sa 12:00-22:30
St Martins Square, Birmingham, B5 4BW
About 3 km away
Wagamama
Asian. restaurant. Hours: Mo-Th 11:30-22:00; Fr 11:30-23:00; Sa 11:00-23:00; Su 11:30-22:00
Edgbaston Street, Birmingham, B5 4QL
About 3 km away
Chaophraya
Thai. restaurant. Hours: Su-Th 12:00-22:00; Fr-Sa 12:00-22:30
6 Spiceal Street, Birmingham, B5 4BH
About 3 km away
Peach Garden
Chinese, asian. restaurant. Hours: Mo-Su 11:00-22:00
34 Ladywell Walk, Birmingham, B5 4ST
About 3 km away
Turtle Bay
Caribbean. restaurant. Hours: Mo-We 12:00-23:00, Th 12:00-24:00, Fr 11:00-01:00, Sa 10:00-01:00, Su 11:00-22:00
81-91 John Bright Street, Birmingham, B1 1BL
About 4 km away
Asha's
Indian. restaurant. Hours: Mo 17:30-21:30; Tu 12:00-14:30,17:30-22:00; We-Fr 12:00-14:30,17:30-22:30; Sa 12:00-23:00; Su 12:00-21:00
22 Newhall Street, Birmingham, B3 3LX
About 4 km away
Rainbow Garden
Cantonese, chinese. takeaway. Hours: Tu-Su 17:00-10:15
1225 Pershore Road, Birmingham, B30 2YT
About 6 km away
Dilshad
Indian. restaurant. Hours: Su-Th 17:30-01:00, Fr-Sa 17:30-03:00
618-620 Bristol Road, Birmingham, B29 6BQ
About 6 km away
Taste of Chennai
Indian, south indian. restaurant. Hours: Mo-Fr 10:00-21:00; Sa-Su 09:00-21:00
12 Oak Tree Lane, Birmingham, B29 6HX
About 6 km away
Balti Delight
Indian. restaurant
6 Edwards Road, Birmingham, B24 9EP
About 7 km away
Sports and clubs
Temple Martial Arts
Martial arts, kickboxing, kung fu. Hours: Mo-Fr 10:00-21:00; Sa 10:00-16:00
16 Digbeth, Birmingham, B5 6BJ
About 3 km away
Fox Hollies Leisure Centre
Badminton, swimming, squash. Sports centre
Shirley Road, Birmingham, B27 7NS
About 3 km away
The Sir Doug Ellis Woodcock Sports Centre
Squash, badminton, swimming, multigym, aerobics. Sports centre
Aston Street, Birmingham, B4 7EH
About 3 km away
The Amber Arena & Community Stadium
Soccer, bowls. Sports centre
Church Road, Birmingham, B73 5GB
About 9 km away
Creation Climbing Centre & Skate Park
Climbing, skateboard, bmx. Sports centre. Hours: Mo-Fr 10:00-22:00; Sa-Su 10:00-18:00
582 Moseley Road, Birmingham, B12 9AA
About 2 km away
Fishing spots and tackle shops
Fishermans Friend Fishing Tackle
Tackle shop, and the place to ask where to fish and about permits
31 Abbey Road
About 8 km away
K J Tackle & Baits
Tackle shop, and the place to ask where to fish and about permits
186 Maryland Avenue, Birmingham, B34 6EA
About 5 km away
Days out and things to do
Driving schools
Community and support groups
Avery Fields Sports & Events
Community centre
79 Sandon Road, Birmingham, B17 8DS
About 8 km away
Smethwick Youth & Community Centre
Community centre
Trinity Street
About 9 km away
The Billesley Ark
Community centre
725 Yardley Wood Road, Birmingham, B13 0PT
About 4 km away
Estia Greek & Cypriot Community Centre
Community centre
Park Approach, Birmingham, B23 7SJ
About 6 km away
The Shed
Community centre. Hours: "Run by volunteers. No set opening, but aligns to scheduled events, and weather dependent."
Franklin Road, Birmingham, B30 2HF
About 7 km away
1st Bournville Scout Group (100th Birmingham)
Community centre
Laurel Grove, Birmingham, B30 1LE
About 7 km away
Rowheath Pavilion
Community centre. Hours: Mo-Sa 09:00-17:00; Su 10:00-16:00
Heath Road, Birmingham, B30 1HH
About 7 km away
Barbers and hair specialists
Hot towel and traditional shaves
Barbers and salons
Benjamin Ryan Hair
Hairdresser. Hours: We 09:00-18:00; Th-Fr 09:00-20:00; Sa 09:00-17:15
117 Edmund Street
About 4 km away
The Finery York Road
Hairdresser. Hours: Mo-Su 09:00-18:00
12 York Road, Birmingham, B14 7RZ
About 4 km away
Jakes Barbers
Hairdresser. Hours: Tu-Fr 10:00-18:00; Sa 10:00-17:00
50-54 Saint Paul's Square, Birmingham, B3 1QS
About 4 km away
Hannah Swan Hair & Beauty
Hairdresser. Hours: Tu-We 09:00-18:00; Th 09:00-19:00; Fr 09:00-18:00; Sa 08:30-15:00
1229 Pershore Road, Birmingham, B30 2YT
About 6 km away
Joshuaa Shaun Hairdressing
Hairdresser. Hours: We 09:00-17:00; Th 09:00-19:00; Fr-Sa 09:00-17:00
1259 Pershore Road, Birmingham, B30 2YT
About 6 km away
The Finery Barbers
Hairdresser
31 Raddlebarn Road, Birmingham, B29 6HH
About 6 km away
Ninety Degree Barbershop
Hairdresser. Hours: Mo-Th 10:00-19:00; Fr 09:00-19:00; Sa 09:00-18:00
1503 Pershore Road, Birmingham, B30 2JL
About 6 km away
Harris Hair Studio
Hairdresser. Hours: Mo-Sa 09:00-18:00; Su 11:00-15:00
1541 Pershore Road, Birmingham, B30 2NW
About 6 km away
Cinemas and libraries
Mockingbird Cinema & Kitchen
Cinema
Gibb Street, Birmingham, B9 4AA
About 3 km away
Library of Birmingham
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi. Hours: Mo, Tu 11:00-19:00; We-Sa 11:00-17:00
Broad Street, Birmingham, B1 2ND
About 4 km away
Smethwick Libary
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi
100 High Street
About 9 km away
Bleakhouse Library
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi
Bleakhouse Road
About 10 km away
Odeon Luxe Birmingham Broadway Plaza
Cinema
220 Ladywood Middleway, Birmingham, B16 8LP
About 5 km away
Quinton Library
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi
Ridgacre Road, Birmingham, B32 2TW
About 9 km away
Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors. We do not make places up: if the map has it wrong, fix it on openstreetmap.org and it comes through at the next refresh.
Saving money
What locals use to spend less
The shops and sites people here use for cheap clothes, second-hand furniture, a car, and the weekly shop. We are not paid to list any of them.
Facebook Marketplace and GumtreeSecond-hand furniture, bikes, tools and cars, often for very little. Meet in public, and never pay before you see it.Freecycle and OlioThings people give away for free, and food from neighbours and shops that would otherwise go in the bin.Too Good To GoSurprise bags of food from cafes, bakeries and supermarkets at the end of the day, at a fraction of the price.PrimarkCheap everyday clothes, work basics and bedding.Aldi and LidlThe cheapest big supermarkets for the weekly shop.B&M and Home BargainsCleaning products, kitchen kit and household bits for less.Charity shopsClothes, coats and furniture, and the money goes to a good cause.MoneySavingExpertFree guides to cheaper phones, energy, bank accounts and sending money.
Getting around
Getting around from Small Heath
TravelineBus, coach and train times for the whole of Great Britain.National RailTrain times, tickets and railcards.Transport for LondonThe Tube, buses and the Oyster and contactless fares.
Driving here on your licence
Once you live in Great Britain you can drive a car or motorcycle on your full, valid licence for 12 months. After that, a licence from a designated country can be exchanged for a GB licence; from other countries you apply for a provisional licence and pass the theory and practical tests. Lorries, minibuses and buses have stricter rules: check before you drive one.
Check your licence on GOV.UK Exchange a licence
Hiring a car
Each rental company sets its own rules on age, how long you have held your licence and which licences it accepts, and young drivers often pay more. Check those rules before you book, and bring your licence and passport to the desk.
Driving rules taken from the official pages linked above, checked October 2026. They change, so the official page is the one to rely on.
While you are here