A leading charity has partnered with property investor and developer, Sam Ginda, in a bid to improve mental ill health in Sandwell.

The Kaleidoscope Plus Group will be working with Mr Ginda and his new company, Future High Street Living, to offer further support to people in West Bromwich who need help with their mental health and wellbeing.

Mr Ginda kickstarted the partnership with a £5,000 donation to the charity with plans for fundraising activities and workshops currently underway.

The partnership was announced following news that Mr Ginda aims to invest in town centres, helping to revive them with new retail and residential developments, starting with Queens Square Shopping Centre in West Bromwich.

With just 40 per cent currently occupied, his investment in the shopping centre would see the retail provision consolidated into one area, alongside a residential development including 84 new houses and more than 200 residential apartments, plus improvements to the surroundings to make the area a more pleasant place to visit.

Chief Executive of Kaleidoscope, Monica Shafaq said: “We are delighted to be working in partnership with Sam and the Future High Street Living Team. We have seen the devastating impact that the Covid-19 pandemic has had both on people’s mental health and on the retail industry and urgent action is needed in both these areas.

“At Kaleidoscope, we are passionate about promoting positive mental health and providing high quality services to people who need them in our local community and, having grown up in West Brom, Sam also feels passionate about doing his part to help. Together I think we can do some really great work to support people even more.”

Mr Ginda is joint chief executive of property development and investment firm, Taylor Grange. His new initiative will focus on locations such as commuter belt towns and smaller cities, aiming to support high streets in need of regeneration by bringing forward new schemes that will help boost footfall and create jobs.

He said: "Building stronger communities is an important focus for Future High Street Living and we recognise the important role that the Kaleidoscope Plus Group plays in supporting the mental wellbeing of the local community here in West Bromwich. We see a natural synergy between our work and theirs and are delighted to have the opportunity to work together in this way."