Community News

Prime Minister Boris Johnson has set out the government’s ‘COVID-19 Response – Autumn and Winter Plan 2021’(external link)  for managing COVID-19.

The publication outlines the government’s plans for autumn and winter 2021 for England. It includes the government’s ‘Plan A’ – a comprehensive approach designed to steer the country through autumn and winter 2021/22.

A new online exhibition focuses on a number of the evocative artworks created by artist Arthur Lockwood, dating from the 1990s to the 2000s. Arthur Lockwood: Documenting the Black Country, aims to highlight the various subject matter that Lockwood portrayed and his individual interpretation of areas and themes, including his birthplace Birmingham and the wider Black Country.

Working in watercolour and pen, Lockwood captured the changing urban landscape, including depictions of demolishment, redevelopment and derelict buildings.

Residents in the West Midlands who have just gained a new job could benefit from free bus, tram and rail travel to work.

Transport for West Midlands (TfWM) has teamed up with local transport operators to offer two four-week tickets free, then a third four-week ticket at a 50% discount from the standard price on selected bus, tram and nnetwork travel passes through the Workwise scheme.

The gradual decline of the high street has been taking place over a number of years, with retail battling the impact of the 2008 crash followed by the massive growth of online shopping and then a global pandemic. A significant part of the rapidly evolving face of the high street has been the decline of the familiar department store, with BHS, House of Fraser and Debenhams all collapsing.

The first UK memorial of its kind commemorating the bravery of 19^th century Sikh soldiers has been officially unveiled in Wolverhampton.

The city’s new Saragarhi Monument, which stands in Well Lane in Wednesfield, is the first statue in the country to specifically honour the fallen soldiers and has been unveiled on the date of the Battle of Saragarhi.

It has been announced that Royal Shakespeare Company Artistic Director, Gregory Doran will be taking a period of compassionate leave as Artistic Director of the RSC to care for his husband, Sir Antony Sher.

Antony has a long and celebrated association with the Company and is an RSC Honorary Associate Artist.

Selfridges has hosted its first wedding at its London store’s new dedicated Wedding Suite, realising its promise to offer wedding experiences for couples looking for a non-traditional ceremony in a venue like no other.

Following the announcement earlier in the summer that it had acquired a wedding licence, allowing ceremonies to be hosted in the Grade II* listed building on Oxford Street, Selfridges has seen the first couple say, marking another milestone in the store’s long-standing history of extraordinary customer experiences.

The community benefits that have been achieved during the first 12 months of the project to redevelop Birmingham’s Alexander Stadium are detailed in a new report.

Since starting work on the project for Birmingham City Council in May 2020, the lead contractor McLaughlin & Harvey (McLH) have undertaken an extensive social value programme, with the positive impact felt far and wide across all parts of the city.

Residents and community groups now have a second chance to bid for a slice of a £2million council fund created to help people celebrate the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games. The Celebrating Communities Small Grants Funding Scheme has been assembled by Birmingham City Council to maximise the benefit and legacy of being the Proud Host City for the Games.

Ideas are being welcomed from all 69 of the city’s wards to ensure everyone feels involved with the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games – regardless of whether they have a competition or cultural event in their neighbourhood or not. Grants will be available to run initiatives which deliver against one of three themes: ‘Get Active’, ‘Ready, Steady, Fun’ and ‘Celebrating Culture’ - which are described as follows:

Latest research has revealed that thousands of furry friends living in the Midlands have gained weight since March 2020 – contributing towards a total of 1.4 million pets across the UK who have done so during lockdown.

Vet charity PDSA says that the worrying findings unveil the true extent of what was already a growing pet obesity epidemic, with the pandemic creating a ticking time bomb threatening the lives of pets across the UK.

Fireworks Spectacular and Fun Fair is returning to Edgbaston on Saturday 6 November – and is set to be the biggest display yet. The must-go-to family Fireworks event returns and it will once again be the biggest public fireworks display in Birmingham, all within the safe environment of Edgbaston Stadium which offers seating and great views of the display.

Fireworks Spectacular & Fun Fair 2021 will feature a large Fun Fair on-site, face painters, balloon modellers and a wide variety of street food stalls for guests to enjoy.

As part of this year’s Birmingham Heritage Week celebrations, visitors are invited to discover the amazing world of Cadbury and Bournville Village with a Heritage Walking Tour, led by an expert Cadbury World guide.

Guests can discover the revolutionary thinking of John Cadbury and follow his family on their campaigns for justice, equality and social reform, striving to put an end to poverty and deprivation.

New research from Sue Ryder, the national healthcare charity, has found that over half of the British public think that remembrance events, such as Sue Ryder’s Walk to Remember, help them grieve.

Over two thirds of the British public admitted to having a special place they visit to remember someone who has died. Interestingly, young people were twice as likely as those aged over 55 to have a special place.

Sue Ryder is calling on all the Great British public to organise a Walk to Remember either alone or with friends and family to visit their special place and to celebrate the life of the person that died whilst raising money for Sue Ryder, the national healthcare charity.

Not only do the public have a special place, but they are visiting on a regular basis. Almost three fifths (57%) visit once a month and 95% of people will visit their special place at least once a year to remember someone who has died.

There are many reasons why someone may visit a special place to remember someone who has died, but 61% of the British public admit that the biggest reason for visiting is because it made them feel closer to the person. Other reasons included, it helps them grieve (44%), it helps them talk to the person who has died (42%) and it helps them process their emotions (35%).   

People’s ‘special places’ can vary but the top five places people go to remember someone who has died are:

1.    The person’s grave (39%)

2.    Where the person’s ashes were scattered (23%)

3.    The countryside (16%)

4.    A local park (11%)

5.    The person’s favourite pub or restaurant (9%)

Sue Ryder is encouraging the public to get involved in Walk to Remember to raise vital funds for the charity, whilst also encouraging supporters to take the time to remember someone who has died. The Walk to Remember event asks the public to sign up to walk 5k, 10k or any distance they can manage, and encourages people to create a route that incorporates their ‘special place’ – wherever that may be.

The money raised by taking part in Walk to Remember will go directly towards Sue Ryder’s vital end of life, bereavement and neurological support.

Bianca Neumann, Head of Bereavement at Sue Ryder, said: "We all deal with grief in very different ways. Some of us may want to remember someone who has died on our own at a special place, while others may take comfort in being with other people.

"Walk to Remember is a great fundraising event that allows supporters to walk in memory of someone who has died and do what works for them and their own personal journey through grief, whilst raising vital funds for Sue Ryder."

Geoff Hurst, former England footballer, World Cup winner and Sue Ryder Ambassador, said: "Sue Ryder is a cause that is close to my heart. My daughter was cared for in her final days at one of Sue Ryder’s hospices in 2010. The compassionate care she received meant an awful lot to me and my family.

"Sue Ryder does fantastic work, being there for families like mine. However, it remains reliant on donations to ensure it can keep offering expert care."

Caroline Graham, Director of Fundraising at Sue Ryder, said: “Due to the coronavirus pandemic, many people have had to grieve alone this year.  Walk to Remember is an incredibly special fundraising event that allows supporters to raise vital funds, whilst also helping us grieve by coming together and talking about our loved ones who are no longer with us.

“The money raised by taking part in Walk to Remember will enable us to continue to provide compassionate and expert end of life, bereavement and neurological support.”

Sue Ryder supports people through the most difficult times of their lives. Whether that’s a terminal illness, the loss of a loved one or a neurological condition – we’re there when it matters.  For over 65 years our doctors, nurses and carers have given people the compassion and expert care they need to help them live the best life they possibly can.

To sign up to the Walk to Remember, visit sueryder.org/walktoremember

The importance of good mental health and wellbeing will be highlighted on World Suicide Prevention Day. Wolverhampton’s Suicide Prevention Stakeholder Forum will also be using the day to raise awareness of the help and support available for people experiencing distress or despair, and to open up a dialogue around this complex issue.

A wide range of free events and activities will be taking place on Friday, including a Walk and Talk in West Park with Wolves Foundation's Head 4 Health project, open to men aged 18-plus who will be invited to take a stroll and chat about everything from football to feelings and anything in between.

There’s just a week to go for people to share their views on the policing priorities for the West Midlands. More than 4,000 people across the West Midlands have already had their voices heard by responding to Police and Crime Commissioner’s consultation which he is using to shape his Police and Crime Plan.

Simon Foster has been consulting the people of the West Midlands since taking up the office of PCC on 13 May 2021. The PCC wants to hear what people’s priorities are, what crimes they are most concerned about and their views on the way the police is funded.

The display, entitled Floella’s Future Generation, is sponsored by Veolia and is all about how we can all make a small or large change to help improve the environment for future generations. Building on Baroness Floella Benjamin’s garden in 2019, the display gives examples of how to make a positive environmental difference in your own home, garden or the community you live in.

The display will also raise awareness of sustainable energy sources and look at how these initiatives can be scaled up or down to fit all scenarios. It will showcase traditional seasonal bedding, with all the plants produced or maintained at Birmingham City Council’s nurseries.