Community News

This Christmas Salvation Army bands have been playing again in towns and cities up and down the country after they had to stay silent last year.

The evocative sound of a brass band playing can stop the most determined commuters and shoppers in their tracks as they catch the tunes of a familiar Christmas carol.

Every new year provides a chance to reflect, and for many, getting a healthier balance between work and life is a priority resolution. So start your 2022 off right by planning a few moments of creativity from day one!

Creativity and mindfulness go hand in hand, and The January Challenge, from arts organisation 64 Million Artists, now in its ninth year, offers 31 chances to get involved in an accessible creative challenge, making a positive difference to your life in 2022.

The Hill Group donated Christmas hampers to bring some extra cheer to the SoloHaus residents at Olive Morris Court in Tottenham this festive season.

These specially designed individual modular homes were an initiative created by housebuilders Hill Group and were handed over to Haringey Council in October this year.

Police have sent a written apology to the family of ex-footballer Dalian Atkinson, six months after a police officer who Tasered him and kicked him in the head was jailed for manslaughter. West Mercia's Chief Constable Pippa Mills said that she was deeply sorry.

"A police uniform does not grant officers immunity to behave unlawfully or to abuse their powers," she wrote. PC Benjamin Monk's conviction was the first for a death in custody in 30 years.

Fifty heritage organisations in the Midlands and East will benefit from £4.8m in grants during this Christmas period thanks to the government’s unprecedented Culture Recovery Fund for Heritage. Those set to receive grants include:

The Foresters Arms, Swadlincote has raised £2,500 and will be donating toys to Birmingham Children’s Hospital, all in memory of the late Stacey Fusco.

Last month, The Foresters Arms part of the award-winning Craft Union Pub Company, hosted a Charity Race Night in memory of pub local Stacey Fusco.

A housebuilder based in Bourne has delivered a loaded car boot full of supplies to Bourne Foodbank, following a collection held by staff at its head office.

Allison Homes, which is building new homes across the East, donated the food for those in need of essential supplies this Christmas. Bourne Foodbank, based off Spalding Road, is part of a nationwide network of foodbanks supported by The Trussell Trust, which works to combat poverty and hunger across the UK.

The festive spirit will be coming to Wolverhampton this year thanks to the efforts of a local training provider and the wider business community.

National Infrastructure Solutions (NIS), which provides specialist training for people looking to get into the rail sector, has adopted the role of a modern-day Santa Claus by collecting more than 100 gifts to give out to families who are struggling this Christmas.

Care leavers in Wolverhampton will enjoy a special Christmas treat this year as they receive gifts donated by individuals and organisations across the city.

Hard work from the City of Wolverhampton Council’s Reach Leaving Care Team and the Co-Production and Youth Engagement Team has sourced donations from partners to ensure that young people who are leaving care receive Christmas presents.

Children, young people and their families across Wolverhampton are enjoying lots of festive fun thanks to the city's Yo! Christmas programme.

Creating opportunities for young people is a major priority for the City of Wolverhampton Council and the Christmas celebrations feature a variety of free and paid-for activities for youngsters and their families, ranging from sports and holiday clubs to festive fun days and arts and crafts.

Over 100 families who are suffering hardship in Dudley and Brierley Hill will be given special support this Christmas thanks to the efforts of a local charity and manufacturer. The Giving Hands Mission, which has already helped over 10,000 people, will be teaming up with Alloy Wire International (AWI) to provide a hamper of food, toiletries, warm clothing and toys for children as the town and surrounding areas come to terms with the ongoing effects of the pandemic.

People going out and about to shop, visit friends and family or even attend a football match or show this Christmas are being urged to consider using public transport for their journeys.

Transport for West Midlands (TfWM) is offering all the latest travel information people need to plan their journeys, avoid disruption on the roads and secure the best value fares.

Christmas is a time for fun and family; and our furry friends are a big part of that.

But it’s really important to keep your pets happy, healthy and safe during the festive season too. Lots of things around the house at Christmas could be dangerous to your pet; so it’s best to know ahead of time what to look out for and how best to keep your pets safe. 

Here, the RSPCA lists seven things you didn’t know were dangerous that could be hazardous to your pet this Christmas:

The UK’s Health Secretary has refused to rule out further Covid restrictions for England, as the Omicron variant spreads around the country. A further 12,000 Omicron cases have been confirmed in the UK, although the true number is likely to be far higher.

Asked about possible new rules to slow the spread, Sajid Javid said there were "no guarantees in this pandemic". The government and devolved leaders are to discuss the situation in a Cobra meeting at 17:00 GMT.

A Birmingham Criminologist is leading calls for the government to urgently reconsider a controversial migration policy to avert the tragic loss of life to those seeking refuge in the UK.

Dr Mohammed Rahman, Senior Lecturer in Criminology at Birmingham City University, has launched a petition calling upon Prime Minister Boris Johnson and Home Secretary Priti Patel to scrap the ‘discriminatory’ Borders and Nationality Bill which is currently in the House of Lords. Marking International Migrants Day the petition challenged the government’s Bill which has come under recent scrutiny for criminalising those arriving in the UK without permission, with sentences of up to four years.