Community News

Relatives or friends of a man who passed away recently are being asked to get in touch with the City of Wolverhampton Council so that his funeral can be arranged.

David Hackman, who was 44, had been living in the Pennfields area of Wolverhampton. It is believed that he was originally from either Liberia or Ghana.

Anyone who is related to Mr Hackman, or has any information which may help trace his relatives, is asked to please call Protection and Funerals Officer Diane Washbrook on 07967 769826 or email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. as soon as possible.

The winners of a ‘Dragons’ Den’ style competition to help local communities build back better have been announced.

In February, the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) launched the Community Recovery Innovation Challenge, which offered anyone with innovative ideas to help local areas recover from the effects of the pandemic support, worth a total of £55,000. Out of over 130 entries the three winners have been announced and each will receive up to £15,000 worth of tailored support to help them take their project to the next stage of development.

Andy Street, the Mayor of the West Midlands said: “Whilst we know how critical it is to get our region’s economy motoring again and get people who have fallen out of employment back into work, we must also make sure that communities are at the heart of our post-pandemic recovery.

“That’s why we launched the Community Recovery Innovation Challenge to help support some of the best ideas, and we have been incredibly impressed by some of the plans people have to support their local communities.

Congratulations to our winners and the 20 runners up who are all developing exciting and innovative ways to support their communities recover from the effects of the pandemic, and I look forward to seeing all these projects develop over the coming weeks and months.” The successful projects were chosen for their potential to address at least one of 12 categories including debt, domestic violence, mental health and support for grassroots culture, art and sport.

One of the three winning projects is husband and wife duo Mandeep and Prabs Johal of Wolverhampton who are planning a series of pop-up neighbourhood fitness hubs in the city’s parks and green spaces to tackle low levels of physical activity. Wolverhampton has the lowest level of activity across the West Midlands and the project aims to tackle this threat to health.

Prabs said: “Our project aims to empower local communities to live healthy and active lifestyles and increase access to fitness activities within small neighbourhoods, overcoming barriers of people having to travel out to fitness centres. We are passionate about societal transformation and with the funding we aim to deliver projects that see local communities thrive - especially as we build back from the pandemic.”

Also winning a package of support is Baby Aid Birmingham (BAB) a baby bank, which operates like a food bank by providing emergency support in the form of essentials such as baby food, clothes, toiletries, and equipment. BAB set up at the start of March 2020, due to the pandemic, but as the need is still high, they are looking to expand their service.

The third winner is the Birmingham Playhouse who propose to run a programme of storytellers in-residence in early years settings. The project aims to support the bridging of the attainment gap which has been increased by Covid due to the disruption to children's development in early years settings.

In addition, 20 runners up will receive awards worth £500 each to support their projects. The winners and runners up were all invited to an innovation masterclass which was held to help them figure out the next steps in turning their ideas into reality. The masterclass was organised by the Combined Authority in partnership with Power To Change, which supports community businesses in England, and started with an opening statement from the Mayor. Ailbhe McNabola, director of Policy at Power to Change said "We're delighted to be hosting this masterclass to support so many innovative groups to take action in their local area. Community action has been at the heart of tackling the pandemic, and it'll be at the heart of the recovery because local people know what is most needed."

The competition is one of the activities being organised by the West Midlands Recovery Coordination Group, which was formed in June 2020 to address the wider social and community issues arising from the pandemic and to identify the steps towards recovery. In November 2020 the group produced a Community Recovery Roadmap following input from communities. It set out the challenges faced by the region but also the imaginative ways that communities have started to build resilience during the pandemic. Many of the examples of good practice were immediate responses to the crisis, and some have the potential to help the region build back better in the long term.

Councillor Maria Crompton, WMCA portfolio lead for public service reform and social economy, and deputy leader of Sandwell Council said: “The pandemic has taken its toll on our region and our communities have suffered, but this competition will help empower our communities to boost our region. There have been some creative ideas put forward and I’m excited to watch their progress over the next few months.”

The 20 runners up are:

·         Youth Enterprise, Birmingham

·         Unitopia, Solihull

·         The Garden of Hope, Coventry

·         Savitri 2021-2, Birmingham

·         Refugee digital inclusion, Wolverhampton

·         Reading with Confidence, Birmingham

·         Play Attention, Birmingham

·         Phoenix Inspiration -Young Writer’s Development Programme, Walsall

·         Online Music Resources, Solihull

·         Nourish Social, Solihull

·         Friends of Georges Park, Birmingham

·         Empowering the next generation through the arts and mental well-being, Birmingham

·         Getting Through This, Birmingham

·         Core Skill, Birmingham

·         Community Orchard Project, Birmingham

·         Chatter Bus, Walsall

·         Bouncing Back Together, Birmingham

·         Birmingham Energy Initiative - Educating Energy, Warwickshire / Warwick

·         Aspiring Black Lawyers, Birmingham

·         #YourMindMatter- Be Mental Health Inclusive, Birmingham

Worcester City Council has kindly gifted a commemorative bench to Midlands Air Ambulance Charity to mark its 30^th year in operation.

The Mayor or Worcester, Councillor Jo Hodges, presented the bench on May 17 to flight doctors, Dr David Freeman and Dr Katie White and critical care paramedic, Ben Jones, who work on-board the lifesaving helicopters and critical care cars. The bench has been located outside Guildhall and features a personalised plaque for locals to appreciate and reflect on the lifesaving work of the charity.

Dr David Freeman, who initiated talks with the Council about the bench, said: “I’m so pleased Midlands Air Ambulance Charity was able to be recognised for its lifesaving work in the city centre. After 30 years, the charity has saved countless lives across Worcestershire and the wider Midlands region, and I’m sure locals will enjoy having this bench in their area which honours the charity’s fantastic work.”

Councillor Jo Hodges, Mayor of Worcester said: “Midlands Air Ambulance Charity provides a crucial service in our area, saving many lives which would have been cruelly cut short without their rapid intervention. I know just how popular and appreciated this charity is, from talking to Worcester residents across the years. I am delighted to unveil a commemorative bench in this, my final week as Mayor of Worcester.”

Emma Gray, chief operating officer for Midlands Air Ambulance Charity, said: “In the past year alone, 30 per cent of Midlands Air Ambulance Charity’s operations have been in Worcestershire, so we are delighted that Worcester City Council chose to mark our momentous occasion with this bench.

“As well as the air ambulance at our Strensham airbase, Worcester residents also benefit from one of our two critical care cars operating in their local area, responding to time-critical medical emergencies. As our charity receives no Government or NHS Charities Together funding, we could not continue to operate our service without the support of the public. This bench will mark Worcester locals’ support over the last 30 years, of which we are so grateful for.”

Midlands Air Ambulance serves the largest air ambulance region in the UK. This includes the communities of Gloucestershire, Herefordshire, Shropshire, Staffordshire, West Midlands and Worcestershire; representing a population in excess of six million.

Councillor Greg Brackenridge was elected as the 162nd Mayor of Wolverhampton at their May 19 full council meeting.

Councillor Brackenridge, who was first elected to City of Wolverhampton Council in 1996 and represents the Wednesfield South ward, has made his motto for the year: “Unity is strength. We are greater than the sum of our parts, we achieve more when we work together than we could ever achieve alone.”

He has been Deputy Mayor for the past two years. He will replace Councillor Claire Darke as the city’s first citizen. The Mayoress for 2021/2022 will be Councillor Brackenridge’s wife, Sureena Brackenridge. They have three children, Ciaran, Eashan and Laura.

Councillor Brackenridge represents Wolverhampton as Chair of the West Midlands Fire Authority. He also serves on the Local Government Association National Fire Services Management Committee and the National Joint Council for fire and rescue services and is currently Chair of the Fire Safety Scrutiny panel.

He said: “It is an honour to be elected mayor of the city in which I was born and raised and has always been my home.

“Wolverhampton is diverse with people from around the world making our city their home, all religions are represented and a myriad of languages spoken. This is one of our key strengths.

“Our citizens are stoic, determined and welcoming. I promise to celebrate this diversity and support all communities in any way I can to the best of my ability at all times.” In line with tradition, Councillor Brackenridge has selected good causes which he will raise money for over the year.

His chosen good causes are Alternative Giving CIO; The Regimental Association, The Staffordshire Regiment (Prince of Wales’); and The Wolves Foundation. Councillor Sandra Samuels OBE was elected Deputy Mayor at last night’s meeting.

Her consort is her husband, Karl Samuels.

14 ‘Hometown Heroes’ have been unveiled by Birmingham 2022 ahead of next year’s Commonwealth Games in a campaign celebrating and recognising the diversity of the of the UK’s second city and the wider West Midlands.

Made up of coaches, managers, umpires and fundraisers, who have dedicated their lives to grassroots sport in the region, each ‘Hometown Hero’ will be profiled on the Birmingham 2022’s website and social media platforms and will receive a special glass award to mark their achievement.

Amongst those chosen is boxing coach Haseebah Abdullah, who coaches at Windmill Boxing Gym in Smethwick, who was chosen for developing female participation in the sport. is honoured for developing female participation in the sport, having also played a huge role in changing official dress code rules to allow women to wear a headscarf and full-length clothing.

Also honoured are Naseem Akhtar, who has spent more than 20 years encouraging thousands of women in inner city Birmingham to transform their lives through physical activity.

Having played a huge role in changing official dress code rules to allow women to wear a headscarf and full-length clothing, she set-up The Young Sahelis, a club for girls aged 14 to 25, as well as the Saheli running and cycling clubs.

“It feels absolutely amazing to have been selected as a Hometown Hero,” she said, “My aim has always been to provide a service, a home, a safe haven and a platform for equality in my sport and community.”

Kevin Dillon is head coach at Lions Amateur Boxing Club in Brierley Hill. He is recognised for his work despite being visually-impaired having contracted meningitis as a child.

He launched a podcast called ‘Black Country Blokes’, which covers the struggles and successes that men experience, with topics such as mental and physical health, fitness, work and family life, aiming to remove the stigma around taboo subjects.

Birmingham 2022 chief executive Ian Reid said: “I'm in awe of our 14 Hometown Heroes.

“Their generosity to their club, whether that's giving up their time or just being a listening ear, is inspiring. Shining the spotlight on these devoted individuals will no doubt encourage participation in sport and physical activity across the West Midlands.”

The other Hometown Heroes include: Salma Bi (coach, umpire and fundraiser, and director of Sporting Pathways, Birmingham), Jeevan Chagger (chairman, coach and umpire at City of Birmingham Hockey Club), Ricardo D’Alva (coach at City of Birmingham Rockets Basketball Club), Kirsty Davie (team manager and coach at Birmingham Moseley Women’s RFC), Dave Heeley (runner and charity fundraiser, West Bromwich), Joan Hunter (coach at University of Birmingham Netball Club), Steve Mroso (coach and team manager at Team Birmingham Elite Basketball Club), Yasmin Nessa (co-founder of Saltley Stallions Women’s Football Club), Kevin Redmond (coach at Solihull Moors FC Ability Counts), Sarah Scanlon (umpire at Ernesford Grange Netball Club, Coventry) and Ranjit Singh (coach at Wolverhampton Wrestling Club).

The Birmingham Clean Air Zone (CAZ) is a “necessary action” to help create a healthier city, but a more joined-up approach is needed, according to leading researcher Anastasia Nikologianni.

Anastasia, part of the Critical Artistic Thinking in Design (CATiD) research hub, has chaired numerous events on the climate crisis and sustainability, including a recent festival organised by the Landscape Institute on greener recovery. With air pollution contributing to over 900 deaths per year, Anastasia believes that the CAZ will go a long way to addressing the environmental and health challenges we face.

“It’s a necessary action,” Anastasia says. “It is part of Birmingham’s Route to Zero action plan, as well as the Government’s plans for cleaner air. It’s a step forward in the right direction.” While the CAZ is a “great step ahead”, Anastasia feels it cannot be the only medium used to regenerate Birmingham.

“It needs to fit with a greater approach for the city that allows commuters and residents to use alternative ways to travel towards and out of the city centre. We still need a holistic approach that will build a greater vision for the city and the region.”

Anastasia is currently working on a future vision for Birmingham within the CATiD hub, the National Park for the West Midlands (WMNP), which has been formally recognised by the West Midlands Combined Authority as a vital tool in greener recovery.

“My view is that a close collaboration with the city and the region can have remarkable and unique results,” she says. “The WMNP lab will build and support the creation of an overall vision for our region where necessary actions, such as the CAZ, can be implemented in the right way.”

To be truly successful, other actions relating to the climate crisis need to be addressed, according to Anastasia. “Transport, energy, housing, waste and more are all significant aspects of a sustainable city. These elements need to be seen as a whole and not as individual areas that are dealt with separately.”

“Often in the pressure to make something happen and meet regulations, we only look at numbers. For a city to be truly sustainable, the decision-making process needs to change. Policy needs to protect these new and often hard-to-understand asks, such as quality of space and quality of life.”

Anastasia believes all of us can do something to make a difference to tackle the climate crisis. “Sometimes we think just being one person means we cannot do anything, but that’s not true,” she says.

“Yes, we need to the top-down approaches that will be implemented at a national, regional and city level, but the bottom-up actions are necessary, too.” Starting with the simple things, Anastasia believes, will be crucial.

“Take a moment to understand what your carbon footprint is, how you can reduce it, and start introducing small behavioural changes in your daily life,” she says. “That might be turning your lights off, getting your own water bottle, using alternative transport or volunteering in your neighbourhood.”

Birmingham’s Clean Air Zone comes into force on the 1st June 2021. Businesses based in Birmingham affects you, should visit the #brumbreathes website for full details.

Online art website ArtforWalls.co.uk has created a collection of limited edition ‘Hugging’ artworks to celebrate Hug Day, the day loved ones are allowed to hug again.

Friends and family in England who don’t live together, or are part of a social bubble, can legally hug from today, as we move to stage three of the roadmap out of lockdown.

ArtforWalls.co.uk commissioned its artists to create 10 original pieces of artwork for a special collection to commemorate Hug Day. The collection comprises artwork that will appeal to people of all ages.

To make the collection even more special, there are just 10 prints of each artwork available to purchase - a total of 100 pieces of art. Each piece comes with an e-certificate of authenticity, confirming that it is a genuine limited edition.

Jonny Baylis, co-founder of ArtforWalls.co.uk, comments: “Never has the country been more in need of a collective hug, as friends and families across the country have had no physical contact outside their social or family bubbles for over a year. 

“The past 14 months has felt like an eternity and many people will have wondered if this day would ever come. 

“But now as we enter the next stage out of lockdown, it feels like despair has been replaced by hope. And nothing encapsulates that hope more than a simple hug today between a mother and son or a grandparent and grandchild.

“We wanted to celebrate this poignant day when friends and family can finally hug again. These 10 exclusive pieces of art have been created by our artists to commemorate Hug Day, the day a nation was finally able to hug again.”

Birmingham City Council launches a thought-provoking film today (Thursday 13 May) on the city’s journey to clean air.

Brum Breathes: A Better Birmingham is a short film about the impact of air pollution on the city and the steps being taken towards cleaner air, created ahead of the launch of Birmingham’s Clean Air Zone, commencing 1 June 2021.

Produced by Birmingham-based Blue Monday and Story Comms, the film looks at the issue of poor-quality air from the perspectives of residents, a parent of a child with asthma, as well as businesses and leaders.

Councillor Waseem Zaffar MBE, Cabinet Member for Transport Environment said: “To breathe clean air is a basic human right and the Clean Air Zone is the start of our journey towards a better Birmingham and a safer and greener environment for our communities.

“This film shares important stories of those who have been impacted and the brilliant things businesses and organisations are doing to support a safer future for us all. My deepest thanks go out to all who have supported this. Birmingham’s Clean Air Zone is the first major step as part of Birmingham’s Air Quality Action Plan working to reduce emissions and encourage, where possible, less use of polluting cars within the city centre.

Dr Justin Varney, Director of Public Health for Birmingham City Council, who has also contributed to the film, added: “Air pollution is a hidden danger that we just cannot ignore. The crisis will only continue to worsen if no action is taken.

 “Toxic fumes affect our lungs, our hearts and even our brains, the damage pollution does is both short and long term when it comes to health. We have a city to protect and this is just one of steps we are taking to give a better future to our children and improve the lives of our adults and older people.” Brum Breathes: A Better Birmingham can be watched at: https://youtu.be/Dd_MYX8fAp8.

The RSPCA was called to a house in Atherstone, Warwickshire on Sunday April 18 after concerns were raised about the mice being kept in poor conditions. 

The rodents are Natal Multimammate mice, known for having many more nipples than a standard mouse - between 16 and 24 - meaning they are prolific breeders and can have large litters. Unfortunately, none of the mice were neutered or separated by sex so the situation had spiralled out of control. 

RSPCA inspector Richard Durant attended the property. He said: “This was a situation which had got out of control, some people may not realise that animals will inbreed and steps need to be taken to prevent this. It can be difficult to properly care for this number of animals so we were happy to step in to provide advice to the owner and to help to find the mice new loving homes.” 

Richard and his colleagues worked hard alongside the RSPCA’s network of volunteer drivers to find the mice spaces at centres across the country. The mice are now waiting for new owners at centres at RSPCA centres and branches in Derby, Norwich, Martlesham, South Cotswolds, Birmingham, West Hatch (Taunton), and the Isle of Wight. 

RSPCA Newbrook Animal Centre in Birmingham has ten males looking for homes from this house. They also have eight further mice in their care looking for homes. 

The RSPCA’s Cotswolds centre in Cambridge has 15 mice looking for homes - ten girls and five boys. West Hatch Animal Centre in Taunton has 36 mice - 33 adult females and 3 babies. Millbrook Animal Centre in Chobham has 16 mice looking for homes. RSPCA Martlesham in Suffolk has 11 mice looking for homes. 

All the mice will need a spacious glass home with good ventilation where they are able to explore, but not escape. They will need cleaning out regularly and be provided with fun things to play with and chew. They are fascinating to watch, especially when they’re getting up to mischief.

Multimammate mice aren’t always the easiest to handle, so the mice are ideally looking for an experienced home who understands their needs. Anyone interested in adopting a group of multimammate mice, can complete a Perfect match form on the small furries page of the relevant centre’s website.

The Roadmap is on track and planned Step 3 easements will goes ahead from today (May 17).

The data shows that the government’s “four tests” for easing restrictions have been met. Infection rates are at their lowest level since September, while hospital admissions and patients in hospital continue to decrease - with levels now similar to July last year.

Hospital admissions and cases of severe illness also remain in line with modelling provided by scientific experts for the Roadmap.

From the today, the majority of the indoor and remaining outdoor economy can reopen, and gathering limits will increase indoors and outdoors. Guidance for close contact between friends and family will be updated, with people exercising their own personal judgement in line with the risks.

The Stay in the UK restriction will be lifted and people will be able to travel to green list countries, if they permit inbound travel.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson continued to urge caution. The aim of the Roadmap is to be cautious but irreversible and unlocking too fast, too soon, risks a resurgence of the virus.

The assessment to move to Step 3 was based on four tests:

·         The vaccine deployment programme continues successfully

·         Evidence shows vaccines are sufficiently effective in reducing hospitalisations and deaths in those vaccinated

·         Infection rates do not risk a surge in hospitalisations which would put unsustainable pressure on the NHS

·         Our assessment of the risks is not fundamentally changed by new Variants of Concern

As set out in the Roadmap, 4 weeks is needed to fully understand the impact of each step. The Government also committed to provide a further weeks’ notice to businesses.

From today indoor hospitality can reopen and indoor entertainment can resume, including cinemas, museums, and children’s play areas.

Up to 6 people or 2 households will be able to meet indoors and up to 30 people outdoors.

All remaining outdoor entertainment can reopen, such as outdoor cinemas and performances. Some larger events will be able to take place, including conferences, theatre and concert performances, and sports events. Restrictions on the number of attendees will remain as set out in the Roadmap.

Guidance on meeting family and friends will be updated. The public can make informed, personal decisions on close contact, such as hugging, with their friends and family. Close contact continues to carry a risk of catching or spreading COVID-19, and people must consider the risk to themselves and to others. COVID-secure rules remain for the workplace and businesses, such as in shops and hospitality.

The Transport Secretary has confirmed that international travel can begin to safely reopen, allowing people to go on foreign holidays to ‘green’ list countries. Strict border control measures will remain in place, including pre-departure tests and a PCR test on or before day two of their arrival back in the UK.

Face coverings will no longer be needed in classrooms or for students in communal areas in secondary schools and colleges. Twice weekly home testing will remain to control infection rates. All remaining university students will be eligible to return to in-person teaching and learning and should get tested twice a week upon return.

Up to 30 people will now be able to attend weddings, receptions, and commemorative events including wakes, as well as standalone life-cycle events. These can take place outdoors or at any indoor Covid secure venue that is permitted to open. The number of people able to attend a funeral will be determined by the number that can be safely accommodated in the venue with social distancing in place.

30 people will be able to attend a support group or parent and child group. The limit will not apply to children under 5.

Organised adult sport and exercise classes can resume indoors and saunas and steam rooms may reopen.

Care homes residents will be able to have up to five named visitors, with two visitors able to attend at once provided they are tested and follow infection control measures. Residents will also have greater freedoms to leave their home without having to isolate on their return.

The successful vaccination rollout continues, with over 35 million people receiving at least one dose, and nearly 18 million receiving both doses. One quarter of all adults have now received the strongest protection available.

The latest data shows that the estimated reduction in symptomatic disease is 60% and hospitalisations 80% for one dose of the Pfizer or AstraZeneca vaccine for people aged 80 and over. Data published by PHE today estimates that for the over 80s, two doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine reduces the risk of hospitalisation by 93%.

Step 4 is due to take place no earlier than June 21. Further detail on Step 4 will be set out at the end of the month

West Midlands Metro has taken delivery of the first of eight new state-of-the-art trams arriving this year ahead of the expansion of the region’s network.

The third generation Urbos tram has been shipped from the factory in Zaragoza, Spain and arrived at the Metro depot in Wednesbury on a huge 40m lorry, driven under escort. The vehicle, which weighs 45.5 tonnes, was then carefully lowered down a specially built ramp onto the track.

The eight trams, manufactured to order by CAF, are arriving in the West Midlands over the next few months and the first five will be put into service later this year ready for the opening of extensions to the network in Birmingham and Wolverhampton city centres. The West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA), of which Transport for West Midlands (TfWM) is part, owns West Midlands Metro.

A further 13 trams will be delivered in 2023 ahead of the opening of the Metro extension currently under construction between Wednesbury and Brierley Hill. The Metro expansion programme is being planned, designed and delivered by the Midland Metro Alliance.

Increasing capacity on the Metro will support the region in its ambitious #WM2041 target to become carbon neutral within the next 20 years. The bright blue liveried trams are able to run under power from overhead electric cables, while recharging the on-board battery ready for cable free sections of track.

Mayor of the West Midlands Andy Street said: “These are incredibly exciting times for the Metro in the West Midlands, as we undergo a huge expansion of the network after decades of under investment.

“With the extension to the Westside of Birmingham nearing completion, and diggers in the ground on both the Wednesbury to Brierley Hill and Birmingham Eastside extensions, it is clear we are going to need significantly more trams in service as we attract more and more people onto the Metro. Not only are our trams a quick and easy alternative to the car, but they’re also far more environmentally friendly, helping to reduce air pollution and tackle the climate emergency.”

The section of track between the Grand Central and Library stops in Birmingham city centre, which opened 18 months ago, was the first in the UK to see battery powered passenger trams in regular use.

Councillor Ian Ward, WMCA portfolio holder for transport and leader of Birmingham City Council said: “These brand new trams are arriving as we prepare to open our next extensions to Edgbaston Village in Birmingham at one end of the line and the new Wolverhampton railway station at the other.

“Investment in public transport like this is a vital part of our work to reduce the region’s carbon footprint as well as supporting the region’s economic recovery after Covid by better connecting more people to more places for both work and leisure.”

The purchase of the 21 vehicles was part on an £83.5 million deal signed in 2019 between West Midlands Metro and manufacturer CAF. Also included is technical support and battery management services over 30 years, as well as an option to purchase a further 29 trams as the network grows.

Children and young people were front and centre as The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge visited Wolverhampton to find out about local organisations which support children and young people.

The visit, which took place onThursday May 13, as part of Mental Health Awareness Week, saw Their Royal Highnesses visit The Way Youth Zone, Base 25 and Hugglepets. During their time in the city, The Duke and Duchess met young Wulfrunians including HeadStart Wolverhampton and #YES Ambassadors Melissa Page, David Omorehiomwan, Keisha Riley, Harman Kambo and Safira Palmrira who gave them a guided tour of The Way and joined them in a series of activities.

The tour of the popular Youth Zone, which is part-funded by the City of Wolverhampton Council, also saw the ambassadors accompany Their Royal Highnesses in a wellbeing workshop with Year 8 pupils from Moreton School. The workshop was led by a HeadStart Wolverhampton Wellbeing Navigator with the participants involved in a discussion and 'mind-mapping' activity focusing on mental health and wellbeing.

The Duke and Duchess then joined pupils from Long Knowle Primary School to plant fruit and vegetables in The Way's garden, and were shown an urban nature graffiti wall which is being created by young people who attend the Youth Zone. The Royal couple also got to meet young people from Stowlawn Primary School who were taking part in a football coaching session provided by the Wolverhampton Wanderers Foundation.

Kush Patel, the City of Wolverhampton Council's Children's Innovation Lead, was among those in attendance. She said: "It was brilliant that The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge were able to spend time and take part in activities with our children and young people during their visit to The Way.

“The young people were shocked when they found out who were attending and they had an amazing experience which they’ll remember forever. It was a wonderful day for everyone involved and we were proud to be able to share some of the great work which is taking place in Wolverhampton to support good mental health and wellbeing among our children and young people."

David Omorehiomwan, HeadStart Ambassador and Year 10 pupil at Colton Hills Community School, said: “It was amazing to meet The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge. I was shocked at how easy it was to speak to them – it was like speaking to friends I have known for a long time.

“I’m glad they came to Wolverhampton. It is a very diverse place with many different cultures and many different approaches to mental health.

“They asked me about my lockdown experiences and how I use nature to benefit my emotional wellbeing. I told them how I had coped during the pandemic and how I make sure I enjoy nature to ensure that my mental health is my main focus.”

Colton Hills Headteacher Andrea Stephens said: “We were thrilled to learn that three of our students had the opportunity to meet with The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge.

“We already knew what amazing ambassadors they are for Colton Hills Community School and it filled us with great pride to see them representing Wolverhampton in such a wonderful way. Thank you to The Way and HeadStart for offering them this once-in-a-lifetime experience, and for all of the help that they provide to support young people in our community.”

Long Knowle Primary School Headteacher Karen Elliot added: “It was a delight to see our pupils chatting so confidently and eloquently with Their Royal Highnesses. It was an experience they will remember for the rest of their lives.

“They shared their lockdown experiences and talked about how being outside and connecting with nature had supported their wellbeing. One pupil even encouraged The Duke to try growing chillies to use in his home cooking!”

Established by The National Lottery Community Fund, HeadStart is designed to improve the resilience and emotional wellbeing of children and young people by giving them the skills they need to address the challenges of modern life.

Blondel Cluff CBE, Chair of The National Lottery Community Fund, said: “The mental wellbeing of children and young people remains of vital importance after this challenging year.

"It was an honour to meet The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and show them some of the work that HeadStart Wolverhampton makes possible for local young people to help improve their mental health, wellbeing and resilience. Thanks to National Lottery players through the UK we are able to help fund this essential work in our communities.”

#YES is Wolverhampton’s Youth Engagement Strategy, launched in 2020 to young people across the city, focussing on three themes – Being Healthy, Being Connected and Being You.

Artists were kept busy transforming the centre of Coventry ahead of its year as City of Culture 2021 - the year-long cultural programme that started yesterday.

With organisers having faced huge challenges – due to the Covid pandemic - hopes that events can help rejuvenate the arts sector remain the driving force as street art transformed the West Midlands city ahead of its year in spotlight.

While the year will embrace and celebrate its history, the focus of ‘Coventry Move’ will be on how the city sees itself moving forward with a celebration of dance, music, art and cultural activities to bring the city into the spotlight and show-off its importance of a leading city in the UK with a programme that will draw in all corners of the city and beyond.

Creative Director, Chenine Bhathena said: “The city is transforming around us and I think it will be really important to build pride for people here, and to be able to show off on a national stage, to help people understand the city as it is now.

“After Covid, the City of Culture is more important than ever. I think in a lot of cities around the UK where there’s a huge amount of history, people do look back a lot, and that’s great, but there’s also a need to understand and celebrate the role the city will play in the future of the world.”

A city where movement began - as all eyes are on the city, Coventry is looking forward to welcoming the world to share its culture.

To mark the 100th anniversary of the Royal British Legion (RBL) Wreaths have been laid at the Cenotaph, in London. The charity marked the exact moment it was formed with the laying of wreaths at Whitehall in London and other parts of the UK.

Led by retired Lieutenant General James Bashall, national president of the RBL, The Prince of Wales hailed the service it provides to the Armed Forces calling it "life-changing and often life-saving." Also present was Prince Charles, who said that the RBL provided a constant and reassuring presence and an unending commitment.

He also said that he had the utmost admiration for the RBL's ability to rally support for the Armed Forces and help grieving families.

Offering his gratitude to those who helped build the charity he said: "For 100 years, the RBL has been a constant.

"Those who have served have an organisation that provides life-changing and often life-saving support, an organisation that speaks up on their behalf and an organisation that ensures their sacrifices shall never be forgotten."

The Royal British Legion's director general, Charles Byrne, said: "We remain committed to our mission to ensure that those who have given so much for their country get the fair treatment, support and recognition they deserve."

With lockdown easing, forward-thinking charities have been positioning themselves to be more resilient, service focused, strategically connected and relevant in the post-Covid world.

As cuts in public spending have been witnessed, reductions in the grants and other funding that became available for businesses and the third sector to reach out to the most disadvantaged communities, the landscape is changing. There is now a greater need to build on existing partnerships, given that interfacing with government agencies and other supporting organisations is crucial to innovating further solutions for communities affected by the pandemic.

Birmingham based Nishkam Civic Association (NCA), also known as the Nishkam Centre, is now strategically positioning itself for the challenges ahead. It has announced the appointment of Amrick Singh Ubhi to a newly created senior executive position of Director of Nishkam Civic Engagement and Partnerships to guide the strategic development of the charity and its sister group of organisations over the challenging years ahead.

An essential element of this new role will be to ensure that the spotlight placed on the humanitarian work of faith and business communities during the pandemic is supported, recognised and strengthened. The Nishkam Board is also pleased to announce the promotion of Ajit Singh to the position of Nishkam Civic Association Director.

Bhai Sahib, Bhai Mohinder Singh, Chair of the Nishkam Civic Association, said: “We have appointed Amrick Singh to this post in recognition of his dedication and hard work over the past fourteen years.

“We also thank him for overseeing the Charity’s response to the Covid-19 pandemic and for his support to many mutual aid projects and initiatives across the City and beyond. He has played a pivotal leadership role in linking faith communities together with multi-agency strategic teams during these challenging times. We know that, with Ajit Singh heading the NCA, the team will position the services to meet the new challenges that the sector and its communities will be encountering over the next three post-Covid years.”

Amrick has led the NCA team since 2007 and – in the spirit of nishkamta or selflessness - has made outstanding contributions in the fields of community service, the development of interfaith relations and engagement, supporting the work of charities and cohesion-building.

He has taken on many voluntary Board roles to support other organisations and to assist them where he can in building meaningful and productive partnerships. For many, Amrick’s drive to connect communities - and to strengthen and support many positive initiatives being generated locally, nationally and internationally - has been inspirational.

On his new appointment, he said: “I am delighted to be given an opportunity to consolidate the last fourteen years’ work with key local, regional and national civic, community and business organisations.

“We now need to guide the group of organisations to further develop strategic partnerships, to plan their growth in line with the highly dynamic new landscape whilst we bring to fruition the long-term strategic deliverables. I look forward with optimism to spending more time with faith, business, third sector and political leaders as we plan for an uncertain future, aiming to serve the most disadvantaged and to create a fairer, more just society.”

As Ajit Singh takes on the Nishkam Civic Association Director’s role, the team will also see a number of new posts being created to support the delivery of NCA’s exciting Strategic Plan for 2021 – 2024. Ajit has served as Operations Manager and, more recently, the Contracts Manager at the NCA for the past ten years. He has made a significant contribution to the design, delivery and management of many services which benefit local and regional communities. “I’m thrilled to be promoted to the role of Director, leading the next phase of our development. The pandemic has enabled us to reflect and realign our priorities over the coming months and years – we see exciting and challenging times ahead.”