Community News

The government is planning new laws to protect statues in England from being removed "on a whim or at the behest of a baying mob", Communities Secretary Robert Jenrick has said. He said generations-old monuments should be "considered thoughtfully". The legislation would require planning permission for any changes and a minister would be given the final veto. It is due to be revealed in Parliament today.

The plans follow the toppling of a statue of slave trader Edward Colston last year and a wider discussion on the removal of controversial monuments. Four people were later charged with criminal damage over the removal of the Colston statue, and six people accepted conditional cautions over their involvement.

The communities secretary said Britain should not try to edit or censor its past. He said any decision to remove heritage assets in England would require planning permission and a consultation with local communities, adding that he wanted to see a "considered approach".

He wrote: "Our view will be set out in law, that such monuments are almost always best explained and contextualised, not taken and hidden away." Mr Jenrick added that he had noticed an attempt to set a narrative which seeks to erase part of the nation's history, saying this was "at the hand of the flash mob, or by the decree of a 'cultural committee' of town hall militants and woke worthies". He said: "We live in a country that believes in the rule of law, but when it comes to protecting our heritage, due process has been overridden. That can't be right.

"Local people should have the chance to be consulted whether a monument should stand or not. What has stood for generations should be considered thoughtfully, not removed on a whim or at the behest of a baying mob."

The death of George Floyd while in the custody of police in Minneapolis sparked anti-racism protests across the world. During largely peaceful demonstrations in the UK, the controversial Colston statue was dumped into Bristol Harbour and a memorial to Sir Winston Churchill was vandalised with the words "was a racist".

Speaking in June, Prime Minister Boris Johnson said: "The statue of Winston Churchill in Parliament Square is a permanent reminder of his achievement in saving this country - and the whole of Europe - from a fascist and racist tyranny. It is absurd and shameful that this national monument should ... be at risk of attack by violent protesters.

"Yes, he sometimes expressed opinions that were and are unacceptable to us today, but he was a hero, and he fully deserves his memorial." Colston made his fortune in the slave trade and bequeathed his money to charities in Bristol, which led to many venues, streets and landmarks bearing his name.

The Society of Merchant Venturers, the Bristol charity which runs institutions named after Edward Colston, said it was right that the statue was removed, along with other memorials to "a man who benefited from trading in human lives". They said it was part of acknowledging Bristol's "dark past" and building "a city where racism and inequality no longer exist".

Following the toppling of the statue, Colston's Girls School changed its name to Montpelier High School and the city's Colston Hall music venue is now known as the Bristol Beacon. A statue of a Black Lives Matter protester was placed on the empty plinth without permission in July and was removed shortly afterwards.

Birmingham City Council will be launching Our Future City Plan: Central Birmingham 2040, Shaping our City Together, which sets out its plans to help create a greener, more prosperous and fairer future for all across the city, on 26 January 2021. This will be officially launched in partnership with Estates Gazette, who will facilitate an online panel discussion with stakeholder representatives from Birmingham Museums Trust, Moda Living, Savills and EVORA alongside members of the council’s planning team to help give further context around the plan’s aims and ambitions. 

The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, climate change and wider societal changes have prompted the launch of this project, which will replace the Big City Plan, launched in 2010, while taking recent challenges into account. Using the council’s recent climate emergency declaration as a launchpad, the initial outline plan focuses on creating people-centred environments, opportunities for growth in emerging green industries, improving health and wellbeing through access to green spaces and making cycling and walking easier and safer.

The bold vision for Central Birmingham seeks to strengthen the links with the city centre and its integration with the surrounding inner city areas. Councillor Ian Ward, Leader of Birmingham City Council, said: “As the main centre of development activity in our city over the last 30 years, investment in the city centre has provided jobs, homes, improvements to sustainable transport, new cultural destinations and educational opportunities.

“With the opportunities of HS2, expansion of the Midland Metro and the Commonwealth Games on the horizon, the city will continue to be a major regional, national hub and centre for international investment.   

“This plan marks a major change from previous approaches to the city centre, with a clear intention to spread the benefits of development and investment into inner city areas, supporting access to infrastructure, jobs and improved public spaces.

“The release of an early engagement document such as this is intended to seek feedback from a wide spectrum of voices ranging from the individuals, organizations and communities to ensure all of Birmingham’s communities are shaping the city together.” The launch event will be streamed via LinkedIn (EG) and Twitter (@EstatesGazette) and Estates Gazette website - www.egi.co.uk - on the 26 January at 9:30am.

The Our Future City Plan: Central Birmingham 2040 Shaping our City Together consultation document, details of consultation events and activities that will be taking place can be found on Birmingham BeHeard from 26 January to 26 March 2021. Feedback received will go on to inform the Our Future City Plan: Central Birmingham 2040 Draft Framework to be released in summer 2021 for further consultation.

Following an initial consultation on a potential new name for ‘Black Boy’ Lane in 2020, Haringey Council, in London, is now moving to a second phase of the consultation – asking residents their views on whether or not to rename ‘Black Boy Lane’ to ‘La Rose Lane’. The council believes that the names of our monuments, buildings, places and streets must reflect the values and diversity that we are so proud of in the borough. Meanings change over time, and the term ‘Black Boy’ is now most commonly used as a derogatory name for men of African heritage.

The consultation to rename Black Boy Lane is part of the council’s wider Review on Monuments, Building, Place and Street Names in Haringey, which seeks to represent and celebrate the rich culture and diversity that we are so proud of in our borough. In phase one of the renaming consultation, residents showed a strong preference for the name ‘La Rose Lane’, as such, residents will now be asked whether they feel the street name should remain as ‘Black Boy Lane’ or be changed to ‘La Rose Lane’ - in celebration of John La Rose, a former Haringey resident, publisher, essayist and poet. Phase two of the consultation is still open - to Friday 19 February.

The council has written directly to residents of Black Boy Lane who have been asked to consider ‘La Rose Lane’ as an alternative name. Councillor Joseph Ejiofor, Leader of Haringey Council, said: “Words matter. Language can be a powerful tool for inspiration and change, as well as for oppression and ignorance. It should be used wisely and respectfully, if we were naming the street now, we would not be calling it ‘Black Boy’ Lane.

“It simply does not reflect the diversity, and social cohesion that defines the Haringey of the 2020s. The journey to completely eradicating racism, prejudice and discrimination is a long one. But whilst I am sure that we all want to get to this destination, we need to accept that a journey of a million miles, starts with just a single step. Changing the name of this road is that first step. While we appreciate this is a difficult time for everyone, and responding to consultations such as this may be more challenging, we believe that now, more than ever we should seek to send out a clear message in support of the diversity in our borough.

"I encourage Haringey residents to have their voices heard in this consultation. As a community, as a society, we have to ask ourselves whether Black Boy Lanes remains an appropriate street name today, or whether now is the time for change. I’ll be supporting the change to La Rose Lane.” Residents and organisations can respond to the consultation using one of the following methods:

·         Online using the survey (external link).

·         Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

·         Telephone: 020 8489 3797

·         By post: Consultation Co-ordinator, The Communications Team, River Park House, 225 High Road, Wood Green, London, N22 8HQ

The council will also be hosting an online meeting for residents / organisations to attend and ask council officers any questions. For details on this and how to join, please visit our website. The consideration of whether a street name should be changed is a formal process, as such the council has also published the ‘notice of our intention’ to make an order to rename Black Boy Lane to La Rose Lane. This is a statutory requirement under Part II Section 6 of the London Buildings Acts (Amendment) Act 1939.

Councils in the Black Country will return to the High Court on Wednesday 27 January to seek the renewal of a ground-breaking injunction banning car cruising in the region for a further three years. They will request an extension of the existing injunction, as well as a variation to it so that it applies not only to people organising and participating in a car cruise, but to spectators as well.

In light of the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, the hearing will take place remotely, and therefore people are invited to submit comments and observations regarding the car cruising injunction, and the application to extend and vary the terms of the injunction, by emailing This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. by 4pm on Thursday January 21. Comments received will be presented as evidence to the High Court. The injunction has proved hugely successful, dramatically reducing incidents of car cruising across the Black Country since its introduction nearly six years ago. It prohibits people from taking part in a car cruise anywhere within Wolverhampton, Dudley, Sandwell or Walsall, or from promoting, organising or publicising any such event in the same area.

The current injunction is due to expire next month, and the City of Wolverhampton Council, Walsall Council, Sandwell Council, Dudley Council and West Midlands Police are working together to secure its extension until 2024. Their application on 27 January will also ask the High Court to vary the injunction so that those actively spectating at a car cruise are in future deemed to be participating in the event and therefore in breach of the injunction.

Councillor Jasbir Jaspal, the City of Wolverhampton Council's Cabinet Member for Public Health and Wellbeing, said: "The car cruising injunction has been incredibly effective since its introduction in February 2015, and we are naturally keen to ensure that it remains in effect for another three years. It has significantly reduced instances of car cruising across the region, though the problem still persists in some areas and so it's important that the injunction stays in place in order to crack down on the issue as and when it occurs.

"We also want to extend the scope of the injunction so that it covers spectators for the first time. As well as encouraging car cruisers to show off in the first place, we've also seen multiple cases of spectators getting injured at car cruises around the country. And they are not only putting themselves at risk, they are putting members of the public in harm’s way by standing in the road or blocking pavements. Spectators are covered by a similar car cruising injunction in force in Birmingham and Solihull, and so it makes perfect sense to vary the terms of our injunction and bring the Black Country injunction in line with that of our neighbours."

She added: “This month's hearing will be held remotely, so we are inviting people who wish to submit comments and observations for consideration by the court to do so electronically by emailing This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. by 4pm on Thursday 21 January.”

The existing injunction defines car cruising as:

·         Two or more motor vehicles (including motorbikes) between the hours of 3pm and 7am being on a highway or in a publicly accessible place within the Black Country at which any such vehicle or occupant of a vehicle performs any of the prohibited activities listed below which causes, or is capable of causing, any of the prohibited consequences set out below. Participating in car cruising means being the driver of, or being carried in (or on), a motor vehicle (including motorbikes) in circumstances in which the above applies.

The prohibited activities referred to above are:

·         Speeding; driving in convoy; racing; performing stunts; sounding horns or playing music as to cause a significant public nuisance; using foul or abusive language; using threatening, intimidating behaviour towards another person; causing obstruction on a public highway, whether moving or stationary.

The prohibited consequences referred to above are:

·         Excessive noise; danger or risk of injury to road users, including pedestrians; damage or significant risk of damage to property; significant risk of harm; significant public nuisance; significant annoyance to the public.

More than 50 individuals have been subject to committal proceedings for breaching the injunction since 2015. One defendant received an immediate custodial sentence of three months; over a dozen were given suspended sentences of up to six months while others received fines of up to £2,000 and were ordered to pay costs. More than a dozen respondents have given undertakings to the court.

In addition, over 100 warning letters have been issued, and in all but one instance no future offending behaviour has been reported. Meanwhile, police continue to undertake regular car cruise operations, supported by technology including drones which has enabled the authorities to secure high quality video evidence of gatherings.

Volunteers are being recruited across the city to crochet coasters and macramé mats to include in gift packages to residents in Care Homes and isolated people within Birmingham’s communities in a new drive to connect people and reduce loneliness through craft activity.

The ‘We Care Coasters’ campaign includes working with primary schools and young people through Birmingham Scouts and Guides who will be designing and writing cards for the gift boxes, and starting ‘conversations’ with people who are different from them.

The Hive Café & Bakery was voted the country’s most ethical, responsible and sustainable venue in the country at last year’s VisitEngland awards. Whilst the exhibition and workshop spaces remain closed due to the new lockdown restrictions, staff are inviting volunteer crafters to connect with them and to support a new social action project which can be done safely from people’s homes.

Naomi Clarke, who is leading the craft campaign for The Hive, encourages people to get involved; “We are looking for people who already crochet or macramé to get involved and use their creative skills and a few spare hours to contribute to this craft campaign, but we are also really keen to hear from people who are completely new to craft and would like to learn some new skills. We have prepared starter packs with tools, yarn, written instructions and video tutorials to create basic coasters.

“We know that crafting has fantastic therapeutic qualities and hope this project will be a positive activity which helps people during this latest lockdown. The Hive is in a former industrial building in the Jewellery Quarter and volunteers will help us continue the long tradition of making from the building since 1879 – although this winter it will be from their own homes.” The Birmingham More In Common group is part of a growing national network of volunteers who run Great Get Together events which bring people together to celebrate what they have in common, inspired by the work of the late Jo Cox MP.

Suzanne Carter from Birmingham More In Common said; “The message behind the Jo Cox Foundation’s Great Winter Get Together Campaign this year is to reduce loneliness and reduce stigma by building connection. Winter is often difficult for so many people, this year the effects of lock down, shielding and social distancing will be felt by many more across Birmingham. We are so delighted to be working with team at The Hive who can make this social action initiative happen.

“We will be safely delivering gift packs to Care Homes and to people who could do with a little boost. They will include the handmade drinks coaster, cards and personalised messages from their makers, and a few treats to have with a cuppa! We are involving children and young people as well as adult crafters to show how as active citizens their actions have the power to brighten someone’s day. Anyone can experience loneliness in their lifetime. It is often small acts of kindness that make a difference.”

Anyone interested in joining the volunteer craft team (aged 18+) or teachers interested in involving their schools email Naomi and Suzanne at: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. The project is being run with strict covid-19 secure procedures, to keep all volunteers and gift recipients safe.

Work has begun to sensitively convert a Grade II listed building in the heart of Birmingham’s Jewellery Quarter into exclusive soulful living spaces for urban city dwellers. 

The Reliance Works located on Caroline Street, was formerly occupied by jewellery manufacturing firm Pickering and Mayell, who specialised in producing jewellery cases, window display fittings, and silver-plated products. It served as the hub for their jewellery-case-making plant for almost 100 years from 1913 until 2012 when the business merged with the Talbot group and eventually vacated the premises to relocate nearby. 

The historic building dates to 1826 and consists of a pair of houses with rear workshops. It has a range of unique and original Georgian townhouse features including original signage, a decorative front door surround, and original timber beams and wooden-framed windows.   

It will be converted into a mixture of townhouses, one bedroom and two bedroom apartments (nine apartments in total) with a new extension to the rear, and a small commercial unit on the ground floor after permission was secured by developers The Urban Project (part of the CityBlock Group) at the end of 2019. Features within the apartments will include reclaimed timber flooring, exposed brickwork, walk-in wardrobes, high-spec kitchens and bathrooms, and access to private gardens and a communal courtyard. 

The renovation and conversion work led by the Urban Project had been intended to begin earlier this year but has been pushed back due to the Covid-19 pandemic. It is now anticipated that the apartments and unit will be brought to the market in late 2021. The Urban Project is working in partnership with BPN architects, Logmoor (main contractor), Harris Lamb (employer’s agent), and Maguire Jackson (sales agents), to bring the new homes to market. 

Trevor Bargh of The Urban Project, said: “The Reliance Works building is a real gem in a famous and thriving part of Birmingham City Centre. It has been left in a serious state of disrepair for a long time and so we begin this work with a mixture of relief and excitement. Our intention is to retain the original character that makes the building so special, as we believe that the history of the building is crucial to its journey and its heritage should be respected.

“We fully intend to leverage our many years of expertise gained in property development to bring this building back to life with some truly original and much-needed new homes for the local market.”      

The Urban Project is the residential arm of the CityBlock Group, a well-established property company with interests in residential, commercial and student accommodation schemes. Reliance Works is The Urban Project’s first venture in Birmingham.

A newly formed charity, ‘Threads Together’ hopes to make its contribution to the run up of the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games by engaging with as many people from Birmingham’s commonwealth community as possible in an unusual and exciting project: the creation of over 70 one metre square fabric panels, one for each country entitled to enter the games, each encompassing designs reflecting  peoples thoughts, dreams and aspirations as to why they or their forbears  came to live in the UK and, in particular, Birmingham. 

The inspiration for the project came from Gill Gregory, Lady Mayoress of Birmingham when her husband, Len, was Lord Mayor a few years ago. The experience heightened her awareness of the importance of each individual citizen’s story and how their personal histories had affected their lives and, in turn, enriched their wider communities. Gill felt this richness should be celebrated and recorded in such a way as to capture how these influences have become an intrinsic part of our City’s life.

With the announcement Birmingham would host Commonwealth Games 2022, she realised this was the ideal focus to bring together the threads of our diverse City. Commenting Gill said: “Each panel will depict the nation’s flag and flower along with the special features highlighted and inspired by those completing our questionnaire which can be found on our website. We need input from people across the entire Commonwealth including those islands and states with very small populations. Additional panels will represent different aspects of our City’s history and achievements.”

By working together using the talents of the diverse communities, the completed panels will be a fitting commemoration of the Commonwealth Games, the City of Birmingham, and its people’s valuable heritage links. The trustees are to to be joined by Helen McCook, a world-renowned, Birmingham-born Designer & Embroiderer whose skills are most appreciated.

The initiative is being partnered by the Birmingham Commonwealth Association whose Chair, Keith Stokes-Smith said: “We were delighted to have been approached by Gill to support this most interesting project allowing those in the community who have stories to tell and/or artistic talents to come forward and add their personal contribution to one or more of the panels.

“Those with embroidery, sewing or stitching skills are particularly welcome.  We hope to see the completed panels displayed around the city in due course exhibiting the magnificent contribution made by ordinary people who might not have otherwise had the opportunity to share in the unique event Birmingham and the surrounding area will benefit from in 2022”

Readers are invited to see ‘Threads Together’ at: http://www.threadstogether.org.uk, where they can register their interest in the project.

Birmingham Hippodrome is set to beam a special light installation from Birmingham City Centre over the New Year period to share a message of hope and peace for 2021. The installation - Global Rainbow - will be beamed Northwest of Birmingham towards the Black Country and is an ongoing public artwork by Artist Yvette Mattern.

Yvette, known as The Rainbow Girl, has presented Global Rainbow internationally in cities including New York City (USA), Sao Paulo (Brazil) and Kobe (Japan) as a visual translation of hope and peace. The artwork beams seven rays of laser light representing the colour spectrum of a natural rainbow: Red, Orange, Yellow, Green, Blue, Indigo and Violet. The installation is presented by Birmingham Hippodrome as part of Global Streets, a national project funded through Arts Council England’s National Lottery Project Grants.

Graham Callister, Director of Festivals commented: “We are delighted to end the year by presenting this monumental light installation by Yvette Mattern, a hugely talented and internationally renowned visual artist. This beautiful work coming to Birmingham and the Black Country has been made possible thanks to Arts Council England, Global Streets and Bullring & Grand Central.

“It is hugely important people do not travel to see this installation – the joy of this special visual artwork is that it can be seen safely from the homes of those living nearby by simply looking to the sky. Depending on local light levels and weather conditions, we expect the lights to reach up to 10 miles.” Graham added: “We encourage people who can see the rainbow from their homes to share photos on their chosen social media platform using #BrumRainbow. We hope those that see it will be able to pause reflect and take in a moment of hope and peace for 2021.”

Global Rainbow will be beamed northwest out the city and it is expected to be seen in Birmingham City Centre, the Jewellery Quarter, Birmingham City Hospital, areas of Smethwick and Oldbury, dependent on weather conditions.

It is extremely important that people do not travel to view Global Rainbow. It can be viewed safely from people’s home in the laser beams path.

WaterAid ambassadors and well-known supporters are sharing their inspiring moments of togetherness and kindness from the year and encouraging the public to do the same to stand in solidarity with communities like Frat, in Ethiopia, where collaboration is part of their ethos as they help each other face daily challenges, such as a lack of clean water.

BBC1’s Casualty actress Amanda Mealing, comedian Bec Hill, singer KT Tunstall, and Paralympic champion swimmer Ellie Simmonds are joining WaterAid’s campaign in support of its Future on Tap appeal, which aims to help transform lives with clean water in Ethiopia and around the world. Until 4 February 2021, the UK government will match public donations up to £2 million, to make double the difference in climate-vulnerable communities.  

For the people of Frat in Western Ethiopia, togetherness is a way of life. They call it ‘wenfell’, meaning ‘collaboration’. Through women’s groups, student clubs and just by being good neighbours, people try to help solve any problems someone may face. They share knowledge and resources, collect money for families in need, give people water when they are unable to go to the river to get it, and help on each other’s farms. 

WaterAid’s celebrity supporters are inviting the UK public to join them in sharing their own stories of hope, humanity and acts of everyday community spirit that emerged during the pandemic, as part of WaterAid’s #WenfellMoment campaign, in unity with people in Frat.

Amanda’s wenfell moment came when she asked for help with material to make masks. She said: “I started making face masks in return for donations to help provide food parcels to families in need. I had to ask for people to donate extra material for the masks and was bowled over with the response I received – such generosity! Thanks to them, I was able to make hundreds of masks and with everyone’s kind donations, raised over £7,000 for CARE. There are so many beautiful people in our communities and it’s really important we look after each other. I love that in Frat, it’s a way of life, called ‘wenfell’.

“It makes me think about the positives that have come out of this dreadful pandemic. It’s incredible how people have really come together. I hope that these ‘wenfell’ moments continue, so we can live in a far more harmonious way.”

KT Tunstall has supported WaterAid throughout the pandemic, performing in their Bathrooms Sessions series and virtual Christmas concert, as well as releasing a single ‘Wash Ya Hands’ with support from her fans to raise money for the charity. She said: “The pandemic has brought us together in unexpected ways and shown us the importance of community. I absolutely loved seeing a video of a little girl who would run to the window every morning so she could dance with their postman. For months, they danced together, her inside, him outside, to imaginary music. All the while, you could see her growing up. It‘s lovely to think that she will remember this for the rest of her life; a joyful and meaningful connection with a stranger that I’m sure will turn into a real friendship. It’s so great we can support each other during these challenging times, which is why I’m supporting WaterAid’s appeal to help bring water to Frat and other communities.”

Comedian, actor, writer and presenter Bec Hill, created her very own wenfell moment to raise funds WaterAid’s hygiene appeal this summer. She explained: “I asked my fans to ‘sponsor’ a square on a plain t-shirt. They could request a name, logo or picture to go into their square, which I then drew on by hand, in marker pen. People paid £10 per square – lots of people bought multiples – and in total, the T shirt raised £5,000 to help WaterAid bring clean water and handwashing facilities to people across the globe. Loads more people shared the campaign on social media and told their friends about it.  I couldn’t believe that we filled all 500 squares, I was totally blown away by people’s generosity.

“The final t-shirt shows how powerful collaboration can be; it’s a colourful collage of so many different things, each one representing someone who cared enough to donate. I love the idea of a word for this kind of collaboration, and harnesses the spirit of coming together to help out, I might start saying ‘wenfell’!”

Bec wore her £5000 T-shirt on Jonathan Ross’ Comedy Club on ITV, to raise even more awareness around the project. Olympic gold medal winner, Ellie Simmonds, shared her inspirational moments from the year to support WaterAid’s campaign. She said: “This year has reminded us of the importance for caring for each other. From the start of lockdown, everyone got behind the NHS, regardless of who they were. I feel it brought the nation together in a special way, even though we’ve been able to spend less time with friends and family. We all have an ability to unite during momentous events - good or bad. It reminded me of the spirit of the London 2012 Olympics and Paralympics when it felt like the whole country came together as one positive force supporting the competitors and willing us all to do well. In a similar way, it gave me such a lift to see all the children’s rainbows in the windows during the lockdown earlier this year. It’s never been more important to be kind to each other.

“As a WaterAid ambassador, I’ve seen for myself the impact dirty water has on people’s lives and livelihoods. Clean water helps build a better future. The families of Frat are already helping each other, and by supporting the Future on Tap appeal, we can stand with them and help WaterAid to bring clean water, toilets and hygiene that transforms lives.”

Families in Frat spend hours each day collecting water from a river, which is so dirty it causes sickness. Some water sources are depleting over time, while the hotter summers and unexpected storms are destroying crops, their only source of income. 

WaterAid will bring clean water to many communities like Frat, helping protect lives and livelihoods.

With clean water, families can meet their basic needs, stay safe and healthy, have time to go to school or work, and can grow food even when the weather is unpredictable.

Funds for more than 120,000 meals were donated to vulnerable and homeless people across the country in time for Christmas, thanks to the Just Eat Christmas Meal Appeal launched in partnership with charities Social Bite and FoodCycle. The initiative which launched on December 7, with pleas from a host of celebrities including Dame Helen Mirren, Rob Brydon and Sir Chris Hoy, asked the nation to make a donation of either £3, £5, or £10 when placing their Just Eat order, with each donation matched by the food delivery service.

Andrew Kenny UK MD for Just Eat commented: “Our customers exceeded our expectations with their generous response to our Just Eat Christmas Meal Appeal, particularly at a time when we know it is difficult for so many and we would like to extend our most sincere thanks to all those who have shown their support to help those less fortunate than themselves.”

Co-founder of Social Bite Josh Littlejohn, added: “Just Eat has shown tremendous leadership with this fundraising partnership to help fund an amazing 120,000 meals for homeless and vulnerable people all over the UK. At Social Bite we have seen first-hand the devastating impact the pandemic has had on our most vulnerable people and these funds will go a long way to alleviating food poverty this winter as well as funding longer term interventions to break the cycle of homelessness for good.”

Mary McGrath, FoodCycle CEO says:  “Just Eat has been an outstanding partner of FoodCycle for a number of years.  Their support, and the generosity of their customers this Christmas, means we are able to cook nourishing, hot meals for thousands of people who simply cannot afford to buy food, including low-income families, the elderly, key workers, students and asylum seekers.  A huge thank you to everyone involved.”

Donations can still be made directly to either Social Bite or FoodCycle by visiting: https://www.foodcycle.org.uk/ https://festive.social-bite.co.uk/donate/

Members of the UK’s largest Muslim youth group, the Ahmadiyya Muslim Youth Association (AMYA), are spending the holidays spreading festive cheer through a host of community initiatives. Volunteers as young as five will pack and deliver chocolates, flowers and toys to children’s hospital wards and to care homes across the country.

AMYA members hope to spread some additional festive cheer to critical NHS and healthcare staff coping with the huge pressure caused by recent spikes in COVID-19 hospital admissions and fatalities. The young volunteers will also do their bit on New Year’s day when over 500 volunteers will be up at the crack of dawn to sweep public streets and litter pick.  

Dr Anas Rana, Director of AMYA for Charity & Welfare said: ‘‘As we have all seen, the unprecedented challenges posed by COVID-19 are having a huge impact on family relationships, poverty and mental wellbeing. In these situations, Islam urges every Muslim to be charitable and act on the saying of the Prophet Muhammad: ‘‘Every act of kindness towards another is charity.’’

‘‘So, we have told our young members not to sit idly but instead use this time as an opportunity to be productive and help. Even though we as Muslims do not celebrate Christmas, it’s our duty to stand shoulder to shoulder and help each other however we can.” 

During the pandemic, AMYA has so far assisted and delivered food and medicine to 21,022 household, donated 6,290 units of PPE to front line workers and have delivered 673,000 pieces of PPE on behalf of the government. AMYA has also delivered 1702 meals to students and their families and delivered 10,036 food packages to front line workers whilst also donating 1066 meals to the homeless.

All AMYA activities are carried out strictly according to Government social distancing guidelines.

For the third year running Network Rail and the Midland Langar Seva Society charity laid on dinners for hundreds of homeless people as they put on a festive feast during Christmas Eve at Birmingham's New Street Station. But they say holding an indoor event was not possible this year because of coronavirus restrictions. Instead, 250 takeaway meals were prepared for homeless people, as well as Christmas gifts.

Patrick Power, Birmingham New Street station manager, said: "Because of social distancing we couldn't hold the meal inside in the warm as we would like, so we had to think about how to do things in a different way." In previous years tables were set up on the station plaza for a sit-down meal, but this year the food and gifts were being given out between 17:00 and 19:00 on December 24 for people to take away.  

To make sure the event was safe, disposable masks and hand sanitisers were given to people as they join the socially distanced queue, Network Rail said. There was also two portable sinks in the queuing area, to allow people to wash their hands, it added. And all the food was prepared by the Midland Langar Seva Society off-site at a kitchen in Smethwick.

Bal Thandi, from the charity, said the volunteers wanted to make sure the event went ahead in spite of the restrictions to "put smiles on people's faces. Especially because of Covid and the rules and regulations, people couldn't meet, so it is important during the festive season to make people smile, give them a hot meal and clothes and presents.

"It is thanks to the support of everybody that we were been able to put it together."

Merry Christmas to all of our readers, supporters, advertisers and friends from everyone at The Phoenix Newspaper!

A crowd-fund campaign to send food hampers as a festive treat to Wolverhampton care homes has raised more than £16,000. ‘Kindness of Christmas’ raised a total of £16,444 enabling each of the 68 care homes in the city to enjoy a luxury hamper to share with their residents this Christmas.

The campaign was supported by supermarket Tesco PLC, who donated £500 worth of goods to kick start the appeal. The supermarket also produced the hampers with City of Wolverhampton Council. Kindness of Christmas is being delivered alongside West Midlands Police’s ‘Festive Kindness’ campaign which also seeks to show support and care for the vulnerable by distributing Christmas cards to residents of care homes, as well as food and toys to food banks across the city.

Councillor Linda Leach, City of Wolverhampton Council's cabinet member for adult services, said “This year has been difficult for everyone, especially older people and their families who have been through so much during Covid-19. I know that people are feeling extremely worried and anxious, but I would like to let you know that we are continuing to support and safeguard our vulnerable residents.

“Some families and friends have not been able to hug or hold hands with loved ones in a home, and now, more than ever it’s important that we show them how special they are, and that we are thinking of them. I’d like to thank everyone who donated to the Kindness of Christmas campaign, once again you have shown the caring and community-spirited nature of our city. Your generosity means these hampers will bring some joy to the residents and the staff of all care homes in the city”.

Employees from City of Wolverhampton Council and Wolverhampton Homes volunteered their time to make sure all the hampers were carefully put together ready for distribution across the city. Any surplus money raised from the fund, after purchasing hampers and the contents will be shared equally with the care homes.

The campaign followed the previous phases of the One City Fund crowd-funding initiative, a  collaboration between the City of Wolverhampton Council, Wolverhampton Voluntary Sector Council (WVCS) and several organisations from across Wolverhampton, aimed at supporting vulnerable groups in the City during the pandemic.  

A total of four campaigns were run under the One City Fund umbrella between them raising over £90,000, each with a particular focus; people facing severe financial hardship as a result of Covid-19, raising vital funds to support the increased demand on the city’s food banks, supporting the homeless and helping people who have no access to technology to access important services or information.

A lost World War Two letter discovered inside a book, has finally reached its destination after 76 years thanks to a nationwide campaign by World of Books Group, the UK’s largest retailer of used books and media. The letter was written by a British soldier serving in Italy in the winter of 1944. At the time, Allied forces battled through the tough Italian Campaign in freezing conditions - a campaign that would claim the lives of around 70,000 allied soldiers by its conclusion.

 It was in these difficult conditions that Lance Corporal John Wheldon-Williams penned a heartfelt letter to High Wycombe schoolgirl, Pat Moore, thanking her for knitting supplies for anonymous troops. He himself had received a simple pair of mittens; a seemingly small gesture, but one that brought him comfort in difficult times. But Pat would never receive the letter. By the time it would have arrived at the correspondence address, she had moved on. 20 years later Pat passed away at just 36, never knowing just how much her act of kindness had meant to those on the receiving end.

Upon discovering the letter, World of Books Group launched a nationwide campaign to return it to its rightful owner and was soon contacted by Lynn Cook from Surrey. The campaign had been spotted by amateur historian Dave Thacker. Amazingly, despite the limited information publicised, Dave was able to use his skills to work out a connection between Lynn and Pat, and got in touch to let her know about World of Books’ find.

Lynn, Pat’s only surviving child, was just a young girl when her mother passed away. Although she has spent years researching her mother’s life story, she knew nothing of her kindness during the war until Dave got in touch. Lynn said: “I’m delighted to be reunited with a piece of family history I knew nothing about. It’s incredibly moving to know how much my mum’s contribution to the war effort meant on a personal level.

I have early memories of watching my mother knit at home – it’s something she always enjoyed. And I remember her telling me stories of her writing to pen pals during the war. I suspect she snuck a little note in with the package in the hope a soldier would eventually reply. She would have been overjoyed with this, and I’ll treasure it forever.”

The incredible find prompted the pair to work together and discover more about the letter. As a team, they’ve discovered information about the soldier, John Wheldon-Williams, and the family he writes about. The soldier fortunately survived the war and returned to London, where he remained until he passed away in 1970. When tracking down John’s son Brian, who was eight years old when the letter was written, they discovered he grew into a successful stage actor. Under the name David Wheldon-Williams, he starred in a number of West End shows, including the original London production of Cabaret alongside Judi Dench.

Brian sadly passed away in 2017, but they have now made contact with other relatives and given them a new piece of family history too.

Graham Bell, CEO of World of Books Group, said: “Over 75 million used books come through our business each year, and we occasionally come across forgotten personal items tucked away inside them. It’s surprisingly common for people to place memories inside books for safe keeping, whether it be family photographs or letters from loved ones. But this find was particularly poignant and we knew we had to do something to return it to its rightful owner. We’re delighted to have found Lynn and learn more about the incredible story behind the letter.”

As a circular economy business, we’re focused on finding used items new homes. In this case, it’s wonderful to bring something back full circle to where it truly belongs.”

Some people across the UK have been able to form household support bubbles or extended households. The aim is to help people who've been cut off from friends and family. The rules vary across the country, so what is the situation where you live?

A bubble is a group of people with whom you have close physical contact. The aim is to help people who've been cut off from friends and family. Bubbles must be "exclusive".

Once in one, you can't start another with a different household. If you decide to change your bubble, you should treat your previous bubble as a separate household for 10 days before forming a new one. People in a bubble can stay overnight in each other's homes, visit outdoors places together and do not have to socially distance, even in areas under tier 4 restrictions.

In England, single adults living alone - or single parents whose children are under 18 - can form a support bubble with one other household. The second household can be of any size and can include "at risk" people who were previously shielding.

Wherever possible, the government recommends that a support bubble should be with another local household to avoid unnecessary travel. Anyone in the bubble contacted as part of England's test and trace programme must stay at home. If they develop coronavirus symptoms, everyone in the bubble must self-isolate.

Under the tier system, people are allowed to form support bubbles with those who live in a higher tier area, and bubbles can be cross-border with Scotland and Wales, subject to local restrictions. The government expanded the eligibility of support bubbles in England on December 2 to help families with very young children or people with continuous care needs. This means households can form a support bubble with another household, if at least one of them has:

·         a child under 1 (regardless of how many other adults are in the household)

·         a child under 5 with a disability that requires continuous care (regardless of how marny other adults are in the household)

·         a single adult carer (living with any additional adults in the household that have a disability and need continuous care)

As well as the support bubble rules, the government in England also has a set of rules that apply to families with children under 14 (as well as to vulnerable adults).

They can form a childcare bubble with one other household to provide informal (unpaid and unregistered) childcare. This must always be between the same two households. Childcare can be provided in either or both of the two homes.

During the Christmas period, registered childcare and childcare bubbles can continue.

In Wales two households of any size can form an exclusive bubble and meet in their own homes and gardens. People in the same bubble can stay in each other's homes overnight.

And they can meet up in groups of larger than four in some other outdoor places. If you were part of a temporary extended household during the firebreak period, or were in one before that, you can make a new bubble, instead. However, once you have agreed and joined that new extended household, neither household can leave to form a new one.

Under the five tier system in Scotland, people who live on their own or only with children under 18 can form an extended household with people from one other household.

People in extended households are counted as one household, and so can continue to meet and socialise with each other despite general restrictions on households mixing, and can stay overnight in each other's homes. Couples who do not live together can also form an extended household, which can include any children they each live with.

A household must not form an extended household with more than one other. However, one of them can end the arrangement at any time, and - as long as they wait at least 14 days - then form a new extended household with someone else.

If any member of an extended household develops symptoms or tests positive for Covid, everyone in the bubble must self-isolate.

Two households of any size can form a support bubble. The members can spend time indoors and stay overnight with each other.

Under the latest restrictions, these bubbles are limited to a maximum of 10 people, including children, at any one time. Schools are using year group and/or class bubbles to support social distancing and reduce close contact between pupils as much as possible.

Maintaining distinct groups which do not mix makes it quicker and easier when a positive case occurs to identify those who may need to self-isolate and minimise their number.