Community News

A dedicated volunteer officially opened Birmingham St Mary’s Hospice’s latest shop in Northfield coinciding with the charity’s milestone anniversary celebrations.

Nancy Byrne from Moseley has been volunteering at the Hospice for 40 years, ever since it opened its doors and cared for its first patient in March 1979.

The big-hearted volunteer will be a familiar face to many patients, family members and loved ones who have visited Birmingham St Mary’s over the years, as she is best known for welcoming people on reception.

Before the Hospice opened, Nancy was part of the original ‘Friends of St Mary’s Fundraising Group’ that helped raised the £358k needed to open the Hospice. She then decided to volunteer because she’s a “people’s person who enjoys helping others”.

Over the past four decades, Nancy has supported with general admin work, driven patients to-and-from the Day Hospice and volunteered on reception – roles that she has enjoyed doing because “it’s a privilege to help people at a time when they need it most”.

To recognise her outstanding commitment to the Hospice – and to celebrate the first Birmingham St Mary’s shop to open during its 40^th anniversary year – Nancy was invited to officially cut the ribbon at the Northfield store.

Based at 734 Bristol Road South, the shop is the charity’s 17^th across Birmingham, Sandwell and Solihull and aims to raise vital funds so the Hospice can continue to care for local people living with life-limiting illness.

Nancy said: “Birmingham St Mary’s has been a big part of my life over the last 40 years and so I feel really proud to come to Northfield today and officially open its latest shop. I remember when the Hospice opened its first-ever shop in Selly Park back in 1985, so it’s wonderful to see how far our shops have come since, with many more having been opened across our city and beyond.”

Birmingham St Mary’s Hospice was founded by former NHS matron Monica Pearce, whose mission was to “enable anyone with a life-limiting illness to live their life to the full” – a statement that the Hospice’s staff and volunteers still stand by today. When the Hospice first opened, it could care for just 25 people on any given day. Four decades later and the Hospice is supporting over 400 people every day, providing care in people’s homes, in the community, and at the Hospice itself.

The Hospice’s shops provide a vital source of income for the charity, ensuring it can continue to care for people at a time when they need it most, wherever and whenever they need it. In the last 12 months, the charity has launched four new shops, including its first in Sandwell.

Tina Swani, chief executive at Birmingham St Mary’s Hospice, was also present at the Northfield opening. She said: “Thank you so much to Nancy for coming down today to officially launch our Northfield shop. Volunteering for 40 years is an outstanding commitment and we are so grateful for all her support over the years.

“I would also like to thank everyone who came to the opening today. Our shops provide a crucial source of income for the Hospice – in fact, generous shoppers help raise over £1.5 million of the £8 million needed every year to run our vital services. That money goes a long way in supporting people to live well with life-limiting illness.”

Birmingham St Mary’s new shop will be open Monday to Saturday, 9am to 5pm and Sundays, 10am to 4pm 

An exhibition documenting the unique and alternative fan subculture surrounding German football club FC Sankt Pauli has opened to the public at Birmingham City University.

‘Sometimes Antisocial, Always Antifascist’, hosted by the School of Visual Communication at the University’s Parkside Gallery, features the first public show of 27 striking images produced by editorial and documentary photographer and academic Conrad Tracy, who graduated with a Master’s degree from Birmingham City University (UCE) in 1996.

The club’s now global reputation as ‘the football home for those without a home in football’ grew from a group of socially conscious, left wing and punk FC St Pauli supporters in the mid-1980s.

After adopting the skull and crossbones as their flag, and embracing political activism, anti-establishmentarianism ideals and bohemian lifestyles, the club’s fan base – reported to have the largest number of female fans in German football – developed in stark contrast to the racism, fascism and hooliganism that plagued British and European football clubs during the 1980s.

Dorset-based photographer Conrad Tracy spent seven years visiting Hamburg and building relationships with the FC St Pauli community before capturing fans at home and away, and artwork around the club’s Millentor Stadion ground, as well as documenting a Brooklyn, NYC fan chapter.

Notably, as featured in the series on show, a number of hard-core fans choose to emulate the style and uniform of the British and Irish ‘Skinhead’, ‘Suedehead’ and ‘Rude Boy’ anti-fascist subcultures of the late 1970s and early 1980s.

“The English game has suffered from years of mismanagement, corporate greed, fan apathy and the acceptance of a culture that is openly sexist and homophobic, and often racist and bigoted,” Tracy said, adding, “Sankt Pauli and its supporters offer an antidote to this.”

“In Germany fascism simmers barely below the surface at some Bundesliga clubs. However, in Hamburg there is an alternative in FC. Sankt Pauli, whose supporters define themselves as the antithesis of right-wing elements who hope to infiltrate football culture. The supporters are a living, breathing example of why not to judge people on appearance alone, fully embracing an ideology that rejects many of the stereotypes labelled at football supporters.”

“Skinheads, who are a large part of this project coming to fruition, use the motto; “Sometimes Anti-Social, Always Anti-Fascist”, as emblazoned on the entrance to their section of the ground. My work tries to capture a truly alternative attitude within football culture, introducing the viewer to the alternative spirit of FC Sankt Pauli and its community of supporters.”

Conrad Tracy has been photographing aspects of football culture, intermittently, over 20 years. Heads the BA (Hons) Commercial Photography course at AUB (Arts University Bournemouth) has freelanced for editorial clients, including the Observer Magazine and the Saturday and Sunday Times Magazines.

Other key themes that continue to be part of his photographic practice have looked at racism within the UK and ideas of class and masculinity.

His work has also been represented by both Photonica and Getty Images, for advertising and promotion. Conrad’s work has been exhibited nationally over the last 20 years and he continues to make personal work. Conrad chaired the War on Want Photography Award ‘Document’ 2010 as well as Co-curating an International Student Photography exhibition as part of New York Photography Festival 2010.

‘Sometimes Antisocial, Always Antifascist’ runs at Parkside Gallery, Birmingham City University until May 1.

A Birmingham City University researcher is examining the challenges facing Black and Minority Ethnic (BAME) women makers in the UK, in relation to their online profile and presence.

In collaboration with Crafts Council UK, Dr Karen Patel conducted interviews with 17 female craft makers who self-identify as from a BAME background, as well as hosting workshops in London and Birmingham to gather data for her study.

According to Crafts Council UK, there are an estimated 129,000 people working in craft occupations. 78 per cent of those in full-time employment are male, with women makers more likely to be self-employed and part-time.

“It is a concern that women tend to be in the more precarious positions in craft,” said Dr Karen Patel, a PhD scholar at Birmingham City University’s Centre for Media and Cultural Research.

“Furthermore, the women from BAME backgrounds who contributed to my research described how they were discouraged from pursing any type of career in craft, because it wasn’t considered a secure career choice.”

Dr Patel’s research found that cultural expectations of British South Asian women can deter creative career aspirations.

One participant said: “I’ve always wanted to do art, but it was a big struggle with my father. He just thought, ‘No, it’s not something that good Asian girls do’. I didn’t go to university because he refused.”

The research also discovered a lack of confidence amongst BAME women in using social media and fears that their identity being exposed online could impact on their success in the crafts industry.

“A conversation arose in the Birmingham workshop amongst Black women who said they didn’t post a picture of themselves online in association with their crafts work, for fear of it potentially devaluing their work or exposing themselves to criticism,” said Dr Patel.

Highlighting the importance of the research, Rosy Greenlees, Executive Director of Crafts Council UK, said: “Dr Patel’s research will feed in to how we support makers from any cultural background and at any stage of their career.

“In promoting craft businesses, the story of the maker is often deeply entwined with the craft product itself. The Crafts Council recognises that for the UK craft sector to continue to be world-leading we need to support and champion a diverse range of makers.”

Dr Karen Patel is continuing her research in a new two-year project funded by the Arts and Humanities Research Council, exploring diversity and expertise development in craft.

A true Birmingham rock legend is set to receive a coveted Lifetime Achievement Award at the Birmingham Music Awards.

Trevor Burton, co-founder of iconic Birmingham sixties band The Move will collect his award at The Mill on Lower Trinity Street in Digbeth in a room full to the brim with Birmingham’s music community.

The Move, the first Birmingham supergroup of the 1960s, was formed when a young David Bowie asked Trevor to rally Brum’s finest musicians and head to London to play.

Trevor had taught himself to play guitar as a boy, fast becoming one of the most accomplished musicians in the city, joining Danny King and the Mayfair Set aged just fifteen, then moving to London with Roy Wood, Bev Bevan, Carl Wayne and Ace Kefford.  The Move went on to achieve nine Top Ten hits including ‘Flowers in the Rain,’ the first single ever played on Radio One. When Trevor left in 1969 he formed another supergroup, ‘Balls,’ then toured with the Raymond Froggatt Band, international stars on the country and western scene and The Steve Gibbons Band, before touring the US supporting The Who.

Upon learning about the Award, Trevor Burton said: “I have had a fantastic career and a lifetime of rock and roll; I’ve enjoyed every single minute. To receive a Lifetime Achievement Award in my hometown is a real honour.”

Bev Bevan, drummer with The Move and ELO, said:  “Trevor is an incredible blues guitar player. After The Move he pursued his love of blues and played alongside Jimi Hendrix and many other great stars. We are all delighted he has been given the highest of accolades from Birmingham Music Awards. No-one is more deserving.”

Jo Jeffries, founder of the BMAs said: “What a legacy Trevor has forged. He has honoured the city by creating it’s first major supergroup in the 60s, his career has been the stuff of dreams and he just keeps on giving. He’s still a major influence on the rock and roll scene and an inspiration for musicians today. I have no doubt he will continue to be long into the future too.”

The Birmingham Music Awards is an annual search for Birmingham’s brightest and best musicians/music industry professionals. Entrants from across the region have been busy submitting their work in several different categories including Best Song, Best Album, Best Band, Best Live Venue, Rising Star, Best Radio Station and Best Promoter.  Judging is carried out by a panel of music industry professionals, all with an impressive track record in the business.

The organisers of the BMAs aim to bring together the best of the city’s contributors to music, to recognise achievements, support each other, create opportunities and collaborate for more Birmingham music success.

The project is backed by Duran Duran’s John Taylor, UB40, OMD frontman Andy McCluskey, Dapz on the Map, Martin ‘Ace’ Kent from rock band Skunk Anansie, Kieron Pepper (The Prodigy/Sleeper), Rob Holliday (Gary Numan/Marilyn Manson) and many more music industry heavyweights.

Health-permitting, UB40’s Brian Travers will be there to present Trevor’s Lifetime Achievement Award at The Mill on the May 16.

The Birmingham Music Awards and Duran Duran’s John Taylor are proud to support the amazing work that Changes UK are doing to help those less fortunate in our city to find recovery and fulfilling lives free from addiction.

Shortlisted entries can be found at: https://www.2343ec78a04c6ea9d80806345d31fd78-gdprlock/thebirminghammusicawards/

The new Construction Minister, Andrew Stephenson MP, should make it his mission to raise quality and standards in the construction industry through mandatory licensing, according to the Federation of Master Builders (FMB).

Brian Berry, Chief Executive of the FMB, said: “I warmly welcome Andrew Stephenson into his new role and I look forward to working with him to raise standards, quality and professionalism in the construction industry. The time is right to look at a meaningful way in which we can purge the sector of rogue firms and unprofessional outfits once and for all. With the publication of the Independent Review of Building Regulations and Fire Safety, and the quality of some new build homes being called into question, we need to act now to improve standards and increase productivity. A mandatory licensing scheme for the whole UK construction sector has widespread support among the industry and homeowners, alike. The Government must legislate to stop the scourge of unprofessional behaviour blighting the entire industry.”

Berry concluded: “With the recent appointment of a member of the FMB onto the Construction Leadership Council, we also look forward to working with the Minister on implementing the Sector Deal in a way that will help to unleash the potential of small to medium-sized construction firms. After all, they are the bedrock of the industry, training two-thirds of all construction apprentices and forming the supply chain of larger contractors. We must tirelessly work to remove barriers to SME construction companies if we are to deliver on the Government’s infrastructure targets.”

Sandwell Council has been selected for a special Early Years support scheme to give children and young people at risk in the borough a better chance in life.

The council is delighted to have been chosen to participate in the Early Years Transformation Academy, along with four other local authorities.

The areas were chosen in a competitive process from councils across England who expressed interest in the Early Intervention Foundation programme, which works to improve the lives of children at risk of experiencing negative outcomes.

Under the scheme the council will be working with the academy to find solutions for children with problems and build a shared vision of what maternity and early years services should be like in Sandwell in the future.

The Foundation encourages early intervention to problems, identifying and providing effective early support to children and young people who are at risk of poor outcomes.

It believes that effective early intervention works to prevent problems occurring or to tackle them head-on when they do, before problems get worse.

It also helps to foster personal strengths and skills that can prepare a child for adult life by supporting children’s physical, cognitive, behavioural, social and emotional development.

Lisa McNally, director of public health in Sandwell, said: “Improving the health of children is fundamental to our Sandwell 2030 Vision.

“Aside from being important in its own right, good child health leads to better education and employment prospects, and so is crucial to the future success of our borough.

“We’re really pleased to be chosen to join the Early Years Transformation Academy. It will allow us to build on the good local practice already in place and be truly ambitious for our children’s health and well-being going forward.”

Donna Molloy, the Foundation’s director of policy and practice, said: “The early years are a crucial time for children’s development, when evidence based on early intervention can make a big difference.

“The academy is designed to bring local partners together, with time and space to understand the evidence on what works to improve outcomes for children, explore new approaches and consolidate their existing provision.”

The 3rd International Youth Forum on Creativity and Heritage along the Silk Road opened in Changsha, capital of central China’s Hunan Province. On top of 27 high-ranking delegates from 13 member cities of the UNESCO Creative Cities Network, the event was joined by 124 young representatives from 85 Belt and Road countries.

The forum aims to strengthen exchanges and cooperation among the media art cities and creative young talents of the Belt and Road nations. Apart from the opening ceremony and the Original Changsha media arts show, it includes the Caribbean film festival, the Chinese-foreign youth networking event, the Experience Changsha Media Arts Residency Program and a meaningful tour of Changsha.

The forum this year focuses on media arts, creative ideas, integration and protection of cultural heritage. Jointly released by young participants on April 3, the document, called the Changsha Initiative, centers on five parts, namely creativity, innovation, exchange, capacity building and youth. They agreed that as a significant source of innovation and creativity, the young could benefit from and contribute to exchanges and mutual learning. Capable and skilled youth, from their perspective, is a new generation of dream chasers, who will make the world a better place.

A historic city with a history of more than three millennia, Changsha represents a hub of great significance in the middle reach of the Yangtze River. Also, it is the first Chinese city to be recognized by UNESCO as the world “Media Arts Center”.

The forum would offer a platform for the young attendees to increase cultural exchanges and carry forward the Silk Road spirit for further cooperation, said the event organizer. While striving to promote the enduring friendship with the Belt and Road countries, they will join hands to build a community with a shared future for mankind.

Audiences across the Midlands will be able to enjoy the adventures of Peter Pan as Birmingham Repertory Theatre announces a new staging of the J. M. Barrie classic for Christmas 2019.

Filled with swashbuckling adventure and the magic of youth, the eternal classic Peter Pan has enthralled audiences across generations. Now, following his highly acclaimed retelling of The Wizard of Oz at Birmingham Repertory Theatre last year, director Liam Steel returns to direct a striking new version based on J. M. Barrie’s original story.

All children, except one, grow up. One night, the headstrong Wendy Darling is visited by a mysterious boy floating outside her window. The mischievous stranger introduces himself as Peter Pan and after teaching Wendy and her two brothers to fly, invites them on a quest to an enchanted island called Neverland. It is a world of feisty fairies, malevolent mermaids and a raucous gang of abandoned Lost Children.

But a crew of ruthless pirates, led by the dastardly and vengeful Captain Hook, also await in Neverland. Can Wendy, Peter, and his gang band together to win the day as they cross paths and swords with the pirates? And will Wendy and her brothers ever find their way back home?

Director, Liam Steel said: “What better way to spend the run up to Christmas than travelling to Neverland to tell the famous story of the boy who didn’t want to grow up? With breath-taking flying, amazing adventures and all of your favourite characters, this magical story promises to be everything a Christmas treat should be. I am thrilled to be back at The REP to enable a bold new re-imagining of this classic tale to take flight, and with a healthy sprinkling of REP fairy dust, I promise we have all the vital ingredients for a wonderful Christmas show that can be enjoyed by everyone.”

Liam Steel is a multi-award winning director and choreographer whose most recent credit includes choreographer for the highly-acclaimed West End production of Stephen Sondheim’sCompany (2019 Olivier award nomination for Best Theatre Choreographer). His work has included creating productions for the National Theatre, The Globe, RSC, Birmingham Repertory Theatre, Royal Court, Manchester Royal Exchange, Chichester Festival Theatre, Frantic Assembly and many more. He is a core collaborator at Regents Park Open Air Theatre and has worked on ten productions there over ten seasons, including co-directing and choreographing Sondheim’s Into The Woods, which was awarded an Olivier Award for Best Musical Revival. He has created many award winning contemporary dance commissions, choreographed for Musical Theatre on the West End and Broadway. In the commercial sector his work includes creating all the musical staging and choreography for the film version of the musical Les Misérables – winner of 3 Oscars, 4 BAFTAS and 3 Golden Globes – including Best Motion Picture.

Peter Pan will be designed by Michael Pavelka (Funny Girl / West End; A Midsummer Night’s Dream and The Merchant of Venice / Propeller Theatre Company and Winner of 2009 TMA Award Best Set Design) with lighting design by Lee Curran (Woyzeck / Birmingham Repertory Theatre; Summer and Smoke / West End; Jesus Christ Superstar / Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre). Casting and further creatives to be announced.

As part of The REP’s commitment to making theatre accessible to everyone all performances ofPeter Pan between 5 December  and 19 January will be Audio Described and Captioned, meaning that audiences with visual or hearing impairments can enjoy these services on any performance.

Peter Pan will open at Birmingham Repertory Theatre on 30 November 2019 and run until 19 January 2020.

Roderick Williams OBE has been announced as being the new patron of the Birmingham Bach Choir.

The famed British baritone takes on the role as part of the choir’s year-long centenary celebrations, and will be marking his appointment with a Special Recital - Roderick Williams Sings Beethoven and Schubert - at Bromsgrove School, Worcestershire, on Thursday May 9.

With accompaniment from pianist Susie Allan, the must-see performance focuses on Ludwig van Beethoven's An die ferne Geliebte (To the distant beloved) and Franz Schubert's Schwanengesang (Swan Song).

Dating from 1816, Beethoven's An die ferne Geliebte is considered to be the first example of a song cycle by a major composer. Featuring six songs, they collectively capture the yearning, pain of separation, suffering, hope, and enrapture of a lover.

Published posthumously in 1829, just a few months after the composer succumbed to typhoid fever, Schubert's Schwanengesang provides musical settings for verses by three leading 19th century poets. Several of these were passed to Schubert by Beethoven's assistant, and Schubert's cycle shares similar themes - lost love, seduction, joy, hope - to that of An die ferne Geliebte.

Roderick Williams is one of his generation’s greatest performers. Winner of the Royal Philharmonic Society Awards Singer of the Year 2016, Roderick was awarded the OBE for services to music in June 2017 and works regularly with all of the major UK opera houses, as well as singing with many major ensembles, including the Berlin Philharmonic, New York Philharmonic, Royal Scottish National Orchestra, and the BBC orchestras.

In 2015 he sang Christus in Peter Sellars’ staging of the St John Passion with the Berlin Philharmonic conducted by Sir Simon Rattle, and returned to the role earlier this year with both the Berlin Philharmonic and the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment.

His numerous recordings include Vaughan Williams, Berkeley and Britten operas for Chandos, and an extensive repertoire of English song with pianist Iain Burnside for Naxos.  He’s in the process of recording Schubert’s three cycles for Chandos.

Discussing his appointment with choir, Roderick said: "I’m delighted to be associated with the Birmingham Bach Choir; living as I do in the Midlands makes this pretty much my local choir. My association with Paul Spicer goes back more than thirty years, so I am especially pleased to support the work he has done, and continues to do, with this proud and magnificent choir."

One of the largest and oldest chamber choirs in the West Midlands, Birmingham Bach Choir have played a central role in the region’s rich cultural life for 100 years, a historic occasion they’re celebrating with a series of special concerts and appearances. The choir were recently invited to provide a musical setting for the unveiling the Sousse and Bardo memorial in Birmingham, a ceremony attended by His Royal Highness The Duke of Sussex, Prince Harry.

After years in the making and doubts about whether it would ever come the fruition, it has finally been revealed that the ‘Celebration Statue,’ a tribute to West Bromwich Albion legends; the late Cyrille Regis MBE and Laurie Cunningham, and Brendon Batson OBE, will be installed in New Square, in West Bromwich.

There have been doubts as to whether the statue would ever completed and see the light of day but, following huge fundraising efforts; which includes a £38,000 donated by the Professional Footballers' Association the 10ft bronze statue will finally be unveiled.

PFA chief executive Gordon Taylor OBE said: “The PFA has been determined to get this important tribute to ‘The Three Degrees’ over the line and mark their great contribution to football and equality for time immemorial.”

Jim Cadman, who has led the campaign for the Celebration Statue, added: “The Three Degrees were true pioneers of the game who made genuine football history in West Bromwich.

“The Celebration Statue will convey passion, strength and achievement to a global football audience and support the fight to remove all aspects of racism from our beautiful game.”

The ‘Celebration Statue’ will be unveiled on May 22.

The University of Wolverhampton (UoW) hosted a special event to celebrate the 550^th Birth Anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev Ji at the Chancellor’s Hall.

The event was organised by the centre for Sikh and Panjabi studies, of UoW, and supported by Consulate General of India, Birmingham.

More than 200 guests from across the UK were there to pay tribute to Guru Nanak Dev Ji, the revered first Sikh Guru.

The event commenced with the welcoming of the guests by the Vice Chancellor of University of Wolverhampton, Prof. Geoff Layer, and featured inspirational speeches from Dr. Opinderjit Kaur Takhar, Director of Centre for Sikh and Panjabi studies, Deputy High Commissioner, Mr. Charanjeet Singh, Lord Suri, Dr. Mohinder Singh, Chairman GNNSJ, Baba Amar Singh Ji, Consul General Dr Aman Puri among others; with speeches highlighting the various aspects of Guru Nanak Dev Ji’s life, his teachings and how he continues to be an inspiration for millions of Sikhs and people belonging to all faiths across the world.

Member of European Parliament, Ms. Neena Gill, Baba Amar Singh Ji, Chairman of the Council of Gurdwara Management Committees UK Avtar Singh, Dr Sadhu Singh, Chairman of the Council of Sikh Gurdwaras, Chief executive officer of Sun Mark, Dr Rami Ranger and a number of other prominent members of the Indian diaspora shared their thoughts on Guru Nanak's teachings and how Guru Nanak Dev Ji’s message of Compassion and Contentment is as relevant today as much as it was 550 years ago.

 The celebrations, which filled the Chancellor’s Hall at the Wulfruna Building, featured a string of speeches, motivational messages of peace, gender equality, rejecting discrimination and promoting harmony among communities. Guru Nanak Dev Ji’s philosophy has a timeless quality and universal appeal.

Mayor of West Midlands Andy Street thanked the Sikhs across the Midlands region for their outstanding contribution to the community. He also appreciated the noble initiative of celebrating the Prakash Parv in Midlands.

The event concluded with the ensemble of religious songs by Mr. Jas Wohra, Managing Director, East End Foods Plc, creating a spiritual environment at the Chancellor’s Hall. Communities across the globe will mark the anniversary with a series of events throughout this year, with the UK expected to host the biggest celebrations outside India.

Bristol Street Motors Beadford Renault, Dacia and Nissan dealerships have given a welcome boost to a weekly activity group which brings together older people in the Bradford community, with a grant.

Lidget Green Elders Group (LGEG) in the west of Bradford was chosen to receive the grant after the neighbourhood project applied to the Social Responsibility Awards, a community initiative backed by Vertu Motors plc, the Group which operates Bristol Street Motors, Vertu Honda, Vertu Toyota, Vertu Volkswagen and Farnell franchises.

The grant will help support LGEG’s wide range of activities and events which the members participate in and enjoy every week, including cook and eat sessions, gardening, drama, craft and basic computer skills workshops.

The group’s aim is to help residents in the community learn the benefits of a healthy lifestyle with nutritious meals through the growing and eating of their own produce, keeping in touch with family and friends online to address the issues of isolation and pass on their cultural experiences to the younger generation through short plays and poems.

The funding will help to continue the vital community links with older people in Bradford. Although established in 2009 and growing in popularity, the LGEG was closed due to the passing of the group leader and was recently brought back together following a consultation with its regular members.

Doreen Campbell, coordinator for LGEG, said: “Over 90 percent of the Lidget GreenElders Group felt that they were socially and emotionally isolated from family and friends. A group of volunteers ran a pilot scheme with a four to six-hour activity session each week, which was hugely welcomed. Now members are very keen to continue with the project to further improve their health and mental wellbeing, which had deteriorated during the group’s absence.

“With the additional grant, the group will have the opportunity to meet and work with other groups in the community and share their knowledge and experience to build lasting relationships and strengthen community links.

“We thank Bristol Street Motors for the kind donation, which will help to make a real difference in older people’s lives in Bradford.”

Andy Brown, general manager, Bristol Street Motors Bradford Nissan, said: “The LidgetGreen Elders Group offers an invaluable service to the Bradford community. Through the dedication and commitment of its volunteers, the community group will continue to improve the physical, mental, emotional and social wellbeing of the elderly to ensure they are living fulfilled lives.

“We are delighted to support the LGEG initiative and hope it continues to offer residents an opportunity to be part of something special and share in the life of the whole community.”

Vertu Motors plc is working in conjunction with New Testament Church of God (NTCG) to deliver community-based social support schemes which offer opportunities for local people to improve their wellbeing through its Social Responsibility Programme.

The Government and Parliament must break the Brexit deadlock and find a way forward warns the Federation of Master Builder (FMB), in response to the latest Construction PMI data, which shows another drop in construction output.

The March 2019 PMI data revealed an Index score of 49.7, up slightly from 49.5 in February, against the no change threshold of 50.0. This points to a sustained decline in construction output, representing the first back-to-back fall in construction output since 2016. While the residential building sector enjoyed an upturn, commercial construction was the worst performing area.

Commenting on the results, published this morning, Sarah McMonagle, Director of Communications at the FMB, said: “The construction industry is being seriously affected by Brexit uncertainty as evidenced by two very worrying sets of results for construction output in the first quarter of 2019. Businesses have been waiting for politicians to come to some resolution for far too long now, and it’s time that this deadlock was broken. It’s not surprising employers are finding it hard to plan for the future, when we don’t even know when, or indeed if, we’re leaving the EU. Today’s results are a reminder of just how vulnerable the construction industry is to political turmoil as confidence among consumers and contractors continues to wobble.”

McMonagle concluded: “Brexit uncertainty and the construction skills shortage have created a perfect storm in our industry. Around 9 per cent of construction workers in the UK are from EU countries, but we know from speaking to small construction employers that many of these skilled workers are starting to return, whether that’s because of strengthening economies elsewhere, or that they simply don’t feel welcome anymore. This is compounding an already severe construction skills shortage, and I’m worried that the Government’s post-Brexit immigration system will make it even worse. For example, the system will not allow Level 2 tradespeople to live and work in the UK for more than 12 months at a time. At the same time, the Government’s figures last week show that the number of Level 2 apprenticeship starts among our domestic workforce is dropping. It’s quite simply not possible to build the homes and infrastructure we need without bricklayers, carpenters and plasterers. The Government and industry must work together to attract more people into the industry, by offering them high quality training with clear career pathways for progression but in the meantime we need sustained access to tradespeople of all skill levels for the industry to continue being open for business.”

This summer visitors to London can be transported back to the golden-age of Victorian steam-powered travel as London Transport Museum and Transport for London run a vintage steam train into the heart of the Capital for what is expected to be the final time.

The special steam-powered journeys will celebrate 150 years of London Underground’s District line serving Londoners and tourists visiting the city.

Three return journeys will take place along the line between Ealing Broadway and High Street Kensington on both Saturday 22 and Sunday 23 June 2019. Tickets are on sale now on London Transport Museum’s website.

The commemorative trips will mark the final time steam trains are expected to travel into central London on the Underground network due to signalling modernisation that will provide more frequent services and improved reliability for customers on the Circle, District, Hammersmith & City and Metropolitan lines from 2021.

Steam trains first served the District Railway when it opened to the public between South Kensington and Westminster on Christmas Eve, 1868. Today, the District line serves 60 stations – the most of any Tube line.

Sam Mullins, Director, London Transport Museum said: “Passengers on these special finale journeys will be transported to a by-gone era of Victorian steam-powered travel, giving people a rare opportunity to experience the sounds and sights of travelling on the District line when it first opened 150 years ago.”

Nigel Holness, Managing Director of London Underground, said: "The District line has been a vital part of London's transport network for 150 years and it's amazing to think how many billions of journeys have been made in its lifetime. This is likely to be the final time we are able to run a steam train on the Tube network though central London so offers transport enthusiasts a fantastic opportunity to be a part of Underground history.”

London Transport Museum will continue to offer its heritage steam train outings on the outer reaches of the Metropolitan line towards Chesham.

People can discover more District line history at the next Open Weekend at the London Transport Museum Depot in Acton Town, West London on Saturday 27 and Sunday 28 April.

Visitors looking to enjoy other heritage days out can book to board a beautifully restored red double-decker bus for day-time excursions from Covent Garden to Kew Gardens on 16 May 2019 and Greenwich on 17 October 2019.

Tickets to ride aboard the District 150 steam train, visit the Museum Depot Open Weekend or join an excursion by bus to Kew Gardens and Greenwich can be booked at: www.ltmuseum.co.uk 

Commonwealth Secretary-General the Rt Hon Patricia Scotland QC has received a Distinguished Champion award at the WEConnect Gala in Washington DC for her tireless efforts to empower women and achieve gender equality across the world.

WEConnect International is a global network that connects women-owned businesses to qualified buyers across the globe.

Organisers spoke of the Secretary-General’s “commitment to transforming the lives of women”, adding that “it is not just her personal achievements that have inspired females – but her forceful pursuit of progressive change in each of her various posts”.

In her acceptance speech, the Secretary-General said: “I am particularly pleased the WEConnect award ceremony had such distinguished representation from major corporations – especially female business leaders of such a high calibre and talent.

“Business and the public sector working together locally and internationally can do so much to protect the safety of women and to enhance opportunities for potential to be recognised and fulfilled.

“The occasion for me is made all the more significant by the fact the gala is taking place three years to the day since I took up the responsibilities entrusted to me by the Heads of Government of Commonwealth of our 53 member nations and became their Secretary-General.”

The event was attended by more than 200 guests including government officials, thought leaders, and philanthropic and civil society organisations, who are champions for women’s entrepreneurship and economic empowerment.

Good progress is being made towards Wolverhampton's pledge to become an Autism Friendly City, but there is still more to be done to ensure that people affected by autism are afforded the same opportunities as anyone else.

Autism affects how a person communicates with and relates to other people, and how they see, hear and feel the world around them. People with autism experience it in different ways, but typically face challenges in social communication and interaction.

Around 1 in 100 children and adults – approximately 2,500 people in Wolverhampton – are estimated to have an autism spectrum condition.

Last year, Wolverhampton announced its intention to become an Autism Friendly City by 2021 and, ahead of this year’s World Autism Awareness Week, which begins today (Monday 1 April) Wolverhampton's Joint Autism Strategy has been refreshed to focus on three key themes – increasing awareness and understanding of autism, improving services for people with autism, and helping people with autism to become more independent.

Emma Bennett, the City of Wolverhampton Council’s Director of Children’s Services, said: "We and our partners are committed to offering as much help and support as possible to people young and old with autism and to their families.

“We want Wolverhampton to be a place where people with autism feel safe, understood and supported, have the same opportunities as anyone else, can live the life they choose, receive personalised support when they need it, enjoy meaningful activities and, most importantly, play an active part in their community."

Wolverhampton's Joint Autism Strategy was launched in 2016 and is being implemented by a group including people with autism, parents of children with autism, representatives from the council, Wolverhampton Clinical Commissioning Group, the Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust, the Black Country Partnership Foundation Trust, voluntary sector groups and local schools.

It has already helped bring about a number of improvements, including the development of a new diagnosis, assessment and support pathway for adults which has led to more people having assessments, reduced waiting times and improved satisfaction levels among service users. An improved pathway for children and young people will come into place next month, and work is also underway with the voluntary sector to develop a network of services to support people with autism and their families.

Work is taking place to ensure there is the capacity and resources needed within both mainstream and special schools to meet the needs of all pupils with autism. Wolverhampton’s Special School Outreach Service is training teachers from mainstream schools to become Autism Leaders, and also provides training for parents of children with autism. A new specialist centre for autism at the City of Wolverhampton College is supporting a dozen students between the ages of 16 and 25, and additional places for children with autism have been created at Tettenhall Wood School.

As well as education, people with autism are being supported into the world of work, with employment service Enable providing individual support, including help with CVs, interviews and job coaching. Other programmes such as Thrive, Black Country Impact, Wolves Workbox and Wolves at Work are supporting people with autism into employment, while a number of local businesses are committed to becoming "disability confident employers".

Meanwhile local businesses and retailers such as supermarket chain Morrisons are offering “autism hours”, turning down lighting and music for the benefit of their customers.

In the months ahead, the focus will be on increasing awareness, understanding and support, with the City of Wolverhampton Council, the Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust and the University of Wolverhampton all working to become autism friendly organisations, and a network of autism champions being established to promote awareness and understanding within organisations across the city.

Further work will also take place to improve service pathways and ensure more people with autism are able to access services that promote employability and independent living, and make the transition between childhood and adulthood as smooth as possible.

David Watts, Director of Adult Services, said: “We have made significant progress over the last couple of years in improving understanding of, and services for, people with autism, but there is much more we can and will do so that they are able to live their lives to the full.

"Every one of us has a role to play, and we hope to use World Autism Awareness Week to highlight some of the steps Wolverhampton is taking to become more autism friendly, and the small changes which businesses and individuals can make which will mean a big difference to people with autism."

World Autism Awareness Week runs until Sunday (7 April). On World Autism Awareness Day tomorrow (Tuesday 2 April) the council and its partners will be holding a #SmallChangesBigDifference drop-in session at the Civic Centre between 10am and 3pm for people to find out more about autism and the help and support which is available to people with autism and their families.

There will also be the opportunity for people to share the small changes that people and businesses can make which can have a big difference to people with autism.