Community News

Leading social housing association, Black Country Housing Group (BCHG) has participated in the 21 Acts of Kindness initiative launched by St. Michaels School in Rowley Regis.

The initiative, which was started through the school’s Student Voice, encouraged people to carry out 21 acts of kindness in the hope that this will then become a habit in their daily lives.

For 21 days, colleagues from Black Country Housing Group have been challenged to do one kind act each day, and to tick it off on their stamp card.

Collectively, BCHG gathered and donated 73 kilos of food to the foodbank, which is the equivalent of feeding three families or ten single people, and eight kilos of non-food items. Colleagues also donated 11 bags of work clothes for unemployed people on their journey back into employment.

Amanda Tomlinson, Chief Executive, Black Country Housing Group said: “Carrying out an Act of Kindness has been proven to be great for your own mental health and wellbeing. As well as others benefitting from your kindness, doing something for 21 days has also been said to then become a habit in your lifestyle.”

Over the 21 days, colleagues from BCHG managed to facilitate a food bank donation day, where each colleague brought in an item to be donated; and a donation to Suited for Success, a local charity that gives smart and professional workwear to homeless people and people who are unemployed and need suitable clothes for job interviews.

Colleagues from across the organisation, including head office, the residential care homes and Homeforce got stuck in to raise the profile of the campaign and to support each other and the local community.

Kerry Whitehouse, St. Michaels School Engagement Development Manager, added: “The #21AOK initiative promotes kindness and positive mental health which is so important in today's society.  We are often surrounded by negative news stories and can sometimes forget how simple gestures can make a huge difference to someone else's day.   Our students are passionate ambassadors of this campaign which we hope will have a ripple effect across the country.”

This initiative, carried out by employees at BCHG, has helped to boost morale in the team with everyone getting involved to raise funds for the cause. This comes in advance of stress awareness month, which will be running throughout April. Employees will once again be gearing up to help by arranging activities and events to generate awareness for the month, which BCHG will be supporting.

The University of Wolverhampton put the WOW factor into employability at an event held at the Springfield Campus recently.

The Faculty of Science and Engineering organised the ‘WOW: Work Opportunities Wolverhampton’ event which was delivered in partnership with Just Finance Black Country and held at the new Elite Centre for Manufacturing Skills Hub on the £100 million regeneration site of the former Springfield Brewery.

The Employability outreach event brought together businesses, education providers and practitioners to inspire and engage with young people, particularly from Black African, Caribbean and dual heritage backgrounds and their parents and focussed on Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) subjects in addition to Law, Social Sciences and Health.

Visitors were given tours of the University Campus as well as opportunities to take part in workshops covering topics such as Work & Money, Getting a Job & Keeping a Job, How to Achieve Success and the A-Z of Super Confidence.  There were also mentors and role models from a variety of different businesses and backgrounds on hand to give advice.

Exhibitors at the event included ACCI (African Caribbean Community Initiative), HS2, HSBC Bank, Midland Metro Alliance, West Midlands Ambulance Service and West Midlands Police amongst others.

Dr Petula Nurse, Principal Lecturer in Biomedical Science and Head of STEM Outreach and Community Engagement at the University, said: “This is a new event and we’ve had a very promising response with attendance from a wide range of employers and businesses.

“Young people have come from around the region to find out about the opportunities on offer, giving them an insight into what careers might be available to them but also to be inspired and encouraged to think bigger about their future.

“This event is extraordinary because it has been supported by local churches which are an integral and important part of the BAME community and provide a strong network for the young people in these communities.

Greg Fearon, Resource Manager at Midland Metro Alliance, said: “In terms of our business, people see us building things but we actually offer a wide range of jobs from technicians and engineers through to administration and support staff.

“We are looking for the engineers of the future and we’ve been impressed by some of the young people we’ve spoken to today about potential careers with the business.”

Reverend Cassius Francis, Just Finance Black Country's Development Worker, said: "We are delighted to have been able to work with the University of Wolverhampton to deliver this event.  As we aim for a fair financial system that serves the whole community we are very aware of the crucial part of employability for our young people to achieve this.  I very much hope that we can do this again."

Key partners of the event included the Elite Centre for Manufacturing Skills, Spectra First Ltd, Steve Biko Supplementary School and Wesleyan Holiness Church.

Fur-Mamma’s (and Fur-Dads) can come and celebrate being a Fur-Parent at the first ever London Dog Week.  This is no ordinary lunch, TV actress Gemma Oaten will be presenting on the day and there will be giveaways, special guests, lots of interactive activities and features around the venue for you, your Fur-kid, friends and family to enjoy.  Fur-parenting is a chance to encourage the benefits of owning a dog, including improving your mental health and more positive human interaction within a family setting. 

The @puppyclubworld will also be part of the family celebrations encouraging your two legged children to take part in our Doggie Cuddle and Colour Club.  They will be able to have cuddles with doggies and learn more about The Puppy Club House App. There will be activity packs, free mini-trading cards and a special menu for kiddies available from the award-winning chefs at M Restaurant.

Another popular event selling fast is the London Dog Week Fashion Brunch also at M Restaurant.  The first sitting has already sold out for Saturday March 30 with tickets selling fast for the second sitting.  The restaurant will set the stage for diners to experience the funkiest Fashion Dog Walk in Europe.  London’s sassiest dogs from 28 of the UK’s biggest influencers will walk the M runway, strutting designs from talented independent brands.  There will also be a doggie art sale at the restaurant as a collection of our furry friends will be exhibited and for sale from June Schneider of Schneider Art. 

LDW Co-founder, Aneka Johnson says, “London is viewed as one of the loneliest cities in the world, yet dogs are natural people magnets and if we can use their ability to connect people across the capital, then we think it's a great way for people to forge friendships. I really believe that dogs are instrumental in making London less lonely”.

LDW Co-founder, Lois Mallet Walker says “I know both Aneka and I have gone through mental and physical health challenges and our dogs have really helped us through it. Sharing the power of how dogs are therapeutic and can help you keep a healthy frame of mind, alleviate stress and anxiety in addition to uniting its owner with the local community, is the message we want to spread throughout London”.

Proceeds from ticket sales will go to Street Vets and Push Bears Shelter charity helping dogs in need.  To find out more information please log on to www.londondogweek.com.

Brexit, 9/11 and the 2012 London Olympics have all been named the biggest moments of the last 20 years, according to new research by Ebuyer.

The survey of 2,000 UK adults, conducted by the UK’s largest online tech retailer to commemorate its 20th anniversary, asked the nation to choose the biggest moment of the last two decades.

Unsurprisingly, the life-changing 9/11 attacks topped the poll as the biggest moment of the last two decades (50%), followed by Brexit (42%) and the 2012 London Olympics (29%). Other notable moments included the 2008 Financial Crisis (24%) and Obama’s presidency (23%).

The top 20 biggest moments of the last 20 years are:

1. 9/11 (50%)
2. Brexit (42%)
3. The 2012 London Olympics (29%)
4. The 2008 Financial Crisis (24%)
5. Barack Obama serving as POTUS (23%)
6. Invention of the sat-nav (23%)
7. Legalisation of gay marriage (21%)

9. The invention of Facebook (20%)
10. The launch of the iPhone (16%)
11. The marriage of Prince William and Kate Middleton (15%)
12. Creation of YouTube (13%)

14. Donald Trump serving as POTUS (12%)
15. Haiti earthquake (10%)

= Invention of the Cloud (10%)

= Launch of Wikipedia (10%)

19. The Scottish Independence Referendum (9%)

The invention of the sat-nav was the biggest technological advance of the last 20 years, with almost a quarter (23%) of respondents choosing it as the biggest tech moment in history. The 2012 London Olympics was named the biggest sporting event (29%), and the biggest celebrity event was the wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton, which took place at Westminster Abbey on 29th April 2011.

Andrew Roberts, E-commerce Director at Ebuyer said: “The world has certainly changed dramatically since Ebuyer first began as a business, and it’s really interesting to see how much tech has influenced the biggest moments in history. From the creation of the sat-nav, which has become an everyday essential for drivers, to the creation of YouTube and Facebook all making the top 20 list, we are looking forward to seeing what technological advances will be changing the world over the next two decades.”

Marking the 67th annual Birmingham St Patrick’s Festival people lined the streets of the city’s Digbeth district, as dancers, pipe bands, drummers and a flotilla of floats introduced a day of music and family fun – all on March 17, the very day high on the Catholic calendar…St Patrick’s Day!

Sponsored by locally-based micro-brewery, Dig Brew, some of the biggest stars in Irish music; including headline act, internationally renowned singer/songwriter Finbar Furey, added extra colour to the sea of green, white and gold as they lit-up the St Pat Rock stage with music from the mother land – in the heart of the second city.

From marching bands to dhul drumming bands and mass pipe players, Irish dancing schools, classic cars, samba bands, Irish county associations and sports teams, the procession, led by Festival organising committee member Len Cale, (dressed as St Patrick),  a visibly proud Birmingham Lord Mayor Councillor Yvonne Mosquito, plus an equally-so West Midlands Metro Mayor Andy Street, and the City Council’s Events Commissioning Manager at Sport, Events & Parks, Garry Peal, even the stark diversity of a day of weather extremes - from bright sunshine to belting hail storms - would prove insignificant; as it was miles of smiles that would be the overriding memory of the day.

With the Emerald village available, featuring the Bob Wilson funfair a Formula 1 car simulator and small petting zoo for children to enjoy and the streets laden with stalls full of all sorts of quality memorabilia, everyone present had one thing in common…SHEAR ALL-ROUND ENJOYMENT!!!

“Every one of the estimated 80,000 or so who turnout really enjoying the music and funfair,” said St Patrick’s Festival Birmingham chair, Peter Connolly. “And the support from t community; local and Irish businesses, and from the city we love and work in all helped to keep this incredible civic event growing in size and ambition each year.”

Further live music acts including contemporary folk bands Lampa and The Deluge and Salt Creek, singer-songwriter James Reidy, and traditional groups Cairde and Reel Note would bring the live music venue to a close.

The festivities, though, would go on all day long.

This year marks a tremendously poignant and significant year for Sikhs worldwide as we mark the 550th anniversary of the first Sikh Guru, Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji. The actual day will be marked in November 2019 however the joyous event will be marked wherever possible throughout the year.

The CSGB Vaisakhi Celebrations have become a landmark event in Birmingham, the UK and internationally. The event boasts being one of the largest festivals in Europe and outside India attracting 1000’s of members of the Birmingham and surrounding communities.

As one of the most cosmopolitan cities in Europe, Birmingham’s Vaisakhi celebrations have always been a demonstration of community cohesion in practice. We continue to engage with people of all faiths and background of our great city to ensure peace, harmony and unity for all. The whole ethos of the event is about promoting community and family spirit, a sense of unity, sharing, interfaith and cohesiveness; something very much needed at this time.

To this end, all attendees are invited to experience Guru Ka Langar (free food selflessly prepared and served by volunteers), visit the Gurdwara in the Park, see the trading and information stalls, the children’s funfair and many more exciting events on the day.

Atkins, a member of the SNC-Lavalin Group, has been appointed to a series of contracts at Birmingham Airport to manage the upgrade and extension of the airport terminals, and to oversee the airfield reconfiguration, as part the airport’s Master Plan to provide a sustainable future for air transport in the Midlands.

The announcement, made at the MIPIM* conference in Cannes, today (Wednesday 13th), outlines how, over the next five years, Atkins will assist Birmingham Airport in replacing and upgrading its current assets, using innovative technology to prepare the airport for the future demand on air travel. Atkins is overseeing the first phase of the terminal expansion as project manager and lead designer.

Announcing the news from France, Birmingham Airport’s CEO, Nick Barton said, “Our Master Plan looks ahead to the year 2033 and outlines how the airport will develop the site to handle the 40% expected growth in passengers. A significant element of the £500m investment over the next 14 years is the terminal transformation project, to deliver a world-class terminal facility for our customer that can cater for the growth in demand. We are therefore delighted to have awarded Atkins the contract for the lead design and project management for this package of works and we look forward to working in collaboration with them.”

Mike McNicholas, Managing Director for Infrastructure at SNC-Lavalin’s Atkins business, said: “The transformation of Birmingham Airport will bring improved connectivity and economic prosperity to the region. We look forward to working closely with Birmingham Airport and their stakeholders on this project, applying the latest technology and our Human Centred Design approach in new and exciting ways to inform the airport’s transformation at this early stage.”

In 2018, Atkins deployed innovative technology to minimise the future disruption of work to the airport. This was achieved through virtual reality technology and the creation of a fully coordinated 3D digital model of the airport. This model will be used continuously over the next five years, allowing the team to test and develop plans in a safe environment, with reduced impact on airport operations.

As part of the airport redesign, Atkins is also using its Human Centred Design approach. This method uses data collected through web-based surveys conducted during the early stages of the project to ensure that passenger health, safety and wellbeing plays a central role in the terminal’s new design.

The Airport’s Master Plan further reinforces the integral part the Airport plays as a catalyst for growth across the Midlands and in the UK’s economic prosperity. It outlines the Airport’s role in driving future economic benefit to the region which will increase by 42%, totalling £2.1 billion a year and 34,000 jobs by 2033.

A greater choice of flights and destinations, alongside improved regional connectivity and a direct link to HS2, are vital to the continued growth of the region’s thriving economy. The global markets to which the Airport connects help to drive international trade, investment, employment, inbound tourism and the success of the region’s many universities.

Working with airport owners, airlines, governments, lenders and construction companies, Atkins provides multi-disciplinary expertise at every stage of aviation projects, from strategic planning through to concept and detailed design. Atkins’ global portfolio includes projects of all scales, and includes Dubai International Airport, Atlanta International Airport, and Heathrow Airport.

Whether you're looking to say yes to the dress, size up a well-groomed suit, capture your day in perfect detail, or find the blooms for you, Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery is bringing together the Midlands’ best wedding experts to get bride and grooms-to-be set for the big day. If you're on the hunt for more stylish and unique ideas, then look no further than The BMAG Wedding Fair.

A showcase for the style savvy couple ready to tie the knot, this wedding fair will take place in the stunning surroundings of the Grade II listed building’s Waterhall, with a whole range of handpicked local exhibitors coming together for this one-of-a-kind event.

One of the region’s leading bridal boutiques, June Peony Bridal Couture, will be taking centre stage to showcase stunning gowns in a series of catwalk shows throughout the day.  Elegant Entertainment will be serenading brides-to-be with their live acoustic performers, providing the perfect accompaniment to the live shows.

From photographers to florists, accessories to entertainment and everything in between, The BMAG Wedding Fair ties together all the little touches to get you set to tie the knot. Exhibitors include Birmingham's best tailors Clements and Church, beautiful bouquets by Bloom Collective, and so much more. Capturing your day in perfect detail and catching memories to look back on forever, your wedding photographer is an important factor for your big day. Chat to the people behind the lens with photographers including Wedding By Manos.

The stunning venue will be dressed by some of the region’s best, including Trees by Design, House of Herlihy and Posh Walls, who will all be showcasing everything from blossom trees to flower walls and even a floral swing!

The BMAG Wedding Fair is taking place on Sunday May 19 and tickets are free.

Coventry is ranked as the best UK city for mobile network performance, whilst London and Birmingham lag behind many of the UK’s towns and cities, reinforcing the need for 5G implementation. New data from performance bench-marking firm RootMetrics, has ranked the 16 most populous cities based on: overall performance, network reliability, speed, mobile internet and call and text testing.

Key highlights from the latest data report show:

• For the first time Coventry is the top performing UK city for mobile performance even though it has one of the smallest populations out of the 16 cities tested
• Worryingly London and Birmingham remain amongst the UK’s worst cities for mobile network performance, ranking fifteenth overall out of the sixteen cities tested
• Leicester logged impressive scores in testing, securing its position as the second-best city for mobile performance

The RootMetrics Best Cities report uses the very latest smartphones to mimic activities consumers use their mobiles for, both day and night, across the big four operators (EE, O2, Three, Vodafone) to measure performance.

Kevin Hasley, RootMetrics Head of Product, said: “In an ever-growing connected world, the demand for fast and reliable mobile experiences is both business critical and vital for consumers. What our latest set of data reveals is that in some of the largest cities in the UK, network operators have to work harder than ever to meet the increasing demands of consumers.

The introduction of 5G technology will offer opportunities for the UK’s major cities to liberate themselves from underachieving network performance. Highly populated cities will be the first to deploy the small cell infrastructure required to deliver 5G coverage. As a result, the operators should be able to deliver the strong performance that users expect in major economic areas.

Reliability is important for consumer satisfaction. Coventry, Manchester and Leicester all performed well and consumers and businesses should reap the benefits in those cities.”

Birmingham Airport has awarded Volvo Bus UK the contract to supply the airport with six 7900e single deck electric buses. Launching in November 2019, the ultra-low emission buses will operate as the free passenger transport service via all airport car park routes.

The decision to introduce electric buses came as a result of a review undertaken by the airport into its future vehicle provision. The Volvo 7900e will provide an 80% lower energy consumption than an equivalent sized diesel bus.

Two high level charging points will be installed outside of the terminal. Additional plug-in charging points will be located in the coach park – and in the future, these will be made available for other electric bus and or coach operators to use.

Nick Barton, CEO of Birmingham Airport said: “This partnership is a key milestone for us. We are always investigating new and innovative ways to reduce our carbon emissions and through the partnership with Volvo Bus UK, we will do just this.

“We have made significant customer service improvements across the airport to increase capacity and improve passenger experience, with the vision of positioning Birmingham as one of Europe’s leading regional airports. The electric buses form part of this vision, not to mention their sustainability benefits being ultra-low emission.

“Since 2012 the Airport has reduced its CO₂ per passenger by 20%. Implementing the six electric buses will work towards lowering this even further which is just fantastic.”

Nick Page, Managing Director of Volvo Bus UK & Ireland, said: “It is very exciting that the 7900e has been chosen for Birmingham Airport in support of its ambition to provide the best possible environmentally friendly bus service for airport customers and stakeholders alike.

“Over the last 15 months the 7900e has undertaken a UK wide demonstration tour where it has shown the contribution that can now be made to improving air quality in the areas where it has been in service.  We are confident the 7900e and accompanying technologies will help Birmingham Airport to achieve its goals.”

Members of the Birmingham Faith Leaders’ Group gathered for Friday Prayers today, at Birmingham Central Mosque, to express their dismay and abhorrence at the terrorist attack earlier today on the Al Noor and Linwood Mosques in Christchurch, New Zealand.

Leaders from all six of Birmingham’s largest faith communities expressed their sorrow at the loss of life, and their sympathy with the families, loved ones and communities affected; and their solidarity with the nation of New Zealand as the aftermath of these atrocities is faced.

The leaders shared the sense of outrage felt right across Birmingham’s communities today, at this attack on faith. They declared their intention to stand in solidarity, especially with those in our city who now feel violated and vulnerable as a consequence of murderous acts on the other side of the world.

The Birmingham Faith Leaders’ Group endorsed the statement issued this morning by Birmingham Central Mosque, which was read out to worshippers during Friday Prayers, especially in it reaffirmation that “there is no justification whatsoever for such acts of horrific violence and brutality, which is completely against the good of humanity. Those responsible must be brought to justice to protect good, in our constant fight to eradicate evil within humanity.”

Finally, the Birmingham Faith Leaders gathered on the Mosque steps and, led by Rabbi Yossi Jacobs, Chief Minister at Singers Hill Synagogue, to share in a joint prayer for guidance, protection and justice, concluding, “O Lord, keep us and preserve us in life and in security to rejoice in Your world and let us say Amen!”

Today, people, across the UK will be getting together to do things big and small, that will add up to something massive - whether it be dressing up with friends, having an office bake sale or even climbing a mountain there’s still time to do something for Red Nose Day.

With ‘Strictly Come Dancing’ presenters Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman battling injury and exhaustion to complete their 24-hour danceathon, this, the biennial highlight of Comic Relief continues to "bring about positive and lasting change in the lives of poor and disadvantaged people, which we believe requires investing in work that addresses people's immediate needs as well as tackling the root causes of poverty and injustice,"

Taking place live from BBC Elstree Studios, the creation of Sir Lennie Henry and Richard Curtis, and supported by the BBC, BT, Sainsbury's supermarket chain and British Airways, 33 years on since its inception the belly-aching day of frivolity and fundraising promises to be nothing but shear anarchic fun.

Having already raised some £1,047,083,706, since 1986, and selling 50 different red noses over 17 Red Nose Days, today’s activities promises to raise millions more for interests both at home and abroad.

There are 11 different noses available to buy this year - including ‘rare’ and ‘ultra-rare’ noses.

14th March 2019 - Rounders England has today launched Roundersfest, a series of standalone open competitions for local teams that play in local leagues or for new teams formed by groups of friends.

The events are aimed at broadening social circles and creating a fun way to keep active, while fostering team spirit and creating a sense of competition amongst teams.

Dan Newton at Rounders England said: “The programme that we have developed is one which has two strands around team spirit and winning and the social and fun aspects of Rounders to complement the cross-generational, cross-gender game that embraces all abilities. You don’t have to be the fittest, the youngest or the most athletic. You just have to go out and play.”

“The competitive nature of Rounders and the people with a real passion for the game are the ingredient in its success. Rounders provides opportunities for people to take it seriously, compete to win and instil team spirit.”

A sculpture dedicated to victims of knife crime has been temporarily installed at Coventry Cathedral.

Originally unveiled in 2017, the 27ft ‘Knife Angel’ sculpture is made from 100,000 blades handed into police across the country. It was and was displayed in Liverpool and Hull before arriving in Coventry.

Artist Alfie Bradley, who created the sculpture at the British Ironworks Centre, said it was a "monument against violence and aggression".

The Bishop of Coventry, Rt Rev Dr Christopher Cocksworth, said the Knife Angel was "a stark reminder of a form of violent crime infecting our city and threatening lives with great danger, especially our young people".

Messages from families of the victims of knife crime have been engraved on the sculpture's wings.

Mr Bradley, who created it at the British Ironworks Centre in Oswestry, Shropshire, said it was "a memorial to those whose lives have been affected by knife crime".

The sculpture will be displayed in Coventry until 23 April.

The number of crimes related to knives and other offensive weapons dealt with by the courts reached its highest level for nine years last year, figures released on Thursday show.

The Ministry of Justice said 21,484 offences were dealt with in England and Wales in 2018 - the highest number since 2009 (25,103).

A Sandwell councillor is urging military and uniformed services groups to get in contact so they can be told about local support and advice for their members.

Councillor Steve Melia, chair of the Sandwell Armed Forces and Veterans Parades' Committee, wants to contact all the military and uniformed services ex-personnel organisations in the borough to contact him.

“I want to create a full list of all these organisations so that we can be in touch with them on a number of important things,” he said.

“We would really like to get their input on planning parades and events through the year,” he added.

“I also want to ensure that the groups know about the support, advice and information about services, welfare and grants for the armed forces and uniformed services communities,” he said.

Councillor Melia said he hope that all groups would contact him with their details because the council, as part of our Armed Forces Covenant, wanted to ensure that they get all the information possible.

He can be contacted at Sandwell Council House, Oldbury, or at: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.