As the cold spell sets in and weather conditions become increasingly unpleasant, Royal Voluntary Service in partnership with SGN is launching advice to help the many older people who are left feeling isolated and vulnerable.

The charity has teamed up with SGN, one of the UK’s largest gas network companies, to produce a free leaflet offering tips on staying physically and emotionally well whatever the weather.

Tips on staying safe and well this winter include:

·        Keep an eye on weather forecasts, particularly severe weather warnings from the Met Office

·        Don’t take any risks in bad weather. If you have to go out, make sure you wear shoes with a good grip to avoid unnecessary falls

·        Wear warm clothes in layers and, if you can, get up and move around. If your mobility is more limited do some chair exercises to help you stay warm and active

·        Make sure gas appliances have a regular service and a gas safety check every 12 months

·        Keep torches, a battery powered radio and spare batteries easy to find in case there is an unexpected power cut

·        Look out for any warning signs that your gas appliances aren’t working correctly e.g. lazy yellow or orange flames instead of crisp blue ones, black marks on or around the appliance and too much condensation in the room.

Royal Voluntary Service Chief Executive, Catherine Johnstone CBE, said: “As the colder weather sets in, some older people need to start thinking about how they can keep well and preparation plays an important part in that. The Stay Safe, Warm and Well leaflet provides a prompt or reminder for people to find out how to stay well and safe in winter and to flag more about what services are available to them.”

“Royal Voluntary Service volunteers can help with things like transport after a stint in hospital or to medical appointments, picking up prescriptions or getting some shopping in if the icy temperatures mean it’s harder than usual for an older person to get out and about. We are also encouraging anyone who has an older neighbour or relative to check on them regularly to make sure they have everything they need to stay happy and healthy during the winter months.”

Pamela Goee, Head of Community at SGN, said: “We’re supporting Royal Voluntary Service because we want to help improve the safety and well-being of older people who are isolated or more vulnerable. It is vital people are aware of gas safety, especially in winter. We’d recommend everyone has a carbon monoxide alarm. Knowing the simple warning signs to look out for such as ‘lazy’ yellow or orange flames instead of crisp blue ones or black marks on or around the appliance, could save a life. We would also recommend a locking cooker valve which is connected to the existing gas cooker pipework and stops the supply of gas once locked, eliminating the risk of the cooker being unintentionally turned on or left on.”

“If anyone smells gas, thinks they have a gas leak, or is worried that fumes containing carbon monoxide are escaping from a gas appliance, they should call the National Gas Emergency Number on 0800 111 999. Lines are open 365 days a year and calls are free.”

Royal Voluntary Service is one of Britain’s largest volunteering charities with over 25,000 volunteers supporting thousands of older people each month in hospitals and the community.  The focus is on building confidence, improving well-being and keeping loneliness at bay through an array of social activities and more structured support.  The charity is also one of the largest retailers in the NHS, with its network of cafes and shops providing a valued haven in hospitals.

The Choreographer and Movement Director of the London 2012 Paralympic Games opening ceremony has been announced as Visiting Professor of Dance at Birmingham City University’s Royal Birmingham Conservatoire.

Professor Kevin Finnan MBE is known for his dynamic, highly visual productions integrating dance, circus and digital technology. As the Founder and Artistic Director of Leamington Spa-based Motionhouse, he is responsible for the distinctive style that his dance company is renowned for around the world.

This first appointment of its kind will see Kevin Finnan visit the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire to host masterclasses for the Acting students, as they seek to be among the next generation of great performers. Kevin will also work alongside academics and artists within the University’s Faculty of Arts, Design and Media to develop exciting research projects that build upon his 30 years in practice and break boundaries with new work.

Kevin Finnan, Visiting Professor of Dance, Royal Birmingham Conservatoire, Birmingham City University, said:

“I’m thrilled to be taking up the role of Visiting Professor of Dance at Birmingham City University. I’m looking forward to contributing to and supporting the University’s dance activities and exploring the exciting opportunities that the role brings with it.

“The collaboration reflects our commitment to the dance sector in the West Midlands and will help celebrate Birmingham and the wider region as a centre of excellence in dance.”

Kevin has created major productions celebrated globally, including more than 30 theatre and outdoor festival productions, large-scale outdoor spectacles and bespoke performance events to mark cultural capital celebrations.

In September this year he created and directed ‘Watermusic’, a spectacular total experience with advanced light, sound and 3D projections for the Aarhus 2017 European Capital of Culture celebrations in Randers Harbour, Denmark.

Previously, he collaborated with Australian physical theatre company Legs On The Wall to create ‘The Voyage’ in Birmingham, which launched the London 2012 Festival in the West Midlands and was the largest free open-air spectacle ever seen in the city.

Polly Hudson, Head of Movement, Royal Birmingham Conservatoire, Birmingham City University, said:

“We are delighted to welcome Kevin Finnan to Birmingham City University as the first visiting Professor of Dance. Here in the University’s Faculty of Arts, Design and Media we have a rich community of artists and scholars that Kevin will be joining, including Professor Julian Lloyd Webber, Professor Stephen Simms and Errollyn Wallen.

“Kevin and Motionhouse have a long history of working in the West Midlands and I am excited about the new possibilities that are currently opening up for dance in the region. Kevin’s appointment will contribute to that development and we look forward to working with him on new and innovative projects.”

Kevin has a PhD in Theatre from Warwick University and MA in Contemporary Performing Arts from University College Bretton Hall. He is Associate Artist of Greenwich+Docklands International Festival and in 2013 he was awarded an MBE for his services to dance.

Part of Birmingham City University, the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire is a unique contemporary building, incorporating five public performance spaces including a new 500 seat concert hall for orchestral training and performance, a purpose-built organ studio and private rehearsal and practice rooms.

Furthermore, as the first purpose built conservatoire in the UK since 1987, the new £57 million music and acting academy is the only one of its kind in the country designed for the demands of the digital age.

YMCA Birmingham celebrated the twenty-fifth anniversary of the official opening of Will Steel House, one of YMCA Birmingham’s supported accommodation projects. The housing development first launched in Aston in 1992 providing 30 homes and has since helped over 2,000 people in and around Birmingham.

A celebration event, which was held on Friday, 1st December 2017 saw staff members past and present talk about the amazing work of Will Steel House and show the impact that the housing scheme is having on its Birmingham residents today. Housing Service Director, Hyacinth Blackburn spoke of the anniversary: “The 25th anniversary is a great occasion to not only reflect on the fantastic work being delivered to help people in our city who need housing but also to celebrate the life of the late Will Steel, who was the Chief Executive of YMCA Birmingham and who’s passion, drive and commitment was crucial in bringing the vision for Will Steel House to fruition. “We are also using this occasion to announce exciting some news that YMCA has bought Will Steel House from Midland Heart in a deal worth over one million pounds!”

Congratulating Will Steel House on reaching this milestone, Vice Lord Lieutenant of the West Midlands, Dr Beverly Lindsay OBE, was Guest of Honour at the celebrations. Beverly is a celebrated mentor, champion and supporter of the African Caribbean community not only in Birmingham but throughout the UK and internationally. Her success in business, aligned with her longstanding support for the local community, has resulted in her receiving many awards in appreciation of her outstanding work.

YMCA’s resident rep, Gabriel Aoimevbore who recently won the ‘Young Leader of the Year’ award was also on hand to showcase YMCA’s wider work. Located in Aston, Will Steel House has been an example of successful partnership working between Midland Heart, YMCA Birmingham, Birmingham City Council and the Homes and Communities Agency, whose generous grant allocation allowed the scheme to be built. “We want to celebrate these partnerships and the huge positive impact that it has had on so many lives” Hyacinth continued. 02 The light and modern building is made up of bed-sitting rooms with an integrated kitchenette, ideal for those who have some independent living skills. There are also shared bathrooms and toilets and a communal laundry room. “At YMCA Birmingham we like to promote a healthy community atmosphere. We have a communal lounge with a large screen TV, computers are available on site for training and general access and there is a pool table in our games room where we hold regular tournaments for those who wish to participate.

“Applicants who come to us either directly or through referral from other agencies such as, Homeless services and the Salvation Army, are supported into education, employment, volunteering and training. We work with agencies to support resident wellbeing and nurture their mental health.” Hyacinth added. The Housing Team is also based on-site, and there are staff available 24 hours per day and two of the rooms are adapted for disabled access.

Staff and volunteers at RSPCA Birmingham Animal Centre were all featured in this year’s Christmas video for the charity.

The tear-jerking video tells the tale of Woody the Christmas pup who is thrown out with the rubbish before being rescued and taken in for care by the RSPCA.

The film features an acoustic cover of the Simply Red song Stars, written by Mick Hucknall. The song was performed by up and coming singer Lucy Ellie.

Manager at RSPCA Birmingham Animal Centre Deborah Caffull said: “While this video shows the tale of a toy dog -  the sentiment behind the story is very real.

“We rescue, rehabilitate and rehome dogs just like Woody every day, all year round.

“It was lovely to show all the different aspects of the work we do - from the inspector rescuing the dog, to him being treated by vets, looked after by our canine carers and volunteers before being rehomed.

“This time of year is very busy for us as an animal rescue charity and everyone pulls together to help the animals that come into our care - and this video really shows that.”

Broadcast manager at the RSPCA, Alan Laxton, said: “It was great to be able to reflect the work of the staff at the RSPCA and also the story of so many dogs - and other animals that come into our care.

“Staff gave up their own time to help us with the filming and while this story is of a toy dog - with a twist at the end - this story is played out every day across the RSPCA, but for real. We take in the most cruelly treated and neglected animals from across England and Wales and work hard to rescue, rehabilitate and rehome them.”

The RSPCA is braced for 2,000 calls a day this festive season as it launches its Kindness at Christmas Appeal to help care for abused, neglected and sick animals.