Tabor House, Birmingham’s only permanent night shelter, held an official launch on 10 October to coincide with World Homeless Day.

Small groups of invited guests were given tours of the new facility by some of the staff and volunteers. Mairead Shaw, one of Tabor House’s co-ordinators, showed Andy Street around the communal living area and explained how Tabor House will work.

Speaking at the event, the Mayor said, “The wonderful thing about Tabor House is not only does it give accommodation for a number of days or weeks, but during that time the residents will have support to rebuild their lives so they can go into permanent accommodation. It’s that positive approach about rebuilding that’s so special about what we see here today. It is a credit to iShelter and the team of charities that have come together to form this.”

Guests can stay for three nights or for 28 nights. Those who stay for the longer period are matched with a mentor who will provide one-to-one support to help them access services that will help them turn their lives around, moving off the streets and into more permanent accommodation. Tabor House is the first shelter in the country taking a strength-based approach, where volunteers and staff focus on the skills and ambitions of guests, as opposed to the problems or deficits they may have.

Fr Michael White, Chair of Caritas Archdiocese of Birmingham, one of the organisations behind Tabor House, said, “It looks like a dormitory and, in a way, it is. The people we’re dealing with are some of the most vulnerable and destitute people in the city. Some of them are afraid to go to hostels because of the bullying that can take place in hidden spaces. They like the openness of Tabor House. And all through the night we’ll have volunteers here, watching over our guests.”

Guests will be referred to Tabor House by SIFA Fireside or Midland Heart. At the end of their stay nobody will be sent back to the streets – the staff and partner organisations will ensure they have somewhere to go.

Shelter, hot food, a shower and mentoring are some of the practical aspects of Tabor House that guests will benefit from. As well as this, they will be treated with respect and friendship as they take steps to gain control over their lives. Fr Michael said, “Often, one thing that is lacking is warmth and respect in their lives. We hope that they will find that here.”

WaterSafe, the national register for approved plumbing businesses in the UK, will help crown the next winner of the HIP UK Heating Apprentice of the Year.

For the first time, WaterSafe will be on the judging panel of next year’s regional heats and grand final in April 2018.

The search for the next HIP UK Heating Apprentice of the Year is already underway and WaterSafe is encouraging students to take this opportunity not only to be recognised for their hard work and skills – but also to win great prizes worth over £9,000.

Entrants must be level 2 or 3 students and have until 1st December 2017 to apply for the chance to take part in one of seven regional heats, which will take place between 16 January and 28 February 2018.

Each regional heat winner, plus the student who has received the highest overall regional score, will go forward to the grand final which will be held at the ADEY Training and Conference Centre in Cheltenham on 25th – 26th April 2018.

WaterSafe’s Gareth Harris said: “This competition is great for showcasing how the next generation of apprentices are developing in their training. It also tests their skills under pressure and, from what I have seen as an observer in previous years, this results in some outstanding work. For that reason I am excited to be involved as a judge and to get to see how close the competition really is!

“Supporting apprentices who are encouraged to perform to the highest of standards fits perfectly with WaterSafe’s values and its mission to raise plumbing standards and protect the quality of drinking water in homes across the UK.”

Students must be aged 24 or under at the time of application and have successfully completed a test paper, which can be found on the HIP Magazine website along with regional heat dates, competition rules and application form. Only one student can be entered per college or campus.

Funeral Service In loving memory of Bhai Sewa Singh Mandla Ji OBE 04.01.1927 - 06.10.2017 (90 yrs) on Sunday 15th October 2017 at 8.15am in Prayer Darbar 2 at Gurudwara (Guru’s Abode) served by Guru Nanak Nishkam Sewak Jatha (GNNSJ) 18-20 Soho Road, Birmingham, B21 9BH

Please click here to view the Invitation and for full information about the Funeral

Diwali, the Hindu festival of lights, will be celebrated in the City of Wolverhampton on Saturday 14 October.

The City of Wolverhampton Council has teamed up with the Shri Krishna Mandir, and other organisations for the annual Diwali Mela at Phoenix Park in Blakenhall from 4pm-8pm.

It will feature music and dance, including performances by the Pargan Bhandal Company and dancers and Dhol drummers.

The lights will be switched on at approximately 7.30pm followed by a spectacular firework display.

There will be a wide range of stalls and refreshments, and the Mayor of Wolverhampton Councillor Elias Mattu and Wolverhampton South East MP Pat McFadden are due to attend.

Councillor John Reynolds, the City of Wolverhampton Council’s Cabinet Member for City Economy, said: “Diwali is the biggest and brightest festival in India and we are delighted to be helping to celebrate it here in Wolverhampton once again.

"The event at Phoenix Park is always great fun for all the family, featuring excellent entertainment and a fantastic fireworks display.”

Ambitious plans for how Sandwell will look in 2030 have been outlined at a special event in West Bromwich.

Sandwell Vision 2030 was officially launched at West Bromwich Town Hall.

Representatives of local businesses, the NHS, voluntary and community organisations and West Midlands Police were among those who attended the event run by Sandwell Council.

Sandwell Vision 2030 sets out 10 ambitions to be delivered by the council and its partners in the next 13 years.

They cover a wide range of topics from living healthy lives to lowering crime and from raising aspirations to improving the quality of schools.

The council carried out extensive consultation with residents and partners from across the borough to create the ambitions.

Leader of Sandwell Council, Councillor Steve Eling, said it was important that as many people as possible got involved with creating a better borough.

“This isn’t just about the council creating a better Sandwell for residents,” he said. “It’s about all of our partners, from schools to businesses and voluntary organisations to emergency services, coming together to deliver the Vision for 2030.

“There is so much we can do together to make a real difference. Everyone has only the very best intentions for Sandwell. By making sure we all pull together and face in the right direction, we can achieve positive outcomes for Sandwell and its residents.”

Councillor Steve Trow, Sandwell’s cabinet member for core council services, said: “By listening to our residents and partners we have created a bold and ambitious vision for Sandwell by the year 2030.

“It will be somewhere people feel safe and choose to bring up their families. Residents will enjoy good health, have rewarding work opportunities and feel connected and valued in their neighbourhoods.

“Yesterday was an important step in delivering these ambitions. It’s now up to us and our many partners to make the Vision a reality and we’re ready for the challenge.”

One of the new owners of the first shared ownership properties ever built by Haringey Council was today officially handed the keys to her new home.

Cllr Alan Strickland, Cabinet Member for Housing, Regeneration and Planning and Chris Liffen, Managing Director of Homes for Haringey, were on hand to welcome Cristina Andronache to her new home in Brewery House, Whitbread Close in Tottenham.

With shared ownership, home-owners buy a share of between 25% and 55% of the property and pay rent on the remaining share. They have the option to increase the share they own in the future, making this a great way for first-time buyers to get a foot on the housing ladder, when they are priced out of buying a home on the open market.

Owners have now moved into the four new two-bedroom properties in Whitbread Close, built on the site of a former council car park. The new homes are of a high quality, promoting sustainable development, energy efficiency, and affordability.

The homes will be managed by Homes for Haringey, which is responsible for the day-to-day management of the council’s housing stock. These properties are among 31 new homes being completed this year on former garage and car park sites in seven locations across the borough.

Cristina Adronache said: “Being a home owner is a dream come true thanks to the shared ownership scheme and I will always be grateful for this opportunity and for my friends who encouraged me to consider the scheme and supported me though the process.

“Shared ownership means I could get on the property ladder despite having a smaller budget, whilst benefitting from the high standards of modern living in an energy-efficient flat.”

Cllr Alan Strickland, Haringey Council Cabinet Member for Housing, Regeneration and Planning said, “We’re determined to tackle Haringey’s housing crisis and help local residents to get the homes they deserve. It’s crucial that we build a variety of new homes to suit different needs and budgets – including new social rented housing, affordable homes to buy and rent, shared ownership and private housing.

“Shared ownership is a great way for people to still get into the housing market even if their budget won’t stretch to buying 100% of the new home. The Whitbread Close properties are part of our drive to increase the number of affordable properties in Haringey and it was a real pleasure to welcome Cristina to her new home.”

Chris Liffen, Managing Director of Homes for Haringey, said, “Homes for Haringey recognises the need for affordable homes in neighbourhoods where people want to live and can thrive. The shared ownership scheme at Whitbread Close is a great example of how Haringey is continuing to provide affordable housing solutions for local people. I wish Christina all the best in her new home.”