Colors: Blue Color

Housing & Care 21, a not-for-profit provider of retirement housing and care services for older people, has been awarded gold accreditation against the Investors in People Standard, demonstrating its commitment to high performance through good people management.
The organisation currently has over 3,300 employees within its housing courts across the country and Birmingham based head office on Hagley Road. The Investors in People award comes after news of a company-wide revision to pay structure and the introduction of guaranteed hour contracts for carers. The organisation now offers carers at least 10% more than the National Living Wage.
Investors in People is the international standard for people management, defining what it takes to lead, support and manage people effectively to achieve sustainable results. Underpinning the Standard is the Investors in People framework, reflecting the latest workplace trends, essential skills and effective structures required to outperform in any industry.
Bruce Moore, Chief Executive of Housing & Care 21 said: “I am very proud of everyone at Housing & Care 21 and this standard is a great recognition of their achievements. We have worked hard to ensure that people are able to fulfil their full potential and are recognised for the brilliant work they do.
“Attaining the Gold standard does not mean we will rest on our laurels and we remain ambitious to achieve further success.”
Paul Devoy, Head of Investors in People, said: “We’d like to congratulate Housing & Care 21, the Investors in People accreditation is the sign of a great employer, an outperforming place to work and a clear commitment to success. Everybody who works for Housing & Care 21 should be extremely proud of their achievement.”
IIP assessor Samantha Kitney, made the following comments in Housing & Care 21’s assessment report: “Against a backdrop of the challenges in the housing and care markets, Housing & Care 21 is an organisation with ambition and enthusiasm. And not least, pride of its wonderful staff who made the assessment an enjoyable experience.
“Housing & Care 21 is clearly a great place to work and a worthy recipient of the IIP Gold Standard.”

The charity Crimestoppers is launching a national campaign to highlight County Lines and encourage the public to report their concerns.

To help the public understand what ‘county lines’ is and encourage reporting to Crimestoppers, the charity is running a campaign which commenced today. An advan will be touring the various parts of the region next week, giving people more information on how they can play their part in helping to tackle this issue. In addition, a social media campaign has also been launched by the charity to raise awareness of the crime.

What is County Lines

County lines refers to gangs and organised criminal networks which export illegal drugs into suburban, rural and coastal areas, using dedicated mobile phone lines or “deal line.”

The crime sees County Lines gangs exploit children and vulnerable adults to move drugs and money.

The gangs move into a rural or suburban area for a short time, taking over the home of a vulnerable person where they set up a base.

Many of those taken advantage of by these gangs have been forced to carry out criminal activity by threats, grooming and extortion and can be described as modern day slaves.

Spot the signs and report concerns

Have you noticed:

  • A child or young person (sometimes as young as 12), during school hours or unusual hours (e.g. early in the morning, late at night)? They might be in a shopping centre or high street, or on public transport.
  • A child or young person who seems unfamiliar with the local area?
  • A child or young person being approached or intimidated by a controlling peer or group?
  • A child or vulnerable person who is deliberately avoiding authority figures such as police officers or security guards?
  • More people calling at a local address than normal? Sometimes at unsociable hours?
  • Suspicious vehicles or people at an address?
  • A neighbour has not been seen for a while?

If you see something concerning either a young or vulnerable person that doesn’t feel right, or looks suspicious, you can report your concerns 100% anonymously to the charity Crimestoppers. You can contact us on 0800 555 111 or send an untraceable online form at Crimestoppers-uk.org.

Speaking about the campaign, Emily van der Lely, Crimestoppers lead on County Lines, said: “We know that the term ‘County Lines’ might not be widely recognised, which is why we are launching this campaign and asking for your help to support us in tackling this issue.

“We need help to put a stop to this exploitation and the damage that these criminals are inflicting on our communities and those being taken advantage of.

“We are asking you to contact us anonymously and safely through our 0800 555 111 number, or via our secure online form at Crimestoppers-uk.org - both methods are 100% anonymous. Always. Together we can put a stop to this.”

If you recognise any of the signs listed above, Crimestoppers is here to take your information. You can contact us anonymously on 0800 555 111 or can send an untraceable online form at Crimestoppers-uk.org.

You’ve decided it’s time to move house, but with the huge variety of properties on the market just where do you start?  Perhaps you are weighing up a new build versus an existing house?  Or is the world your oyster and you are finding it hard to pinpoint where in the country you would like to settle?

Help is at hand from NHBC, the UK’s leading warranty and insurance provider for new homes.  NHBC has created an interactive map showing you where to find new build home developments of outstanding quality.

Pride in the Job is a UK-wide competition dedicated to recognising site managers who achieve the highest standards in house building. These site managers are in the top 3% of the sixteen thousand managers who competed for the title this year.  They have consistently demonstrated key leadership skills in their day-to-day work; from demanding high standards of workmanship from all trades on site, through to ensuring the health, safety and wellbeing of all employees and visitors.

But what is in it for you?  Why should you look for a Pride in the Job winning site when buying your new home?

You can be assured that you are buying a home of exceptional quality.  A Pride in the Job winning home has received high marks across 44 different elements of the build; from its foundations, structure and roof through to the quality of finishes and landscaping.  In addition, our data shows that customers who buy a home on a Pride in the Job winning site have higher levels of satisfaction with their house and builder, so they are without doubt among the best the UK has to offer.

Before you spend hours trawling the internet for your next new home, take a look at the map showing the winning sites (www.nhbcnewhomes.co.uk).  They will have an NHBC Pride in the Job Quality Award flag flying at the entrance to the development too, so make sure you also keep an eye out for those when visiting a show home.

National treasure Sir Lenny Henry CBE paid a visit to Birmingham Children’s Hospital last week to lift spirits among the children, young people and families.

Sir Lenny, who was in the city for the Birmingham City University graduation ceremonies, took time out of his busy schedule to spend time on Ward 1, the hospital’s kidney ward.

He met with patients, families and staff as well as one of the hospital’s charity-funded ‘giggle doctors’, Dr Flowerpot, a professional performer who entertain youngsters while in hospital.

Known for his infectious laugh, the Dudley-born comedian said: “I was humbled to visit Birmingham Children’s Hospital last week and meet with the patients, families and staff on Ward 1.

“It was inspiring to hear how the hospital’s charity works hard to make a real difference to each child and family’s experience, allowing the youngsters to be kids first and patients second.”

Paula Duff, Impact Manager at Birmingham Children’s Hospital Charity, said: “It was an absolute honour to welcome Sir Lenny Henry to our hospital. He put a smile on the faces all of the children, families and staff he met - it really made their day.

“Visits like this are so incredibly beneficial to our families, especially those going through extremely difficult times. Play, fun and laughter is an integral part of what makes our hospital so special.”

John Taylor Hospice has received five stars, the highest possible rating, for food hygiene in a spot inspection by Birmingham City Council.

 

For more than five years running the Erdington-based hospice has received the top rating which is classified by the council as ‘very good’. It was awarded after inspectors visited the hospice in an unannounced visit on 3 July.

 

The Catering Team, Chefs Steve Barfield, Clare Pressick and Tina Dixon, provide fresh food 365 days of the year for patients, their families, staff and other visitors and the hospice cafe.

 

Steve said: “Quality and cleanliness are absolutely paramount in our kitchen and we are delighted that the team has again seen its efforts rewarded with a five star hygiene rating.

 

“We believe in making sure every single meal we create is special and it’s great to see this recognised.”

 

The team creates daily menus but also takes time every day to visit each patient and discuss their individual needs and choices.

 

“Although we have the menu as a start, we aim to give every patient the food they like, are able to eat and will give them the maximum health benefits possible,” said Steve. “At the same time we ensure all of those meals are fresh, made with good quality produce and created in a kitchen which we work really hard to keep super clean.”

 

John Taylor provides specialist care for people living with a terminal illness and their families both at the hospice and in the community. The catering is an essential part of that service.

 

Director of Corporate and Commercial Services Gail Hipkiss said: “A huge well done to the team on receiving the five star rating again. We set the bar for quality and cleanliness very high and it’s good to see this recognised by the council.

 

“We constantly receive lovely comments from people we care for and their families over the quality of the food and the individual attention given by the team so it’s positive to see this backed up by high standards.”

 

For more on John Taylor Hospice and its care for local people see www.johntaylorhospice.org.uk

Crowdfund Wolves is celebrating the second of its City of Wolverhampton projects hitting its fundraising target.

The success enabled the sea-side themed ‘All Saints by the Sea’ festival to be held on Saturday, July 21.

All Saints Action Network (ASAN) raised £2,993 through individual contributions, donations from SNA Builders, EasyAuto, TTC, and Unison; a council staff bake sale; and a significant donation from HeadStart Wolverhampton to fund the community event.

The family festival, held on All Saints Road was free to all. Activities and attractions included donkey rides, face painting and live music.

Shobha Asar-Paul, Chief Officer of ASAN, said: “It was a glorious family festival with a wonderful community, carnival feel. Everyone enjoyed the music and entertainment, and the children loved the donkey rides and the treasure hunt with Wendy Wolf and Wolfie. I am grateful to HeadStart and all our partners who helped make it a true community event.

“Local residents and people who live and work in the area were full of praise. One resident said: ‘It was brilliant to have an event on our door-step that brought local people together and provided such a happy and positive experience’.

Councillor John Reynolds, City of Wolverhampton Council Cabinet Member for City Economy, added: “Crowdfund Wolves is part of our approach to community engagement where we enable communities to support and develop the projects that they are passionate about.

“We are looking for even more unusual, interesting and innovative projects to make the City of Wolverhampton even better.”

All Saints Action Network is a voluntary group that works to improve the quality of life for all people living and working in the All Saints area.

Crowdfund Wolves is a website that connects people, communities and businesses to everything they need to make their idea a reality.

The council has joined with the Wolverhampton Voluntary Sector Council (WVSC) to develop the platform.

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