Are you still trying to find that perfect gift for that special someone for Valentines Day?

Something meaningful and from the heart?

Then look no further, the poetry of Dave Wilkes of Just Divine is coming to Birmingham on the 10th February 2018.

You can meet with Dave at John Lewis in Grand Central Birmingham from 12pm to 2pm to talk with him and create some beautiful poems celebrating Valentines.

Dave will be located on the ground floor in the Stationary Department next to the pens counter.

Don't leave your loved one out in the cold, get your bespoke Valentines gift from Dave Wilkes of Just Divine.

Contact Dave Wilkes on 07896787235 for more information.

Young carers from Wolverhampton have shared their experiences of looking after a loved one as part of a series of events in the City to mark Young Carers Awareness Day.

Four members of the Spurgeons Wolverhampton Young Carers support group for 13 to 14-year-olds spoke to HeadStart Wolverhampton about their experiences of caring for parents and siblings with physical illnesses or mental health conditions. Their thoughts have been captured in an inspiring short film, ‘Young Carers: In Their Own Words’.

In the film, they explain why they have taken on this vital role, talk about the challenging work they do on a daily basis and describe the impact that caring has on their own lives. They also praise the support they have received from Spurgeons Wolverhampton.

Spurgeons also held a consultation coffee morning with HeadStart for parents and families of young carers, seeking their views on a range of issues, including access to support from schools and health services, and to the personal help they need with their own wellbeing.

Angie Jones, Childrens Services Lead at Spurgeons Wolverhampton, said: “There are almost 2,800 young people in Wolverhampton who take on huge responsibilities by providing practical and emotional care for a family member.

“Being a young carer can have a real impact on their own mental health and wellbeing and we want to help them find the support they need and to have time to enjoy being a young person too.”

Councillor Val Gibson, the City of Wolverhampton Council’s Cabinet Member for Children and Young People, added: “Being a young carer is a huge challenges, and the excellent work done by Spurgeons really helps to support them to cope with the issues they face.

“As can be seen from the film HeadStart produced for Young Carers Awareness Day, the resilience and thoughtfulness of our young carers is truly inspiring.

“As well as the support available through Spurgeons, there are also resources available from HeadStart to young carers across Wolverhampton, including information, support and advice about mental health issues they may face because of the extra pressures they have on their young shoulders.”

HeadStart Wolverhampton is designed to improve the mental health and well-being of children and young people aged 10 to 16 by giving them the skills they need to cope with the challenges of modern life.

It runs a number of specific programmes in its four target areas of the City where need is known to be greatest, including Low Hill, The Scotlands and Bushbury South; Springfield, Heath Town, Park Village and Eastfield; All Saints, Blakenhall, Parkfields and Ettingshall; and Bilston East.

HeadStart also offers city-wide support through a new Support and Guidance Directory at http://support.headstartonline.co.uk which provides a range of selected well-being and mental health resources from different organisations, with information targeted at young people, parents and carers, and professionals.

Hip-hop beats and breakneck breakdancing moves descended upon Birmingham as Break Mission showed off their talents, and their mission to the world thanks to Huawei and Dazed.

Anthony Shintai Amao, a passionate photographer and Break Mission breakdancer in his own right was the overall winner of a competition to Reveal the Real You. Anthony was one of a select group given the Huawei P10, to inspire them to showcase their communities and causes to the world.

Three winners each received £10,000 for their chosen cause, and Anthony was the overall winner, putting on an exhibition of his photography in the Rotunda Square at the Bull Ring.

“I’ve always had a passion for photography, normally I take pictures at dance events just for myself, but when I saw the chance to showcase my community on a platform like this I just jumped at the chance,” explained Anthony.

“I wanted to show breaking in a contrasting environment, and with the photographs that the P10 allowed me to take with its fast shutter speed, I was able to capture these shots that wouldn’t have been possible on many other phones.”

Anthony’s favourite shot is one of 3 breakdancers in front of the Pagoda at Holloway Circus with one of the breakers on his head, directly in front of the pagoda.

A wonderful shot, really a great juxtaposition of the city landscape and the surprising orientation of the people in front of it.

These phone images were blown up to massive proportions for the exhibition, and the quality of the shots captured by the P10 were very impressive.

“Technology is so important, and at Huawei we feel it can be a power for good, especially as smartphone photography is the ultimate form of self expression” said Justin Costello Sales & Marketing Manager at Huawei Technologies, “We’re very proud of Anthony and Break Mission.”

Break Mission is a community of graffiti artists, MC’s, and dancers, who want to give back and help the homeless. They hold events with no entry fee, where they just ask for unwanted clothes or canned goods, and donated to the homeless charities in the areas that they perform in.

There is an upcoming event for Break Mission later this year, and the funding received from winning this competition will allow Antony and the organisation to extend their reach across the UK and even internationally to continue the good work they are doing.

Andrew Garrihy, CMO for Huawei Europe commented: “Our finalists have shown just how powerful a tool the smartphone is in capturing the world around us and we’re thrilled Huawei technology has given people a platform to tell their stories, shining a light on many of the important issues impacting young people today.”

The Black Country Road Run, supported by the Black Country Chamber of Commerce, announce Andy Street as the latest runner to sign up for this great community event. The Run, which will be taking place on 1^st July 2018 in Halesowen is co-ordinated by Halesowen & Rowley Regis Rotary Club.

Andy Street, Mayor of the West Midlands, said: “I am very much looking forward to taking part in this event which promises to be a great occasion. Not only will it be a great event for runners but will also raise money for many good causes in the Black Country and beyond.”

Corin Crane, Chief Executive of the Black Country Chamber of Commerce, commented: “It is great to see the Mayor of the West Midlands stepping up and taking on this mission. I would encourage local businesses to get involved in the new Corporate Challenge, which is new for this year, to help raise money and awareness for your chosen charities.”

Local businesses can participate in either a 10k run or fun run, which serves as a great way to get colleagues together as a team building exercise or to promote fitness in the workplace. Furthermore, it is set to be a great day supporting the local community and ultimately have fun.

Alan Bowler, Event Organiser of the Black Country Road Run, added: “The Black Country Run team, together with members of Halesowen & Rowley Regis Rotary club, are delighted that the West Midlands Mayor Andy Street is running in the 10k race and has also agreed to start the Family Fun Run. Hopefully his support will encourage businesses throughout the Black Country to sign up and support the event and also raise lots of money for many deserving charities”.

The event is open to all abilities and you can now register your interest, please note places are limited so don’t miss out on the new corporate challenge. For more information please visit www.theblackcountryrun.com/corporate-challenge. To register your interest in the corporate challenge please email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

More than 300 global and African thought leaders, eminent and emerging leaders from Africa and other parts of the Commonwealth, and friends of Africa will converge at the 5th Annual Commonwealth Africa Summit on March 12th – 15th 2018 in London, United Kingdom. The event will spark new thinking on how to achieve Shared Prosperity and Common Good for Africans and how Africa’s growing youth population can transform the continent.

Under the theme: Common Good, the summit conversations seeks to promote the benefits and interests of all through improved collective action for the common good of humanity within and outside the commonwealth.

The Commonwealth Africa Summit provides an opportunity not just to contribute to reimagining what the continent might be, but an opportunity to network, strategize and mobilise valuable resources so as to bring the Africa Dream to fruition. Vukuzenzele! Let's Get Up and Do It! says Lord Paul Boateng of Akyem and Wembley, Chairman Africa Enterprise Challenge Fund

Past speakers at the CAS Summit have included HRH Prince Andrew The Duke of York, Gen. Yakubu Gowon; Rt Hon Baleka Mbete (Speaker of the Parliament of South Africa), Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, Baroness Lynda Chalker of Wallasey; Lord Watson of Richmond; Lord Ahmed of Rotherham; Baroness Uddin of Bethnal Green; Simon Walker, Director General of the British Institute of Directors (IOD); Clive Carpenter, Vice Chairman Business Council on Africa; Dr. Caroline Harper CBE – CEO Commonwealth Sightsavers; Sorious Samora; Mr Tonye Cole – CEO Sahara Energy; Ministers of Government, Ambassadors and many other Global Leaders.

Among speakers expected this year are 3 Former Presidents, 2 Current Vice Presidents and Prime Ministers from Africa and the Carribean, First Ladies, Ministers of Government and Governors of Central Banks.

“Africa must leverage on its relationship with other parts of the world to enrich and develop her countries. Constituting the highest bloc of the commonwealth member countries undoubtedly provides a strategic advantage with a huge development potential that must be fully explored”, says Chad Blackman, the Co-Chair of the 2018 Summit steering committee. The numbers associated with the Commonwealth are staggering. More than two billion of the world’s seven billion people live within the commonwealth. With many of its member states still developing or yet to develop appreciably, the potential for the future is obvious if the trade and collaboration within the commonwealth is increased and this will be at the forefront of conversations in London”.

The Commonwealth Africa Summit is a high level, multi-stakeholder event that annually brings together government and business leaders from the Commonwealth and allies to facilitate dialogue and action on key and relevant issues ranging from trade and investment, entrepreneurship and job creation, economic development, Security and counterterrorism, Energy and Power amongst other relevant issues in Africa. The event, annually as part of activities to celebrate the Commonwealth Week in London, is organised by the Commonwealth Africa Initiative, to provide a veritable platform for the generation of new ideas, trade agreements, business relationships and investments.

The Day 2 of the 2018 CAS Summit on March 14th will feature the CAFI Forum on Africa’s Political Future

“Over 100 key players in the African youth development sector will meet on the side-lines of the Summit to deliberate on reshaping the agenda for youth participation in political leadership on the continent” says Atieno Opondo a senior member of the steering Committee. “The Summit will Feature a CAFI Forum on Africa Political Future. The Forum with the theme: Opening the space, taking the place is hosted as part of a series of conscious efforts and action plans to fulfil the aspirations of the Agenda 2063 of an Africa whose youth shall be socially, economically and politically empowered through the full implementation of the African Youth Charter, An Africa of 2063 that will have full gender parity, with women occupying at least 50% of elected public offices at all levels; an aspiration achievable with the youth”.

The CAFI Forum will provide a high-level platform for dialogue on how African countries can create more space for younger people in elected public offices by formulating recommendations that will culminate into sustainable youth friendly policies and regulations. The forum will also provide a unique opportunity for youth leaders and aspiring young leaders in Africa to network and exchange views on Africa’s political future, while also creating a mentoring platform for the ageing African leaders to inspire a younger and better succession.

Overall, “the CAS summit will include presentations from various leaders and speakers and will feature first-hand experiences and interactions from government and business leaders in the continent, while providing credible opportunities and encouraging foreign investments” says Seeke Adams, CAFI Events Manager.

The Summit will also feature a Gala and Award Dinner to celebrate the contributions of Eminent and Emerging leaders to Africa’s growth story; as well as One to One Business meetings between investors and Entrepreneurs.