Community News

Bupa UK reveals that more than a third of people never smile at a stranger before 9am and of those that do, only one in three people smile once a day. As National Smile Month draws to a close, research also shows that a smile from a stranger has more impact than good weather when it comes to Brits raising a smile. People in Newcastle share the most smiles, with a third smiling at a stranger at least once a day before 9am.  This is in contrast to Belfast and Glasgow, where only 12% and 13% of people offer up a smile.

Alarming new figures from housing charity Shelter have revealed more than 13,017 renting households in the West Midlands were put at risk of losing their home in the past year –equivalent to 30,850 renters. The new analysis of statistics from the Ministry of Justice, showed that 1 in every 62 rented homes in the West Midlands were at risk of eviction. The charity also identified the ‘home threat hotspots’ across the region where renters face the greatest risk of losing their home, which comes as a result of the chronic shortage of affordable homes combined with crippling welfare cuts.

People are being invited to help shape services for young people and adults with autism in Wolverhampton. The City of Wolverhampton Council and Wolverhampton Clinical Commissioning Group have developed a draft strategy for future service provision and now want people to have their say. Autism is a lifelong neurodevelopmental condition. Although a spectrum disorder, meaning individuals are affected in different ways, people with autism have difficulties communicating and with social interaction and social imagination. 

With a 900 per cent increase in cases of diabetes among pets in the last five years, it seems a good time to evaluate what we’re feeding our pets. Follow our guide’s alternative options to keep your pet in tip top condition. There has been a 1,161 per cent increase of diabetes cases in cats since 2011, with dogs seeing an 850 per cent rise. This significant increase is a result of owners feeding their pets human food and high-calorie treats, which links with the reality that our pets are becoming ‘humanised’ and increasingly ‘pampered’.

Animal-loving kids are encouraged to capture photos of their favourite pets this summer, as vet charity PDSA launches its annual photo competition for young people. Running with a ‘super pets’ theme, youngsters are asked to submit their photos to one of three age categories: under 10s, 10-13 or 14-16-year-olds. From captivating cats to beautiful bunnies, PDSA wants to see the best snaps of pets showing off what makes them awesome!

People will remember the sacrifices made by those who fought and died in the Falklands War, including two men from Wolverhampton and Walsall, at a service of commemoration today. Air Engineering Mechanic Adrian Anslow of the Royal Navy, who was from Wolverhampton, and Private Mark Dodsworth from the Parachute Regiment, of Walsall, were among the 255 British military personnel who died during the 1982 crisis.

The Mayor of Wolverhampton has praised "local heroes" whose "tireless efforts" have helped the organisations they represent receive prestigious awards. Mayor Councillor Barry Findlay hosted a reception yesterday (Monday 6 June) attended by dozens of volunteers from Wolverhampton and Bilston Athletics Club, the Good Shepherd Ministry and Aspiring Futures, which were last week named as recipients of the Queen's Awards for Voluntary Service.

People across Wolverhampton are being encouraged to play their part in helping to tackle child sexual exploitation (CSE) by knowing how to spot the warning signs. The lighter summer nights are encouraging more people out in the evenings and they are being asked to act as eyes and ears – and help the police and the council by reporting any concerns they have about the safety and wellbeing of young person.

The atmosphere was full of comradery and optimism as The Queen shook hands with athletes, young people, High Commissioners and staff at the launch of a Commonwealth Hub. The ceremony took place at Marlborough House, the Commonwealth’s headquarters in London. The new Commonwealth Hub will be located directly across from Marlborough House in a building to be renamed Commonwealth House. It will become the home of a network of Commonwealth accredited organisations.

Throughout her time on the throne, our beloved Queen has borne witness to more technological advancements in the way she communicates with her subjects than any of her predecessors. To celebrate her official 90th birthday this week, and as an appreciation of her ongoing commitment to embrace the changing tech landscape, new research commissioned by Three has detailed in full the extent to which this is the case in timeline form, beginning with her Coronation in 1953 – the first to ever be televised – through to the sending of an inter-galactic good luck tweet to astronaut Tim Peake earlier this year.

An intrepid cyclist from Redditch is planning on cycling 2000km around France for charity whilst following the Euros to be held in the summer. Tom Sweeney, 22, from Redditch is embarking on this journey on the 25th of June with minimal gear, little money and his trust-worthy fixed-gear bicycle. Tom has been studying in Southampton for the past three years and is donating the money raised to Alzheimer’s Society. He plans on stopping off at the designated fan zones for the football matches and tracking England’s progress.

Jamaicans in the UK will gather in Birmingham on 25th June to discuss and explore issues of concern worthy of consideration, representation and further partnership working with the government of Jamaica. The Conference will be attended by Member(s) of Parliament, the Acting Jamaican High Commissioner and other representatives from the Jamaican High Commission.

Birmingham law firm Irwin Mitchell and the Young Professional Women’s Group sponsored a black tie ball to help raise funds for local charity, Ladies Fighting Breast Cancer. The event also showcased the support group Cysters, which is a new initiative that has been set up in Birmingham. The event, which was held at the McDonald Burlington Hotel, raised more than £3,000 for the charity, which helps women who suffer with Breast Cancer.

A voluntary group from Birmingham that manages the Sports Hub for the community by the community has been honoured with the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service, the highest award a voluntary group can receive in the UK. The groundbreaking sports hub has enhanced the community by developing individuals using sport as the medium and regular attracts 600/800 young people a week.

Grace Kennedy in partnership with Western Union International are hosting the first of two Town Hall meetings tonight, at Badshah Palace in Birmingham under the theme “Caribbean Diaspora – Borderless Possibilities”. With keynote speaker, The Most Honourable P. J. Patterson ON PC QC OE, former Prime Minister of Jamaica, the event looks to be one not to miss.The Phoenix Newspaper caught up with The Most Honourable P. J. Patterson, as well as Sean Mason – Vice President Western Union in the Caribbean and Michelle Allen, CEO Grace Kennedy Money Services on the day before the event to find out a little more about the Town Hall meetings.