Community News

A region-wide plan setting out a raft of measures to significantly improve air quality and the health of local people was launched by the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) which began with a series of priority measures that will be delivered with £1 million of government air quality funding and include:

• Installing a network of air quality sensors that will provide real-time, publicly accessible data on pollution levels across the region
• Education and awareness campaigns in communities, including schools, to improve knowledge and understanding of main sources of pollution and their health impact
• Development of an alert system when pollution levels are high
• Research into the potential to positively impact air quality through speed limit reductions on high-speed roads and in urban centres
• Devising regional targets that exceed current national and international guidelines on levels of PM2.5 and PM10 particulates, and nitrogen dioxide (NO2)

From Gloucester’s twinkling forest lights to the festive markets of Cambridge, a getaway to any of these spots will leave you in the Christmas spirit.

The Prevention First Citizens' Panel, a group of volunteers that has supported Birmingham City Council’s commissioning process for 20 years, has been awarded The King’s Award for Voluntary Service.

Mermaids, selkies and fairies flying through enchanted forests feature in Bamburgh Castle's breathtaking Christmas Kingdom. 

While Christmas is said to be a time for connecting with loved ones, for many it can mean loneliness– particularly for those later in life.

More than 1,500 digital devices such as Chromebooks and laptops have been given to residents and community organisations in Walsall as part of a £500,000 project to help more people across the region get online.

As the cold weather kicks in, many households will start to crank up the heating to keep their homes comfortable.

Transport costs are keeping 5 million people (8% of the UK population) below the poverty line, first-of-its-kind tracker shows.

Amid the soaring cost of living crisis, The UK ranked 17th in a comparison of disposable household income among different countries, according to a recent study by CityIndex.

Worcester Cathedral is preparing to welcome the local community to join together and celebrate a packed programme of services, concerts and events this Christmastime.

New research conducted by money-saving app and retailer marketing platform ZIPZERO has found that young people are becoming disproportionately alienated by digital advertising due to bombardment, excessive intrusion and/or deception.

Enfield Council’s decision to lease part of Whitewebbs Park to Tottenham Hotspur is set to be challenged in the High Court.

A temporary Metro terminus will be installed next to Moor Street Queensway to accelerate delivery of tram services to the east of Birmingham city centre.

Birmingham has been recognised as one of 119 cities across the globe that is taking bold leadership on environmental action and transparency.

A leading West Midlands housing association is supporting the National Shared Ownership awareness campaign run by the National Housing Federation (NHF).

West Midlands-based funeral director, Jennifer Ashe & Son has signed the Armed Forces Covenant, a pact outlining its dedication to supporting ex-service men and women.