Community News

HS2 has launched a national vote to name the project’s third Tunnel Boring Machine (TBM) which is set to create a one-mile twin bore tunnel under Long Itchington Wood in Warwickshire.

Three names have been shortlisted from over 180 entries submitted by people in Warwickshire, who were asked to nominate the names of women closely associated with the county. The vote is now open, with the online competition running until the end of June. The names are:

·         Anne – named after Anne Hathaway, who was the wife of the country’s most famous playwright, William Shakespeare. She was born in 1556 and her childhood home nearby in Stratford-upon-Avon was bought by the Shakespeare Birthplace Trust in 1892 and turned into a museum. Suggested by a resident from Nuneaton.

·         Dorothy – named after Dorothy Hodgkin, who in 1964 became the first British woman to win the Nobel Prize in Chemistry. Her discoveries included confirming the structure of penicillin, and her work with insulin paved the way for it to be used on a large scale for treatment of diabetes. She died in 1994 in Shipston-on-Stour in Warwickshire. Suggested by a student at Warwickshire College Group.

·         Mary Ann – named after Mary Ann Evans, better known by her pen name George Eliot, who was an English novelist, poet, journalist, translator and one of the leading writers of the Victorian era. She was born in Nuneaton and her novels, most famously 'Middlemarch', are celebrated for their realism and psychological insights. Suggested by a pupil at North Leamington School.

HS2’s Civils Director, Mike Lyons, said: “The naming of this TBM marks a crucial milestone for the project, with the tunnel under Long Itchington Wood the first significant piece of Britain’s new high-speed railway to be built in the Midlands. The 170 engineers working on the TBM during its construction and assembly are amongst the 16,000 people employed by the project.

“I’d like to thank people in Warwickshire for suggesting a great selection of interesting and inspiring women who have such a close connection with the county. I look forward to finding out who the British public choose as the winning name later in the summer.”

The Long Itchington Wood TBM will begin tunnelling under Warwickshire later this year and will be operated by HS2’s main works contractor for the West Midlands, Balfour Beatty Vinci (BBV). The 2,000-tonne tunnel boring machine, which has been manufactured in Germany by Herrenknecht, will be around 10 metres wide and will take around five months to complete the first bore of two parallel tunnels.

Balfour Beatty VINCI’s Managing Director, Michael Dyke, said: “With the Tunnel Boring Machine set to start its critical journey later this year, we’re delighted to have engaged with the local community in Warwickshire to uphold the engineering tradition of naming the 2,000-tonne machine, after a notable woman.

“Alongside HS2, we’re now calling for members of the public across the UK to choose one of the three carefully selected names – and play a role in this key milestone, for Europe’s largest infrastructure project.”

The Long Itchington Wood tunnel avoids disrupting the ancient woodland located above the tunnelling works. Once the first bore is complete, the TBM will be extracted at the South Portal before being transported by road back to the North Portal to commence the second bore. The final section will become a ‘green tunnel’ – also known as a cut and cover tunnel – where a soil ‘roof’ is built around the tunnel entrance to integrate the portal into the natural landscape.

This is the third HS2 tunnel boring machine that will be put to a public vote to name it, with the first machine already tunnelling under the Chilterns. They were named after two famous local Buckinghamshire women: Florence Nightingale – the founder of modern nursing who spent many years living in Buckinghamshire; and pioneering astronomer and astrophysicist, Cecilia Payne-Gaposchkin, who was born in Buckinghamshire.

The national vote will close at the end of June, with the winner expected to be announced later in the summer. Traditionally, tunnelling machines are always named after women.

If you’re looking for a special gift for your dad this Fathers’ Day, shop in store or online with Midlands Air Ambulance Charity and support its lifesaving missions at the same time.

Midlands Air Ambulance Charity is not just a service committed to saving lives, the charity’s five high street shops are offering a promotional offer of three for two on all menswear, to help save you some pennies as well.

With Fathers’ Day coming up on Sunday June 20, Midlands Air Ambulance Charity wants to ensure you get your hero a lifesaving gift this year, as well as help keep the charity’s heroes in the skies and make their future missions possible.

The charity has a range of appealing merchandise that would make the perfect gift to celebrate Fathers’ Day and commemorate the charity’s 30^th anniversary. This includes branded clothing, lifesaving mugs, exclusive cufflinks created by heritage Midlands jewellers, Deakin & Francis, and beer from local Birmingham Brewing Company.

Anil Gupta, head of retail for Midlands Air Ambulance Trading Ltd, said: “As a dad myself, it’s always lovely to receive a thoughtful gift from my son, and Fathers’ Day is a great excuse to support the charity by visiting one of our shops or making an affordable purchase online.

“2020 was a tough year for our high street shops due to multiple temporary closures to comply with local and national Government restrictions. That’s why we are excited to continue welcoming customers safely back to our stores and offering them some of the best deals for Fathers’ Day.”

The Barbados High Commission UK, in partnership with 2nd Generation of Barbadians & Friends Birmingham present Let’s Talk About Windrush

Speaker - Dr Alan Combley

Time: Jun 22, 2021 06:00 PM London

Join Zoom Meeting

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84565131225?pwd=VW1ZRXdOT3hPeTRuTUVwem1ibUNlZz09

Meeting ID: 845 6513 1225

Passcode: 400984

One tap mobile

+13462487799,,84565131225#,,,,*400984# US (Houston)

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Meeting ID: 845 6513 1225

Passcode: 400984

Find your local number: https://us02web.zoom.us/u/kcmxn6QzNg

Local high street shop, Dreamland Bedding in Brierley Hill, raised £2,500 for Midlands Air Ambulance Charity, funding one of its rapid response, lifesaving air ambulance missions.

The staff at Dreamland Bedding Centre usually hold an annual get-together around the festive season and raise funds for Midlands Air Ambulance Charity. Unfortunately, due to the continuing COVID-19 pandemic, restrictions meant that the dampeners were put on the party.

However, Mike Brown, owner of Dreamland Bedding Centre, got creative and decided to send invitations out to a raffle in aid of the lifesaving charity as an alternative. After being inundated with RSVPs, which included monies for the raffle tickets and donations, Mike and the Dreamland Bedding team raised an impressive £2,500, funding a rapid response, pre-hospital emergency mission.

In April, as lockdown restrictions began to ease, Mike was finally able to present the cheque to Alison Hill, volunteer manager for Midlands Air Ambulance Charity.

Alison said: “With no Government or NHS Charities Together funding, we’re so grateful to local businesses like Dreamland Bedding who have continued to show us their support and helping us make future lifesaving missions possible. Thanks also go to everyone who took part in the raffle and donated to support our vitally important service.”

For further information about Dreamland Bedding Centre, visit: dreamlandbedding.co.uk

To find out more about the charity, visit midlandsairambulance.com and follow the service on social media.

This is My City is a programme which brings together the residents of Birmingham and celebrates the rich cultures of the UK’s second city. 

Now in its third year, the two-day online event will explore the cultures of Europe, Asia, Caribbean and Africa, through the universal components of world food, music, arts, culture and sport. The jam-packed itinerary can be enjoyed online and has been coordinated by United Community Activity Network (UCAN) and has been officially endorsed by United by Birmingham 2022.

Mark Jeffreys, UCAN Director and Director of Sport and Physical Activity, Birmingham City University, said: “The This Is My City programme and festival in particular is something that Birmingham needs, not only celebrating the culture and achievements of the diverse community of the second city but addressing issues around Black health. As a member of the TIMC team and also as a director for UCAN, the charity that has developed the initiative, this is something we all need to support and embrace”.

The second day of the festival will include the first ever global summit for Black health with US partners Black Health Matters working hard to raise awareness across the United States and now the world. Black Health Matters, host of the largest virtual health summits in the U.S. for people of colour, join the TIMC Festival to bring a wealth of health information to summit attendees. 

Joining the summit will be actor David Harewood, R&B artist Ruby Turner, international cricketer Carlos Brathwaite, international athlete Marilyn Okoro and a surprise guest appearance from an Olympic medallist born in Birmingham.  A host of medical presenters will also attend the summit, discussing various topics around black health inequalities the communities in Birmingham currently face.

“As the leading health and wellness platform that addresses the health and wellness of people from the diaspora, Black Health Matters is pleased to partner with This is My City and Birmingham City University on our Summit”, said Roslyn Y. Daniels, publisher of Black Health Matters.  

“As a group, people of the diaspora experience significant disparities with chronic conditions, access to care, preventive screenings, and mental health.  This new collaboration will have global impact and is the first of many that will encourage thousands to become more proactive and knowledgeable about their health.” 

Following the easing of Covid restrictions, a third day of celebrations has been announced on June 26 and will take place at Edgbaston Stadium alongside a T20 Cricket fixture for the resident men and women’s team.

Festival partners and sponsors include, Birmingham City University, Birmingham Commonwealth Association, Legacy West Midlands, Sport Birmingham, Edgbaston Foundation, Brum Hour and SeventyOne Media.

This Is My City festival 2021 headline sponsor is the Wickes Foundation.

West Bromwich company Jacopa has given something back to its local community by working with Sandwell Council to restore steps at the popular Sot’s Hole Local Nature Reserve. Sot’s Hole is locally important for wildlife, geology and education. It has over 5 hectares of some of the oldest woodland in the borough.

A stream flows through the site and a small pool has recently been created. The wet woodland supports a variety of tree species, plants – including water horsetail and marsh thistle – and a range of woodland bird species, such as sparrowhawks and great spotted woodpeckers – as well as many other woodland creatures.

Close to Dagger Lane/Church Vale in West Bromwich, the semi-ancient woodland provides excellent access to Sandwell Valley Country Park and the restored steps form part of this route. With their head office at Millard Industrial Estate in West Bromwich, Jacopa were ideally situated to support the project.

The park’s well-trodden steps had started to show their age and were desperately in need of being refreshed. Jacopa provided staff to help restore the steps to their original condition free of charge as part of the Community Social Responsibility/Social Value programme.

Sandwell Council arranged materials for the work, supported by the Countryside Ranger Team, and organised assistance from volunteers who observed current Covid-19 guidelines.

The work on the steps took place over three days, from 25-27 May.

Alex Lloyd of Jacopa said: “Jacopa is very pleased to support this project to improve green spaces for the local community and work closely with Sandwell Council. Our business has been located within the Sandwell community for many years, we are an environmental company helping to protect the UK’s natural water resources and most of the people who work for the business live in the Sandwell area. So, this and future green spaces projects, fit very well with the support Jacopa can give its local community.”

Councillor Maria Crompton, Cabinet Member for Strong and Resilient Communities, said: “Jacopa’s role has been key in restoring the steps at Sot’s Hole. Visitors to the Local Nature Reserve will now have better access to the wider country park from this popular site. The steps provide the only access into the country park from the Local Nature Reserve, giving visitors the opportunity to explore wonderful open areas of countryside.” 

Council Leader, Rajbir Singh, said: “I hope that this joint approach will inspire other local companies looking to give something back to communities across Sandwell. The restoration of the steps at Sot’s Hole is a great example of how Sandwell Council is bringing partners together to support environmental issues and create a safer, cleaner and greener borough.

“With the commitment and effort from Jacopa’s staff and management we have enhanced this valued green space for local people and visitors, so that they can enjoy the experiences provided by the Local Nature Reserve and Sandwell Valley Country Park.”

People are being invited to turn on radios at their doorsteps to premiere a piece of music as part of Coventry's year as UK City of Culture.

Nine radio stations will play different parts of the piece from 20:21 BST today (June 5) and these form the full version when they are heard at the same time. Residents in Coventry are being asked to talk to neighbours and plan who will listen to which station. It will mark the culmination of the signature event.

Coventry's year as UK City of Culture officially launched on May 15 with thousands of people tuning in to watch a short film posted on the festival website. Its centrepiece, Coventry Moves, was originally due to coincide with the launch, but was moved to today to because of the coronavirus pandemic.

Like other events planned for the coming months, it has had to negotiate Covid-19 restrictions, including social distancing. Starting at 08:00 BST, and broadcasting on the festival website and social media, as well as coverage on television platforms, the day will include the retelling of the city's pioneering past, present and future.

Digital content will also feature six people with Coventry connections to represent the city's energies - described by organisers as resilience, social justice, youthfulness, sustainability, people power and innovation. One of the six, Pauline Black, from 2-Tone band The Selecter, will perform a new song written for the event.

The day's activities will also include 14 modern Lady Godivas, chosen from more than 140 nominations, to represent the city's women. Although details are a closely guarded secret, some of them have been learning to ride a horse for the first time as part of films planned on the day.

The climax of the day's events at 20:21 BST will see Coventry schoolchildren feature on eight-minute tracks from composer Dan Jones as part of an event entitled Coventry Moves Together. With people switching on radios or internet devices at their doorsteps, the whole city will form an orchestra, organisers said; "weaving a musical tapestry across the city".

Flying rats, pests, vermin… seagulls don’t get the best press - but their savage attacks on bewildered binmen have sealed their reputation.

Refuse collectors across the UK are reporting being dive-bombed by starving gulls, desperate to get their talons on morsels of food. It sounds shocking, but this isn’t new behaviour for seagulls - many terrified residents of coastal towns report being terrorised by the local wildlife, often due to their reliance on human food. One man, appearing on ITV’s This Morning, even reported being ‘held hostage’ by birds living on the roof of his bungalow, adding: “I was struck on the back of the head by a fully-grown gull… It chased me up the road and had three more goes at me.”

Another man in Scotland was attacked so viciously by a gull that it drew blood - all because he was eating a sandwich, which he sadly noted [he] “ended up throwing it in the bin after it had tried to get it out of my mouth. What a lose-lose situation”.

The problem is so severe that some towns have published guides on what to do if you’re attacked by one of these angry birds.

So why are these airborne attackers now turning on bin collectors?

Part of the problem is the dramatically reduced footfall in previously busy areas as city centre footfall fell by 75% in some areas: and with far fewer shoppers and workers comes a reduction in litter and dropped food. Many gulls have adapted to live reliant on human food waste to survive, leading East Riding of Yorkshire Council to warn residents that “seagulls may be more hungry than normal and may behave aggressively”.

Liverpool Divert.co.uk binman Charlie agrees. “I’ve had them swoop at me while I pull bins up to the truck, try and pull half eaten food out of open bins while we’re emptying them, diving at the lorry… they’re absolutely feral. They’re always quite scary because they’re huge, but now it seems like they’re out for blood if you take any scrap of food away.”

“I’d cull them if it were up to me,” added his colleague, Adam. “They’re an absolute menace - there are certain routes I won’t do now unless I’m giving a hard hat and a chance of protecting myself against them.”

A cull seems drastic, but is it what’s required?

Mark Hall, spokesperson for rubbish disposal experts Divert.co.uk, said there are other options.

“While wildlife culls are used when a particular species becomes a nuisance, this behaviour is hopefully temporary, and gulls are protected by law - so we discourage anyone from taking matters into their own hands. What will help more than anything, however, is households properly disposing of waste to discourage the birds in the first place.”

Residents are advised to:

• Ensure bins are closed, with a proper lid, to stop birds getting into any waste food and becoming dependent
• Never litter - it provides a food source
• Don’t leave bin bags on the street overnight: they’re easily ripped by gulls and cause a huge headache for rubbish collectors if that happens
• Do not encourage the gulls by feeding them - this creates a vicious circle where birds will return for food

The Centre for Sustainable Energy (CSE), a national environmental charity, is offering £100,000 to community groups across Birmingham to support citywide low carbon sustainability projects.  Applications open on 7 June and more information is available on the 3D website.

Successful projects will support Birmingham’s net zero carbon targets by using data from the 3D hub, a pioneering free platform using local data to understand the needs of communities. The ten winning projects will receive up to £10,000 each. Applications for funding can focus around a wide range of areas including behaviour change, air pollution, transport, energy and health.

Bridget Newbery CSE project manager said; “We’re excited to support the decarbonisation of Birmingham by working with communities using data. We know local people can achieve the most change because they understand their local area and people best. Our 3D Hub supports this understanding with expert data across a huge range of areas; from understanding how many people are in fuel poverty or able to access broadband in a particular postcode, to looking at air quality or electric car charging points in a specific area and so much more!

“Citizens must act together to ensure the cities we live, work and socialise in are built for the future. Innovation and community are two important aspects, and through this funding competition we’re looking for people with big ideas to create new ways to reduce carbon emissions across Birmingham.” 

 
The 3D hub offers a range of data sets including open data on housing, travel, waste, energy, and emissions. The data includes statistics on regional and sub-regional fuel poverty, air quality, electric car charging points, buildings emissions, cycle routes and more. It's all fully anonymised and meets latest privacy guidance and legislation. This data is specific to the Birmingham City region and can be downloaded and used for free.

Successful projects will use data in some way, for example to engage with communities, to identify opportunities for targeting work, or in the delivery of local environmental initiatives.

Examples could include:

• A community energy group wants to install more solar PV. The 3D Hub data will help identify suitable rooftops using information on energy consumption, rooftop solar PV potential and conservation areas to identify potential sites and inform a targeted plan to engage with local installers and home owners.
• A health charity want to install outdoor gym equipment in parks working with communities with high levels of obesity. They will use data on air pollution and health outcomes overlaid with green spaces data to identify potential sites for the project.
• A foodbank is looking to start some vegetable growing projects for their customers. They will identify priority areas using data on food emissions and income levels. Potential sites will be identified using data on land use and open space.

This project is proudly supported by Birmingham City Council’s The Route to Zero (R20) Taskforce and ICLEI – Local Governments for Sustainability, a global network working with more than 2,500 local and regional governments committed to sustainable urban development.

CSE is offering pre application support and has a checklist to enable community groups to decide areas they may need to work on before submitting a full application.

Yesterday marked the launch of Birmingham’s Clean Air Zone with a colourful exhibition at Library of Birmingham. Smoke was emitted from the viewing platform and roof of the iconic Library of Birmingham building, representing the average amount of NOx that will be saved every 10 seconds through the introduction of the Clean Air Zone.

The Clean Air Zone is within the A4540 Middleway (but not the Middleway itself) and will be used to encourage the drivers of the most polluting vehicles to upgrade or replace their vehicle.  People are also being encouraged to think about walking, cycling or using public transport more – especially for shorter journeys.  And it will encourage this change by applying a daily fee to vehicles that do not meet the emission standards for the zone.  

Birmingham City Council announced that it will introduce the zone through a ‘soft launch’ of the scheme.  From 1 June 2021 through to 11:59:59pm 13 June 2021 the Council will not require drivers to pay the daily fee and they will not pursue enforcement.  From the 14 June 2021 the owners of non-compliant vehicles will be required to pay the daily fee (unless a valid exemption is in place).  If they do not pay the daily fee after this date the registered keeper of the vehicle will be issued with a penalty charge notice.  By adopting this approach the Council is providing with a little extra time to get ready, review the support available and to consider the alternatives to driving through the Clean Air Zone

Cabinet Member for Transport and Environment at Birmingham City Council, Councillor Waseem Zaffar MBE has said:

“Whilst we have agreed on a two-week soft launch period where people won't have to pay, I would encourage everyone to use this time to check their vehicles, familiarise themselves with the charging process and check out the support that is still available through the Brum Breathes website."

Cars, taxis and LGVs which do not meet the Clean Air Zone emission standard will be charged £8 a day and non-compliant coaches, buses and HGVs will be charged £50 per day.

The Clean Air Zone charge runs midnight to midnight. Drivers can pay six days in advance of their visit, the day of their visit and six days after the day of their visit, giving a total payment window of 13 days. Payments can be paid online using the Government's payment system or over the phone by calling 0300 029 8888 (Monday - Friday, 8am - 4:30pm).

A range of support measures have been brought in to support those immediately impacted by the changes.. This includes temporary exemption permits and financial incentives as well as the Heavy Duty Vehicle (HDV Fund).

The council recently launched a short film on clean air and why the zone is needed: https://www.14dd5266c70789bdc806364df4586335-gdprlock/watch?v=Dd_MYX8fAp8

Two local partnering organisations, Midlands Air Ambulance Charity and Tipton & Coseley Building Society are celebrating the success of their affinity scheme in addition to their two milestone anniversaries. To commemorate the partnership, Midlands Air Ambulance Charity will also be holding a silent auction of an official signed Wolverhampton Wanderers FC shirt, kindly donated by Tipton & Coseley Building Society.

Whilst Black Country-based Tipton & Coseley Building Society is turning 120 this year, Midlands Air Ambulance Charity is a quarter of the way there, celebrating its Air30 30^th birthday this year.

The silent auction of the official signed Wolverhampton Wanderers FC shirt opens on Monday 31^st May with the winner announced on Friday 11^th June ahead of the first Euros 2021 match. To enter, email the amount you would like to bid to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. – the deadline for entries is 5pm Thursday 10^th June 2021.

Jon Cottrell, senior partnerships executive for Midlands Air Ambulance Charity, said: “2021 is shaping up to be an exciting year for our partnership with Tipton and Coseley Building Society.

“As a football fan myself, I’m excited to get our silent auction launched to raise vital funds for our pre-hospital emergency service and strengthen the partnership.”

As part of the Tipton’s support of the charity, the building society launched the 30-Day Notice Midlands Air Ambulance Saver in 2020. It is a socially responsible savings account for those that want to save lives as well as their pennies. Not only will customers earn 0.40% gross/AER on their balance, but the Midlands Air Ambulance Charity’s rapid response emergency service will earn funds at no additional cost to the account holders.

Stephen James, from the West Midlands, a Midlands Air Ambulance savings account holder, said: “The Tipton’s Saver has allowed me to have a realistic interest rate and has resulted in further funds for the charity’s essential work.”

Terms and conditions apply. For further details about The Tipton and Coseley 30-Day Notice Saver, visit: www.thetipton.co.uk/midlandsairambulance

To find out more about the lifesaving work of the Midlands Air Ambulance Charity, visit: midlandsairambulance.com and follow the service on social media.

The introduction of the Clean Air Zone (CAZ) in Birmingham must be supported by cheaper and more efficient green transport, a regional economist has said ahead of the rollout w/c Monday May 31.

Dr Steven McCabe said: “Though exemptions are possible, anything making life more financially challenging to Birmingham’s poorest citizens is unwelcome.

“Launching the CAZ whilst the city is still dealing with the fallout of the global pandemic is questionable, particularly for the retail and the night time economies in the city centre, Digbeth and the Jewellery Quarter.

“However, a cleaner Birmingham, especially in the city centre is undoubtedly one that’s far more attractive to inhabitants and visitors.

“The health benefit of reduced levels of harmful emissions is axiomatic.

"And CAZ may, it’s hoped, result in increased inward investment creating jobs in services and allied industries so desperately needed to improve prosperity and prospects for current and future generations.

“Crucially, what needs to accompany implementation of the CAZ is vastly improved, cheaper, more efficient, green transport to enable citizens to move around Birmingham.”

Cinemas may be open, but MADE.COM and Curzon are helping those who can’t make it out. In their latest MADEover, the brands have partnered with Allison Sadler (@allison_sadler_) to help those who aren’t able to head to their local cinema, by bringing the home movie experience to them instead. Allison has joined forces with online design brand MADE.COM to create a Home Cinema at Nehemiah Housing Association’s retirement scheme Charles Pearson Court in West Bromwich, with the help of Curzon's Home Cinema Membership. 

The project is part of MADE.COM's latest community support initiatives, transforming spaces to encourage people to come together after a year of disconnect and was designed by Birmingham based influencer Allison Sadler whose grandmother Mrs Theresa Powell lived at Charles Pearson Court for many years before passing away in June 2020.

Working virtually with the Nehemiah team throughout the whole project from photos, samples, measurements and Zoom calls, Allison and the Made.com designers created a scheme to suit the residents of Charles Pearson Court from both comfort and practical needs.

Charles Pearson Court Scheme Manager Lorraine Martin commented: “It was fantastic to have this opportunity, it will I am sure become the hub of activity now. In a time where everyone is facing their own individual challenges, we really appreciated the designers and brands donating products to Nehemiah and the residents of Charles Pearson Court.”

A new report from Which? has revealed that fewer than half (46%) of fraud victims who’ve unknowingly transferred money into scammers’ bank accounts are being reimbursed. The consumer watchdog is subsequently calling for strengthened standards to be put in place by banks to make the process fairer and more consistent. These scams, which affect thousands of customers each year, occur when a fraudster tricks the customer into transferring their money into another account in the belief that it is legitimate – for example to pay off an outstanding bill or for security reasons. 

In 2019, a voluntary code of conduct was introduced by high street banks. The code was designed to offer increased protection from scams, especially for vulnerable customers, by ensuring banks paid people back in the event of fraud. But, more than two years on, this type of fraud is still affecting honest Britons and personal finance experts at money.co.uk are urging people to remain on the high alert against criminals.

James Andrews, senior personal finance editor at money.co.uk, said: “Changes aimed at getting more people their money back are always welcome, but it’s still essential people know how to spot a scam when they see one, and how to protect themselves against it.

“There’s a real danger that announcements about new fraud rules or protections put in place by banks will see people relax and assume they are safe. Sadly, criminals are smart and all too often adapt to new rules and protocols almost as fast as they are unveiled.

“Worse, money transfer scammers use the customer themselves as a way past banking security. If a criminal can convince you to log in legitimately then get you to transfer money to a ‘safe’ account, or even withdraw it as cash, there is no technological solution that can prevent it.

“The good news is that banks are doing more to help, from ‘confirmation of payee’ - which puts extra blockers up against people impersonating others when asking people to transfer money - to warnings flashing up on screen all the way through to training for staff in branches and on the phone to help customers stay safer. Criminals often try to apply psychological pressure to get people to push past these barriers - posing as officials and telling customers they have already been scammed, are being targeted or even the subject of a criminal investigation from the police or HMRC.

“To stay safe, it’s essential you put in your own barriers too. If you get a call or message from someone saying they are from your bank or the police, get them to tell you their name, then call back - ideally from a different phone line - using the number you have on your bank statement or from another official, offline source. If it’s real, you will quickly be put through to the right person.

“Do not trust numbers or click on links sent to you as part of the warning - even if they look like they’ve come from your bank - as criminals can fake links, websites and even the number they appear to be calling or texting from. Despite these precautions, it’s still possible that even the most security conscious person will fall prey to a financial scam. If this does happen, it’s essential that you know what steps to take to get your money back and prevent a similar scam from happening in future. 

“The first step is to contact your bank directly using the methods outlined above as soon as you suspect you’ve been a victim of fraud. Even if you’re not 100% certain at the time, your bank can increase security on your account as an interim measure while you investigate.

“Several banks also have the ability to temporarily freeze your credit and debit cards without cancelling them, so if you are mistaken you don’t have to wait for new cards to be set up. If the scam is to do with online banking, you should be able to get a direct refund under the Payment Service Regulations (2009) and The Lending Code. If the scam is credit card related, you should be protected on transactions of up to £30,000 under Section 75 of the Consumer Credit Act – so whatever the scam, there’s always a way of getting your cash back.  

“If you’re still unsure of the steps to take following an instance of fraud, check out money.co.uk’s handy guide on what to do if you’ve been scammed.” 

Renowned figures and highly respected members of the West Midlands business community have been revealed as the first charity champions to join acorns children’s hospice as part of an exciting new ambassador programme.

CEO and business founder, Jas Rohel; Entrepreneur, Personality and Hospitality Operator Phil Oldershaw; CEO Petro Nicolaides; Chartered Accountant and Managing Partner Johnathan Dudley; and Channel Partnership Manager Amy Deakin have been announced as the charity’s very first Business Ambassadors. The fab five will play a key role in raising awareness of Acorns within the business community and help raise vital funds towards its lifeline care for local life limited and life threatened children and their families.

Each of Acorns Business Ambassadors is joining the charity in a two-year partnership and has committed to raising £5,000 each year.

Libby Kaluna, Partnership Fundraising Manager at Acorns, said: “We’re extremely excited to launch this brand-new initiative and we couldn’t be more thrilled to have some of the region’s very best in business join us as our first Ambassadors.

“Their influence, passion and expertise will help us reach even more people within the business community and grow local support, which will make a massive difference to the children and families that need us.”

Acorns Business Ambassadors will represent the charity at various events during their tenure, from cheque presentations and networking groups to attending public engagements within the business community. The group will come together for quarterly meetings chaired by Paul Cadman, Professor of Entrepreneurship at Birmingham University and Acorns Vice President.

Libby added: “Each Ambassador will add their own voice and experience to help us raise awareness, campaign and fundraise. Together, they will help us continue to be there for some of the most vulnerable children and families across the region who rely on our lifeline care and support.”

Acorns Children’s Hospice provides specialist palliative care for life limited and life threatened children and support for their families from its three hospices, based in Birmingham, Walsall and Worcester, and in the community. In the past year the charity has cared for more than 800 children and over 1,000 families, including those who are bereaved.

It cost Acorns £27,000 per day to provides its lifeline care and support, the bulk of which comes from fundraising and partnerships.