Community News

Noori Awan, the daughter of a Birmingham-based Pakistani businessman recalls, “We didn’t know what was happening.

How could a strong healthy man like my father be suffering from Covid. We just could not understand what was going on and we couldn’t get to see him.” Mr. Awan died, and like many others across Pakistan and the UK, Covid-19 has claimed the lives of hundreds of thousands.

Songs Of Solitude (SOS), conceived and directed by Mukhtar Dar and Arieb Azhar, is an online digital collaboration that combines testimonials, spoken word, soundscapes, music, and movement to share stories of two Pakistani families - a Christian minority family in Pakistan and a Muslim minority family in Birmingham, whilst grieving for their loved ones, share hope for a better tomorrow.

The Emanuel family in Faisalabad, and the Awan family in Birmingham share heart-wrenching accounts of life and loss under the pandemic lockdowns. This international collaboration between Art Langar (Pakistan) and Kalaboration Arts (Birmingham), with a dynamic range of artistes, reflects on the isolation and loss during the liminality of the lockdowns. From Pakistan, Zohaib Hassan (Sarangi), Anna Hafisba (Gospel), Arieb Azhar (Spoken word) and Zain Ali (Composer) join forces with Waqas Choudhary and Waqas Malik (Bansuri) Muki aka Mukhtar Ahmad (Urban Singer) and Aishani Ghosh (Dancer) from Birmingham, to affirm that there is hope for a better tomorrow.

Covid-19 pandemic, climate catastrophe and the unprecedented global inequality are ravaging the lives and lands of the world’s poorest and most marginalised communities. The arts play a powerful role in any crisis, allowing us to reflect and express sadness and hope and to bring people and ideas together and contribute to challenging the status quo. In our challenges of the ‘new norm’, we must engage with the root cause of visceral injustices that the pandemic has exposed and draw together a plurality of experiences, visions and solutions from the Global South and North to bring about justice for all.

SOS is our expression, our collective voice of what it means to be human. It has allowed us to communicate across continents during this liminal moment, generating positivity, appreciation and hope amidst this ongoing crisis.

SOS world premiere and post-screening Q&A with the directors takes place as an online live stream

Dedicated pop-up vaccination clinics in Wolverhampton have protected some of the city’s most vulnerable people from coronavirus.

A partnership of local organisations and agencies including City of Wolverhampton Council has been working together to engage with and offer vaccinations to eligible people who were homeless or sleeping rough but may not have been able to access the vaccine. People experiencing homelessness face reduced access to healthcare services.

Many from this group are also likely to have health conditions that put them at higher risk of death or serious illness caused by Covid-19. Last month the council, in partnership with Black Country and West Birmingham Combined Commissioning Group (BCWB CCG), local GPs, support agencies and voluntary sector organisations, held a pop-up vaccination clinic at The Good Shepherd Ministry, led by Dr Kamran Ahmed, local GP and Clinical Director at BCWB CCG.

As a follow-up to a clinic held in February, homeless people and rough sleepers from across the city were joined by their support providers to get their second doses of life-saving jab in an environment they were familiar with. Over 150 people, including those experiencing homelessness and their support workers received their first vaccination on the day.

Dr Kamran Ahmed said: “Offering vaccines this way protects some of our city’s most vulnerable residents who are most at risk and ensure fewer people become seriously ill or die. By offering the vaccine, along with the right support, in a setting that people are familiar with, we were able to overcome some of the barriers stopping people from having their jab and saw good levels of uptake”

A range different levels of support were on offer to encourage people to have their vaccine, help them get to clinic and provide advice and reassurance on the day. These vaccination clinics followed partnership work at The Good Shepherd earlier in the year to raise awareness of coronavirus and the vaccine within the local homeless community and encourage regular testing.

Tom Hayden, Head of Operations at the Good Shepherd, said: “We were really pleased to link up with the council, CCG, and several other charities and agencies whom we already work closely with to host this second day of vaccinations.

“People who are homeless face additional barriers to accessing healthcare, so it was fantastic to be able to welcome them to the Good Shepherd and provide access to the vaccination, advice around Covid, and to do it amongst people they know and in a venue they feel comfortable. Service users were able to attend with their support staff who could talk them through the process and the benefits of receiving the vaccination and the added protection it can give them against the virus.”

Wolverhampton’s Director of Public Health, John Denley, added: “Outreach clinics like this are helping to protect some of the most vulnerable people in our city.

“The vaccine is proven to reduce serious illness caused by coronavirus by up to 85%, and evidence shows that is reduces transmission too. Whilst infection levels are falling across the city, we still need to make sure that everyone can have the vaccine as soon as it is their turn.

“By holding pop-up clinics in familiar surroundings, providing support and the right information we are making sure some of the city’s most vulnerable residents can access the vaccine and benefit from the protection it provides.”

For the third year running, Ecclesiastical Insurance Group is giving away £1million to charities with the return of its Movement for Good awards.

As of now, people in the West Midlands can nominate a cause close to their hearts for a potential £1,000 award to help make a difference. 500 charities will each receive £1,000 during the first phase of the campaign. A second phase of giving will happen later this summer.

Since the initiative began in 2019, over 3,900 West Midlands residents have nominated causes they care about, leading to the Movement for Good awards gifting £29,000 to charities across the county. Birmingham Women’s and Children’s Hospital Charity, The Birmingham Dogs Home and The Lily Mae Foundation were amongst the beneficiaries, following overwhelming public support.

The nomination process is open until June 13. Winners will be drawn at random and the more times a charity is nominated the more chance it has of being selected. It’s quick and easy to nominate, you can vote for your favourite charity online at: www.movementforgood.com

Mark Hews, Group Chief Executive of Ecclesiastical Insurance Group, says: “We’re delighted to announce the launch of Ecclesiastical’s Movement for Good awards for the third year running. Our Movement for Good awards will continue to help charities at a time when they need it most and we know that for many charities, £1,000 can make a real difference.

“We were thrilled to receive so many nominations from the public last year and this year we are encouraging even more people to nominate a good cause. Ecclesiastical, the fourth largest corporate donor in the UK, is a unique financial services group. We are owned by a charity which means all available profits can be given to the good causes that are so important to our customers. As a company whose purpose is to contribute to the greater good of society, charitable giving is at the heart of our business.”

A woman has been barred from Birmingham as an investigation continues after she was arrested on suspicion of racially abusing a pub doorman

Sharna Walker, who is 24-year-old, was released with bail conditions, including not to enter the city after clip of her swearing at a bouncer in the city’s Broad Street had been viewed more than three million times. West Midlands Police said it was gathering witness evidence before handing a file to prosecutors. They said that the woman, attended a police station at the force's request.

She is alleged to have used racist language towards the doorman outside Wetherspoon's The Figure of Eight pub, police said. A police spokesperson added: "She's also accused of racially abusing another man who was stood near the pub entrance and earlier damaging furniture inside the premises."

She was denied entry to the bar and was seen pushing the bodyguard, calling him a “Black Fist” and “f *** ing n *****” Turn around and spit in his body.

Tristan, 26, said he wants to be brought to justice for his abuse. He said: “I have had some incidents, but the use of racist language did not happen often.

“As a Black man and a doorman, I realize that both things are stigmatized. I feel that I must remain calm because I know that the colour of my skin may magnify my movements. In this case, I make sure that I can treat myself correctly.”

The footage of Walker’s prank was shared on social media. Wetherspoon said Miss Walker, from Worcester, had been escorted from the pub and cracked the glass door by kicking it.

"This behaviour is completely unacceptable and the woman is barred for life,” said spokesperson Eddie Gershon. "We will also be pursuing her for criminal damage and passing on the CCTV and bodycam footage to the police."

Regional manager, Heath Curley, praised the doorman, who is employed by an agency and works regularly on, for acting "calml." Mike Olley, who runs the Westside Business Improvement District, which covers the Broad Street entertainment mile, said that they would also be seeking to ban the woman from all city centre venues.

Residents in Birmingham fearing the loss of their playing fields have criticized the guardians of the estate for a “betrayal of trust”. The Yardley residents have been campaigning for six years against plans for housebuilder Persimmon to build on the land in Barrows Lane whose use for healthy recreational purposes has been protected for over a hundred years.

Having defeated a planning application in 2016 to build 82 homes on the site with a 1,500-word petition, the Yardley Community Trust is now embroiled in a renewed battle to prevent the Council from allowing an even bigger development of 110 homes. The residents have criticized Central England Co-operative (CEC) for wishing to sell its Sports & Social Club on Barrows Lane after ignoring all offers to discuss the future of the pitches, which are used by junior football teams.

Fay Goodman, Yardley Community Trust Spokesperson, said: “When they were a Municipal Co-operative in 1920, Central England Coop were appointed as trustworthy guardians of the Barrows Lane site under a covenant issued by the Cadbury/Barrows family to protect and manage the site for the benefit of the local community.

“The clear intention of CEC is to relinquish their responsibility and to profit from the exercise. Yardley residents are outraged by this betrayal of trust.” Fay claimed that offers made by local football clubs to maintain the pitches in exchange for using them have been ignored by CEC, and that an approach for dialogue by Birmingham City FC’s Community Trust has been rejected.

“The recent U-turn on the proposed European Super League showed the strength of feeling by grass roots football clubs and fans. We need the same support for football pitches for youngsters to play on, yet we have nationally lost over 34,000 pitches in a 13-year period between 2005 and 2018.

“This scandalous statistic demonstrates the veracity of green fields being covered with concrete by greedy builders – supposedly to satisfy our housing need. We know there are enough brownfield sites throughout the UK to accommodate that need, yet builders Persimmons want virgin land to make the most profit and CEC are willing providers.”

Fay continued: “It is estimated that we have enough space on derelict industrial land to build around 1.5 million properties in the UK. The number of brownfield sites continues to grow, outstripping the demand for houses on green land. There is absolutely no justification to concrete over any green land.

“Green spaces and parks generally act like the lungs of the city, cleansing and improving air quality in its proximity. The Covid-19 pandemic is teaching us the value of open spaces for air quality, tackling obesity and addressing mental health issues through physical activities. She added: “Yardley is already over-subscribed with houses by at least a third. We are already below the recommended apportionment amount of green space raising serious health concerns.”

Yardley MP Jess Phillips has expressed her on-going support: “I fully support the Yardley Community Trust’s aim of retaining the Barrows Lane sports fields for the community. We have been fighting the development on this site for years, as building on this site would both deprive residents of local open space, and also overdevelop an existing residential area without supplying adequate additional amenities for the community. 

"I sincerely hope the Central England Coop will give serious consideration to the Trust’s alternative plan for the site and engage constructively with residents to find a mutually acceptable outcome.”

Yardley East Councillor Neil Eustace, who has also been a strong supporter of the Trust’s cause, said: “Yardley needs its remaining green spaces protected for future generations. These fields are rich in rare wildlife and greenery. Future generations of local children need facilities for organised sport.”  

Over 250 individuals pitched their tents and camped out in support of Birmingham’s leading homeless charity, SIFA Fireside. Held on Early May Bank Holiday, the BIG Brummie Camp Out saw hundreds camp out raising vital funds for a local charity.

The annual event brought families, friends, students and colleagues together who spent a night under the stars, in their own homes, in support of Birmingham’s main day centre for vulnerable and homeless adults, SIFA Fireside. So far, more than £4,500 has been raised with donations still being received by the charity.

Leading local organisations and businesses also joined forces in support of the charity, contributing to the exclusive camper’s activity pack. For a minimum of a £5 donation, campers received recipes from restaurants, such as award-winning Carters of Moseley and OPUS, plus activities from ThinkTank Birmingham, and established ‘Brummie’ brand Punks & Chancers.

The event also included live entertainment from Birmingham’s Poet Laureate, Casey Bailey and finished with local nightclub The Night Owl’s DJ set. The Digbeth-based charity works to provide long term solutions for vulnerable adults; responding to individuals in crisis, standing by them in their recovery and working to prevent homelessness within Birmingham.

The aim is to get people off the streets and back onto their feet, giving them an opportunity to work towards a brighter future. The organisation is committed to supporting long term and sustainable routes out of homelessness, working closely with partners such as Birmingham City Council and Shelter UK.

The number of individuals requiring help has risen due to the Covid-19 pandemic and donations are now needed more than ever to help keep SIFA Fireside’s doors open.

Carly Jones, SIFA Fireside CEO, said: “Last year the BIG Brummie Campout was about SIFA Fireside surviving and providing hope during a very tough year for us all. This year, we focused on not only celebrating SIFA Fireside but also our amazing city and the fantastic independent businesses and creative communities that surround us and support us each year.

“Money raised enables us to continue our vital services and as the restrictions continue to ease, we’re able to do even more with our clients to support their journey working towards a brighter future. We have been overwhelmed by the support, of not only individuals who took part in the Big Brummie Campout, but from many local businesses that came together in support.”  

The UK is still yet to see the full extent the impact a year of lockdown has had on people’s relationships – according to an expert divorce lawyer at law firm Nelsons.

With couples couped up in lockdown due to the coronavirus, many law firms across the UK have reported an increase in enquiries from spouses wanting to split from their partners.

Emma Davies, partner and divorce solicitor at Nelsons, said that while law firm has experienced continually high levels of enquiries since April 2020, the divorce spike may yet be still to come.

Emma said: “We’re still yet to experience the full impact a year of lockdown has had on people’s relationships. No one anticipated the pandemic would last as long as it has. Every time restrictions have eased, some sort of tightening of the rules followed. Once the Covid restrictions are significantly and permanently eased, if they do happen in the summer as expected, I imagine we’ll experience another busy season – people will begin making longer-term decisions once more, which includes divorce.”

Has the pandemic caused a spike in people filing for divorce?

“Divorce rates over the course of 2020 increased and we experienced busy periods throughout the year. While we have been consistently busy, I wonder whether we are yet to see the true spike everyone was anticipating at the start of the pandemic. What is interesting is that we have seen different trends compared to a typical year.

“For example, from summer to the end of the year was busier than normal because restrictions eased. January is usually our busiest period but this year, while we still had a number of enquiries, it wasn’t perhaps at the level we would have expected to see. Schools closed and the country went back into a lockdown so there was a lot for people to deal with before taking action on any longer-term decisions they may have been thinking about before the Christmas period.

“During the first, full lockdown back in March 2020, we were quieter, mostly because it was really difficult for people to find a private space to speak to a divorce lawyer while working from home with their spouse. We had clients calling us from supermarket car parks, or the end of the garden – having a conversation about divorce when there’s the possibility of being overheard in the other room made it difficult. However, as lockdown restrictions eased towards the end of the spring, we noticed a high level of enquiries.”

Have the reasons as to why people have been filing for divorce changed over the past year?

“There hasn’t been a massive shift, but we have had clients who said the initial lockdown made them realise what it would be like to be retired together, and that spending that amount of time in close proximity was very difficult. Tensions ran high and people found themselves in the house all the time with their spouse, without the social release they could turn to beforehand.”

How have divorce proceedings changed as a result of the pandemic?

“From March 2020 through to the summer, there were huge delays, with some divorces taking 50 weeks at one stage. However, now everything has settled and more have access to the online system, the divorce process is much quicker. We have experienced divorces taking three to four months for the first time in many years where there are limited financial matters to be resolved or separating couples have reached an agreement, in one case, with the Christmas break intervening.

“Financial and children matters are mostly conducted remotely, either over the phone or via a video call; some are still carried out in person, particularly final hearings if evidence is required as the quality is better face to face. This is definitely more efficient and streamlined – you don’t have to travel to court and whereas previously, there would be a block list of several hearings from 10am, now you’re given a time for your remote hearing.”

With the negative impact Covid-19 has had on the economy, is now a good time to get divorced?

“Many people may have found themselves in a financially less advantageous position as a result of the pandemic – they may have been placed on furlough, for example, or their businesses could have suffered. However, the court is really mindful of people’s circumstances and the financial impact of the pandemic; every case is different and turns on its own individual facts, so it’s important to seek advice tailored to you.”

Prominent Black Lives Matter activist Sasha Johnson is critically ill after being shot in the head, her party says. The Taking the Initiative Party said she was being treated in intensive care after the attack in the early hours of Sunday.

The 27-year-old has life-threatening injuries following the shooting on Consort Road, in Peckham, south London. A vigil was held in Ruskin Park, close to King's College Hospital where Ms Jackson is being treated.

Well-wishers played African drums and prayed for Ms Johnson to pull through. One speaker told the crowd: "In every community there are good eggs and bad eggs and we have to make sure those bad eggs are held accountable for their actions.

"Because it's not acceptable for those bad eggs to be attacking our warriors - be they male or female. Warriors who are out there every day without pay working for our families, working for our communities."

Police said at this stage there was no evidence the attack was targeted.

Detectives added that there was currently nothing to suggest the shooting victim had received any credible threats against her, and have appealed for witnesses. They have not confirmed her identity.

A friend of Ms Johnson, Imarn Ayton, said doctors had carried out surgery on her fellow activist, which had gone well and she was with her parents. She added that Ms Johnson had been at a party or gathering when she was injured but she did not believe that she was the intended victim.

"As far as I am aware... this incident is more related to rival gangs as opposed to her activism," Ms Ayton said. Detectives from the Met's Specialist Crime Command have been investigating at the scene and the surrounding area and are pursuing a number of lines of inquiry.

It is believed the shooting happened near a house where a party was taking place and a number of people may have been in the area, a Met Police statement said. The Taking the Initiative Party said the attack followed "numerous death threats".

Det Ch Insp Jimi Tele said: "This was a shocking incident that has left a young woman with very serious injuries. Our thoughts are with her family who are being provided with support at this terribly difficult time."

He added: "If you saw anything suspicious in the Consort Road area in the early hours of Sunday morning, or if you have heard information since that could help detectives, it is crucial that you get in touch."

There's only a week left of a national campaign - Local Shop Hero - to identify members of the public who have supported local businesses the most through the lockdowns of the past year.

The nationwide campaign, by the shop local platform ShopAppy.com, is inviting local businesses around the UK to nominate individuals that have helped them since the pandemic began, and judges will be selecting the top 3 nominations at the end of May — and sending them a thank you gift on behalf of all local businesses. Whether it has been customers continuing to shop local or promoting the plight of local businesses, volunteering to deliver local goods or supporting them when they've reopened, local communities have provided a lifeline to local shops around the UK and helped boost their morale.

Dr Jackie Mulligan, Leader of the Local Shop Hero campaign, High Street Taskforce expert and Founder of ShopAppy, explains: “This is the first chance for high streets around the UK to thank the people that have helped pull them through the worst trading environment in generations, and for us to identify the country's top 3 Local Shop Heroes. Local businesses adapted to the pandemic to continue to support their communities during the many cruel months of the past year or so.

“However, many of our businesses have mentioned their faithful customers who have helped them through these dire months. We want to champion these individuals who, perhaps unknowingly, have changed the fate of many of these businesses."

For Delia Prudence, owner of The Art Room in Scarborough, the support has extended to receiving gifts: “I have missed our customers so much over the past year and they clearly missed us, as one of my most loyal customers popped in on reopening day in April with a bottle of Prosecco and that kind gesture meant so much to me.”

Nick Trott of Stillmans Butchers in Taunton also believes his customers have been a fantastic help: “Our customers and friends have kept supporting us throughout the past year and were really patient as we adapted to new ways of working during the various lockdowns.” Meanwhile, beauty spa owner Amanda Allen of Heavenly Sensations in Kirkcaldy provided pamper packages for her customers during lockdown as well as ‘buy now, enjoy later’ vouchers.

She has found that many customers have refused to redeem them, being more eager for her to use the cash to ensure her business stayed in business: “I have seen such kindness and that has made me feel happier and more confident about the future. That has really pulled me through the worst of it.”

The rise in positive sentiment towards local businesses was first identified in research commissioned by Visa in late 2020, which showed that over half of Brits surveyed (54%) say it’s important to them to shop locally because they know how much their custom means, while 43% say they get a boost of happiness when they support local shopkeepers. This quest for the nation’s top three local shop heroes will confirm that this positive sentiment is very much a “a two-way thing.” Dr Mulligan adds:

“As things start to return to some kind of normal, we hope local communities remember how important their support is to local businesses and most of all that shopping local is for life, not just for lockdown." Local businesses can nominate their shop local hero by visiting ShopAppy.com/local-shop-hero and completing the short nomination form.

Deadline for nomintions is May 28, with announcements on the top 3 national Local Shop Heroes in early June.

Vehicle accidents on UK roads have fallen by 30% since Covid-19 struck and the UK was forced into lockdown for the first time, according to research by car leasing comparison website LeaseLoco. The number of people killed in vehicle accidents has fallen by a fifth during the pandemic, while the number of people seriously injured has dropped by 30%.

LeaseLoco submitted a Freedom of Information (FOI) request to all UK police authorities, asking for data on vehicle accidents, for the periods March 2019 to February 2020 and March 2020 to February 2021. Police forces were asked to provide the total number of recorded vehicle accidents, fatalities and serious injuries during these two 12-month periods.

The figures revealed that Scotland Police recorded the biggest drop in vehicle accidents, with 45% fewer accidents recorded between March 20 - Feb 21 than March 19 - Feb 20. Thames Valley police force saw a 38% drop in vehicle accidents, while accidents recorded by the West Midlands police authority fell 37%. 

Across all police forces that responded, road accidents fell between 14% and 45%, as the country was plunged into lockdown three times from March 20 to Feb 21. This is not altogether surprising, as the Government told people to work from home and ordered everyone not to travel and stay local. As a result, cars have sat idle on driveways for long periods of time since March 2020 and roads have been quieter.

However, considering the reduced amount of traffic on the roads, reported vehicle accidents haven’t fallen as much as might have been expected, in some police authorities. For example, in Kent and Cleveland, accidents have fallen 15% and 14% respectively, during the pandemic.

The following table shows the ten UK police authorities that have seen the biggest drops in car accidents on UK roads during the pandemic.

Fatalities and Serious injuries

The number of people killed in vehicle accidents on UK roads during the pandemic fell by 20%. Durham (67%), Suffolk (60%) and Warwickshire Police (50%) reported significantly fewer fatalities - at least 50% - across the period March 20 to Feb 21, compared to the previous 12 months.

Three police forces - Kent, Cambridgeshire and Thames Valley - actually recorded more road fatalities during the pandemic, than the year before Covid-19 struck. Fatalities on Kent roads increased to 58 in the year since the first lockdown, compared to 40 during the previous 12 months. Durham Police recorded the sharpest drop in serious injuries, down 77% for the 12 months since the first lockdown. Leicestershire was the only police force to record more serious injuries between March 20 and Feb 21 vs the preceding 12 months - 269 vs 265.

John Wilmot, CEO ofLeaseLoco, comments: “Since the end of March 2020, the country has been plunged into lockdown three times. During each of those lockdowns, people were asked to stay at home and if they went out to stay local.

“Cars weren’t used and most roads across the country were quieter, which makes it a little surprising that the decrease in the number of accidents, fatalities and serious injuries on UK roads wasn't greater. The reality is that although roads were quieter during lockdown, as restrictions were eased we saw a surge of traffic on the roads as people were keen to take advantage of their new-found freedom. 

“This could have contributed to a spike in accidents and the same could happen again over the summer with millions of people choosing to take their holidays in the UK this year. There is a danger we could see more accidents than normal over the coming months as the roads become clogged with traffic. We would always advise people to inspect their car before a long journey, and that means checking the tyres, brakes and lights.

“It’s especially important to carry out a thorough check if your car has been sitting idle more than normal over the past few months.”

You could see for miles that hate has no place in Sandwell, as the Smethwick sky burst into rainbows of light to mark International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia. The spectacular display at Lightwoods House was arranged by Councillor Richard Jones. Cllr Jones and his partner Cllr Richard McVittie were joined by members of Sandwell’s LBTGQ+ community for a candle-lit vigil. 

Cllr Jones said: “I thought a borough as diverse as Sandwell should shows its support for diversity and refusal to give in to hate.

“We kept numbers manageable and within government guidelines, so everyone stayed safe, but we made sure the message went out loud and clear. There’s no place for hate in Sandwell. Richard and I have both faced homophobia because of who we love, but we’re resolved to fight it and make sure that no-one growing up in Sandwell faces hate or discrimination because of what they are.” 

Sandwell Council raised the rainbow flag at the Council House in Oldbury to mark the day. 

Deputy council leader Cllr Maria Crompton said: “It’s a tragic and chilling fact that four in five anti-LGBT hate crimes and incidents go unreported, with younger LGBT people particularly reluctant to go to the police.

“That can’t continue, and that’s why Sandwell Council works with the police, partners and our borough’s wonderful LGBT community to fight fear wherever we find it.” Sandwell also has a network of third-party reporting centres, for anyone who doesn’t want to report any hate crimes, including on grounds of sexual identity, to the police or a formal body such as the council.

Relatives or friends of a man who passed away recently are being asked to get in touch with the City of Wolverhampton Council so that his funeral can be arranged.

David Hackman, who was 44, had been living in the Pennfields area of Wolverhampton. It is believed that he was originally from either Liberia or Ghana.

Anyone who is related to Mr Hackman, or has any information which may help trace his relatives, is asked to please call Protection and Funerals Officer Diane Washbrook on 07967 769826 or email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. as soon as possible.

The winners of a ‘Dragons’ Den’ style competition to help local communities build back better have been announced.

In February, the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) launched the Community Recovery Innovation Challenge, which offered anyone with innovative ideas to help local areas recover from the effects of the pandemic support, worth a total of £55,000. Out of over 130 entries the three winners have been announced and each will receive up to £15,000 worth of tailored support to help them take their project to the next stage of development.

Andy Street, the Mayor of the West Midlands said: “Whilst we know how critical it is to get our region’s economy motoring again and get people who have fallen out of employment back into work, we must also make sure that communities are at the heart of our post-pandemic recovery.

“That’s why we launched the Community Recovery Innovation Challenge to help support some of the best ideas, and we have been incredibly impressed by some of the plans people have to support their local communities.

Congratulations to our winners and the 20 runners up who are all developing exciting and innovative ways to support their communities recover from the effects of the pandemic, and I look forward to seeing all these projects develop over the coming weeks and months.” The successful projects were chosen for their potential to address at least one of 12 categories including debt, domestic violence, mental health and support for grassroots culture, art and sport.

One of the three winning projects is husband and wife duo Mandeep and Prabs Johal of Wolverhampton who are planning a series of pop-up neighbourhood fitness hubs in the city’s parks and green spaces to tackle low levels of physical activity. Wolverhampton has the lowest level of activity across the West Midlands and the project aims to tackle this threat to health.

Prabs said: “Our project aims to empower local communities to live healthy and active lifestyles and increase access to fitness activities within small neighbourhoods, overcoming barriers of people having to travel out to fitness centres. We are passionate about societal transformation and with the funding we aim to deliver projects that see local communities thrive - especially as we build back from the pandemic.”

Also winning a package of support is Baby Aid Birmingham (BAB) a baby bank, which operates like a food bank by providing emergency support in the form of essentials such as baby food, clothes, toiletries, and equipment. BAB set up at the start of March 2020, due to the pandemic, but as the need is still high, they are looking to expand their service.

The third winner is the Birmingham Playhouse who propose to run a programme of storytellers in-residence in early years settings. The project aims to support the bridging of the attainment gap which has been increased by Covid due to the disruption to children's development in early years settings.

In addition, 20 runners up will receive awards worth £500 each to support their projects. The winners and runners up were all invited to an innovation masterclass which was held to help them figure out the next steps in turning their ideas into reality. The masterclass was organised by the Combined Authority in partnership with Power To Change, which supports community businesses in England, and started with an opening statement from the Mayor. Ailbhe McNabola, director of Policy at Power to Change said "We're delighted to be hosting this masterclass to support so many innovative groups to take action in their local area. Community action has been at the heart of tackling the pandemic, and it'll be at the heart of the recovery because local people know what is most needed."

The competition is one of the activities being organised by the West Midlands Recovery Coordination Group, which was formed in June 2020 to address the wider social and community issues arising from the pandemic and to identify the steps towards recovery. In November 2020 the group produced a Community Recovery Roadmap following input from communities. It set out the challenges faced by the region but also the imaginative ways that communities have started to build resilience during the pandemic. Many of the examples of good practice were immediate responses to the crisis, and some have the potential to help the region build back better in the long term.

Councillor Maria Crompton, WMCA portfolio lead for public service reform and social economy, and deputy leader of Sandwell Council said: “The pandemic has taken its toll on our region and our communities have suffered, but this competition will help empower our communities to boost our region. There have been some creative ideas put forward and I’m excited to watch their progress over the next few months.”

The 20 runners up are:

·         Youth Enterprise, Birmingham

·         Unitopia, Solihull

·         The Garden of Hope, Coventry

·         Savitri 2021-2, Birmingham

·         Refugee digital inclusion, Wolverhampton

·         Reading with Confidence, Birmingham

·         Play Attention, Birmingham

·         Phoenix Inspiration -Young Writer’s Development Programme, Walsall

·         Online Music Resources, Solihull

·         Nourish Social, Solihull

·         Friends of Georges Park, Birmingham

·         Empowering the next generation through the arts and mental well-being, Birmingham

·         Getting Through This, Birmingham

·         Core Skill, Birmingham

·         Community Orchard Project, Birmingham

·         Chatter Bus, Walsall

·         Bouncing Back Together, Birmingham

·         Birmingham Energy Initiative - Educating Energy, Warwickshire / Warwick

·         Aspiring Black Lawyers, Birmingham

·         #YourMindMatter- Be Mental Health Inclusive, Birmingham

Worcester City Council has kindly gifted a commemorative bench to Midlands Air Ambulance Charity to mark its 30^th year in operation.

The Mayor or Worcester, Councillor Jo Hodges, presented the bench on May 17 to flight doctors, Dr David Freeman and Dr Katie White and critical care paramedic, Ben Jones, who work on-board the lifesaving helicopters and critical care cars. The bench has been located outside Guildhall and features a personalised plaque for locals to appreciate and reflect on the lifesaving work of the charity.

Dr David Freeman, who initiated talks with the Council about the bench, said: “I’m so pleased Midlands Air Ambulance Charity was able to be recognised for its lifesaving work in the city centre. After 30 years, the charity has saved countless lives across Worcestershire and the wider Midlands region, and I’m sure locals will enjoy having this bench in their area which honours the charity’s fantastic work.”

Councillor Jo Hodges, Mayor of Worcester said: “Midlands Air Ambulance Charity provides a crucial service in our area, saving many lives which would have been cruelly cut short without their rapid intervention. I know just how popular and appreciated this charity is, from talking to Worcester residents across the years. I am delighted to unveil a commemorative bench in this, my final week as Mayor of Worcester.”

Emma Gray, chief operating officer for Midlands Air Ambulance Charity, said: “In the past year alone, 30 per cent of Midlands Air Ambulance Charity’s operations have been in Worcestershire, so we are delighted that Worcester City Council chose to mark our momentous occasion with this bench.

“As well as the air ambulance at our Strensham airbase, Worcester residents also benefit from one of our two critical care cars operating in their local area, responding to time-critical medical emergencies. As our charity receives no Government or NHS Charities Together funding, we could not continue to operate our service without the support of the public. This bench will mark Worcester locals’ support over the last 30 years, of which we are so grateful for.”

Midlands Air Ambulance serves the largest air ambulance region in the UK. This includes the communities of Gloucestershire, Herefordshire, Shropshire, Staffordshire, West Midlands and Worcestershire; representing a population in excess of six million.

Councillor Greg Brackenridge was elected as the 162nd Mayor of Wolverhampton at their May 19 full council meeting.

Councillor Brackenridge, who was first elected to City of Wolverhampton Council in 1996 and represents the Wednesfield South ward, has made his motto for the year: “Unity is strength. We are greater than the sum of our parts, we achieve more when we work together than we could ever achieve alone.”

He has been Deputy Mayor for the past two years. He will replace Councillor Claire Darke as the city’s first citizen. The Mayoress for 2021/2022 will be Councillor Brackenridge’s wife, Sureena Brackenridge. They have three children, Ciaran, Eashan and Laura.

Councillor Brackenridge represents Wolverhampton as Chair of the West Midlands Fire Authority. He also serves on the Local Government Association National Fire Services Management Committee and the National Joint Council for fire and rescue services and is currently Chair of the Fire Safety Scrutiny panel.

He said: “It is an honour to be elected mayor of the city in which I was born and raised and has always been my home.

“Wolverhampton is diverse with people from around the world making our city their home, all religions are represented and a myriad of languages spoken. This is one of our key strengths.

“Our citizens are stoic, determined and welcoming. I promise to celebrate this diversity and support all communities in any way I can to the best of my ability at all times.” In line with tradition, Councillor Brackenridge has selected good causes which he will raise money for over the year.

His chosen good causes are Alternative Giving CIO; The Regimental Association, The Staffordshire Regiment (Prince of Wales’); and The Wolves Foundation. Councillor Sandra Samuels OBE was elected Deputy Mayor at last night’s meeting.

Her consort is her husband, Karl Samuels.

14 ‘Hometown Heroes’ have been unveiled by Birmingham 2022 ahead of next year’s Commonwealth Games in a campaign celebrating and recognising the diversity of the of the UK’s second city and the wider West Midlands.

Made up of coaches, managers, umpires and fundraisers, who have dedicated their lives to grassroots sport in the region, each ‘Hometown Hero’ will be profiled on the Birmingham 2022’s website and social media platforms and will receive a special glass award to mark their achievement.

Amongst those chosen is boxing coach Haseebah Abdullah, who coaches at Windmill Boxing Gym in Smethwick, who was chosen for developing female participation in the sport. is honoured for developing female participation in the sport, having also played a huge role in changing official dress code rules to allow women to wear a headscarf and full-length clothing.

Also honoured are Naseem Akhtar, who has spent more than 20 years encouraging thousands of women in inner city Birmingham to transform their lives through physical activity.

Having played a huge role in changing official dress code rules to allow women to wear a headscarf and full-length clothing, she set-up The Young Sahelis, a club for girls aged 14 to 25, as well as the Saheli running and cycling clubs.

“It feels absolutely amazing to have been selected as a Hometown Hero,” she said, “My aim has always been to provide a service, a home, a safe haven and a platform for equality in my sport and community.”

Kevin Dillon is head coach at Lions Amateur Boxing Club in Brierley Hill. He is recognised for his work despite being visually-impaired having contracted meningitis as a child.

He launched a podcast called ‘Black Country Blokes’, which covers the struggles and successes that men experience, with topics such as mental and physical health, fitness, work and family life, aiming to remove the stigma around taboo subjects.

Birmingham 2022 chief executive Ian Reid said: “I'm in awe of our 14 Hometown Heroes.

“Their generosity to their club, whether that's giving up their time or just being a listening ear, is inspiring. Shining the spotlight on these devoted individuals will no doubt encourage participation in sport and physical activity across the West Midlands.”

The other Hometown Heroes include: Salma Bi (coach, umpire and fundraiser, and director of Sporting Pathways, Birmingham), Jeevan Chagger (chairman, coach and umpire at City of Birmingham Hockey Club), Ricardo D’Alva (coach at City of Birmingham Rockets Basketball Club), Kirsty Davie (team manager and coach at Birmingham Moseley Women’s RFC), Dave Heeley (runner and charity fundraiser, West Bromwich), Joan Hunter (coach at University of Birmingham Netball Club), Steve Mroso (coach and team manager at Team Birmingham Elite Basketball Club), Yasmin Nessa (co-founder of Saltley Stallions Women’s Football Club), Kevin Redmond (coach at Solihull Moors FC Ability Counts), Sarah Scanlon (umpire at Ernesford Grange Netball Club, Coventry) and Ranjit Singh (coach at Wolverhampton Wrestling Club).