Community News

Colors: Blue Color

At the turn of the year, staff and volunteers at St Giles Hospice, in the West Midlands, have been on a high after receiving an ‘Outstanding’ rating from the Care Quality Commission (CQC) – the independent regulator of health and social care services in England.

St Giles Hospice, which provides individually-tailored care both on-site and in patients’ own homes, is one of just a handful of hospices to ever have been awarded the highest possible accolade.

Under the new CQC inspection regime, hospices are also subject to the same level of scrutiny as hospitals, making this ‘Outstanding’ rating incredibly special. 

Publishing the full report on its website, the CQC praised St Giles for its “compassionate” range of speciality services.

Inspectors highlighted how staff treated patients, families and their carers with dignity and kindness, stating: ‘People were truly respected and valued as individuals. They were empowered as partners in their care, practically and emotionally, by an exceptional and distinctive service’.

Jo Maidment, Chair of Trustees at St Giles Hospice, said: “We know that our staff and volunteers strive to deliver outstanding care every day, but to have this acknowledged by the CQC is truly wonderful and a very exciting start to 2020!

“On behalf of our Senior Management Team and Board of Trustees, I would like to say a massive thank you and congratulations to each and every member of our St Giles family.”

Helping more than 7,000 people a year facing the challenges associated with a potentially terminal illness, St Giles staff was also commended for aiming to “make every day meaningful for people who used the service” and “consistently displaying determination and creativity” in delivering care.

Chief Executive of St Giles Hospice, Emma Hodges, said: “This fantastic achievement is testament to the hard work, compassion and unwavering commitment of our staff, volunteers and not forgetting, our loyal supporters – without whom this would not have been possible.”

“We’re outstanding, because you’re outstanding!”

A new road in the West Midlands has been named after a popular former city Mayor.

Elias Mattu Avenue, in Graiseley, in Wolverhampton, was officially opened as a tribute to the ex-Councillor who died in February 2018.

At the time of his death, aged 59, Cllr Mattu was the serving Mayor of Wolverhampton.

The new road is situated in the heart of the Graiseley neighbourhood where Cllr Mattu had lived ever since he moved from India to England aged nine. He went on to represent the area as a ward councillor for almost 20 years.

His widow, Asha Mattu, who is now also a Graiseley councillor, joined the current Mayor, Cllr Claire Darke and others to open the road today. 

Cllr Mattu said: “We are very proud and honoured to have a road named after Elias in the ward that he served for almost 20 years. We are also grateful to the City of Wolverhampton Council for making this possible.”

Mayor of Wolverhampton, Cllr Claire Darke, said: “I know what an honour it is to be Mayor and I know that Elias was so proud to be the first citizen of the city which he moved to as a boy and which became his home and where he raised his family. 

“Tragically, his year in office was cut short by illness, but I remember how he fought on for as long as he could despite rapidly failing health. Elias Mattu Avenue is a lasting memorial to a very special person and I was honoured to be able to join his widow Asha to officially open it.”

Council leader, Cllr Ian Brookfield, said: “Elias was a great man, a friend to so many of us and a dedicated councillor who cared deeply for the people of his ward and the city. Having a road named after him, right in the heart of his beloved Graiseley, is a fitting tribute to someone who we will never forget."

Elias Mattu Avenue is part of a 77-home development being built by contractors, Vistry Partnerships, on the site of the former Tower and Works factory.

The site was derelict before construction got underway, but in its heyday it was the home of leading car builder Clyno as well as record-breaking motorbike manufacturer A. J. Stevens & Co.

Local charity John Taylor Hospice has achieved the Investing in Volunteers Quality Standard in recognition of the excellent work the charity does with volunteers.

The hospice, which provides care for families across the West Midlands, was assessed against a range of best practice standards and proved to excel in all aspects of working with its volunteers.

Investing in Volunteers is the leading UK quality standard for all organisations involving volunteers – aimed at improving the quality of their experience and acknowledging the enormous contribution made by people who give their time voluntarily.

Mark Jones, head of community engagement and volunteering at John Taylor Hospice, said: “Investing in Volunteers is a standard focusing on four areas – planning for involvement, recruitment, selecting and matching people, and supporting and retaining volunteers.

“We are delighted to receive this accreditation and will be displaying our certificate and plaque in the hospice with pride. We are incredibly grateful to people who gift their time to help local families and their support has a huge impact. Not only do volunteers provide much-needed practical support for staff, patients and their loved ones but they offer friendship and enthusiasm while contributing valuable skills and experience.”

From driving patients to and from the day hospice, working in charity shops, maintaining the gardens, meeting and greeting visitors in reception and acting as community ambassadors – volunteers are an integral part of the John Taylor Hospice team.

Mark added: “In a recent survey of hospice volunteers 100% of people said they enjoyed volunteering and 100% said they would recommend John Taylor Hospice as a place to volunteer which was wonderful to hear. We would love to grow our team even further and we have exciting plans for the future so, if you would like to be a part of this, we would love to hear from you.”

Next time you are returning a book to your local library, why not also return an unwanted DIY, gardening or crafting tool?

Central, Pendeford, East Park and Spring Vale libraries are acting as collection points for good quality tools – from decorating equipment, leaf blowers, ladders and power tools to sewing machines and trowels.

The tools will form part of All Saints Action Network’s Tool Library and be free to borrow for people who live and work in the All Saints area of Wolverhampton.

Councillor Harman Banger, the City of Wolverhampton Council’s Cabinet Member for City Economy, said: “We are pleased to be working with All Saints Action Network to support the recycling and re-use of unwanted, good quality, tools and through that helping people to improve their homes and gardens in an affordable and sustainable manner.”

Shobha Asar-Paul, Chief Officer of All Saints Action Network, added: “This is a great way to support the local community and help reduce household consumption and waste. De-clutter your shed, kitchen and garage to help reduce waste and support the re-use of items.”

It’s free to join Wolverhampton’s libraries. For more information, please visit www.wolverhampton.gov.uk/libraries.

RSPCA officers spent two hours trying to corner, confine and rescue a feisty fox with a plastic bottle stuck on his head.

Animal collection officers Adam McConkey and Victoria Hurr were called to Grove School in Dawson Road, Birmingham, on Wednesday (12 February) after families spotted the frightened fox in a bit of a pickle.

Victoria said: “The large 2litre bottle was missing the narrow neck so the fox had managed to push his head inside the cavity and got it stuck. Goodness knows how long he’d been like that but if he hadn’t have been spotted he would have died from dehydration and starvation, or could have even been hit and killed by a vehicle.

“He was very distressed and confused but still gave us the run-around! It took us two hours before we were able to get him out from underneath a cabin, corner him and get him onto a grasper so we could safely remove the bottle.

“Thankfully, he wasn’t injured so we released him there and then and he scarpered happily off into the undergrowth.”

The RSPCA is called to around 5,000 incidents every year regarding animals and litter – with hundreds of incidents of animals caught up in plastic litter.

Adam said: “We’ve seen a huge rise in the number of incidents of wild animals being injured or trapped due to plastic litter.

“We see seals with plastic stuck around their necks causing deep lacerations and wounds; we see wildlife with plastic and glass jars stuck over their heads or plastic taping wrapped around their bodies; we see birds with plastic fishing wire wrapped around their legs cutting off the blood circulation.

“It’s so important to cut down on the amount of plastic waste we’re using and to ensure our litter is properly disposed of so animals don’t pay the price for our waste.”

Tributes have been paid to long-serving City of Wolverhampton Councillor Peter Bilson, who sadly passed away at Russells Hall Hospital on Saturday following a period of illness. He was 66.

Councillor Bilson, who was a councillor for the Bushbury South and Low Hill ward, was first elected in 1982 and had served Wolverhampton for nearly four decades.

He was the Deputy Leader of the Council and the Cabinet Member for City Assets and Housing, and proud to serve as Mayor of Wolverhampton at the turn of the Millennium when city status was granted.

He was also a huge Wolverhampton Wanderers fan, being a season ticket holder for many years.

Leader of the Council, Councillor Ian Brookfield, led tributes to Councillor Bilson, saying he left behind a “great legacy of public service”.

He said: “This tragic news comes as a huge blow to everyone who was lucky enough to know and work with Councillor Bilson.

“He was devoted to the City of Wolverhampton and its residents which is shown by nearly four decades of public service.

“He played an instrumental role in the ongoing regeneration of the city and his work to improve housing in Wolverhampton, through the Decent Homes programme, the redevelopment of the Heath Town estate and with the council-owned housing company, WV Living.

“He also played a key role in our ongoing work to tackle homelessness and rough sleeping.

“As we come to terms with this sad news our thoughts are with his family and friends at this difficult time.”

Originally employed as a firefighter, then as a Trade Union Official, Councillor Bilson went on to serve as the Chair of the Regional Fire Authority (WMFCDA) for six years before becoming the Millennium Mayor of Wolverhampton for 1999-2000.

Chief Executive of the City of Wolverhampton Council Tim Johnson said: “Councillor Bilson had a wealth of experience of involvement in various roles in Local Government, the Fire Service and the Voluntary and Community Sector, over a period spanning many years.

“He was an extremely supportive councillor who cared passionately about doing his best for Wolverhampton and those who live here.

“His work over the years has been recognised nationally and he will be greatly missed by the people he served and staff alike.”

Councillor Bilson also previously chaired a number of multi-agency and other community and business organisations including the Board of Directors of the Grand Theatre, a city-wide Millennium Working Party and the Wolverhampton City Centre Company.

Councillor Bilson leaves behind a wife, Nicky, and two children, James and Emma. Funeral arrangements will be announced at a later date.

Midlands Air Ambulance Charity’s Strensham airbase, located in Worcestershire, has received an extensive refurbishment and extension to include larger aircrew facilities and a dedicated education and training area.

In line with the charity’s commitment to continuously improving its pre-hospital patient care offering, the new building now includes a brand new training room.

Hanna Sebright, chief executive for Midlands Air Ambulance Charity, explains why a new training room was required. “As a progressive charity we are always looking for efficient and effective ways to develop our operations. At our Strensham airbase, due to irreparable weather damage to our stand-alone education and training centre in 2018, we made the strategic decision to combine our aircrew accommodation building with a new fit-for-purpose facility and training room for the community and education purposes.

“The training area allows the specialist clinicians to undertake theoretical and practical simulations in a larger and more suitable environment, helping them to continually develop their skills to support patient care.”

A carport was also built for the charity’s rapid response vehicle and Worcester-based cardiac car. This means the aircrew do not have to de-ice the cars in the winter, and provides cover during the daily vehicle and kit checks. Works to the hangar included a specialist gel coating painted to the walls and roof, which allows natural movement of the hangar without joint leakage.

Funding for the £200,000 renovation, which took seven weeks to complete, was partly funded by donations from the public and by a grant from the HELP Appeal – the only charity in the country dedicated to funding hospital and air ambulance base helipads.

Robert Bertram, chief executive for the HELP Appeal, states: “We are delighted to have been able to make a further donation to the Midlands Air Ambulance Charity to help fund a larger aircrew facility. Also having a new carport protecting its emergency responder vehicles from freezing weather, will mean that the vehicles will be ready to respond to an incident immediately, which will save time and save lives.”

The build was completed by Redditch-based contractors DES Build, using Wernick module buildings, following design and build consultancy from Lambert Smith Hampton.

For more information on Midlands Air Ambulance Charity and how you can support the lifesaving service, visit www.midlandsairambulance.com, find Midlands Air Ambulance Charity on social media, or call the team on 0800 8 40 20 40.

Young eco-warriors from St Anthony's Catholic Primary School in Wolverhampton have been investigating the importance of recycling - with a little help from a friendly giraffe.

They have temporarily adopted the mesh giraffe for a challenge set by the British Ironwork Centre in Oswestry to collect recyclable bottle tops.

John Taylor Hospice is asking fundraisers to host their own Big Brummie Bake sale on Friday 3 April and raise money for people living with a terminal illness.

The hospice is encouraging people to get together with friends, family or colleagues and hold a bake sale or coffee morning – with every penny raised helping to provide end of life care for people across the West Midlands.

Ther City of Wolverhampton Council has created a citizens’ assembly to help shape Wolverhampton’s response to climate change.

Following the council’s declaration of a climate emergency last year, a commitment was made to produce a climate change strategy which details how the council will reduce its CO2 levels to zero by 2028.

Scores of families turned out to enjoy a morning of activities inspired by the popular book, We’re Going on a Bear Hunt.

The event at Graiseley Strengthening Families Hub on Tuesday (11 February, 2020), was organised by the National Literacy Trust and the City of Wolverhampton Council, and was the first to be held by the city’s new Pop Up Literacy Hub, which will support families and young children to gain the literacy skills they need in life.

Children had the opportunity to hear the much-loved children’s picture book by Michael Rosen brought to life for them by professional storyteller Steve Stickley – and also enjoyed a welly walk and their very own bear hunt around the nearby Graiseley Park.

Inside, children enjoyed a range of craft, sensory activities and rhyme time activities, while youngsters were given their own copy of We’re Going on a Bear Hunt, along with a soft bear, to enable them to recreate the fun and develop a love of reading at home.

Tuesday’s event was one of four organised by the National Literacy Trust across the Black Country this month. It is working with all four local councils, early years professionals and health professionals to introduce Pop-up Literacy Hubs in Wolverhampton, Walsall, Sandwell and Dudley which will support families and young children to further develop the literacy skills they need in life.

The National Literacy Trust is also providing training for early years professionals and giving advice to share with local families. Through the National Literacy Trust settings will be receive training regarding ways to further develop good communication, language and literacy skills.  Families will be provided with information, support and practical tips to use at home.

These activities are all part of a new early years vision to improve the support for children living in areas at the highest risk of low literacy.

Local Hub Manager for the National Literacy Trust, Gaganpreet Basra, said: “We are excited to be launching our first four Pop-up Hubs in the Black Country, and we were delighted to welcome so many families to our event at Graiseley Strengthening Families Hub on Tuesday.”

Councillor Dr Michael Hardacre, the City of Wolverhampton Council’s Cabinet Member for Education and Skills, said: “Lacking vital literacy skills can hold a person back at every stage of their life, and we are pleased to be working with the National Literacy Trust on this exciting project which will help young children and families across the city to develop their literacy skills at an early age.”

Volunteering opportunities are available to people who can spare a few hours and would like to join two City of Wolverhampton Council teams who support children and young people.

Drivers with their own vehicles are being encouraged to join the Children and Family Support Volunteers, who transport children and young people to and from school and adults to day services in and around the city.

To help parents keep kids entertained throughout the February half term holidays, Pets at Home is once again offering its fun and free interactive My Pet Pals workshops, every day in stores from 11.30am, plus there’s a free bag of wild bird seed with every workshop booking.

The woodland themed workshops will be hosted by the friendly and knowledgable pet care advisors and offer fun-filled activities to help children learn how to care for wild birds, hedgehogs and small furry pets including guinea pigs and hamsters.

Children will have the chance to take part in interactive games, meet the small furry residents and complete a fun activity booklet based on what they have learnt. At the end of the session, children will be awarded stickers and a certificate in a goody box.

The workshops are aimed at children between the ages of 5-11 and will take place throughout February half term in stores across West Midlands at 11.30 am and will last for approximately half an hour.

Kerry Boulton, store manager at the Pets at Home Oldbury store, said: “Our free My Pet Pals workshops continue to be a big hit with local families. They’re a great way for parents and children to learn the importance of animal welfare and how we can all care for local wildlife. Our expert pet care advisors tailor the workshops to ensure they are fun, interactive and educational.”

The workshops will also cover the five key welfare needs for small furries including shelter, food, water, good health, appropriate company and the right living environment.

The free workshops will run every day during the February half-term school holidays and bookings can be made at petsathome.com/petworkshops.

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