Community News

Research by the UK’s leading online spare parts retailer, eSpares, has found that Brummies are better than residents from Wolverhampton at saving money and protecting the environment by fixing household appliances. In fact, the survey found Wolverhampton to be the joint-worst city in the UK at disposing of broken appliances and buying new, alongside Newcastle. The results come as part of a national survey, which identified that a staggering 75% of Brits don’t attempt to fix broken appliances themselves.

Over a third of Birmingham residents who fix broken appliances themselves said their main motivation to do so was because they ‘enjoy fixing things’. Conversely, of those in Wolverhampton who dispose of household appliances, more than half say it was because they believe it’s ‘not cost effective’ to fix broken appliances.

“Birmingham has come out top in the Midlands rivalry this time, with Wolverhampton having the highest broken appliance rate in the UK,” commented Ad Casey, head of brand at eSpares. “Unfortunately, as a nation, drastic behavioural change is needed towards broken household appliances. That step can only be made if the support is there to give householders the confidence and knowledge to fix repairable appliances.”

Casey continued: “With this in mind, we’ve launched our #FixFirst campaign – a national initiative that provides householders with all the information they need to fix appliances themselves. It also helps consumers to protect the environment, save money and enjoy the satisfaction that comes from fixing things themselves.”

Statistics from Europe show that if the UK fixed just 10% more of perfectly repairable appliances, the nation would save an estimated 100,000 tonnes of waste electrical and electronic equipment from being thrown away.

To help encourage the UK population to #FixFirst, the eSpares Advice Centre has more than 500 ‘how to’ tutorial videos, 700 repair articles and 9,000 manufacturer appliance manuals, all supported by an inventory of a million spare parts ready for next day delivery.

Halesowen-based IT services company, EBC Group, was awarded with social responsibility recognition at Midlands Air Ambulance Charity’s Recognition Awards and Charity Ball.

The event took place at The Vox Conference Centre in Resorts World in Birmingham, and was an evening of celebration of those who selflessly give to the charity.

During a fabulous evening of entertainment, the charity recognised some of the aircrew, volunteers, fundraisers and supporters who went above and beyond over the last 12 months.

Sponsored by Unity 4, the social responsibility award went to EBC Group, which has been one of MAAC’s corporate partners since 2013, raising over £35,000.

The company has sponsored several events including the Corporate Golf Day and Charity Ball, and organised their own Race Day’s to raise funds.

EBC’s employees have hosted fundraisers in the office and taken part in challenges such as Bear Grylls Survival Weekend and the longest zipwire, and even volunteered in our charity shops.

The ceremony was hosted by actor and TV personality Will Mellor, and radio presenter Ed James. A host of famous faces including Paul Chuckle and Sally Bee presented the awards before a live auction to raise further funds for the charity.

The event will help to fund 34 lifesaving air ambulance missions, and 31 critical care car missions.

Emma Gray, fundraising and marketing director for Midlands Air Ambulance Charity, said: “Our recognition awards are a wonderful way to show our thanks to our supporters, aircrew and volunteers who have gone above and beyond over recent years.

“EBC Group is a trusted supporter, fundraiser and supplier to the charity, and this award is a small symbol of our gratitude for their passion, hard work and dedication.”

City of Wolverhampton Council is set to declare a 'climate emergency' as part of a national drive to reduce carbon emissions.

The UK Government has committed to reducing CO₂ net emissions 100% by 2050.

The City Council has ambitions to make the authority zero-carbon by 2028.

A motion will be put forward by Councillor John Reynolds, Chair of the Sustainability Advisory Group, to make Wolverhampton a more sustainable city at full council on Tuesday 16 July.

If the 'climate emergency' motion is approved, Wolverhampton will be the first local authority in the Black Country to declare a climate emergency and announce its commitment to tackling climate change.

Councillor John Reynolds, Cabinet Member for Children and Young People at City of Wolverhampton Council said: “We are listening to our communities and especially the concerns of the city’s young people who are relying on us to take action to ensure Wolverhampton is a cleaner, greener city for future generations.

“The impact of climate change is already causing serious damage around the world and as a council, we have a duty to make our city sustainable.

“We are already making progress. Over the past 12 months, we have made major improvements including the installation of LED street lighting, the launch of the refill scheme, electric vehicle charging points at WV Living properties, building carbon neutral schools and the roll out of bio-mass heat networks. However, we are conscious that we can do so much more.

“This important declaration means we will continue to proactively make significant changes and work with our partners to make Wolverhampton zero carbon by 2028.”

More than £30million will be invested in care for older people in the borough after Haringey Council agreed at Cabinet on Tuesday night to build a new 70-bed nursing home at Osborne Grove.

The new home will include bigger bedrooms with wet rooms, a larger garden, improved communal spaces such as separate living and dining rooms within each household and a café space that will improve links to the community and offer space for relatives and friends to visit with residents overlooking garden space.

The new care home will also see Osborne Grove double the number of rooms that are currently available and is expected to be completed within four-years.

Following a cabinet decision back in July 2018, a detailed Feasibility Study was carried out to examine the future of Osborne Grove at a time when there is increased demand for local nursing care provision.

Haringey Council has shown they are fully committed to investing in public services and have opted to develop a new state-of-the-art home.

Councillor Sarah James, Cabinet Member for Adults and Health, said:

“We are making a major investment in a new nursing home that has been co-designed with the involvement of community and union representatives.

“There is a shortage of nursing beds, not just in Haringey, but across the capital, and the council are determined to make a significant investment in public services.

“We have a clear vision for the future and are committed to building a fairer borough and providing our residents with a high-quality nursing home provision that they can be proud of.”

The new nursing home at Osborne Grove will be run in partnership with the NHS and will cater for older people with complex health needs.

The three-metre-wide gentle giant, affectionately named Freckles by local divers, approaches them, flips over in the water and remains still to show them her problem – hooks embedded under her right eye. It is as if she knows that without their help she will be in danger.

Underwater Photographer from Ningaloo Marine Interactions, Jake Wilton, was diving with British TV broadcaster and marine biologist Monty Hall on Ningaloo Reef, in Western Australia when the ray approached them.

He said: “I’m often guiding snorkellers in the area and it’s as if she recognised me and was trusting me to help her. She got closer and closer and then started unfurling to present the eye to me. I knew we had to get the hooks out of her eye or she would have been in big trouble.”

Monty Halls, who was aboard the boat when the scene was captured, said: “Jake went down and down again. She never moved. I’m sure that manta knew that Jake was trying to get the hooks out.”

Jake added: “I went down for one last try and the manta stayed completely still in the water.”

Amazing video shows Jake rise triumphantly from the ocean with the hooks before the grateful giant ray swims majestically away.

Monty recalls: “That manta absolutely understood what was going on. Jake went down again and again and she just remained still for him. I came to Ningaloo Reef as it’s one of the best places in the world to swim with whale sharks – so to experience this as well is just phenomenal.”

Manta rays are believed to be some of the most intelligent creatures in the ocean. Unlike stingrays, they don’t have an external spike and are totally harmless to humans.

Manta Rays can grow up to 7 meters wide and live for around 50 years. Experts believe that the injured manta’s eye could have become infected, leading to blindness and even death.

Coral Bay, located along a section of Ningaloo Reef, is one of the best places in the world to swim with manta rays which congregate in large numbers year-round. Other marine wildlife which can be spotted on the World-heritage listed reef include humpback whales, dolphins, whale sharks, dugongs and turtles.

See here for a video of Jake in action: https://www.14dd5266c70789bdc806364df4586335-gdprlock/embed/cJ1dg6uWMu0

10 fins you never knew about manta rays…

• They can live up to 50 years
• They have the biggest brain of all fish, including dolphins!
• Affectionately are known as Devil Rays thanks to their horns
• If they keep still, they will die and they travel up to 43 miles per day
• They prefer the tropics and are often found off the coast of Western Australia
• They eat a diet of mostly plankton, small fish and krill
• They love a cleaning station where a ‘cleaner’ fish comes aboard to eat all the attached organisms
• They have approximately 300 rows of skin-covered teeth in their lower jaw
• Their spots mean they can be individually identified
• Pups are born every other year and are born rolled up like a burrito!

Children and young people across Wolverhampton can look forward to a summer of fun as part of a £250,000 boost over this financial year from the City of Wolverhampton Council.

The council is investing money to organise and promote holiday activities which will keep younger residents across the city active, engaged and entertained, with more than 250 'Summer Squad' events already scheduled throughout Wolverhampton between Saturday 20 July and Sunday 1 September – and more being planned every day.

This commitment to the city’s children and young people follows on from Leader of the Council Ian Brookfield’s announcement last month of a £600,000 boost for the city’s Youth Zone, The Way, which will see the council contribute £200,000 towards the popular facility’s running costs each year between now and 2021-22.

Summer Squad includes arts and crafts, holiday clubs, sports and games, family fun days, science workshops and much, much more with events aimed primarily at children and young people aged between five and 18. Most events are free. Parents, children and young people can see and book activities at www.summersquad.co.uk.

The initiative is the brainchild of Councillor Brookfield, who has made a public pledge to boost investment in the city's children and young people.

He said: "Giving our children and young people the best possible start in life is a key priority for the City of Wolverhampton Council, and that's why we are delighted to unveil this further investment and fantastic programme of summer activities.

"People of all ages have been telling me there’s nothing for youngsters to do in our city. That surprised me - since becoming leader of the council in May, I’ve seen first-hand a huge amount of good work going on. But I’ve also learnt it’s really hard for children, young people and parents to find out about it, easily, in one place.

"That’s why we’ve launched Summer Squad – a new handy guide to what's happening in Wolverhampton for young people online and in print. It’s also why we've committed substantial new investment in summer activities for our young people.

"We haven’t done this alone; everything has been developed with the support of young people. I’d especially like to thank pupils at St Matthias School, Colton Hills Community School and St Jude’s Primary School, members of the city’s Youth Council and the many fantastic schools they represent as well as our city partners and friends for their valuable input.

"There's a huge amount going on right across the city and it’s great that there are so many activities taking place in our communities – there’s sure to be something for everyone, no matter what you are interested in or where you live."

Summer Squad already features more than 250 events and activities, taking place at nearly 50 venues right across the city and offered by a wide range of local organisations.

They include dozens of special events at the city's galleries and museums, a wide range of activities - including the ever-popular Summer Reading challenge - across Wolverhampton's 16 libraries, and Disney-themed and family swim sessions, athletics, badminton, table tennis and tennis at the council's WV Active leisure centres.

There are football schools with Wolves Foundation, and sports and games sessions in Wolverhampton's parks in association with Wolves Foundation, WV Active and The Way. Residents are even being encouraged to apply for temporary road closures so that they can hold community events such as Street Olympics and picnics outside their homes.

Children and young people can get close to nature with a range of outdoor events – from Fairy Festivals and pond dipping to bat walks and boat trips at venues including Northycote Farm, Wildside Activity Centre and Gatis Community Space, while there is an extensive programme of activities being offered by HeadStart Wolverhampton in partnership with Gazebo Theatre, the WV10 Consortium and YMCA Black Country.

Organisations across the city are holding a number of family fun days while The Way, WV Active and Wolverhampton Wanderers also have holiday clubs, with bookings being taken now.

For more information, please visit www.summersquad.co.uk or pick up a free Summer Squad guide from local libraries. Guides will also be distributed to pupils and parents through schools over the coming few days.

The investment in the summer activity programme comes on top of a £600,000 boost for the city's Youth Zone, The Way, announced last month, which will see the council contribute £200,000 towards the popular facility's running costs each year between now and 2021-22.

Groups organising activities for children and young people this summer can get them included on the Summer Squad website by emailing details to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Southside Safe Space, which can be found in nightlife hotspot The Arcadian, has helped over 75 people stay safe on nights out since its inception just one month ago.

The facility is available between 12am and 5.30am on Saturday night and Sunday morning, and was introduced by Southside BID and West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner to support and protect revellers who may feel unwell, have lost their phone or bag or have become detached from their friends.

Operated by St John Ambulance Service and wardens from Southside BID, the initiative is helping around 15 people a night, who may otherwise have required emergency services support had Southside Safe Space not been introduced. The team are able to administer first-aid, decide on appropriate measures for each person and arrange for licenced taxis to take people home if needed.

Southside Safe Space is located in the walkway to The Arcadian car park, between popular bars Indi and Missoula, with local wardens raising awareness of the programme to people who may need it. Along with being a combative measure to help locals, the project is already having a positive impact on the number of police and ambulance call-outs.

The scheme is being funded for an initial three month trial by the West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner and Southside BID, with instrumental assistance from Birmingham Community Safety Partnership.

Jo Kinsella, centre manager at The Arcadian, said: “Birmingham is a lively and fun place for a night out and the vast majority of people have a fabulous time and head home without incident.

“However, we do see people who end up in difficult situations - often through no fault of their own. That is why we wanted to establish a place for them to go, which is safe and secure. I’m so proud of the instant impact the space has had – the whole of Southside wants to say thank you to the team who are working in the early hours.”

Ashley Bertie, deputy West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner, said: “We know that some people on a night out can run into difficulties, perhaps drink too much, and need help. That’s why we’re backing the Safe Space, and we have invested £8,000 in the project.

“If this facility keeps people safe and eases demand on our hard working police officers in the West Midlands then it will be money very well spent.”

Julia Robinson, manager at Southside BID, added: “The number of people Southside Safe Space has helped in just four weeks shows how necessary this project is. Everyone involved should feel immensely proud, and we’re glad to be making a difference to our community.”

For more information on the work of Southside BID, visit www.enjoysouthside.co.uk and follow the BID on Instagram @southsidebid and Twitter @enjoysouthside

Chaplain to the Speaker of the House of Commons, and also Chaplain to the Queen, Rev Dr Rose Hudson-Wilkin has been announced as the new Bishop of Dover.

Jamaican-born Hudson-Wilkin was praised by Archbishop of Canterbury Rev Justin Welby, who was "absolutely delighted" by the appointment.

One of the most influential and effective ministers through her long service as Chaplain to the Speaker of the House of Commons, Dr Hudson-Wilkin led prayers at Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's wedding in May last year.

John Bercow, the Commons Speaker, said: “Rose is one of the warmest, kindest and most loving people I have ever met, so she will be sorely missed by members across the house, the staff and, especially, by me.

“She has an unfailing sense of duty and an ability – more than she would herself ever know – to bring comfort in times of tragedy. Furthermore, her steely resolve when confronted with loss and evil, following the death of our dear colleague Jo Cox, and in the wake of the Westminster Bridge attack, was plain for all to see. Both in the celebration of happiness and in condolence and prayer, she has the most reassuring, fortifying presence anyone could want.”

Rev Dr Hudson-Wilkin was also honoured recently at the Victoria Mutual Women of Purpose awards.

Rose will be consecrated in November, and succeeds the Rt Rev Trevor Willmott, who retired from the role in May.

The Leader of Birmingham City Council lead a cross-party representation as delegates of Somaliland were present to witness the signing of a joint letter to unilaterally declare independence from Somalia.

The three main political party leaders; Council Leader, Councillor Ian Ward (Labour), Cllr Robert Alden (Conservatives) and the Council’s Lib Dem leader, Cllr Jon Hunt, were joined by Ayan Mahamoud, Resident Representative of the Republic of Somaliland to the UK & Commonwealth, as they signed a joint letter to Prime Minister Theresa May and Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt – as they urged the UK government to recognise Somaliland as an independent country – and be officially recognised as the Republic of Somaliland.

The central government maintains informal ties with some foreign governments, including the UK, and calls are growing for Somaliland to be recognised as a sovereign state. The east African country was unilaterally declared independence from Somalia in May 1991 and has since been governed by democratically elected governments that seeks international recognition as the Government of the Republic of Somaliland.

The central government maintains informal ties with some foreign governments, including the UK, and calls are growing for Somaliland to be recognised as a sovereign state.

Cllr Ward said: “Somaliland is a beacon of peace and stability in the ‘Horn of Africa’ and we have jointly signed this letter to urge Prime Minister May to officially recognise Somaliland as an independent state.

"Standing together as one, Birmingham is built by the multicultural community that has always represented the city.

“Somaliland”, he went on to say, “has been independent for 28 years. The time now is right for support from the international community”.

Leader of the Conservative Group on the Council, Cllr Robert Alden, added: “On behalf of the Conservatives I am absolutely delighted to support this letter, whilst leader of the Liberal Democrat Group, John Hurt, said: “Somaliland has long proved to be free and democratic – a real ‘beacon’ of equality and unity”.

“Thank you, Birmingham, for fully recognising Somaliland”, Ayan Mahamoud said. “This truly is a great day.

“For Birmingham to officially recognise the Republic of Somaliland is massive”.

“And a very special ‘Thank You’ also goes out to Keith Stokes-Smith, President of the Birmingham Commonwealth Association.

“I am proud that they, and the wider, colourful community of the Birmingham took the brave step of supporting an independent Somaliland.

"Birmingham, for one, is very special to us”.

She added: “A very special ‘Thank You’ goes out to Counill Leader Ward. He didn’t have to do this for us, but he did. That was a truly brave step by him”

The City Council's Monitoring Officer, Cllr Diane Donaldson, further adding: “On this historic journey to independence and democracy, I am deeply proud that Birmingham has supported this significant achievement”.

Somaliland declared independence from the Somali Republic in 1991 following a long-running war with the Mogadishu-based national government. It has, however, never been recognised by the United Nations or Africa Union, despite an ongoing campaign by its politicians, diplomats and prominent citizens.

The WMCA with the other English Combined Authority regions (Cambridgeshire and Peterborough, Greater Manchester, Liverpool City Region, Tees Valley and West of England), launched a report titled “Empowering English Cities”, authored by Lord Michael Heseltine.

The report includes a number of recommendations to Government on strengthening English devolution, including:

• Government to transfer day-to-day responsibility for affordable housing, school performance, skills and employment programmes to combined authorities
• Mayoral combined authorities to have greater powers to raise local taxes – including receiving the local road tax, airport passenger duty and tourism taxes
• More capital funding for transport, skills and housing to be devolved from Government departments
• New Government Department for the English Regions led by a Cabinet minister and a Metro Mayors committee chaired by the Prime Minister.

Andy Street, Mayor of the West Midlands, said: “Devolution has led to billions of pounds of investment and new powers to the region meaning we are not consumed by the Brexit logjam of Westminster and can carry on delivering for our regions. This new report shows how the next Prime Minister can continue the hard work done by Lord Heseltine and others to really empower city regions in England. I wholeheartedly support the recommendations.”

A West Midlands healthcare Trust has now become a smokefree organisation – banning smoking in any outdoor areas and cars parked on site.  At the same time the Trust has endorsed the position of Public Health England in promoting vaping as an alternative and a route to quitting smoking.

The move at Sandwell and West Birmingham NHS Trust, is part of the Trust’s Joint Public Health Plan developed with Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council. The organisation, which runs Sandwell, City and Rowley Regis Hospitals, as well as Leasowes Intermediate Centre, made the pledge to go smokefree exactly one year ago, on the 70^th birthday of the NHS.

Anyone ignoring the ban and lighting up on site will receive a £50 fine. Patients will be offered NRT products as alternatives if appropriate.

Two vaping shops, run by eZigWizard, now opens, with one based at City and the other at Sandwell Hospital.

Smoking enforcement officers are now patrol the site, working alongside staff, including security staff, to challenge people smoking on site. Cameras to support the policy are in place.

There has been overwhelming support for the ban within the organisation and across the local community.

Dr Ziaudeen Ansari, Respiratory Consultant, said: "It is very frustrating to see patients in our respiratory clinics who present with COPD and lung cancer due to smoking, as they have already damaged their lungs due to smoking, without realising the consequences of their behaviour. However stopping smoking even after diagnosis will help their breathing, so I would urge anyone who smokes to stop in order to improve their lung health."

Medical Director of the Trust, Dr David Carruthers, added: “The Trust’s Board, and our clinical leaders, are united in the view that smoking kills. Given that simple truth we can no longer support smoking on our sites, even in shelters or cars. Every alternative is available and we ask visitors and patients to work with us to enforce these changes. Giving up smoking saves you money and saves your health.

“No more passive smoking on our sites is a public health necessity.”

'What does my community mean to me?' was the question posed to local young people from the surrounding areas of Birchfield, Handsworth and Perry Barr (within the Perry Barr Constituency) as part of a project created by the team at Birchfield Big Local in partnership with Ifa Yoruba Contemporary Arts Trust (founded in 1995 by Grammy award-winning percussionist Lekan Babalola) to inspire and foster community spirit, funded by Heritage Lottery.

The answers, poems and illustrations given by the young people have been turned into a brightly painted mural – and booklet – to reflect what life is like from their point of view of 'My Endz'.

With Perry Bar playing a key part in bringing the Commonwealth Games to Birmingham in 2022 – and millions of pounds worth of development on the cards to regenerate the local area – we are celebrating community heritage and what the term means to local residents.

Councilor Paulette Hamilton, Birmingham City Council's Cabinet Member for Health and Social Care and ward Councilor for Holyhead, will give the welcome speech and officially open the mural. Notable attendees are also set to include Father Bob (St Mary’s Church), Hector Pinkney MBE aka ‘Mr Handsworth’ and acclaimed ‘Godfather of Black British photography’, Vanely Burke.

Everyone is welcome to attend the special family day to find out about the history, values and priorities of people who live in the area and celebrate 'My Endz'.

There will be light refreshments and entertainment on the day. Plus, pick up the limited edition 'My Endz' booklet as a memento.

The grand opening of the ‘Secret Garden Birchfield Community Heritage Mural’ takes place on Saturday, July 13 (1-3pm).

You can get to it through two entrances – 1) Grosvenor Avenue, (through the alleyway) and 2) Hutton Road.

The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) will be consulting on reforms to tenancy deposits that will help tenants move more easily.

The call for evidence closes on September 5.

The consultation will be evaluating the feasibility of passporting deposits when tenants are changing tenancies. Currently, tenants face increasingly high costs when taking up new tenancies because they are unable to reclaim existing deposits before signing up to a new tenancy. The Government has indicated that the submissions will build on the work of the Tenancy Deposit Protection Working Group to ensure that changes offer protection to both landlords and tenants.

The NLA has sat on the Tenancy Deposit Protection Working Group and has emphasised that deposit passporting needs to be carefully designed to ensure that landlords are not disadvantaged from making valid claims.

Chris Norris, director of policy and practice at the NLA, said: “We must make sure that adequate thought is given to the needs of both tenants and landlords. Everyone agrees that moving between tenancies should be made easier and cheaper, but we also need to recognise why landlords take deposits. A deposit protects against damage or default, so landlords must be confident their costs are covered before releasing the tenants’ money.”

The call for evidence also asks for views on existing and potential affordability initiatives, and the current process for protecting and returning deposits, including requirements for prescribed information and the dispute process.

Datasets provided by the Tenancy Deposit Scheme (TDS) revealed that the average speed of returning the deposit is slower when the landlord does not initiate the repayment process. When initiated by a landlord the process takes 29 days compared to 39 days when the tenant triggers the process.

One of Birmingham’s flagship public spaces was officially opened to reveal its new design in a special ceremony.

Centenary Square’s new look was unveiled nearly five years after Birmingham City Council launched a competition to redesign one of the city’s biggest squares, which attracted 185 entries from more than 30 countries.

The winning entry, designed by Edinburgh-based firm Graeme Massie Architects, includes a mix of trees, small plants alongside a new reflection pool and integrated seating.

Councillor Brigid Jones, Deputy Leader of Birmingham City Council, was joined by the Lord Mayor of Birmingham, Councillor Mohammed Azim and the Lady Mayoress, Bushra Bi, to open the square by switching on the pool’s 28 water jets.

The project was launched with a competition in October 2014, after the new Library of Birmingham had opened, to help regenerate the square and the Westside area of the city.

Cllr Jones said: “This is the next important stage in the re-imagining of Centenary Square: it is no longer just a space to pass through – it is now a world-class public space where people can stop, relax and socialise and take in the incredible things around them.”

Regeneration works were majority-funded by the Greater Birmingham and Solihull Local Enterprise Partnership, who awarded a £10.55m Enterprise Zone grant, with additional funds secured through Section 106 planning infrastructure levy (£1.2m) and city council funding (£3.8m).

Tim Pile, Chair of the Greater Birmingham and Solihull Local Enterprise Partnership, said: “We’re very excited to witness the opening of this world class space, reinforcing Birmingham’s status as a global city. This high quality public realm can be enjoyed by those living, working and visiting the city, and is the perfect centrepiece for the surrounding landmark buildings and developments.

“It will provide a key focal point for the broad range of public and private sector investments currently taking place adjacent to Centenary Square at Paradise, Arena Central, Symphony Hall and West Midlands Metro, and hopefully help to attract even more.”

The architect who won the design competition, Graeme Massie, said: “We are delighted with the completion of our competition-winning proposals for Centenary Square, and now look forward to seeing it evolve into a key gathering place for the people of Birmingham and visitors to the city.”

The day’s event coincided with the opening day of the ‘Music for Youth’s National Festival’, which is held at various venues across Birmingham, featuring young musicians from all over the UK – including pupils from Oasis Academy Woodview, in Edgbaston, who performed djembe and steel pan pieces during the opening ceremony.

With three years to go until the Commonwealth Games, Birmingham 2022 is marking this momentous milestone in the countdown to what will be a once-in-a-lifetime event, by hosting the Commonwealth Social, a free family friendly public celebration on Saturday 27 July 2019 from 12:00 – 19:00.

Taking place in Birmingham’s recently redeveloped Centenary Square, the Commonwealth Social will be a fabulous festival of sport, culture and food with the people of the West Midlands at its heart, celebrating everything that makes this vibrant region special.

The Commonwealth Social is an opportunity for local people to join in the celebration of the upcoming Games, which will provide a unique opportunity to put the city and the region on a global stage. There will also be a first glimpse of the new Birmingham 2022 look and feel, which has been created by working closely with communities from across the West Midlands, to create something that is truly representative of the region and its people.

Communal dining tables in the centre of the square will encourage visitors to pull up a chair and sit alongside their neighbours, international athletes, DJs, local community leaders, tastemakers from the region, local celebrities and those working to make the Games possible, and bring together the community to put their stamp on the Games in the way that only Birmingham can.

Attendees can expect to be wowed by pop-up performances from regional talent including dance groups, brass bands, choirs and world DJ sets. Local street food traders from Digbeth Dining Club will provide an exciting range of cuisine from across the Commonwealth, including Caribbean, Mauritian, Indian and British, encouraging local people to enjoy exciting new flavours from around the world. Each trader will also offer a special dish with £1 of its proceeds going to Foodinate, a not-for-profit organisation working to end local hunger. Foodinate forms partnerships with restaurants, venues and charities to provide meals to local people in need, and has provided over 100,000 free meals so far.

The day will play host to a number of sports demonstrations including 3X3 wheelchair basketball and much more. Team England athletes from the region and beyond will be in attendance to join in the celebration and mingle with local people.

Josie Stevens, Chief Marketing and Communications Officer for Birmingham 2022, said: “Local people are at the heart of Birmingham 2022, they are what will make these Games truly special, so we’re inviting people across the region to join us and some of our athletes to celebrating this major milestone. Birmingham and the West Midlands has a rich cultural heritage so what better way to bring people together than to unite over a shared love of sport, food and live performances!

“The Commonwealth Social is part of our ‘three years to go’ celebrations which also sees us out engaging with people across the region in the ten locations where we have sports venues. We’ll also be unveiling our new ‘look’!

“Birmingham 2022 will be a world-class festival of sport and culture. It’s also a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for our region to show the world the fantastic community spirit we have to offer. The Commonwealth Social is the start of creating a Games that will be a catalyst for transformation across the region.”

Team England’s Mimi-Isabella Cesar said: “The West Midlands has a wonderful rich community spirit and the Commonwealth Social is the perfect way to bring the region together for one great day. What could be a better way to kick-start what is going to be an exciting countdown to Birmingham 2022? I am proud to be a part of Birmingham 2022 and I can’t wait to get involved in everything the day has to offer.”

Birmingham 2022’s Common Ground project, which has been connecting communities across the West Midlands by inviting them to have a conversation about the Games and how Birmingham 2022 can benefit their community, will conclude at the Commonwealth Social with the reveal of an artwork that draws upon the thoughts, ideas and experiences of the communities that Common Ground has visited.

A new survey from Change4Life and Disney UK has found that less than half of parents in the West Midlands are aware that physical activity can build children’s self-confidence 55%, reduce anxiety 43% and improve their self-esteem 50%. Just 12% think that physical activity can help children develop attributes which make it easier to cope with life’s little set-backs.

Evidence shows that children and young people who are more active have more confidence, higher self-esteem, less anxiety and stress and better social skills – attributes that can help them deal with the challenges they face in daily life. Positive attitudes towards physical activity have also been associated with children being happier.

The UK Chief Medical Officers recommend that children do at least 60 minutes of moderate to vigorous physical activity every day, yet just 20% of boys and even fewer girls (14%),[iii] are meeting this target, despite 99% of children in the West Midlands saying that they enjoy being active.

To help the kids in the West Midlands get more active this summer, the Change4Life campaign is encouraging children to play 10 Minute Shake Up games inspired by favourite characters from Disney and Pixar’s Toy Story 4 and Incredibles 2; and Disney’s Frozen and The Lion King. Three in four children surveyed in the West Midlands said they would be inspired to be more physically active if they saw their favourite characters being active. Over four in five parents think that kids are likely to enjoy sports and physical activities if they’re fun and 69% of children agree that this helps.

Change4Life has also launched a new online quiz to help children, with their parents, find activities and sports that might be perfect for them to try, based on their skills and abilities.

According to the survey, less than half of children in the West Midlands think that they need to be ‘fast’ 49% or ‘strong’ 34% to be physically active and only 21% see themselves as ‘sporty’. The campaign reinforces that simple daily activities like active play, scooting or walking count, so by encouraging them, parents can help their children become more active.

David Elliott, Health and Wellbeing Programme Manager, PHE West MIdlands says: “Levels of childhood obesity are unacceptably high in the West Midlands with just over 37% of year 6 pupils overweight or obese by the time they leave primary school. Physical activity is not only beneficial to losing weight but improves self-confidence and mental health.

“Breaking up the 60 minutes of physical activity that children need each day into 10 minute bursts with their favourite characters is more appealing and manageable for children and parents alike.”

The 10 Minute Shake Up campaign is being supported by musician Danny Jones who feels passionately about encouraging kids to try new activities and have fun, and who has personal experience of how physical activity can help develop the skills you need to face life’s challenges.

McFly musician and dad of one, Danny Jones, says: “I’m really surprised to see how few kids are getting active. When I was a kid, I loved being outside and being active, whether it was playing football or going on bike rides with my family. I didn’t realise at the time but being active was really important for more than just my physical health; it helped me to make friends and feel part of a group. As I got older, I began to realise that it also helped me to cope with anxiety and now it’s a huge part of my routine.

“Being physically active gives me energy, helps me focus and puts me in a good mood. I’m supporting this Change4Life 10 Minute Shake Up campaign to help kids have fun getting active so they can develop skills that will help them throughout their life.”

Marianthi O’Dwyer, Vice President and Head of Disney Healthy Living UK says: “Disney is committed to supporting the future generation to lead healthier lifestyles and we are in a unique position to inspire families and children to be more active through our characters and the stories they tell. It’s as simple as designing 10 Minute Shake Up games based on fresh or much-loved Disney content to tap into children’s imaginations and get them moving more. We are excited to work with Change4Life for our sixth year on the 10 Minute Shake Up programme and to use the power of our characters as a force for good.”

This year marks the sixth year that PHE and Disney have worked together to inspire children to move more, with almost two million children taking part in last year’s campaign. 10 Minute Shake Uppacks will be distributed to schools during the summer term for children to take home so that they can continue to keep active over the summer.

Sport England will also help families try new sports and physical activities locally, whether at their local park, leisure centre or through a well-known sport.

To keep the kids busy this summer with 10 Minute Shake Up games from Change4Life with Disney, search ‘Change4Life’.