Community News

Concerns have been raised over the health and wellbeing of fuel poor households in the West Midlands with high expenditure on heating over the recent winter months pushing many into further financial hardship.

Government statistics reveal 173,024 people in the West Midlands are living in fuel poverty which means they cannot afford to adequately heat their home given their income. The total UK fuel poverty figure also continues to increase and was recorded at over 2.55m last year*.

Rural areas are particularly affected, with the average household facing a £600 shortfall between the cost of their fuel bills and what they can afford to pay – double that for urban areas. This is partly due to rural properties being older, less well insulated and more expensive to keep warm.

The warning comes at a time when many households already face multiple pressures on their finances from the higher cost of living, rising rent and mortgage payments and increases in council tax.

In response to the growing concern, OFTEC, which represents the oil heating industry, is calling on local MPs to provide more support to those most in need.

Malcolm Farrow from OFTEC commented: “The cold months are a real struggle for many people across the West Midlands and last winter was no exception. Fortunately, the worst of the weather is over as we move into spring but the additional money already spent on heating has left many households financially short.

“The levels of fuel poverty in the West Midlands are truly shocking and many people will be struggling in silence without the support they urgently need. Whilst some progress has been made to address these issues, it is still not enough, which is why we are calling for more immediate action to be taken to ensure we protect the most vulnerable in society.”

One of the biggest challenges facing rural fuel poor households is low energy efficiency and poor insulation which means properties take longer to heat up and require more fuel to maintain a comfortable temperature.

Malcolm added: “There are several ways the government could help households reduce their fuel bills such as providing financial support for improving property insulation or investing in a modern condensing boiler which is more energy efficient. From next year, all landlords will also be required to ensure their properties meet a minimum standard of energy efficiency which will provide some relief to those in rented accommodation.

“Households can also take action themselves to reduce their fuel bills in other ways such as adjusting heating timers as the weather changes, bleeding radiators and ensuring their heating system is regularly serviced and inspected by a qualified GasSafe (for mains gas) or OFTEC (for oil or solid fuel) registered technician.”

Millions of adults across Britain are now favouring natural remedies and therapies to maintain a healthy and balanced lifestyle, over medical treatments.

Research has also shown that average Brit takes nine vitamin and mineral supplements a month, choosing remedies that come from nature.

From March 23 the UK was set to celebrate Complementary Therapy week, to promote the use of complementary therapies throughout the UK. These various therapies can help maintain health and wellbeing and support those with chronic health conditions.

Here, Julie Lamble, senior nutritionist at Lifeplan, a leading UK manufacturer of award winning vitamins, minerals and botanical supplements, gives her expert advice on complementary therapies and their uses.

“Complementary therapies are alternative forms of medicine which look at people's overall state of health, rather than just the symptoms of a disease.

“There are many different complementary therapies to consider, including homeopathy, acupuncture, aromatherapy, reiki and reflexology. These can all be used in diagnosis, reduction and prevention of health issues.

“Many of these therapies identify nutritional imbalances and these can be altered by adjusting a person’s diet and also by taking supplements. They can also establish physical and mental stresses within the body.

Relax and sleep

Not being able relax and sleep is a common problem which affects many people, often due to their hectic lifestyles.  Anyone who struggles to unwind may find comfort in yoga and meditation as part of their evening routine. It has been proven in studies that Yoga can help chronic insomniacs because it reduces stress and improves mental focus.

Alternatively, botanical ingredients such as Passiflora and Chamomile can be used to help the body unwind. Take a product which includes these herbs alongside the B vitamins and the mineral Magnesium. These nutrients help to support the nervous system and relax muscles which may be tense due to sleep anxieties.

Digestive wellness

A common complaint is that our digestive function is not working as well as it should. Colonic hydrotherapy is great at flushing-out unwanted toxins by using water and no chemicals. This form of therapy has been found to help bowel irregularities and aid digestion as well as boost energy levels and general wellness.

Digestive Enzymes supplements can also help to breakdown proteins, carbohydrates and fats so that there is less burden on the digestive tract. Choose a supplement which contains betaine and calcium to help activate the enzymes, making them more efficient and effective in the digestive system.

Weight loss

Trying to lose weight or maintaining weight loss is a struggle for many people. Two thirds of men and women in the UK are classed as overweight or obese and it’s a rising epidemic.

Hypnotherapy can be used as a treatment for weight loss. This therapy involves changing a person’s mind-set towards foods to help them stop eating unhealthy foods or binging. It can promote healthy meal choices and motivation towards physical exercise.

There are also supplements that can make the stomach feel full and so help cut down on calorie intake.  Look out for Glucomannan capsules made from a natural fibre which has proven weight loss benefits when taken before meals.

The formal launch of Transforming Narratives took place in an event at Birmingham Repertory Theatre hosted by BBC Asian Network’s Nadia Ali and attended by the Lord Mayor of Birmingham, Councillor Yvonne Mosquito, Mr Ahmar Ismail, Consulate General Pakistan and Mr Muhammed Nazmul Hoqu, Assistant High Commissioner Bangladesh.

Delivered by 12 diverse Birmingham-based cultural organisations Transforming Narratives links Birmingham with major cities in Pakistan and Bangladesh and will lead to new artistic works, a cultural leadership programme, new audiences, creative exchange and dialogue as well as artistic archiving.

Partners include: Birmingham Contemporary Music Group; Birmingham Museums Trust; Birmingham Repertory Theatre; Fierce Festival; Ikon Gallery; Kalaboration; Legacy West Midlands; Midlands Arts Centre; South Asian Diaspora Arts Archive; Sampad; Sonia Sabri Company and Soul City Arts / Mohammed Ali.

One of the biggest British Council projects in a UK city, organisations from Birmingham are travelling to Pakistan and Bangladesh to meet with artists there, to share learning and start to develop artistic projects which will take place during the life of the project. For the launch weekend, the Birmingham team were joined by arts leaders from Bangladesh who are in Birmingham to experience the city’s cultural offer.

Bangladesh to Birmingham takes place on Sunday 24th March at Birmingham Repertory Theatre and is an immersive dining experience that invites guests to experiences the sounds, sights and flavours of Bangladesh as they enjoy an authentic three-course Bangladeshi meal, prepared by award-winning chef Munayam Khan. Guests will be surrounded by film projections from in and around Dhaka created by artist and curator Mohammed Ali with music performed live by Bangladeshi artists who are here especially for this event.

Sophina Jagot, Transforming Narratives Project Manager said: “It is fantastic that we are able to launch Transforming Narratives here in Birmingham, for decades people have left their homes to forge a new life in Birmingham, but their stories have rarely been told. Working with partners here in the City as well as in the cities of Bangladesh and Pakistan we are uncovering these stories and look forward to sharing them.

“This project is a real opportunity for us to establish Birmingham as the leader in contemporary Pakistan and Bangladeshi arts both in terms of the artistic programme we will develop but through working with communities, stakeholders and artists to develop skills and encourage debate and knowledge sharing. I hope you will join us on this journey.”

Peter Knott, Area Director, Arts Council England added: “There are strong links between diversity and creativity, and it will be fascinating to see how the different city environments and landscapes involved in Transforming Narratives will inspire artists and inform audiences.

“We are delighted that this National Lottery funding is supporting a project which will celebrate and explore history and tradition, while focusing on creating new stories at an international level, for everyone to share and enjoy.”

Kathy McArdle, Director of England & Cities, British Council commented: “Transforming Narratives builds on the vibrant and diverse artistic talent of South Asian communities in Birmingham, Bangladesh and Pakistan for the mutual benefit of all three places, whose histories, heritage and stories are intrinsically interconnected.

“This hugely ambitious three-year programme aims to establish Birmingham as a global leader and pioneer in contemporary South Asian cultural programmes, which is an ambition we fully support. Transforming Narratives is relevant, necessary and important, drawing inspiration from the past, but being resolutely focused on the present.

“As the UK’s organisation for cultural relations between the UK and other countries, we are immensely proud to play a small part in this wonderful project and look forward to the opportunities it brings for artists, curators, programmers, audiences and residents of Birmingham and our partner cities in Bangladesh and Pakistan.”

Arts Council England is investing £660,000 of National Lottery money in Transforming Narratives, as part of the Ambition for Excellence scheme, an Arts Council fund to develop artistic and cultural talent and leadership and give an international dimension to excellent work.

Emirates have marked 20 years of successful operations in Lahore and Islamabad, two of Pakistan’s most populous cities. The award-winning airline has recorded solid year-on-year growth in Lahore and Islamabad over the years, carrying more than 8.4 million passengers on both routes in the last two decades.

Emirates’ hub, Dubai, has emerged as the most popular destination for passengers traveling from Lahore and Islamabad. Religious travel to Jeddah, Medina and Baghdad was also very frequent over the years while London, New York, Manchester and Birmingham were popular among leisure and business travellers.

Jabr Al-Azeeby, Vice President Pakistan, Emirates Airline said: “We are embarking on a real milestone as we celebrate 20 years of service to Islamabad and Lahore.  Pakistan is a major market for Emirates and we take great pride in the role we play in providing global connectivity both for business and leisure passengers who are travelling from Pakistan to Dubai and beyond. We remain committed to this market and look forward to continue working closely with our industry partners in Pakistan to provide the best possible services to our customers.”

Lahore and Islamabad has also proven to be important cargo destinations for the airline in the region having recorded over 123,962 tonnes of cargo carriage in the last five years. Key exports and imports over the years include fresh fruits and vegetables, fish, meat, machinery and equipment. The airline continues to play an important role in fuelling trade between Pakistan and the UAE, enabling local exporters and businesses to connect to both developed and emerging markets in the airline’s network of key trade and commerce hubs.

Emirates and Pakistan share a special relationship, which goes back 33 years when its first ever flight from Dubai landed in Karachi on 25th October 1985. Since then, this historic partnership has continued blossoming with Emirates currently offering services to five Pakistani cities including Karachi, Islamabad, Lahore, Peshawar and Sialkot. Following the launch of its operations in 1985 in Karachi, Emirates began service to Peshawar in 1998. In 1999, Emirates became a part of Islamabad and Lahore’s skies before the commencement of its Sialkot service in 2013. Emirates remains fully committed to all five markets in Pakistan including Karachi, Sialkot and Peshawar as they’re all a core and an integral part of the airline’s network.

The EU Council has granted the UK government’s wish. An extension of Article 50 will delay Brexit until May 22nd if Parliament accepts the Withdrawal Agreement. If not, the UK may crash out of the EU without a deal as early as April 12th. Some may call this a reprieve. I fear the UK is still dangerously close to the full-scale disaster that a no-deal exit from the European Union would be. Employers and unions agree. In a rare joint statement, the Confederation of British Industry and the Trade Union Congress have warned of a “national emergency”. The time for the UK Government to rethink its approach is now.

At this juncture, it seems implausible that another motion to vote on the withdrawal agreement would actually win majority Parliamentary support. And even with an extended Brexit deadline, that’s a major risk to the UK, and to the Union itself.

This is a moment of profound national crisis for the UK. Yet there is no sign of the inclusive leadership such a crisis requires. Prioritising party over country, the Prime Minister is no longer acting in the national interest. Instead, she has decided to pitch herself as the defender of the “people” against the machinations of Parliament. By limiting the MPs’ choice yet again to one between her own deal and no deal at all, she is placing a dangerous bet.

Members of Parliament are representatives of the people, not mere delegates. They should be accountable to their own conscience, led what they believe to be best for Britain, but always informed by clear, irrefutable evidence. Nearly three years after the 2016 referendum, that evidence tells us that few, if any, of the original assumptions about leaving the EU were correct. Thousands of jobs in Britain have been lost already, with many more redundancies on the horizon as manufacturers react to the looming threat of tariffs and supply chain disruptions. More than a trillion pounds in assets are being moved to Dublin, Frankfurt, Paris, and other European cities as financial institutions begin to execute their contingency plans . And Brexit preparations alone have eaten up billions that could have been spent elsewhere.

These consequences are real and tangible. They affect people everywhere across the UK. They affect investment in the UK, the nation’s ability to trade goods and services, to travel, to jointly tackle global challenges, from climate change to terrorism.

At the very least, these consequences should afford MPs an opportunity to determine whether this is really what the UK people wanted in 2016 and whether it’s time to give them a final say. Instead, MPs are now being forced into endorsing what cannot even be described as the best option among a bad lot.

On Monday, Labour MP Andrew Gwynne whose constituency voted to leave the EU in 2016, shared letters from concerned constituents expressing how they feel now, more than 1,000 days after the referendum. If there’s just one takeaway from these citizens’ messages, it is that Leave never meant “leave at any price”.

The truth is that the people’s views are never static. They evolve. And they can change. I am not alone in feeling many UK people have changed their minds.

The UK Government must now put all options on the table, and giving the people a final say must be one of these options.

If it is not , there is only one alternative – a clear decision by Parliament to require the Government to revoke Article 50 and start the process again from scratch, armed with the facts. There is little time to avoid a multi-generational disaster.

Additional information can be found here: https://www.virgin.com/richard-branson/brexit-crisis 

Phoning a friend or colleague from Birmingham may prove a thankless task as, according to new research, Birmingham people are the self-confessed fifth worst phone communicators in the UK.

The study, run by the business telecommunications provider, 4Com, explored how well British people do when it comes to phone etiquette, and our worst pet peeves.

Birmingham comes out fifth, with 44% of residents admitting they have bad phone manners. The UK’s worst cities to call are:

1. Manchester (57%)
2. London (57%)
3. Bristol (49%)
4. Glasgow (47%)
5. Birmingham (44%)

1. Interrupting people when I need to say something (8%)
2. Putting people on loud speaker if I'm busy doing something (8%)
3. Not always listening (8%)
4. Speaking too quietly (6%)
5. Eating/drinking whilst speaking to someone on the phone (5%)

1. Someone having a conversation with someone else in the background (39%)
2. Being put on hold (39%)
3. Someone not listening to me/clearly distracted (38%)
4. Being interrupted whilst I'm speaking (36%)
5. Someone speaking too quietly (32%)

Engineer James’ pet peeve is people chewing his ear off… literally! “I have one client who always seems to call me when he’s eating an apple. He probably doesn’t even notice it, but it’s happened more than a handful of times now. It’s like he’s literally chewing in my ear. Infuriating!”

To make sure you stay on the right side of the etiquette line, Jo Bryant, Jakemans etiquette expert shares her tips on how to make the most of your phone calls:

• Listen carefully. It is tempting to get on with other things while you are on the phone, but you should give the other person the same attention you would if talking in person.
• Don’t interrupt. Be sure the other person has finished what they are saying before interjecting; conversation is a two-way, considerate process.
• Make the right impression. Answer the phone in a positive manner, and always seem pleased to hear from the other person (whatever the truth).
• Be prepared. If you are suffering from a cough or a cold, be sure to blow your nose before you make a call. Excessively sneezing, sniffling or coughing down the line can be off-putting.
• Be aware. Making a phone call in a quiet public place is intrusive to others; similarly avoid talking on the phone on the train, bus or other crowded places where you can disturb people.
• Be social. Avoid making calls or checking your phone in social situations, or even when someone else is just trying to talk to you. Give the real-life person priority over your handset.

“While texts, emails, social media, and all other forms of communication all have their benefits, speaking on the phone is perhaps most effective at passing on your message. As they allow you to hear the speaker’s tone of voice, phone calls help to avoid, for example, the risk of innocent phrases sounding passive aggressive, jokes being taken the wrong way, or sarcasm interpreted as serious thoughts.

“Hopefully these tips will help make chatting on the phone smooth sailing for the people of Birmingham.”

Birmingham has two of the best bars in the country! Be At One on Basement Piccadilly Arcade Be At One and on Brindley Place serve the best drinks in the area, according to the judges of the Publican Awards, an annual awards ceremony that celebrates everything that’s great about the world of pubs and bars.

The leading specialist cocktail bar chain in the UK, Be At One won ‘Best Drinks Offer’ in the national Publican Awards. As one of the most prestigious awards events in the industry, winners really are the cream of a very competitive crop.

Be At One Basement Piccadilly Arcade is located directly opposite New Street station and has a party license until late. With two large bars over two rooms, plush booth seating and live DJ's on Friday and Saturday nights, it's a party not to be missed!

Be At One Brindley Place meanwhile has a fabulous art-deco feel and the pretty outdoor area means you can enjoy alfresco cocktails all year long.

Known for its extensive cocktail range, friendly bartenders and 2-4-1 happy hours, Be At One was recognised for its dedication to perfecting the guest offer and ensuring the superior quality of the drinks. Its ‘Appi Hour’ app, which allows guests to extend their happy hour, was also voted a stand-out feature.

A special mention was given to Be At One’s star bartenders, who undergo rigorous training to perfect every detail of their drink craft. Their focus on the ingredients, specific measures, glassware, the type and amount of ice, garnishes, the correct serving procedure, and price category, alongside their exceptional guest service, were all major contributors to the big win. Bar staff are the backbone of what makes Be At One the place that it is, with their impeccable focus on the guest and ensuring each cocktail is served to perfection.

Include Me TOO are a UK-based charity that has supported the inclusion, rights and empowerment of young people with disabilities and their families for over a decade, increasing young people with disabilities' support networks and being recognised for the value they bring through their lived experiences as experts and changemakers

During the Commonwealth Week at the Place of Westminster the Global Disability Summit Children and Young People’s Report, and the Global Disability Children & Young People’s Charter were launched in partnership with International Disability Alliance, The Royal Commonwealth Society, the Commonwealth Secretariat and Leonard Cheshire.

Ana Arellano Chairperson of International Disability Alliance provided the keynote speech, followed by key messages shared from the report and the charter presented by Include Me TOO Youth Ambassadors Suleman Arshad, Joesph Migila, Sarah Mwikali, Honey Jones, Paul Ntulila, Devika Malik, Jack Milne and Jonathan Andrews. Regina Mwangi a young person representing Leonard Cheshire also presented on the 2030 and counting as a citizen reporter.

Michael Horner from the Department for International Development, Layne Robinson, Commonwealth Secretariat and Helen Jones, Royal Commonwealth Society, Chris Merit, World Merit were also amongst the speakers.

The report shares the contributions that were made by children and young people with disabilities representing *23 countries of which 20 countries are Commonwealth members during the Global Disability Summit which took place in July 2018.

“I was proud to host the launch of Include ME TOO’s Global Disability Summit Children and Young People Programme Report in Parliament,” said Stephen Twigg MP, Chair of the International Development Select Committee. “It is a fantastic piece of work which the International Development Committee will be considering in detail as part of our inquiry into DFID's work on disability.

People with disabilities have been left behind for too long. If we are to meet the Global Goals it is crucial that we give voice to and empower young people with disabilities. That is why the work of Include Me TOO is so important in providing a platform for young people with disabilities from around the world to share their aspirations but also the challenges they experience in respect to their inclusion.”  

There are 93 million children with disabilities who are least likely to have their voices heard and most likely left behind.  The report shares their authentic voices on many issues including: ending stigma and taboos associated with disabilities; inclusive education; opportunities and choices for economic empowerment; safeguarding and ending all forms of abuse and harmful practices; gender equality and how they wish to be included and represented.

Children and young people also shared the commitments they would wish to see in a charter to support their rights, inclusion, independence, equality, dignity and dreams.

The Global Disability Children and Young People’s Charter has 12 commitments which underpins the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, United Convention on the Rights of the Child and the Sustainable Development Goals.

A team from the Hamstead pub in Birmingham is calling for donations as they prepare to skydive in the name of charity. They will be holding two fundraising events, before jumping 10,000 feet from a plane to raise funds for Dogs for Good, an innovative charity which uses dogs to help people overcome specific challenges.

Leah Bowen, Deputy Manager, Tara Logan, Team Leader, and local customer, Matt Fitzpatrick, will spend the next few months fundraising for the charity ahead of the jump which will take place at Hinton Airfield in Steane on May 4.

The first fundraising event is a Table Top Sale with a range of Mother’s Day gifts provided by local businesses, which takes place at 5:30pm on Tuesday March 26. Each of the contributing businesses will donate to the charity and customers will also be encouraged to give generously. 

Then on Saturday March 30, from 9pm, the pub will host a fundraising disco and raffle fronted by DJ and regular customer Ken Savage. Prizes donated by local football clubs include West Bromwich Albion and Walsall signed footballs, as well as a range of items provided by local businesses in Birmingham.

So far the team has been able to raise £1,400 but they are aiming for a total of £3,000.

Leah Bowen said: “After spending time with some of the puppies from Dogs for Good my heart just melted. I can’t wait to take part in the skydive while also raising money for Dogs for Good, a charity which has changed so many lives for the better. The whole team is proud to help support them and we would love our customers to get involved and help us raise as much money as possible.”

A new homework club will be helping young people to learn in West Bromwich, in the West Midlands, thanks to a town grant from Sandwell Council.

Latifiah Fultali Complex - an Islamic Secondary school - is now running a homework club for children of all cultures and backgrounds. The £4,800 grant from the West Bromwich Local Area Budget will cover the cost of IT equipment, stationery, exercise books and promotional materials.

Sandwell Council’s Deputy Leader Councillor Syeda Khatun said: “The aim of the homework club is to give young people access to space and the resources they need to progress in their studies.

“The club will also serve as a foundation where pupils will be able to build their confidence through social interactions with other children.”

The homework club starts at the school, in Lodge Road, on Monday April 15 and will run every Monday and Wednesday 4-5pm and also 11am to 12pm on Saturdays.

Making your mum a scrapbook, creating a personalised keepsake or putting together a beautiful, yet affordable hamper is just some of the ways you can treat your mum this Mother’s Day, without breaking the bank.

The gifting gurus at PersonalisedGiftsShop have put together a list of delightful personalised gift ideas, which can show love and appreciation for little.

These include personalising a keepsake, filling a scrapbook or even making her a homemade rose sugar scrub.

A spokesperson from PersonalisedGiftsShop said: “Showing your mum you love and care for her is definitely the most important part of Mother’s Day.

“But it doesn’t have to mean spending hundreds of pounds on a present. Sometimes the best gift you can give your mum is something that is personal and thoughtful.

“With our money-saving Mother’s Day hacks below, you can treat your mum to something special minus the expense.”

Here are PersonalisedGiftsShop’s Hacks to save money on Mother’s Day:

Make a homemade gift

If you’re strapped for cash this Mother’s Day, why not make your mum a homemade gift? This doesn’t have to be a basic card, it can actually be something that your mother can use and enjoy. For maximum indulgence make a natural rose petal scrub: take dried rose petals, 2 cups of sugar, 2 cups of coconut oil and blitz together. Any remaining petals can be sprinkled in the bath for a high-end spa feel for next to nothing.

Make her a beauty hamper

Fill a gift basket with her favourite inexpensive products. Her favourite shampoo, conditioner and toothpaste could be included as well as samples of her favourite beauty products. Decorate the basket with a beautiful ribbon for a present that’s both affordable and fabulous.

Fill a scrapbook with memories

Remembering some amazing memories, you’ve shared over the years is a gift that your mum will cherish forever. Fill a scrapbook up with lots of images from family holidays, events and occasions. For a nostalgic walk down memory lane.

Unique and Personal

Rather than splurging on a designer handbag or shoes, make a day-to-day object unique by adding a personalised touch. Get a keepsake engraved or add a message onto a cotton tote bag. Resulting in a timeless and cherished gift for maximum impact and little cost.

Jazz up your flowers

If you’re choosing to get your mum some flowers for Mother’s Day, but can’t afford an expensive bunch, why not jazz them up yourself? Buy an inexpensive vase and decorate it with paint and glitter. You could also add a ribbon around the middle of the vase, for an extra special touch that doesn’t cost a lot.

Create a playlist

Make a playlist filled with all of her favourite tunes and share it through a streaming website. If your mum is a little challenged when it comes to technology, why not download a few and pop them onto a CD for her? Or, to save even more money, you could collect up all of her most-loved albums and burn her favourite tracks from the albums onto a new CD, so all of her favourite music will be together on one disc.

New research is set to challenge Islamophobic perceptions of British Muslim women as being ‘oppressed’ and ‘dangerous’.

Birmingham City University sociologist Dr Nazia Hussein hopes to challenge how Muslim women as a social category are imagined in popular culture and policy and is currently conducting interviews with Muslim women who actively participate in political or social activism in their communities.

“In the wake of riots and terror attacks, Britain has experienced an intense political, media and policy scrutiny of British Muslims,” said Dr Hussein, who teaches at Birmingham City University’s School of Social Sciences.

“Muslims have found themselves homogenized into a single category defined solely through faith. The Muslim woman wearing the headscarf has preoccupied the media and Muslim women face openly hostile reactions in a climate of state-sanctioned gendered Islamophobic discrimination.”

The research aims to understand the ways in which highly educated, professional British Muslim women negotiate their intersectional identities and participate in political activism, yet remain invisible in media and political representations in the UK and the West in general.

As well as challenging the perceptions of being oppressed and dangerous, I want to argue for renewed assessments of Muslim women in Britain today who choose to act on their political views in public spaces”, added Dr Hussein.

A hotel manager in Birmingham has launched a sideline career as a legal graffiti artist.

Adam Illes, the assistant food and beverage manager at Novotel’s Birmingham Centre hotel on Broad Street, initially adorned his workplace’s staff canteen and back corridor with his pop art-style illustrations.

Now the hotel has helped him to go public by asking him to decorate the walls of its customer car park.

The first spray-painting is Adam’s interpretation of famous comedian Rowan Atkinson as Mr Bean, and the second is based on philosopher Alan Watts’ thoughts about every person being one of the universe’s waves.

Adam, aged 31, was born in Hungary and moved to Ireland to live and work when he was 18, relocating to Birmingham last summer.

He said: “When I was in Ireland I started spray-painting on walls in Limerick to express myself.

“But I’ve never painted an illegal piece or left my tag anywhere I shouldn’t, and I’m very proud that every painting I’ve sprayed has been entirely legal.

“I got a number of commissions when I was in Ireland and when I moved here started to look for walls where I could paint.

“I spray-painted walls in the ironing room and staff canteen at the Ibis Hotel at Birmingham Airport, and when I started working at Novotel I decorated the staff canteen and the back corridor.

“The manager was so impressed with my work that he’s now allowed me to go public by giving me a free hand to paint the car park.”

Mike Olley, general manager of Westside BID, said: “We’ve found the start of the hidden treasures of Westside in Adam’s work, and it’s great that the public will see some of his paintings in the car park.

“Hopefully other businesses with walls that can be painted might consider commissioning Adam to brighten up their properties as well.

“Who knows? We could soon have our own version of Andy Warhol here on Broad Street!”

Adam added: “I love spray painting and would one day love to make a living out of my work.

“I enjoy spending a whole day being in my own world when I’m spray painting, and the more you do things and put your heart into it, the more your techniques grow and develop.

“I’m grateful for this opportunity and would welcome any other commissions to help make the Westside area brighter.”

Famous faces from across Birmingham and the Black Country came together this month (MARCH) to celebrate Birmingham St Mary’s Hospice’s 40^th anniversary.

Footballing legend Brendon Batson, media broadcaster Llewela Bailey, Antique Roadshow’s Will Farmer, and comedic character Barbara Nice, who is played by Janice Connolly, all showed their support for the much-loved charity.

The celebrities were joined by local businesses, community groups and big-hearted supporters, who together are on track to raise a remarkable £20,000.

Over 230 guests attended the glittering black tie event, which was held at Edgbaston Stadium on Friday 1 March. They enjoyed a drinks reception, three-course dinner, musical entertainment from Midlands’ band The Bright Eyes, and a lively comedic set from the self-proclaimed ‘most popular housewife in Kings Heath’, Barbara Nice.

The event kick started a year of 40^th anniversary celebrations, which will all honour the care and support the Hospice has provided across Birmingham and Sandwell for the last four decades.

Birmingham St Mary’s Hospice was founded in 1979 by Monica Pearce and was the first independent hospice in the Midlands. A former NHS matron, Monica’s vision was to ‘enable anyone with a life-limiting illness to live their life to the full’ – a mission that the Hospice’s staff and volunteers still stand by today. First known as ‘St. Mary’s Hospice’, the charity cared for its first patient on Monday 5 March 1979.

Former West Brom defender, Brendon Batson, was made patron of the Hospice in 2017, after doctors and nurses cared for his wife Cecily in the comfort of their family home. He said: “The care Cecily and my family received was just incredible. It was a massive comfort that she was cared for at home and I’ll never forget the kindness and dignity the nurses and doctors showed us.

“I’m very proud to be a patron of the Hospice and it was fantastic to see so many people come together to celebrate its 40th anniversary. 40 years of care is an amazing achievement and with continued support, I look forward to seeing the Hospice grow and evolve in the next few decades.”

Tina Swani, chief executive at Birmingham St Mary’s Hospice, added: “We had a fantastic night welcoming generous supporters to our gala dinner and I would like to thank everyone for coming along and celebrating this landmark anniversary with us.

“Whilst the evening celebrated our proud history and the legacy of our founder Monica Pearce, it was also a chance to show the community how crucial hospice care still is in our city today and how demand for it will continue to grow in the future.”

In 1979, Birmingham St Mary’s Hospice could care for 25 people on any given day. Four decades later and the Hospice is supporting over 400 people every day across Birmingham and Sandwell, providing care in people’s homes, in the community, at its Day Hospice facility and at the Hospice’s Inpatient Unit.

The Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew has embarked on its most ambitious design project in recent years with the creation of a giant new Children’s Garden due to open to the public on 18 May 2019. Covering 10,000m², it’s the size of nearly 40 tennis courts, and has been designed by a Kew garden designer around the elements that plants need to grow: earth, air, sun and water. Children will be able to play and explore as they wind their way through a landscape filled with over 100 mature trees, discovering hidden treasures and adventure, and developing their love of nature, plants and the outdoors along the way.

Children will enter the Garden through a tunnel of scented Star Jasmine plants before first arriving at a 200-year-old English Oak tree, surrounded by a new aerial walkway 4m above the ground. Here, the journey of discovering what plants need to grow begins! The first element to explore is the Earth Garden, a giant sand pit with a quirky play hut village surrounded by Bamboo plants and tunnel slides for muddy adventures.

Next along the trail is the Air Garden, with winding paths, giant windmill flowers, pollen spheres, hammocks, swings and trampolines. A mini amphitheatre nestled under the trees can be used for storytelling, and the seating area for parents keeping an eye on their little explorers lies in the shade of some of Kew’s oldest Eucalyptus trees.

The Sun Garden is next; a large open space where children can let their imagination run wild beside a ring of sunflowers, Cherry trees and pink candy floss grass. Intricate pergolas festooned with edible fruits will take children on a sensory adventure.

Lastly, the Water Garden, (sponsored by Thames Water) is filled with water pumps for kids to use to control the flow of the water through to another splash pool. Water lily stepping stones will engage children in the water cycle and why it is important to plants.

For those slightly older and more adventurous kids, a giant log scramble sits among the Pine trees, waiting to be climbed. The challenge is to get across to the leaning tower without touching the ground!

Suzie Jewell, Children’s Garden Designer, RBG Kew said: “With the Children’s Garden we really hoped to design and create a unique space for children to play in, that would not only be fun and stimulate their imagination, but also give them a different perspective on how the plants grow and why they are so important. Part of what makes this space so special is that we had existing trees on site around which to map the paths and play areas - it became a play area among the trees – something different in London. I hope that this will lead to a deeper connection with nature and a lifelong love of plants.”

Work on the 10,000m² site, which is close to the existing Climbers and Creepers indoor play space and the White Peaks family café, began in October 2017, and was inspired by the desire to encourage kids to develop a lasting relationship with and love for plants and nature. The site already had 62 mature trees in place, including Eucalyptus and Sweet Chestnuts, and a further 40 mature trees were added to this space, including Gingko and Pines. These ‘old giants’ are part of what makes this Garden unique and will capture the imagination of kids and adults alike as they explore the pathways and different elements of the Garden.

Sandra Botterell, Director of Marketing and Commercial at RBG Kew said: “The new Children’s Garden is a wonderful addition to the Kew landscape and will add real value to the family experience, giving young visitors the opportunity to see nature in a new way. Spaces like this are essential for children to grow and develop a relationship with plants, understand their importance, as well as to have fun.”

Funding for this project has come from private donations and corporate sponsor Thames Water. Fundraising is continuing to complete the project.

Leading social housing association, Black Country Housing Group (BCHG) has participated in the 21 Acts of Kindness initiative launched by St. Michaels School in Rowley Regis.

The initiative, which was started through the school’s Student Voice, encouraged people to carry out 21 acts of kindness in the hope that this will then become a habit in their daily lives.

For 21 days, colleagues from Black Country Housing Group have been challenged to do one kind act each day, and to tick it off on their stamp card.

Collectively, BCHG gathered and donated 73 kilos of food to the foodbank, which is the equivalent of feeding three families or ten single people, and eight kilos of non-food items. Colleagues also donated 11 bags of work clothes for unemployed people on their journey back into employment.

Amanda Tomlinson, Chief Executive, Black Country Housing Group said: “Carrying out an Act of Kindness has been proven to be great for your own mental health and wellbeing. As well as others benefitting from your kindness, doing something for 21 days has also been said to then become a habit in your lifestyle.”

Over the 21 days, colleagues from BCHG managed to facilitate a food bank donation day, where each colleague brought in an item to be donated; and a donation to Suited for Success, a local charity that gives smart and professional workwear to homeless people and people who are unemployed and need suitable clothes for job interviews.

Colleagues from across the organisation, including head office, the residential care homes and Homeforce got stuck in to raise the profile of the campaign and to support each other and the local community.

Kerry Whitehouse, St. Michaels School Engagement Development Manager, added: “The #21AOK initiative promotes kindness and positive mental health which is so important in today's society.  We are often surrounded by negative news stories and can sometimes forget how simple gestures can make a huge difference to someone else's day.   Our students are passionate ambassadors of this campaign which we hope will have a ripple effect across the country.”

This initiative, carried out by employees at BCHG, has helped to boost morale in the team with everyone getting involved to raise funds for the cause. This comes in advance of stress awareness month, which will be running throughout April. Employees will once again be gearing up to help by arranging activities and events to generate awareness for the month, which BCHG will be supporting.