Community News

The ethnicity of people involved in grooming gangs has been "shied away from" by authorities, according to a new report by Baroness Louise Casey.

In a celebration of creativity, community, and culture, the Birmingham Open 2025 art call has crowned its winner – and it’s a name that is already lighting up the city’s artistic landscape.

Train operator TransPennine Express (TPE) has donated around 70 abandoned bicycles left at Hull Paragon station over the past six months to a local charity to be recycled and given to the community. 

Severn Trent is creating a new, dedicated ‘Proactive Pollution Prevention Team’ - bringing with it a wave of new job opportunities across the Midlands.

The founder and director of the UK’s first memorial to Sikhs who served during the World Wars has been recognised for his voluntary work in the King’s Birthday Honours List 2025.

Wolverhampton is set to celebrate Windrush Day later this month.

Staff and residents at Barchester’s Iverley View care home in Stourbridge had a fantastic time celebrating National Fish & Chip Day on Fryday 6th June, surely one of the best days of the year!

The legendary co-founder and frontman of The Beach Boys, Brian Wilson, has died at his family home, it was announced.

On 17th June, Climate Emergency UK will release the full results of the 2025 Council Climate Action Scorecards at: https://councilclimatescorecards.uk/ 

As warm weather returns, families across Wolverhampton have a unique opportunity to reclaim their streets for children’s play and community connection through the national ‘Playing Out’ scheme.

A groundbreaking tool developed by the University of St Andrews is transforming how cultural heritage institutions identify toxic pigments in historic books, making it easier than ever to distinguish hazardous books from those which are safe handle and display.

A man has been sentenced to 12-months imprisonment, suspended for 12 months, with a requirement to complete 150 hours of unpaid work, after selling two fraudulent motor insurance policies to unsuspecting members of the public and then using their details to attempt to file fraudulent claims against them.

Nearly 826,000 working families saved up to £2,000 per child with Tax-Free Childcare in the 2024 to 2025 tax year.

Thousands of people are expected to come together for prayers and to celebrate Eid at an event taking place across the weekend.

Caerphilly Youth Service continues to make a difference for young people throughout the borough.

A recent report presented to Caerphilly County Borough Council’s Education and Social Services Scrutiny Committee shines a light on how, as the service gears up for an Estyn inspection, it’s adapting to changes in funding and governance while continuing to support over 10,000 young people.

Key outcomes delivered by the service include:

• Youth Empowerment:The Caerphilly Youth Forum has given young people aged 11-25 a platform to voice their concerns and influence decisions. This has led to real changes in areas like school facilities, personal safety, mental health, environmental awareness, and employment support.

Following a ballot of young people in the borough, the Forum has identified access to school toilets as a priority issue for them to focus on in the coming year.

• Educational Support:Alternative educational options for students who need extra help, ensuring they stay engaged and succeed academically.
• Community Safety:Initiatives implemented by the Youth Service to improve personal safety, making young people feel more secure in their communities and on public transport.
• Health and Wellbeing:Its programs have educated young people about positive body image, nutrition, and mental health resources, helping them lead healthier lives.
• Environmental Impact:The promotion of environmental awareness, leading to increased recycling and reduced littering in the community.
• Employment and Skills Development:Supported young people in finding jobs, setting up businesses, or becoming self-employed, including guidance on work experience and financial support.

Councillor Carol Andrews, Cabinet Member for Education and Communities at Caerphilly Council, said “This report demonstrates that despite some challenges, Caerphilly’s Youth Service continues to deliver a wide range of educational and pastoral support which really makes a difference for many young people. 

“We look forward to continuing developing the service in partnership with young people.” The full report can be found here: Education Social Services Scrutiny committee. Youth Service Update Jun2025.pdf

Severn Trent’s ‘NeighbourGOOD’ scheme is back as the water company looks to find community projects that could benefit from grants of up to £2,500 – plus hands-on help from its own team of volunteers.