Community News

More details have been revealed about the events taking place in Wolverhampton as the City marks Carers Week next month.

Members of the City of Wolverhampton Council's Carer Support Team will be out and about from 11-15 June, 2018, offering help and advice to people who care for a loved one.

The extensive programme of activities begins on Monday 11 June with a special poetry session for people living with dementia and their carers courtesy of Poetry on Loan.

Popular poet Mandy Ross will lead a morning of poetry and song, engaging and entertaining with gentle humour and activities at East Park Library from 10am-noon. During the session, visitors will also be able to find out about the Memory Matters service, which seeks to raise awareness about memory concerns and about how people can live better with a diagnosis of dementia.

ACCI – the African Caribbean Community Initiative – will be holding its annual Carer’s Day of Celebration at the Heritage Centre, Clifford Street, on Tuesday 12 June from 10.30am-3pm, featuring guest speaker Dr Malcolm Philips from Hestia Housing and Support.

The Carer Support Team will be hosting an information event at Sainsbury's St Marks on Wednesday 13 June from 9.30am-2pm, while an information stand will be available at Central Library throughout the week. Carers can also enjoy a range of treatments at a relaxation event at Penn Library on Thursday 14 June from 10.30am-11.45am.

The Carers Week programme concludes with a celebration event at Bantock House Museum on Friday 15 June from 10.30am-2.30pm featuring a range of guest speakers, information and advice.

Experts from FBC Manby Bowdler will be on hand to speak about the care system, power of attorney and protecting assets, while carers can become Dementia Friends by completing a taking part in a special awareness session. There will be entertainment from Maggie O’Hara, while lunch and light refreshments will also be available.

Each event is free, though places for the Poetry on Loan, relaxation and celebration events are limited and should be booked in advance by calling Melinder Kaur on 01902 553429 or by emailing This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

In addition, Light House Cinema will be offering family carers discounted cinema tickets to mark Carers Week. Carers and the person they care for can enjoy Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom for just £2.50 each between 11 to 17 June on production of a valid Carers Emergency Card. For details, call 01902 716055.

Councillor Sandra Samuels OBE, the City of Wolverhampton Council's Cabinet Member for Adult Services, said: “Carers provide unpaid care and support to a family member or friend who has a disability, illness, mental health problem or who needs extra help as they grow older.

“Caring can be a hugely rewarding experience, but at the same time carers often find it challenging to take care of their own well-being.

"We estimate there are some 28,000 people in Wolverhampton who care for a friend or relative, and these events are an excellent opportunity to find out more about the help that is available to them as they carry out their vital role, and also enjoy a bit of well-deserved ‘me time’.”

Severn Trent has released its annual results, showing the company had another good year by putting customers at the heart of its business, delivering real value for money and offering the lowest average combined bills in Britain for the ninth year running.

The water company, that serves over 8 million customers across England and Wales, has also delivered on a range of things that matter most to customers, including reducing sewer flooding and serious pollutions, as well as reducing water quality complaints.

Liv Garfield, Severn Trent Chief Executive, said: “I’m delighted that we’re getting the balance right for customers between great value for money and great service.  We have the lowest average combined bills for the ninth year running, at less than £1 a day and we’re also helping more than 50,000 customers who need it most through a variety of initiatives.

“We’ve been able to deliver some significant improvements in the things our customers care most about - sewer flooding is down again, by 34%, and serious pollutions are down by 71%.  We’ve also reduced water quality complaints by a further 12%.  This means that on the whole, less customers are experiencing issues, which is just what we want.

“We’re really proud of these results which are testament to the hard work of my colleagues over the past year.”

Severn Trent also announced that it was operating more efficiently and had generated an extra £100m of savings, which it intends to invest back into the business to generate even better performance for its customers. The money will go towards a number of initiatives such as 20,000 extra pressure monitors in their network of pipes that mean that leaks and bursts can be spotted more quickly, and creating a new technical training academy, which will help to train and create the engineers and leaders of the future.

Liv added: “We’re really pleased with our strong performance this year, but we know there’s still more to do to.  We won’t stop striving to improve things even further for our customers to make sure they have wonderful water every time they turn on their tap.”

Mystical magicians, dazzling fire breathers and impressive aerial acts are set to take over Birmingham this June, as part of a magical walk for a local charity.

The ‘Enchanted Midsummer Walk’ – which is organised by Birmingham St Mary’s – will see hundreds of Brummies walk a 10k route across South Birmingham.

Taking place at dusk, mythical performers – including jugglers and stilt walkers – will guide participants along the route, creating a Shakespeare-inspired stroll.

The walk begins at Rowheath Pavillion in Bournville – where participants will be able to enjoy music, street food and drinks – before heading off into the leafy suburbs of Edgbaston, Harborne and Selly Oak.

Along the route, participants will be treated to an ice cream stop to help them refuel and will receive a celebratory glass of fizz and commemorative medal at the finish line.

As well as creating magical moments, the walk is also an opportunity to celebrate the lives of loved ones who are sadly no longer with us. During the walk, participants will be able to visit the hospice at Selly Park, where they will be able to light a candle in memory of their special someone.

Lucy Watkins, head of fundraising at Birmingham St Mary’s, said: “Our midsummer walk is a truly magical evening – not only is it a chance to celebrate loved ones but it’s also a special time to create new memories with family and friends. I love seeing everyone get dressed up and into the spirit of the evening and the walk is always a fun event that the whole family can enjoy.”

Last year, the Enchanted Midsummer Walk sold out, with over 400 walkers raising £32,000 for the hospice. All funds raised will go towards Birmingham St Mary’s, which provides vital care to local people living with life-limiting illness.

Lucy added: “It costs £8 million to run the hospice every year – over half of which needs to come from voluntary donations – so we truly rely on the generosity of local people to help us continue to provide our crucial care.”

Every day, Birmingham St Mary’s cares for 350 people living across Birmingham and Sandwell – whether that’s at the hospice, in people’s own homes, or in community locations such as GP surgeries.

The Enchanted Midsummer Walk takes place on Saturday 23rd June from 6.30 to 11.30pm.

A new report from TopCashback.co.uk, the UK’s most generous cashback shopping site, investigates millennials' expectations of owning a house and found that despite all (100 per cent) millennials in the west midlands wanting to buy a house in the future, over a quarter (26 per cent) do not think it will happen and 32 per cent are only hopeful about their chances. Just over two-fifths (42 per cent) are sure they will buy a property.

The uncertainty as to whether they will be able to invest in bricks and mortar means millennials in the west midlands are focusing on financial security as a savings goals instead. Around two-fifths (38 per cent) of millennials say a deposit for a house is their main savings goal, but is trumped by a savings cushion (42 per cent) an emergency fund (42 per cent) and achieving financial freedom (38 per cent).

Similarly, millennials’ main goals in life are to be healthy (47 per cent), be financially stable (35 per cent) and have financial freedom (34 per cent). Buying a house comes seventh on the list at just 23 per cent

Even of the millennials in the west midlands who are optimistic about getting on the property ladder, a quarter (25 per cent) don’t think it will happen in the next five years. The cost of housing rising quicker than salaries (58 per cent), not earning enough money for a deposit (55 per cent) and not being able to afford a house on their own (40 per cent) is giving millennials doubt about getting on the property ladder sooner rather than later.

Millennials in the west midlands want to rent a place with their partner

Of the 26 per cent of millennials who are unsure they will own a property, over a third (36 per cent) see privately renting with a partner as a long-term preference and 29 per cent plan to live with their parents.

With the chances of owning a house off the cards, millennials in the west midlands have alternative goals for the next five years. Nearly two-fifths (38 per cent) would like to rent somewhere with a partner, 36 per cent would like to rent modern property and three in 10 (30 per cent) would like somewhere with a parking space.

Interestingly, in the next five years, 13 per cent of millennials see renting somewhere that is large enough to host dinner parties as a goal.

Natasha Rachel Smith, consumer-money expert for TopCashback.co.uk, said: “Our research shows millennials are being sensible with their money and thinking about financial security. However, the current economic climate, and a change in lifestyle – people marrying and having children later – means millennials are favouring experiences over possessions and have different financial priorities at this point in their lives.

“While it may be later in life and less of a priority than it was in the past, it is important for millennials to put money aside regularly and be savvy with their spending, so they are prepared when the opportunity to buy a property does arise.”

A disabled-led arts festival, organised by national disability charity Sense, in partnership with Midland Arts Centre (MAC), took place in Birmingham this weekend (19 – 20 May), with crowds coming in to explore, play and experiment with multisensory art.

The ‘Sensibility Festival’ co-directed by Graeae Theatre Company and Stephanie Singer (BitterSuite), included a mixture of sensory experiences, guided tours and accessible activities, across two venues: MAC and TouchBase Pears. Artists Justin Wiggan, Saranjit Birdi, Lyn Cox and Becca Thomas (InterAction), led the creation of the unique arts installation, co-curated by 60 artistic advisors with sensory impairments.

Visitors were able to explore art and creativity using their senses, including the centrepiece of the festival, the ‘Sensory Labyrinth’, designed to be touched, eaten, smelt, moved and felt.

Stephanie Tyrrell, National Art Manager for Sense, said:

“The ‘Sensibility Festival’ was a hugely engaging festival, that enabled the public to explore how artists with sensory impairments can use their senses to create art. Over the three days, visitors were amazed at how they could use their senses. We hope this festival marks the beginning of people with sensory impairments, having the opportunity to be creative, to develop accessible and multisensory art in the future.”

Towns and cities across the West Midlands will participate in Bike Life, the UK’s most comprehensive assessment of cycling development. Previously the report, produced by the walking and cycling charity Sustrans in partnership with Birmingham City Council, has focussed on one city. Thanks to increased funding by the Freshfield Foundation, and the cities and regions themselves, it’s now set to cover the whole of the West Midlands.

Local authorities in the seven districts of the West Midlands Combined Authority area (Birmingham, Coventry, Dudley, Sandwell, Solihull, Walsall, and Wolverhampton) will be working with Sustrans to capture data on infrastructure, travel habits, public attitudes and the impact of cycling. The project is designed to help UK cities normalise cycling and reports will be published in 2020 and 2022.

Bike Life was founded in 2014 in seven major UK cities but has grown significantly since. Between 2018 and 2022, more cities and regions will participate in the project bringing the total to 14. Collectively they cover almost 14 million people or 20% of the entire UK population.

The approach taken by Bike Life mirrors the Copenhagen Bicycle Account which outlines the development in cycling, identifies challenges and informs planning at a local level. This helps local authorities to build the case for cycling whilst shaping the political and funding landscape for active travel across the UK.

In Birmingham the council has responded to the findings of Bike Life with a programme of investment to deliver cycle friendly canals and two new segregated cycle routes. Delivered through the ‘Birmingham Cycle Revolution’ the city is aiming to provide safe, attractive and accessible infrastructure to become a healthier and happier city.

Lead member for safe and sustainable travel on the WMCA transport delivery committee, Cllr Diana Holl-Allen, said: “Our sustainable travel team work very hard to promote cycling as a transport choice and we know there is real demand out there so we certainly welcome this initiative. Cycling is a key element of our sustainable travel work and our top level priorities of reducing road congestion and carbon footprint in the region.”

Sustrans Partnerships Manager, Midlands and East, Gavin Passmore said: “We’re really excited to be rolling Bike Life out across the West Midlands. It’s fantastic that the region’s local authorities have signed up to a larger programme. Inactivity, air quality and traffic congestion are issues that can no longer be ignored and we need national and local governments to rise to these challenges. In 2017 Bike Life revealed strong public support in Birmingham for cycling - with eight out of ten residents backing more investment in dedicated spaces for cyclists. An expanded programme will help to build political support amongst a wider audience bringing about the change we really need.”

The RSPCA Newbrook Farm Animal Centre and Hospital in Birmingham is one of the busiest RSPCA centres in the country. Last year, the centre took in 1,331 animals, including 267 dogs, and rehomed more than a thousand animals to their new forever homes.

In 2017, the hospital treated more than 15,000 patients from dogs, cats, rabbits and wildlife, and carried out 1,129 neutering operations.

That is why, this year, people taking part in the My Big Walkies challenge which kicks off in June, can raise money specifically for the Birmingham hospital.

Animal lovers can pledge 10,000 steps a day to help animals just like Bronte and Ollie.

Bronte is a black lurcher crossbreed who came into RSPCA care after she was involved in a road traffic accident.

Staff managed to trace her owners who signed her over so that she could get the treatment she needed at the animal hospital.

The one-year-old had a small fracture to her hind foot.

Deborah Caffull, Birmingham Animal Centre manager, said: “As you can imagine with Bronte being a young dog and an active breed she was so bored by not being able to run and get the exercise her breed loves so much. Now she has been given the all clear for normal exercise and rehoming.

“She loves being off the lead and chasing toys so she will need an active home. Once her energy has been spent she is a very affectionate girl and loves cuddle time. She is great with other dogs and just wants to play, so she could live with another pooch in her next home if they are also fairly playful. Bronte is an energetic typical lurcher who will benefit from experienced owners who can reassure and build her confidence when needed.”

Ollie is a brindle and white crossbreed who came into RSPCA care more than a year ago after he was rescued by an inspector when his previous owner failed to treat his poorly leg.

Ollie had been suffering with a limp in his right hind leg. Once he came into RSPCA care, it was discovered that he had a luxating patella, also known as a floating kneecap. After a month of treatment it was decided that the best option was to amputate the leg and Ollie is now coping well on three paws.

Deborah added: “Ollie is a smart dog and knows basic commands. He loves zooming around off his lead, chasing balls and running rings around us. He will need someone who can continue to socialise him with other dogs so would need an experienced owner and a family with children of secondary school age or older.”

Miranda Goodenough, head of innovation at the RSPCA said: “Birmingham Animal Hospital and Centre is relentlessly working hard to protect the welfare of animals. Each year more than 10,000 animals are cared for at the hospital and the numbers are rising every year.

“That is why you can support the hospital by signing up to My Big Walkies, and take 10,000 steps a day - that’s one step for every animal saved.”

Former West Bromwich Albion player, Brendon Batson, joined 400 cyclists to raise an impressive £23,000 for a charity that’s close to his heart.

Brendon – who played for the Black Country club from 1978 to 1982 – cycled 75km across the West Midlands to help raise vital funds for Birmingham St Mary’s.

The event – which is known as ‘Ride the Reservoir’ – saw the footballing legend and other cycling enthusiasts ride through the scenic villages of Romsley, Belbroughton, Chaddesley Corbett and Barnt Green, before heading back to Bartley Green reservoir.

The ride was originally planned to take place on Sunday 18 March but was postponed to late April due to snowy weather. Whilst Brendon couldn’t make the new date, he decided to complete the cycle independently, to show his continued support for the hospice.

In 2009, Brendon’s wife, Cecily, was cared for by the hospice after being diagnosed with an incurable brain tumour. 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.

“That’s why I wanted to take on Ride the Reservoir – as it’s my way of giving back to the charity that gave so much to my family. Whilst I was gutted that I couldn’t make the postponed date and ride with everyone else, I still really enjoyed getting on my bike and doing something great for the hospice.”

This year was Ride the Reservoir’s most successful event yet, as it raised a record-breaking amount of funds for the hospice and had its highest number of riders. All the money raised will go towards Birmingham St Mary’s, which provides vital care and support to local people living with life-limiting illness.

Lucy Watkins, head of fundraising at Birmingham St Mary’s, said: “This year’s Ride the Reservoir was our best yet. There was a fantastic energy before the ride and it was brilliant to see so many people get pedalling for our hospice.

“It was a tough decision to postpone the event but it’s wonderful to see people who couldn’t make the new date – like Brendon – still get on their bike and complete the ride on their own. Thank you to everyone who took part – your generous fundraising will ensure that we can continue to provide our crucial care across Birmingham and Sandwell.”

Every day, Birmingham St Mary’s cares for 350 people – whether that’s at the hospice, in people’s own homes or in the community. It costs £8 million a year to run its vital services – over half of which need to come from voluntary donations – so it truly relies on generous support to ensure it can continue to care for even more local people living with life-limiting illness.

As part of the City of Wolverhampton’s Queen Street Gateway Townscape Heritage Scheme local volunteers have researched the history of several of the street’s properties.

The work carried out so far will be part of a new exhibition at Wolverhampton Art Gallery in May which tells the story of Queen Street through the years.

Volunteers and City of Wolverhampton Council employees have used a range of sources, including documents, maps and photographs, to highlight areas of continuity and change.

Councillor John Reynolds, City of Wolverhampton Council Cabinet Member for City Economy, said: “Queen Street is such an iconic street in Wolverhampton and is an important part of the city’s history.

“By working with volunteers, historians and the businesses previously located and currently located on Queens Street we will look to restore the buildings to their former glory.”

Ron Macklin, New York based artist, became involved in the exhibition through the Urban Sketchers Group. Ron said: “I really love the Queen Street project and was happy to participate in this sketching event.

“The architecture is truly beautiful even though many of the first-floor commercial stores have masked that beauty. All one needs to do is look up and you can see the beautiful, intricate and graceful details.

“Clearly the original Queen Street owners, architects and builders had a strong pride of place.”

The exhibition also includes a selection of art pieces produced by various local community groups that shine a light on this important thoroughfare.

The exhibition is located on the first floor of the Lichfield Street art gallery and opens with a special launch event on May 26. Visitors will be able to meet the curators and volunteers who have worked on the project and share Queen Street stories.

It runs until Wednesday, July 4 and admission is free.

The Phoenix Newspaper was in Windsor for the Marriage of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle and as you can see, everyone was in the party spirit! Congratulations to the happy couple from everyone at The Phoenix Newspaper!

www.thephoenixnewspaper.com

Families are invited to a fantastic and free day out at the Sandwell Families Big Picnic this half-term.

The picnic, which attracted hundreds of children, parents and carers last year, is on Thursday 31 May by the children's play area in Dartmouth Park, West Bromwich from 11am until 3pm.

This is the ninth annual picnic hosted by Sandwell Council's Family Information Service and promises to be bigger and better than previous years.

Families are asked to bring a picnic along and join in with the free activities on offer including face painting, balloon modelling, circus skills with Steve the Juggler, storytelling, play activities, arts and crafts, sporting activities, animal fun, information stands and much more.

Councillor Simon Hackett, cabinet member for children's services said: "This is a great event for families and best of all, the activities are all free.

"I encourage parents and carers to bring their children and a picnic and enjoy the day. We just hope the weather is as kind to us as it was last year."

National Express is calling on kids all over the country to get creative and design a summer poster promoting their home town to take pride of place on the side of a coach.

The UK’s largest coach operator’s national Colour the Coach competition challenges youngsters aged 5-15 to enter by designing a summer-themed poster advertising the place they live, to encourage people to visit some of the amazing locations on National Express’s unrivalled coach network.

The six winners - whose designs will be whittled down to a shortlist by a panel of judges before being put to an online vote – will see their posters splashed across the side of a National Express coach this summer for thousands to see.

And to encourage the development of their creative talent, each winner will also receive a quality art set including a range of brushes and paints.

National Express Coach Managing Director Chris Hardy, who is on the judging panel said: “Colour the Coach is a fantastic competition which each year, leaves us stunned by the creative talent that we see on display. Our coach services travel to hundreds of destinations so the winning designs will be on display all over the country. I’m calling on youngsters to prepare their palettes this summer and produce a poster that really blows us away.”

Now in its fourth year, the competition has seen 15 winners from all over the country with their designs touring Britain’s motorways on National Express’s coaches.

In past years children have been asked to design their ideal holidays or favourite landmark. Now National Express is bringing summer back home by asking youngsters to promote the place where they live in a bid to encourage people to visit it this summer.

Six winners will be chosen from around the UK and each one will see their picture boldly displayed on one of the many daily coach services that drive on the roads around everyday.

‘Colour the Coach’ is open to children aged 5-15 and entrants should simply draw a poster promoting their home town, incorporating a summer theme, on an A4 sheet of paper using whatever drawing materials they want.

Singing sensation Beverley Knight MBE has been presented with Freedom of the City of Wolverhampton.

Freedom of the City is the highest honour the council can bestow and recognises outstanding achievement.

Wolverhampton-born Beverley, a multi-award-winning recording artist and performer, has been given the honour in recognition of her eminent services to the City of Wolverhampton and public relations.

She was presented with a scroll by the new Mayor of Wolverhampton, Cllr Phil Page, at a specially-arranged civic function last night (WED MAY 16).

Beverley said: “This personal award which I’m able to share with the whole city is beautiful. I was born and raised in Wolverhampton and to have such an accolade given to me is seismic.

“It’s celebrations all around for me right now, it is a beautiful time to celebrate Wolverhampton’s long and strong history and its future.”

Mayor of the City of Wolverhampton, Cllr Phil Page, said: “Freedom of the City is the highest honour we can bestow and it is only granted very rarely to exceptional individuals.

“Beverley Knight is a daughter of the City of Wolverhampton who has achieved outstanding international success as a recording artist, performer, West End star and charity ambassador. She deserves this honour not only for her achievements, but also for the positive and exemplary manner in which she conducts herself, she has never forgotten her roots and is passionate about Wolverhampton and its people.

“We were delighted that she came home to perform at our recent celebration event to mark Wolverhampton Wanderer’s promotion to the Premier League and now she is back once again to receive freedom of the city.”

Besides being an MBE, honorary doctor of music and an ambassador for several charities including Christian Aid and The Terrence Higgins Trust, Beverley has carved a successful career as a singer, songwriter, broadcaster and record producer.

She took the UK soul scene by storm in 1995 and gained an international fanbase in more than 20 countries with fans as far afield as Australia and Brazil.

She has received three MOBO awards, and a Lifetime Achievement Award and has been nominated for BRIT Awards and the Mercury Music Prize, amongst many others.

Beverley received her MBE from the Queen in 2007 in recognition of her services to music and the work she does on behalf of several charities. She was recognised as a Wolverhampton Famous Daughter in 2011 in the arts, media and entertainment category and the judging panel described her as an outstanding role model.

In recent years she has appeared in many acclaimed West End shows including The Bodyguard, Cats and Memphis The Musical for which she was nominated for an Olivier award.

Beverley is a life-long Wolverhampton Wanderers fan and recently performed at a celebration event in West Park in front of 30,000 people to mark Wolves promotion to the Premier League.

WaterSafe, the national register for approved plumbers, is helping to find the UK’s finest plumber in its role as a judge for the UK Plumber of the Year 2018 competition.

The organisation is calling for skilled plumbers from the Midlands and West of England to enter by Friday 29 June for the chance to be crowned the UK’s best plumber and win a prize fund worth more than £10,000.

This year will celebrate more talented plumbers than ever, with the introduction of six regional heats as well as the grand final.

The competition is organised through JT, Bristan and Wolseley and qualified plumbers can apply at ukplumberoftheyear.com with details of a project that demonstrates their skills.

Chris Sneath MBE, founding director and chairman of WaterSafe, will be on the judging panel for the second year running.

He said: “It’s an honour to return to the UK Plumber of the Year competition as an official judge.

“Last year saw a record number of applications and it was both inspiring and reassuring to see so many talented, professional plumbers across the UK who were proud to showcase their work.

“I’m looking forward to see what 2018’s candidates have to offer and would encourage everyone to enter.”

WaterSafe will shortlist three plumbers from the each of the following regions: North England; South England; Midlands and West; Northern Ireland; Wales and Scotland.

Following a public vote, each regional winner will go through to the grand final, to be held later in the year.

WaterSafe is backed by all water companies in the UK and the drinking water inspectorates. It provides an online directory of plumbing businesses in the UK who are trained to meet the strict regulations which aim to keep drinking water safe.