The West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner Youth Summit took place last week with hate crime, knife crime and personal safety high on the agenda. As the previous eight Youth Commissioners step down, Commissioner David Jamieson welcomed the six new Youth Commissioners to the role

People in the West Midlands who volunteer say it makes them feel happier and helps them contribute to their local community. These are the findings of new research about volunteering by sight loss charity RNIB (Royal National Institute of Blind People). The survey also found that 56 per cent of respondents in the region who do not volunteer said they want to in the future, with nearly a quarter most keen to share their technology skills.

This year’s Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) History Month theme is ‘Religion, Belief and Philosophy: A Leap of Faith’ , and the month closes with a debate on ‘Faith and the LGBT Community in 2016′ at the Council House today. Organised by SHOUT Festival (a project of Birmingham LGBT) and Birmingham City Council’s LGBT Employees & Allies Network, the multi-faith panel  will consider the question ‘Faith and the LGBT community in 2016 – where are we now and what next?’.

Birmingham City Council has joined forces with two city charities to help improve the lives of hundreds of homeless people. From 22 February Midland Langar Seva Society (MLSS) has been offering a hot meal service for homeless people from the Digbeth headquarters of SIFA Fireside. The service, from 6.30-8pm, will operate every Monday, Wednesday and Friday. Sikh charity MLSS has been providing free hot food every weekday evening in Birmingham City Centre for almost two years.

The 29^th February offers the unique opportunity to create a completely fresh, national date in the diary, according to the #Make29Matter campaign. The idea is to establish a national day shaped by contemporary values and society, to stage extraordinary activities across the UK for the greater good. Its unique occurrence every four years automatically gives 29^th February a special feel and while it’s unlikely to happen in 2016, the four years to 2020 gives organisers plenty of time to plan.

A one-off sponsored reading of Bishop Francis Asbury’s journals is being staged to mark the 200 anniversary of his death – and Sandwell people are invited to join in the fun event. The affectionate tribute – which will last several hours – will give a wonderful insight into Asbury’s character. The non-stop reading, inspired by Asbury’s extensive writing, will help raise awareness of his amazing rise from humble origins in Hamstead to becoming one of America’s founding fathers.