WATCH (Working Actively To Change Hillfields) a Coventry-based charity that provides support and resources to some of the most disadvantaged individual’s in today’s society has received funding of £33,328 from People’s Health Trust, using money raised through The Health Lottery. This funding will enable WATCH to deliver a Community Action Project in Hillfields until July 2017.

MedicAnimal, the UK’s largest online pet healthcare retailer, is warning pet owners to take action against pet obesity this January. Pet obesity is on the rise. A Pet Food Manufacturer’s Association’s (PFMA) 2015 report found that 73% of vets believe the problem of obesity is getting worse and pet owners are seemingly unaware of the life-limiting effects of obesity. The main cause of obesity in pets is generally too much food and too little exercise.

Work has started on the on-road improvements being delivered as part of the Birmingham Cycle Revolution scheme with the aim of making cycling an everyday way to travel in the city. When complete, the current package of work on the Lichfield Road ‘main corridor’ will comprise mainly of cycling facilities within existing bus lanes, following the A5127 from the City Centre to Erdington via Lancaster Circus, Corporation Street, Dartmouth Circus, Aston Road, Lichfield Road and Salford Circus.

Over 20 Action for Children inclusion champions from across the UK Action for Children have taken part in innovative anti-discrimination training at Cape Hill Children’s Centre in Birmingham.  The day included a workshop delivered by the Anthony Walker Foundation which was set up by the family of Anthony Walker following his racially motivated murder in 2005. 

Green-fingered citizens are being reminded it is still not too late to sign up for Birmingham’s garden waste recycling service – and earn a £2 discount in the process. Anyone who subscribes online for the 2016 season will have to pay just £33 for the service, which offers 20 fortnightly collections between February and November, rather than the £35 for anyone booking via the council contact centre.

Her Majesty The Queen celebrates her 90^th birthday later this year and City of Wolverhampton Council has given residents an extra reason to celebrate. The council is believed to be the first in the country to waive costly licence fees if people apply for a road closure to be able hold a street party. The move will save party organisers up to £690 and the council hopes it will encourage as many people as possible to organise a knees-up for the Queen.