Community News

Summer holiday season is now in full swing with thousands of families leaving the country for their long-awaited break in the sun, but many could be leaving themselves vulnerable to the threat posed by burglars. Allison Thompson, managing director at property specialist Leaders, says it is important to take steps to reduce the likelihood of thieves targeting your home while you are away.

Families will inevitably spend more time outdoors in the summer holidays, but a new survey* by Dogs Trust, the UK’s largest dog welfare charity, has discovered that, whilst more children are afraid of wasps, bees and spiders, over a third (37%) of UK parents think that their children are fearful of dogs. With 33% of 2-14 year olds coming into contact with a dog every single day, this could be problematic for families when they are out and about this summer, especially as 25% of parents say their child’s fear of dogs affects their daily life.

Recent research commissioned to mark the launch of oral health workshops from leading charity Action for Children and its partnership with The Wrigley Company Ltd, has revealed that 21 percent of West Midlands people think that we smile the most in our 20’s. The survey identified that 23 is age that we smile the most in our lives. The research also showed that 4 percent of the region’s residents think that we smile the least from the ages of 11 – 15, when we are at secondary school.

Heath Town estate’s regeneration has taken a step forward with pre-demolition enabling works starting on site – while the process of appointing a developer will begin this summer. City of Wolverhampton Council has developed a Masterplan to transform the estate. It will bring new housing, refurbished homes, and improved leisure space. Work involves demolishing some buildings to make way for new development.

Around 60 children from Welbourne Primary School joined the Deputy leader of Haringey Council, Jamaican High Commissioner, Tottenham MP David Lammy and local poet Abe Gibson to officially re-open the £3million Marcus Garvey Library.

Include Me TOO have organised a roundtable discussion taking place next week at the House of Lords, to be hosted by Baroness Uddin a member of the All Party Parliamentary Group on Disability and All Party Parliamentary Group on Autism. Lord Chris Holmes MBE, Disability Commissioner and Chair of the Disability Committee at the Equality and Human Rights Commission will also be supporting the event and attending as a Key Speaker.

City partners have hailed the success of the Enjoy Wolverhampton ten-day programme. Thousands of residents and visitors were enticed to the city’s venues and attractions by a host of free and purse-friendly activities and offers between July 1 and 10. Highlights saw Wolverhampton Racecourse double their usual Tuesday afternoon race attendance, Wolves Museum host more than 400 people in a day; and a free tour of Bank’s Brewery book up within hours.

City of Wolverhampton Council has joined forces with a number of key partners to develop the city’s Canalside area. The announcement was made on Tuesday at a Houses of Parliament event showcasing Wolverhampton as a city of opportunity to a room full of high-profile developers and investors, and MPs. The Canalside Delivery Partnership also includes the Canal & River Trust, Homes and Communities Agency (HCA), Network Rail, and the West Midlands Combined Authority.

The start of works to rebuild Erdington Leisure Centre, one of three existing leisure centres across the city to be replaced by Birmingham Community Leisure Trust (BCLT), working in partnership with Birmingham City Council (BCC) has begun. A fourth centre at a new site at Icknield Port Loop in Edgbaston will also be built and managed by the Trust. Established in 2015, BCLT is tasked to create and maintain a first class range of health, leisure and recreational activities and facilities to serve all parts of the community.

Over thirty thousand people from across the West Midlands went bonkers in bandages today in support of Birmingham Children’s Hospital Charity’s fourth annual summer fundraiser – The Big Bandage. Celebrities such as Connie Talbot, UB40, Wolverhampton Wanderers Captain Danny Batth, the cast of Doctors and Aston Villa star Nathan Baker joined a host of businesses, schools, community groups, patients and staff by putting on a bandage and making a donation.

Mayor of London Sadiq Khan today said the city was one of the best places in the world to visit as new figures show the capital remains the favoured destination for international travellers. According to the Office for National Statistics International Passenger Survey, London received a record 3.8 million visits from overseas travellers in the first three months of this year, an increase of seven per cent, when compared to the same period in 2015.

In collaboration with the Black Country Growth Hub, the Black Country Chamber of Commerce is inviting members of the local business community to join them for a unique networking experience to mark Black Country Day 2016. Taking place on 14^th July at the Wolverhampton Business Solutions Centre, this Black Country Day event is free to attend and will serve as the ideal opportunity for delegates to come together and celebrate the cultural heritage of the region.

Direct Line Pet Insurance can reveal millions of cats are at risk of life threatening illnesses as a result of being overfed and not doing enough physical activity. Over two fifths (42 per cent) of the nation’s cats are overweight. Direct Line Pet Insurance is urging responsible pet ownership as more than a quarter (26 per cent) of vets surveyed said that more than half of the cats they treat are now overweight.

Nationwide Building Society asks members to vote online for the charities they would like to receive a £5,000 donation, as part of the Society’s initiative – The Big Local – and make a difference to lives and communities across the UK. Each month Nationwide selects three charities nominated by its members from a different UK region. The three chosen charities will each be awarded £200 and both the public and Nationwide members can vote for which of the three they would most like to receive an additional £5,000.

The search is on to find the UK’s most dog-friendly places, as the Kennel Club launches its Be Dog Friendly Awards 2016. The competition, now in its tenth year, is part of the wider Be Dog Friendly campaign which aims to break down barriers for man’s best friend by encouraging more businesses and public spaces to welcome dogs.  With around 8.5 million dogs in the UK, and around one in four households owning a dog, the great British public are always on the lookout for places where their four-legged family members are also welcome.

The Ageing Better in Birmingham programme, a Big Lottery Fund investment project designed to support isolated people over 50 across the city, was officially launched last week. Ageing Better in Birmingham will be delivered by a partnership of voluntary sector organisations. The Ageing Better Partnership, led by Birmingham Voluntary Service Council (BVSC), was allocated £6million to deliver the six year programme.