Community News

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.

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.

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.

A vision for the sustainable transformation of the area between the City Hospital and Edgbaston Reservoir has been approved. The Greater Icknield Masterplan provides guidance on how over 60 hectares bordering the west side of the city centre can be developed. It is the largest brownfield housing-led redevelopment proposal in Birmingham, with the potential to provide around 3,000 new homes and 1,000 job opportunities.

Every taxi driver in Wolverhampton is to be offered training to help in the fight against child sexual exploitation (CSE) in the Black Country. The City of Wolverhampton Council is encouraging its licenced taxi drivers to act as "eyes and ears" in the fight against CSE, a crime in which perpetrators groom youngsters and emotionally and sexually abuse them.

People across the city are being urged to make sure they are registered to vote in May’s local elections. Individuals who fail to register to vote will be unable to have their say at in the local and police and crime commissioner elections, which will be held on 5 May 2016.Also, residents of Sutton Coldfield could miss their chance to vote for their new town councillors.

Registration is now open for Wolverhampton's fantastic new walking, cycling and running game Beat the Street, and people young or old are being encouraged to sign up now to take part in the city-wide challenge – with some fantastic prizes up for grabs for those clocking up the highest scores. Players receive points for the distance they travel on foot or bike between special sensors called Beat Boxes which are being erected on lampposts around Wolverhampton.

The transformation of Perry Barr, starting with the A34 North Perry Barr subways project has been approved. The scheme will see a safe, attractive and convenient pedestrian route to help stimulate future investment by filling in three pedestrian subways at the junction and the centre of the island raised to existing road level.

Tottenham’s tribute to local people who gave their lives for their country will be restored to its former glory after a Haringey Council restoration project got underway. Tottenham War Memorial, at the entrance to Tottenham Green, will be cleaned, repaired and repainted as part of work to refurbish the Grade II listed monument, which was first unveiled in June 1923. Around 35,000 men from the area served in the First World War, with more than 2,000 losing their lives.

Tottenham’s tribute to local people who gave their lives for their country will be restored to its former glory after a Haringey Council restoration project got underway. Tottenham War Memorial, at the entrance to Tottenham Green, will be cleaned, repaired and repainted as part of work to refurbish the Grade II listed monument, which was first unveiled in June 1923. Around 35,000 men from the area served in the First World War, with more than 2,000 losing their lives.

A roadshow educating the public about the dangers of potentially lethal illegal tobacco has visited venues across Wolverhampton this week. The Illegal Tobacco Unit has toured sites around the city as the latest weapon in the city council’s fight against fake cigarettes. It comes as part of the council-led Operation Riposte which has seen a number of successful and high profile raids on shops selling fake and non-duty paid cigarettes and alcohol.

Birmingham’s John Taylor Hospice needs volunteers to help out in its day hospice for a few hours per week in support of care staff. New for 2016, the Grange Road social enterprise is trialling running the day hospice on Fridays, in addition to its Monday, Tuesday and Thursday groups. Volunteer Patricia Rogers, who lives in Erdington, helps out every Friday.

The 'Oh Cecilia' and 'Can We Dance' stars, The Vamps, took part in re-'vamp'ed sports day activities with pupils of lead singer Brad Simpson's old school in Sutton Coldfield. Fairfax School welcomed the British pop rock band as the whole nation bends and stretches into shape for Sport Relief, kick starting their 2016 fundraising effort.

Making brilliant banners, a toy town and medals are among a host of fun creative activities lined up in Wolverhampton during next week’s February half-term. Wolverhampton Art Gallery, Bilston Craft Gallery and Bantock House Museum are all hosting fun family events during the school break. Youngsters aged from four to 12 can drop into Wolverhampton Art Gallery on Monday 15 February from 1pm-2.30pm to design their own textile banners using rich textures and colourful fabrics.

The restoration of a 1979 Mini 1275 GT is at the heart of a new narrative work by critically-acclaimed artist Stuart Whipps, looking at the history and heritage of the famous Longbridge car factory in Birmingham. Whipps has been commissioned by WERK, as part of the Longbridge Public Art Project (LPAP), designed to support the ongoing regeneration of the former car factory site.

A search has begun to find the children and their families featured in iconic photographs of Birmingham’s shocking housing conditions in the 1960s. As part of Shelter’s 50th anniversary, the housing and homelessness charity is hunting for the people behind the pictures and is urging Birmingham residents to view the images to identify family or friends.