Category: COMMUNITY ANCHORS

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COMMUNITY ANCHORS: School uniform giveaway benefits families

Kingstanding police helping distribute school uniforms at McDonald’s in Kingstanding / Photograph supplied by WLCA

Words by Witton Lodge Community Association

Witton Lodge Community Association (WLCA) were thrilled and privileged to support a wonderful school uniform giveaway which has given local families a timely boost ahead of the new academic year.

Kingstanding Police Constable, Faye Purcell, came up with the fantastic idea of kitting out primary school children, while sitting in her garden three weeks ago! 

Community collaboration

More than 40 families have benefited from the Back-To-School initiative which was delivered in partnership with Vision 4 All, Perry Common Community Watch, and Remmer Restaurants (McDonald’s).

“A few weeks ago I was on leave, just sat in my garden and thinking to myself, what can I do to give something back to the local community,” said Faye.

“Then the school uniform idea just popped into my head and I felt it was something that could be achieved. I made a couple of phone calls to see if people would be interested in supporting the idea and lo-and-behold here we are, three weeks later, giving families and their children a real boost. It’s fantastic.”

An appeal was put out to Erdington families with children aged from five-to-11 years inviting them to claim free school essentials including uniform, stationary, pencil cases and bags.

Within 24-hours of the project being posted on social media all the had been claimed; issued to parents on a first-come-first-serve basis.

Vision 4 You helping distribute school uniforms at McDonald’s in Kingstanding / Photograph supplied by WLCA

Families benefit

Two sessions, one held at Witton Lakes Eco Hub and the other at the McDonald’s restaurant on College Road in Kingstanding gave families the chance to collect their items.

Franchise Manager at McDonald’s Nikki Remmer, said: “It’s been really wonderful to support families in the local community in this way.

“As soon as we heard about the project we wanted to get involved.”

The uniforms were donated by Vision 4 All.

Founder of B Major CIC, Bianca-Jade Adeniran, said: “This was the group’s second annual school uniform giveaway which is an amazing initiative, especially in these times that are challenging for so many families.”

For more on Witton Lodge Community Association, visit www.wittonlodge.org.uk

Witton Lodge Community Association is a leading partner in the Erdington Local COMMUNITY ANCHORS programme, supporting independent local and community journalism.

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COMMUNITY ANCHORS: Volunteers on the Ground for Eco Hub Works

Groundwork West Midlands Corporate Volunteers working at Witton Lakes Eco Hub / Photograph supplied by WLCA

Words by Witton Lodge Community Association

A partnership project with Groundwork West Midlands saw a team of Corporate Volunteers pour into Witton Lakes Eco Hub to carry out landscape improvements.

Volunteers from HS2 were on site to help to demolish the Community Orchards existing raised beds, relocate Compost Bins and repaint several metal benches.

Supported by volunteers from the Friends of Witton Lakes (FOWL), they also completed preservation treatment works on the Eco Hub’s fencing and wooden play equipment.

Chair of Witton Lodge Community Association, Linda Hines MBE, who has the same position with FOWL, praised the collaboration effort.

“Several years ago, Groundwork West Midlands got in touch with us to inform us that they organise groups of Corporate Volunteers to help with community projects.

“Over the next three years we had volunteers from different organisations come to help us twice a year. Today’s visit has been fabulous!! The volunteers worked solidly all day long and have transformed the grounds. We are really proud of what they have done and they are rightly proud of themselves too.”

Groundwork West Midlands Corporate Volunteers working at Witton Lakes Eco Hub / Photograph supplied by WLCA

Rachel Riley, Healthy Lifestyles Project Officer at Groundwork West Midlands, helped to coordinate the work.

She said: “We brought 21 volunteers to Witton Lakes Eco Hub. The site is beautiful and very well run by the staff and volunteers.

“We were made to feel very welcome by the team at Witton Lodge Community Association, so I just want to say, on behalf of all of us, a big thank you.”

For more on Witton Lodge Community Association, visit www.wittonlodge.org.uk

For more on Groundwork West Midlands visit www.groundwork.org.uk/westmidlands

Witton Lodge Community Association is a leading partner in the Erdington Local COMMUNITY ANCHORS programme, supporting independent local and community journalism.

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COMMUNITY ANCHORS: I don’t know about you, but I’m feeling twenty-twooo!

Staff and volunteers at Urban Devotion Birmingham / Photograph supplied by UDB

Words by Amy Hayes, Co-Director at Urban Devotion Birmingham (UDB) / Photograph supplied by UDB

Okay, not me personally; I’m well past 22; but this September marks Urban Devotion Birmingham’s 22nd birthday, so I think that Taylor Swift song might just be our theme tune for the year.

Back in 2003, a group of mostly volunteers took to the streets in Erdington, connecting with young people who were out and about. That led to our very first youth drop-in, and over the years our activities have taken so many different forms.

Some of the parents, aunties, and uncles of the children we now welcome to our drop-ins were young people themselves back then; looking for a space to belong, deepening friendships, sometimes testing boundaries…

It’s such a privilege to have been able to offer safe spaces to multiple generations of children and young people over the past 22 years.

All these years later, we’re still here, and we don’t plan on going anywhere. We remain passionate about Erdington and committed to standing with, encouraging, and supporting children and young people as they grow and discover more of who they are.

We’re just as eager to come alongside parents and carers, cheering them on as they raise these wonderful humans. It’s no easy task!

As we step into our 23rd year, we’d love it to include supporting any children, young people or families you care about who haven’t yet connected with us.

For more on Urban Devotion Birmingham visit www.urbandevotion.org

Urban Devotion Birmingham is a key partner in the Erdington Local COMMUNITY ANCHORS programme, supporting independent local and community journalism.

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COMMUNITY ANCHORS: Strengthening connections across Castle Vale

Chief Executive Officer of The Pioneer Group, Simon Wilson / Photograph by Phil Greig – supplied by The Pinoeer Group

Words by Simon Wilson, Chief Executive Officer – The Pioneer Group & Compass Support

At the heart of our work is our pledge to listen, engage, and improve how we connect and work together with our community. Across Castle Vale, we’re making real progress in strengthening our communications and ensuring customers feel informed and involved.

This summer, we’re excited to welcome everyone to our Community Festival on Saturday, 30 August. It’s a brilliant opportunity to come together, celebrate what makes Castle Vale special, and show the great work taking place across Castle Vale. Whether you’ve lived here for years or just moved in, we’d love to see you there.

We’re also hosting a Financial Wellbeing Drop-In on Thursday, 18 September at The Sanctuary, offering practical support and advice to help people manage their finances.

Alongside this, we’re continuing to deliver our Listening Hubs across the estate, these are spaces where you can meet the team, share your views, and hear about what’s happening locally. I’d really encourage you to come along, get your voice heard, and help shape the future of Castle Vale.

You can find these sessions in the latest printed edition of Erdington Local (page 9) or on our Social Media: ThePioneerGroup (Facebook), pioneergroup_ (Twitter/X)

On the housing front, I’m proud to share that through our Windows and Doors Programme, we’ve now completed installations in 1,480 homes, representing an investment of over £7.1 million. We remain on track to complete the programme this autumn, delivering warmer, safer homes for our customers.

Together, we’re building a stronger, more connected Castle Vale. Thank you for being part of it.

For more on The Pioneer Group visit www.pioneergroup.org.uk and for more on Compass Support visit www.compass-support.org.uk

The Pioneer Group and Compass Support are key partners in the Erdington Local COMMUNITY ANCHORS programme – supporting independent local and community journalism.

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COMMUNITY ANCHORS: Growth, Renewal and Fun

Witton Lodge Community Association Chief Officer Afzal Hussain, outside Wellbeing Hub on Erdingotn High Street / Photograph by Ed King

Words by Afzal Hussain – Chief Officer of Witton Lodge Community Association

At Witton Lodge Community Association, we’re proud to see our Witton Lakes Eco Hub continue to thrive as a vibrant, welcoming space for local residents.

This summer has been especially exciting, with a packed programme that has brought together people of all ages and backgrounds to learn, connect, and just enjoy nature. With a mix of workshops, outdoor learning, and family-friendly activities – there really is something for everyone.

A key highlight has been the completion of the Makers Yard – a brand-new creative maker-space rooted in the principles of recycle and the circular economy. Designed to spark creativity and enterprise, the Makers Yard gives residents the chance to develop practical skills, explore new ideas, and contribute to a culture of recycling and sustainable making.

We’re grateful to support from BMet College, PF Stokes and Bournville Village Trust and of course Friends of Witton Lakes who have either offered or are already running workshops from the Makers Yard.

We’ve also had the pleasure of welcoming a number of key stakeholders to the Eco Hub, including funders, partners, and civic leaders. Their visits reflect the growing recognition of the work we’re doing to build vibrant, inclusive, and sustainable neighbourhoods.

At Witton Lodge, we know that real change starts locally. The Eco Hub and Makers Yard are more than just facilities – they’re platforms for showcasing local talent and strengthening community connections.

For more on Witton Lodge Community Association, visit www.wittonlodge.org.uk

Witton Lodge Community Association is a key partner in the Erdington Local COMMUNITY ANCHORS programme, supporting independent local and community journalism.

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COMMUNITY ANCHORS: dig into family fun this Active August at Witton Lakes Eco Hub

Words by Witton Lodge Community Association

On your marks, get set and go go go and enjoy an Active August at Witton Lakes Eco Hub!

Our action-packed schedule of fun family-friendly activities means there something for everyone to savour, every weekday from Monday 4 to Friday 29 August.

You can unleash your creative instincts with our arts and crafts sessions and Bulls in The City workshops; get closer to local wildlife with Duckling Watch and give those green-fingers a good work out with gardening activities which include growing fruit, herbs and vegetables.

You can also learn how to build your own planter.

Family enjoying summer activities with Witton Lodge Community Assocation / Photograph supplied by WLCA

For the more adventurous of you why not share your detective skills in our scavenger hunts or put your imagination to good use with our creative sessions or in our newly opened Makers Yard!

With a range of outdoor games, workshops and a food/gardening events, every appetite is catered for – so get involved and make sure this August is your most active yet!

Most Active August activities are FREE – check the flyer for full details.

It all kicks off on Monday, 4 August from 1pm at Witton Lakes Eco Hub, off Faulkners Farm Drive, B23 7XX.

If you have any questions or need further information please call our friendly team on (0121) 227 3200.

On your marks …

For more on Witton Lodge Community Association, visit www.wittonlodge.org.uk

Witton Lodge Community Association is a leading partner in the Erdington Local COMMUNITY ANCHORS programme, supporting independent local and community journalism.

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COMMUNITY ANCHORS: Free summer activities for families and young people with Urban Devotion Birmingham

Families and young people enjoying summer activities with Urban Devotion Birmingham (UDB) / Photograph supplied by UDB

Words by Emma Winmill, Co-Director at Urban Devotion Birmingham (UDB

Looking for free, fun things to do in Erdington this summer? Urban Devotion Birmingham is here for you all year but in summer we have a range of activities for children, young people, and families to bring people together.

There’s plenty happening right on your doorstep. We have a variety of drop-ins to play games and sports, play PS5, get creative with crafts, enjoy some food, and connect with friends in a safe and welcoming space – all for free.

It doesn’t matter if you’ve never been before. Bring your friends or come on your own. You’ll always get a warm welcome.

As well as drop-ins we’re running The Leap: a group just for Year 6s who are about to start secondary school. It’s a chance to build confidence, make friends, and get ready for what’s next. You’ll need to sign up, so click on the QR code (above) or head to our website to do so.

We know that having somewhere safe to be, with people you trust, makes a difference – not just in summer, but all year round. So come and see what we’re about.

Scan the QR code (above) for more details – and keep an eye on Instagram and Facebook (@urbandevotion) for any last-minute updates or plans.

We look forward to seeing you!

For more on Urban Devotion Birmingham visit www.urbandevotion.org

Urban Devotion Birmingham is a key partner in the Erdington Local COMMUNITY ANCHORS programme, supporting independent local and community journalism.

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COMMUNITY ANCHORS: Safety on the Vale

Chief Executive Officer of The Pioneer Group and Compass Support, Simon Wilson / Photograph by Phil Greig – supplied by The Pioneer Group

Words by Simon Wilson, Chief Executive Officer – The Pioneer Group & Compass Support

Earlier in June, we were pleased to share the results of our latest Tenant Satisfaction Measures (TSMs), which show how you feel about the services we provide.

I’m proud to say that overall satisfaction has risen to 83.9%, a result that reflects the hard work of our teams and the valuable feedback you’ve shared to help us improve. While this is encouraging, we know there’s still more to do to be the best landlord we can be.

One area where we’ve seen a notable improvement is in satisfaction with how we handle anti-social behaviour (ASB). This remains a key priority for us, and we’ve taken steps to strengthen our response.

We’ve invested in a major upgrade of our CCTV system across Castle Vale, which plays a vital role in helping to tackle ASB and keep our neighbourhoods safe.

To date, 96% of the CCTV upgrade has been completed, and in 2024/25 alone, the system helped us capture 456 incidents. This has allowed us to work closely with our local neighbourhood policing team, who we’re proud to host in our building on the Vale.

This technology not only supports enforcement but also acts as a deterrent, helping partners respond more quickly and effectively when issues arise.

We’re continuing with this work and making sure everyone feels safe and supported in our community. Thanks to your feedback, we’re able to shape our services and deliver the best outcomes possible.

For more on The Pioneer Group visit www.pioneergroup.org.uk and for more on Compass Support visit www.compass-support.org.uk

The Pioneer Group and Compass Support are key partners in the Erdington Local COMMUNITY ANCHORS programme – supporting independent local and community journalism.

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COMMUNITY ANCHORS: Celebrating and exploring the importance of a good neighbourhood

Witton Lodge Community Association Chie Officer, Afzal Hussain, outside Wellbeing Hub on Erdington High Street / Photograph by Ed King

Words by Afzal Hussain – Chief Officer of Witton Lodge Community Association

We all know neighbourhoods matter; they always have and always will.

Neighbourhoods have a profound impact on our daily lives and experiences, and a good neighbourhood is essential for our communities to thrive.

At Witton Lodge Community Association (WLCA) alongside our focus on communities, neighbourhood quality and safety has been at the heart of our work for over three decades. We have taken this commitment to the next level by bringing our communities together with leading academics to create a Decent Neighbourhood Standard.

Our ambition remains the same – to create neighbourhoods that are safe, inclusive, and sustainable. Through this initiative we aim to create a universal but adaptable standard that can be applied to both new and existing neighbourhoods.

This will help identify local priorities, guide policy and investment decisions that are actively shaped, influenced, supported, and led by local communities.

The success of Operation Fearless, a recent initiative by West Midlands Police, had a remarkable impact on community safety in and around Erdington High Street. And recent community activities organised by Erdington BID builds on this success.

At WLCA, we remain committed to supporting these efforts, through our services at our Erdington Wellbeing Hub, and our plans to transform the former Erdington Baths into a dynamic enterprise facility.

Over the coming months we will exploring how the Decent Neighbourhood Framework can be used to engage local communities, policy makers and investors to ‘lock-in’ improvements and continue the development of Erdington as a place that we’re all proud of.

For more on Witton Lodge Community Association, visit www.wittonlodge.org.uk

Witton Lodge Community Association is a key partner in the Erdington Local COMMUNITY ANCHORS programme, supporting independent local and community journalism.

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COMMUNITY ANCHORS: Get into the groove for community engagement – return of live annual music event Track Friday

Words by Witton Lodge Community Association

Witton Lodge Community Association are delighted to once more throw the doors open on our annual live music event Track Friday.

Residents are invited to enjoy a showcase of singing, dancing and poetry at Perry Common Community Hall on 11 July when some of North Birmingham’s most creative young talents take centre stage.

Once the lights go down people can enjoy the artistry of Chyna Victoria, Zach Gallagher, Tee Leonie, Ray Ritess, Sensei Jay, Spencer, Amadeus TMM, Satch, Chardevaughan, Rochae, Dsix Seven Ess, Roman, and Raja. A special artist hour will also feature Juddah James and Rufus Rose.

Local singer Jamie Lee, who appeared at last year’s Track Friday, will be back to wow the crowds again. Having stolen the show 12 months ago, Witton Lodge’ directors booked her to perform at our 30th anniversary gala in November!

Performing artists and event founder, Dellano Lewis (second from right), at Track Friday 2024 / Photograph supplied by Witton Lodge Community Association

Dellano Lewis, Community Engagement Officer at Witton Lodge, established Track Friday in 2016. The annual community engagement showpiece provides a platform for the organisation to connect young people to some of its services.

Dellano, who will also be performing at the event as his creative alter-ego, BeeNiice, said: “Track Friday is more than just a live music show.

“It gives the performers, and everyone who attends the show, the opportunity to access Witton Lodge services which can support their education, training and employment needs.”

This year’s event is being sponsored by, and delivered in partnership with, Birmingham Metropolitan College; with a number of its students set to perform.

Hosted by Junelle Jae, with music courtesy of DJ Gaz H, and featuring guest speaker Evo Wiser, the doors open on Track Friday 2025 at 5.30pm at 87 Witton Lodge Road (B23 5JD) with the live performances starting at 6pm. There will also be a prize raffle, food and refreshments.

Entry is FREE to this amazing night of music and creativity. To attend, simply book your free ticket via Eventbrite – CLICK HERE. You must be aged 16 or over to attend.

For more details, please call Dellano on 0121 382 1930 or email: [email protected]

For more on Witton Lodge Community Association, visit www.wittonlodge.org.uk

Witton Lodge Community Association is a leading partner in the Erdington Local COMMUNITY ANCHORS programme, supporting independent local and community journalism.