Category: COMMUNITY ANCHORS

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COMMUNITY ANCHORS: The transforming power of asking why

Words & pics supplied by Urban Devotion Birmingham

(Ed’s note – this column was written for the Erdington Local printed edition and first published on 15.08.24)

It’s a hot day. Walking along the street you spot a group of people looking into a parked car. One has a hammer and you watch as they smash one of the windows. The rest of the group starts cheering.

What’s going on? Would your judgement change depending on whether it was ‘a group of young people’ or ‘a group of old people’?

We make judgements to help us understand situations and keep ourselves and others safe. However, judgements can be skewed by information that isn’t reality. Newspaper headlines, biases, and people’s experiences influence how we feel, think, and the decisions we make.

With the lighter evenings and summer holidays in full swing, there are more children and young people out and about. Each one has their own story, hopes, and fears.

At UDB we want to be available to listen to these young voices and understand their perspectives. By making space, we can better appreciate the actions and intentions of others.

Back to the scenario: the group were young people who spotted a dog panting in a locked car. The owner asked for help having locked their keys in the car, so one of the young people ran to a shop and asked for a hammer.

What if I hadn’t revealed the full story? What story might you have assumed? It’s natural to form judgements, but sometimes it’s worth taking time to hear the whole story. Asking why can transform a situation.

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: Joining forces to improve children’s play area

Words & pics supplied by The Pioneer Group

A local painting team and several staff volunteers, have been working hard to deliver a much-needed revamp to the children’s park on Blenheim Way in Castle Vale.

The Pioneer Group are a community based housing association providing 2,500 homes in Castle Vale, Birmingham.

During the makeover, all children’s play equipment and railings were given a fresh coat of paint, as well as litter-picking and general cleaning up in the local area.

Painting Team Leader, Liam, said: “All of the painting team at The Pioneer Group enjoyed completing this project at Blenheim Park and it was fantastic to hear the positive feedback from residents in the local community.”

“We would like to say thank you to all of the staff volunteers who joined us – it’s clear to see the impact we have had so far!”

The team of volunteers spent three days on site preparing the existing play equipment, painting and tidying the area last month.

Head of Facilities, Irfan, added: “Revamping the park on Blenheim Way was a great team effort.

“This is just one example of the additional value we can bring to the community, making real improvements to Castle Vale.

“We hope children and families will enjoy using it more!”

For more information about The Pioneer Group’s and the services they provide visit www.pioneergroup.org.uk

For more on Compass Support visit www.compass-support.org.uk

Castle Vale Community Housing, 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: Announcing Pioneer’s PlaceShapers membership

Words & pics supplied by The Pioneer Group

The Pioneer Group is excited to announce its’ new membership with PlaceShapers.

As Castle Vale’s main landlord, Pioneer is committed to making the lives of tenants and residents in communities better, aligning with the work of PlaceShapers.

PlaceShapers is a national network of around 100 housing associations across the country, helping to support communities.

Alongside partner not-for-profit businesses, Pioneer will be part of a collective voice on the issues that matter to residents.

The organisation will get help, inspiration and ideas from a network of like-minded organisations to support it in its’ place-shaping role.

Simon, Chief Executive Officer, said: “All of us at The Pioneer Group are proud to be part of PlaceShapers again and look forward to what our membership will bring.

“This will allow us to share our views and experiences with more housing associations, as well as PlaceShapers helping us to further tell our stories.”

For more information about the PlaceShapers network, please visit their website at www.placeshapers.org

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

Castle Vale Community Housing, 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: Success celebrations begin for Ladders of Opportunity applicants

Words & pics supplied by The Pioneer Group

The Pioneer Group had the pleasure of attending Witton Lodge’s celebration event for the Ladders of Opportunity bursary scheme.

The first round of successful applicants from Castle Vale, Stockland Green, Kingstanding and the Erdington areas were invited to celebrate their amazing achievement!

Successful applicants represented a wide range of career goals and were each awarded £1,000 to support their career aspirations.

Jo, Housing and Community Director, said: “We were really pleased to meet those who were successful with their bursary, alongside our partners Witton Lodge Community Association, IM Properties, BMet and Urban Devotion.

“This bursary is a fantastic opportunity for young people to gain support towards their educational needs and career goals for the future.”

The Ladders of Opportunity scheme is available for young people between the ages of 16 and 25 to apply for, where they can financial support up to £1,000, coaching and mentoring towards their education or employment.

The fund is in memory of MP Jack Dromey and Councillor Penny Holbrook, with many of their family and friends attending to witness the positive impact of their legacy.

A second round of funding is now open for applications for young people between 16 and 25 living in Castle Vale and the surrounding areas mentioned above.

For a chance to receive this bursary and valuable support towards your career goals, click here and head over to Witton Lodge’s website to apply.

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

Castle Vale Community Housing, 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: Early Help support service granted new funding

Words & pics supplied by The Pioneer Group

The Pioneer Group is committed to ensuring families have access to the essential support and information they need.

The Early Help offer, led by the Family Team at its’ charitable arm, Compass Support, has been granted new funding.

Erdington Families Early Help has been operating since April 2020.

However, with this new funding, the charity is now able to provide our services to families in Sutton Coldfield, as well as Erdington.

Tracey, Head of Operations at Compass Support, said: “We are incredibly pleased Early Help has been granted this funding.

“Early help is an important service for us to help those children and families who need it most.

“This new funding allows us to continue to support families at the heart of the Erdington and Sutton Coldfield communities.”

Early Help aims to support the well-being of children and families.

It builds on family’s strengths and interests, offering practical support to thrive.

The service provides a helpline for families and professionals to access Early Help, as well as information on resources and services for children and families in the area.

For more information about access to Early Help, please visit the website page: www.compass-support.org.uk/our-services/early-help-compass-support

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

Castle Vale Community Housing, 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: Engaging with residents about our future plans

Words and images supplied by The Pioneer Group

Later this year we will be celebrating 20 years since the Housing Action Trust transferred our homes on the Vale to what was then called Castle Vale Community Housing Trust. This was then known as Castle Vale Community Housing Association and later renamed The Pioneer Group in 2015.

I can’t begin to capture all the changes that have happened since that time. The early days were all about delivering on promises to invest in homes and develop good landlord services.

Today we continue to deliver on those promises, reinvesting in schemes like our window and door replacement programme and taking steps to reduce our homes impact on the environment.

Decisions about how we invest in our homes and services is set out in a document called our Corporate Plan – the current five-year plan runs until April next year and has been focused on great safe homes and strong vibrant communities.

Over the next three months we will be engaging with all residents, our service users and stakeholders on our next corporate plan. We want to know what you think makes a great landlord and help set our priorities for the next three years.

With continuing economic pressure, it is likely that there are going to be some difficult choices to make, so it’s important that you have your say.

I would encourage you to get involved, have your say and genuinely influence what we do for you and your community.

If you want to come along to a focus group or have some thoughts to share please get in touch through our website (see below) or call into the High Street office.

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: Free activities across summer holidays with Urban Devotion Birmingham

Words and pic supplied by Amy Hayes – Co-Director, Urban Devotion Birmingham

When we spoke to young people and children in Erdington about the summer holidays many were full of excitement; looking forward to spending time with friends and family, having a much-needed break from their studies.

School holidays provide a great opportunity for rest and play – two things that are vitally important for our wellbeing.

We know the pressure parents and carers can feel to meet these needs through expensive trips or activities. The reality is that most of us are going to be looking at how we can fill the time without the expense.

From experience with my kids, I know that those random bike rides in the park, games in the local field, and film nights in the house can be just as precious as the expensive trips. It’s about the time we shared together.

If you’re a parent/carer and reading this… release that pressure to be spending loads!

Here at Urban Devotion Birmingham (UDB) we love connecting with children, young people, and their families across Erdington through the school term, and this doesn’t stop in the summer holidays! For five weeks of the summer, UDB are hosting free activities for both children and for young people across multiple neighbourhoods so there will be one near you!

No sign-up is needed, and everyone who comes along will have the opportunity to engage in a different theme each week, connect with others their age and enjoy a meal together.

Why don’t you build these activities into your summer plans? We’d love to see 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: Paget Rangers return to the Vale

Words and lead image supplied by The Pioneer Group / Supporting pics by Ed King

Birmingham-based Paget Rangers have come home to Castle Vale, playing on Saturday afternoons at Castle Vale Stadium as per league fixtures.

Since leaving the estate in the late 90s, the football club are already re-engaging with the local community by welcoming them to their home games.

The team are also preparing to provide free football training at the stadium, for those living in Castle Vale and surrounding areas.

Dave Travers, Stadium Manager at Castle Vale Stadium, said: “We are delighted to have brought back Paget Rangers to the stadium, as a new club with a big community focus.

“With a junior section of teams from ages 7 to 18, they have a clear pathway into first team football and are producing their first own team players.”

Lee Woods, Stadium Duty Officer, added: “It’s exciting to welcome Paget Rangers back home and see how the club drives forward.

“All of us at the stadium and wider organisation, The Pioneer Group, look forward to the future of this new, bright partnership.”

Almost 25 years ago, Paget Rangers moved to their home, Vale Stadium in Castle Vale, for the start of the 1998/1999 season, after five seasons ground sharing with Sutton Coldfield Town.

Unfortunately, this did not work out – however, The Pioneer Group bought the stadium, maintaining a community sport and social hub for Castle Vale residents.

Sean Feeney, Chairman of Paget Rangers, said: “We believe that Castle Vale Stadium can be the heartbeat of this football club and residents of the local community can be our 12th man.

“We look forward to supporters joining us, so we have decided to offer all residents from Castle Vale a discounted season ticket this year.”

For more from Paget Rangers visit www.pagetrangers.co.uk

For more information about Castle Vale Stadium, visit  www.castlevalestadium.co.uk or follow the venue on Facebook @Castle Vale Stadium

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, Castle Vale Community Housing, 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: Times of change

Words & pics supplied by Urban Devotion Birmingham

We are in a time of change for many young people.

Whether it’s the end of a school year, saying goodbye to school or college, or finishing exams, there is a significance in finishing the academic year and looking ahead to what’s next.

This time of transition happens to coincide with another huge moment of potential transition and change – a general election! No matter the outcome, this can be a time of turbulence, of promised changes, and a country waiting in anticipation.

Change can be exciting and good for us. It can also induce fear, anxiety and high levels of stress.

Over-exposure to the stress related with change can have negative impacts, especially on children and young people even disrupting brain development when experienced for prolonged periods of time.

One of the privileges we have at UDB is to be a source of stability and continuity for young people, giving them spaces to self-express, de-stress and find consistency.

These things aren’t limited to us as youth workers; if you know a young person why don’t you check in with them in the next few days? The well-used saying ‘it takes a village to raise a child’ is so true and you showing care can make a real difference.

As you do that we’d love for you to encourage them to connect with one of our spaces so that we can be part of that village too. Use the QR code to see what we are up to.

For more on Urban Devotion Birmingham visit www.urbandevotion.org or scan the QR code in this article.

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