Category: COMMUNITY ANCHORS

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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.

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COMMUNITY ANCHORS: Castle Vale Community Safety Summit

Words by Simon Wilson, Chief Executive Officer – The Pioneer Group & Castle Vale Community Housing / Pics supplied by The Pioneer Group

In May, I was pleased to represent The Pioneer Group at the Castle Vale Community Safety Summit called and organised by Cllr. Ray Goodwin.

The event was a part our response to residents’ concerns that crime and anti-social behaviour was getting worse on the Vale. On a sunny Saturday afternoon, it was testament to the strength of feeling that nearly 40 residents attended and took an opportunity to share their thoughts and experiences.

There was clearly some frustration in respect of the police presence and how thinly spread resources are. Though it was pleasing to hear evidence that crime was actually less prevalent in the Vale than in some surrounding areas.

We continue to play our part in this important issue having recently supported the local policing team to maintain a presence on the Vale, working from one of Pioneer’s local office hubs. Our recent investment in digital upgrades to the CCTV camaras means that they’re all working well.

Residents were supportive of the summit and shared ideas around placement of cameras and the potential for ANPR systems on main access and exits to the neighbourhood and were invited to join a new community speed watch group.

There was a real consensus that we would continue to work in partnership to strengthen the offer around youth work and provision for young people on the Vale.

We remain committed to listening to and acting on feedback from our most important stakeholders, our tenants and residents.

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

For more on Castle Vale Community Housing visit www.cvch.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: Your Voice, Your Vote

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

At Witton Lodge we’re delighted to support the recent launch of ‘Community Voice’, a new community-led initiative that enables residents from across Erdington to have a real say on local issues and opportunities.

Together, we want to connect with those who are passionate about their community, including those ‘less heard voices’ eager to shape and deliver local services and improve their neighbourhoods.

Community Voice welcomes people from all backgrounds and will work hard to reflect the makeup of our local communities from across Erdington and North Birmingham.

We already know there is huge appetite, interest and expertise and Community Voice will help to amplify this.

Now, there is also the small matter of a general election. Our right to vote was hard-won through the tireless efforts and sacrifice of many, so please do exercise this right, and vote.

I was also reminded of sacrifice, during the recent D Day commemorations, when we heard moving accounts from our veterans about how British, Commonwealth and Allied troops made the ultimate sacrifice to protect our freedoms.

Your vote is your voice, and it holds the power to influence the decisions that affect local lives, shape our communities and determine the future of our country.

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: Exams and young people’s wellbeing

Words & pics supplied by Urban Devotion Birmingham

Exam season has begun, and it can be a stressful time to be a young person. Whether as a year 6 pupil, feeling nervous about the big move to secondary, or preparing for GCSE’s or A-Levels, it can be a pressure filled time of year.

The problem is that this pressure can become a negative and crippling force in many young people’s lives, impacting their mental wellbeing in small or significant ways.

For some this can look like overworking and getting stuck in revision. For others it may be complete avoidance or an inability to sit and revise.

As adults we can all play a significant role in helping make this time less stressful and mentally taxing for young people by encouraging and role modelling what it looks like to find a healthy balance between focus, rest and play is essential.

The reality is succeeding during exams does require times of focus, and revision cannot be ignored.

But it also needn’t be all consuming. We all need time to rest our minds and our bodies, and making sure young people know ways to rest and relax is important.

Play can be a great way to do this. This will look different for different ages and for different people, but includes elements of exploration, creativity, and fun.

Perhaps it’s playing a sport, or painting, or jumping on a trampoline – the possibilities are endless! This is as essential for our mental wellbeing, and performance, as getting a good night’s sleep.

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.