Category: The Pioneer Group & Compass Support

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COMMUNITY ANCHORS: We Are Pioneer – The launch of our new Corporate Plan

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

The Pioneer Group CEO Simon Wilson / Pic supplied by The Pioneer Group

Castle Vale has always been at the heart of everything we do.

As we launch our new Corporate Plan (2025-2028), we’re setting out a clear vision for the future, one that strengthens our commitment to providing safe, high-quality homes, improving services, and investing in our community.

Over the next three years, we’ll focus on delivering better housing, putting customers first, and creating opportunities for people to thrive.

This means we are making sure our homes are well-maintained and energy-efficient, making it easier for customers to access the services they need, and continuing to support local projects that make a real difference.

Listening to our customers is at the heart of this plan. We want to make sure your voices shape the way we work, whether it’s through improving customer service, upgrading homes, or strengthening support for families and individuals across Castle Vale.

This is an exciting step forward, and we’re committed to making a real, lasting impact. To find out more about what’s ahead, visit our website or follow us on social media.

Together, we’re building a stronger Castle Vale. Together, We Are Pioneer.

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: Covid pandemic five year anniversary

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

The Pioneer Group CEO Simon Wilson / Pic supplied by The Pioneer Group

It’s hard to believe that it has been five years since the Covid pandemic started and cast a dark shadow over so many lives.

As a housing association our world stopped and changed forever as the pandemic struck. As a business we had to adapt to working and providing services remotely for the first time and of course as events unfolded stepped up alongside the whole community on Castle Vale to help those in need.

We helped coordinate a Covid Taskforce alongside the likes of Spitfire Services, church groups, the schools and local organisations all of which coordinated a huge range of provision from medication and food deliveries to welfare calls.

Much of the effort relied on volunteers and goodwill. Many colleagues couldn’t work from home and carried on with vital services in the community.


In many ways it showed something about Castle Vale I have always known. When times are tough and the community faces a challenge it will respond, it will come together and it won’t be done to, it will stand up for itself.

It’s easy to forget with the passage of time just how scary those days where and sadly too many families they would lose loved ones – they will never forget and nor should we.

If you follow the news this can also be seen as quite a scary time with global political and economic uncertainty and closer to home we remain conscious of the real world impact of cost of living crisis and fragile state of many public services.

It feels timely and important to reflect on what we can achieve as a community alongside remembering those we lost.

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: Barclays Digital Van offering free digital support and advice to Castle Vale community

Words by The Pioneer Group

Barclays Digital Van offering support and advice to local residents / Pic supplied by Barclays UK

The Pioneer Group are excited to welcome the Barclays Digital Van to the Castle Vale community, bringing free digital support and advice to residents across the estate.

Especially these days, it is increasingly important for everyone to have access to digital tools, whether it’s for job searches, staying in touch with family, or learning new skills. That’s why The Pioneer Group are working with Barclays to bring this service right to the doorstep of people living on Castle Vale.

The Barclays Digital Van is coming to Castle Vale on Wednesday, 26 February, offering essential digital support and guidance.

Join the team at 2 Renfrew Square, Birmingham, B35 6JT, from 10am to 1pm – to access free internet, digital skills training, and expert advice on using technology to stay connected, find job opportunities, and access online services.

What’s on offer at the Barclays Digital Van:

  • Employment Support – Help with CV building, job applications, and interview preparation.
  • Healthcare Access – Guidance on using telehealth services to connect with doctors.
  • Social Inclusion – Support to help residents stay in touch with loved ones online.
  • Free Internet Access – High-speed WiFi to assist with job searches, education, and more.
  • Digital Skills Training – Learn computer basics and improve online safety.
    Tech Support – Get help with devices and troubleshooting issues.

The Pioneer Group are committed to making sure local residents have the tools they need to feel confident online.

Whether you’re just starting out or need extra support, many across the Castle Vale community can benefit from this fantastic service.

Renfrew Square is situated next to St Gerrard’s Church, on the corner of Yatesbury Avenue and Turnhouse Road – click here for direction from Google Maps.

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

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

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COMMUNITY ANCHORS: Hearing from our tenants to help build a better community across Castle Vale

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

Simon Wilson, CEO of The Pioneer Group / Pic supplied by The Pioneer Group

It feels like we’re constantly being asked for feedback – on everything from a takeaway to our last taxi ride. Surveys seem to be everywhere!

We also ask questions about the services we provide. But unlike a big business trying to make more sales, we’re a not-for-profit organisation. Every penny of rent we receive is reinvested into our services and tenants’ homes.

We want to know if we’re doing a good job. So, if you’ve had a repair done or new windows fitted, you might be asked to complete a short survey.

We know we don’t always get things right, and your feedback helps us improve. Of course, if you’d rather not take part, you can opt out – but we hope you won’t, because we really do listen and act on what you tell us.

Beyond service feedback, we’re also collecting Tenant Profile Information. That might sound a bit technical, but it’s simply about understanding our tenants’ needs better.

For example, if we don’t know you have a disability (and some disabilities aren’t visible), we might miss the opportunity to provide an even better service to meet your needs. We also ask about things like age and ethnicity to ensure we’re designing services that are fair and inclusive for everyone.

In the coming weeks, as a Pioneer resident, you’ll have the opportunity to share your thoughts with us. Your feedback will help us improve our services.

Plus, you could win one of two £50 Amazon gift vouchers! Complete the survey for a chance to enter the prize draw.

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: New initiative from Compass Support to introduce girls to football on Castle Vale

Words supplied by The Pioneer Group / Compass Support

Young girls playing football as a team / Pic from Adobe Stock Images

Compass Support, part of The Pioneer Group, is launching an exciting new initiative to introduce girls to football in the local community.

A special taster session will take place on Wednesday, 19 February, during half-term, offering young girls the chance to experience the sport through fun activities, teamwork, and skill-based games.

These sessions aim to encourage girls aged 8-11 to get involved in football, make new friends, and build confidence in a supportive and engaging environment. The taster session will serve as a launchpad for upcoming FA Wildcats sessions, which will continue in the coming months to help grow grassroots girls’ football in the area.

The Sanctuary community centre on Tangemere Drive, Castle Vale / Pic supplied by The Pioneer Group

These sessions will initially be held at The Sanctuary, with plans to move to Castle Vale Stadium, part of The Pioneer Group, as the programme expands into the summer months.

This programme has been made possible thanks to funding from Birmingham FA, after the team successfully completed FA training to become an official provider. This funding will help lay the foundation for long-term opportunities for girls to get involved in football and develop their skills.

Local residents attending football match at Castle Vale Stadium / Pic by Ed King

Jo Fieldhouse, Director of Housing and Community, said: “This wonderful opportunity is made possible by the great community assets we continue to invest in across Castle Vale, The Sanctuary community centre and Castle Vale Stadium.

“I am delighted to see this initiative progressing, the team have been holding some informal coaching sessions for some time, attracting funding will strengthen our capacity to continue supporting girls football”

A spokesperson from Birmingham FA added: “We at Birmingham FA are pleased to support and encourage football. Our purpose is to help the game develop, to boost participation and engage the community. By giving players access to fundamental equipment like footballs makes this possible.”

The ultimate goal is to bring girls’ football to Castle Vale by providing a clear pathway for young players to progress in the sport while fostering a love for the game in a fun and inclusive setting.

For more information or to register interest, please contact Compass Support at [email protected] or on (0121) 748 8111.

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

For more on Castle Vale Stadium visit www.castlevalestadium.co.uk/
For more on the Birmingham County Football Association visit www.linktr.ee/BirminghamFA

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

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COMMUNITY ANCHORS: The Pioneer Group raises over £2,150 for UK’s leading pregnancy and birth support charity, Tommy’s

Words by The Pioneer Group

The Pioneer Group staff Katie and Serina at charity bake sale (750px) / PIc supplied by The Pioneer Group

The Pioneer Group is proud to announce a successful year of fundraising efforts, culminating in a donation of £2,152 to Tommy’s – the UK’s leading charity dedicated to supporting people around pregnancy and childbirth.

Named after St Thomas’ Hospital in London, where the UK’s first ever pregnancy research centre was established from 1997-2021, Tommy’s is dedicated to supporting those dealing with the heartbreak and devastation after losing a baby – and to make pregnancy and birth as safe as possible.

Tommy’s work tirelessly across the whole pregnancy journey to drive change at every level – translating its research breakthroughs into new tests and treatments in clinical care, changing national maternity policy and providing expert information and support for anyone who needs it.

The contribution from The Pioneer Group could fund a month of research by a Tommy’s scientist, helping to prevent second trimester losses and reduce the heartbreak of baby loss.

Staff, stakeholders, and residents of The Pioneer Group came together throughout the year to support this important cause, participating in a variety of creative fundraising activities.

Notable fundraising highlights include:

  • David Bucknall running 60 miles over the month of June
  • Sarah Melaney walking 100 miles during May
  • Kathryn Priest completing 100 skips every day in October
  • A series of community events, including a bake sale, a bake-off by the Executive Leadership Team, a World Cup football sweepstake, Christmas raffle donations, and a sponsored football game
The Pioneer Group Chief Executive Officer Simon Wilson / Pic supplied by The Pioneer Group

Simon Wilson, Chief Executive of The Pioneer Group, expressed his pride in the efforts: “This great achievement reflects the passion and commitment of everyone involved, from our staff to our residents.

He added:” Supporting Tommy’s vital work to prevent baby loss aligns with our core values of delivering safe and supportive communities. We’re grateful for the opportunity to make a difference.”

Sarah House, Head of Corporate Partnerships at Tommy’s, also told: “We feel incredibly grateful to work with amazing organisations such as The Pioneer Group whose support is crucial in helping us to continue our mission to stop the heartbreak and devastation of baby loss and make pregnancy and birth safe – for everyone.”

For more on Tommy’s visit www.tommys.org
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: Committed to Castle Vale residents and celebrating community across 2025 and beyond

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

The Pioneer Group Chief Executive Officer Simon Wilson / Pic supplied by The Pioneer Group

A very Happy New Year from The Pioneer Group!

Reflecting on 2024, I am incredibly proud of all we accomplished as an organisation. Together, we reached significant milestones that highlight our unwavering commitment to supporting the Castle Vale community.

Two standout moments in December captured the spirit of our community. The first was the Christmas Tree lights switch-on, a great celebration that brought Castle Vale residents together to share in the festive spirit.

This event would not have been possible without the generosity of our partners, Nationwide Windows and Doors, who donated the tree and lights. Despite challenging weather conditions, residents came together for a festive celebration. Our thanks also go to Cllr Goodwin and the team at Birmingham City Council for their support.

Beyond the event, our partnership with Nationwide has delivered incredible results: 553 homes upgraded, 1,210 properties surveyed, and over £3 million invested in improvements – with more to come.

The second highlight was our Christmas Hamper and Gift Drop. Through the Christmas Tree Tag programme, we identified over 100 children in need, and the community generously donated more than 60 gifts through our Joy to the Vale campaign.

Thanks to our dedicated staff, who worked tirelessly to gather, wrap, and deliver these presents, we brought joy to countless households during the festive season.

As we move into 2025, our commitment to being an anchor within the community remains high on our agenda. We’re excited to launch our new Corporate Plan in April, which will guide our service delivery for the next three years.

By working together with staff, residents, and stakeholders, we look forward to building on our successes and making an even greater impact.

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 the Castle Vale community at Christmas and into the New Year

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

Simon Wilson, CEO – The Pioneer Group / Pic supplied by The Pioneer Group

(Ed’s note – this column was written for the Erdington Local printed edition and first published on 20.12.24)

As we enter the festive season, we reflect on the strength of our community and the importance of supporting one another. We know that while this time of year can bring festive cheer, it can also present challenges for families in Castle Vale. That’s why we remain committed to easing the burden across the Vale.

Our teams are at the heart of what we do, providing support to residents, including delivering hampers to those in need over this festive period, with the aim of bringing joy to the Vale.

I’d also like to reflect on this year’s Christmas Tree Lights Switch-On, which was a great success, bringing residents together in a moment of celebration, reflecting the spirit of Castle Vale.

It’s a tradition that will continue for years to come, and we’re grateful to everyone involved in making this event happen.

As an anchor within the community, we’re continuing our commitment to make Castle Vale a place where everyone can thrive. We’re thankful to our residents, partners, and staff and together, we can make this festive season brighter for all.

We look forward to continuing our work in the new year.
Have a great Christmas and a Happy New Year!

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: Making plans for our next 20 years on the Vale

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

(Ed’s note – this column was written for the Erdington Local printed edition and first published on 15.11.24)

Towards the end of the summer, we asked our residents, stakeholders and members of the wider community to tell us what the most important services are that we provide and what makes a great landlord.

You responded to that call, and we have received lots of interesting feedback from across the community.

You told us that CCTV and The Sanctuary are the most important services that we provide In Castle Vale, promoting community safety and enabling residents through a range of employment, family, youth and health and wellbeing support services.

Our tenants told us that safe and well-maintained homes were most important to them, followed closely by good communication and customer service.

I’m not sharing this because these themes are new to us, or unexpected. We have made the decision to invest in CCTV and services for residents as well as a range of improvements in the fabric of our homes over the life of our last corporate plan because we knew then that these things are important.

However, all the feedback that we’ve received will be used to shape our next corporate plan that will set the direction for our business until 2030.

We will be renewing our focus on great customer service, improving communication and our digital platforms and continuing to invest in the homes and services that you’ve told us matter most to you.

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: Supporting the UK Clean Growth Strategy with homes on Castle Vale

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

Simon Wilson – CEO The Pioneer Group / Supplied by The Pioneer Group

This year we’re working to deliver some important projects here on the Vale. They will support us to continue to deliver on our original promise to provide high-quality affordable housing and making lives and communities better.

As many of you will already be aware, we’re in the middle of a programme of work to replace windows and doors in many of our homes. These upgrades will make our homes warmer and more energy efficient for our residents but they’re also part of a much larger project.

Through the UK Clean Growth Strategy, the government has set a target for all social housing providers to get a minimum rating of Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) C for rented properties by 2035.

An EPC generally measures how energy efficient your home is, and this is an important to step to making all homes ‘net zero carbon’ by 2050.

We have also got funding from the Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund (SHDF) to continue this work.

We have now adopted the Sustainability Reporting Standard for Social Housing which is a framework to help us measure our success in this area.

To find out more about our work to make our homes more sustainable you can read our first Environmental and Social Governance report on our website.

One final note to say that it’s really important that we have up to date contact details for residents, if yours have changed, please let us know!

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.