People gathering at St Barnabas Community Hub / Photograph supplied by St Barnabas
Words by Hema Chumber
Since reopening in summer 2023, the St Barnabas Community Hub has established itself as a regular meeting point for residents on Erdington High Street.
Located inside the St Barnabas Church Centre, the Hub offers a weekly programme of free activities aimed at improving wellbeing, reducing isolation, and encouraging social connection across different age groups.
The space was previously run as a café, but the operation became unsustainable following the COVID-19 pandemic.
In response, the building was repurposed into a flexible community hub.
St Barnabas Churc, viewed from the churchyard on Erdington High Street / Photgraph by Ed KIng
Since its relaunch, the number of users and activities has steadily increased, as the Hub runs weekly sessions targeted at various demographics.
St Barnabas Community Hub’s goal is to provide an inclusive space where local people can access support, meet others, and take part in low-pressure group activities.
Natalie, Community Hub Manager at St Barnabas, said: “I think it’s so important for the people in the community to feel like, and know, that they have a safe and inclusive space here.
“We’ve gotten to know so many people and groups in the area over the past years, and lots of these actively volunteer with us – we’re looking at hosting an event in June to celebrate those who do, with it being Volunteer Week in that month.”
She added: “We also do a lot of signposting, as it’s important for us to help people in the local area get access to support if they need it.”
A service user, who asked not to be named, described St Barnabas Community Hub as a big part of their weekly routine.
They told: “I don’t know what I’d do without having the Hub here. It has really helped me.”
A 200 year anniversary celebratory cake with St Barnabas logo / Photograph supplied by St Barnabas
On Monday mornings, Barny Babies provides a term-time stay-and-play group for parents, carers, and pre-school children.
Tuesdays and Thursdays host Community Coffee Mornings, which are open to anyone who wants to drop in for a free drink and conversation.
Wednesdays begin with the Wellbeing Café for the Over 50s, a session focused on promoting healthy habits and peer support among older adults.
That afternoon, secondary school students can also attend the Urban Devotion Birmingham youth café, which offers a supervised space with free snacks and drinks, during school term time.
Thursday mornings are reserved for fitness-based activities.
Inspiring Fitness Women Only Circuit Training starts the day with a group workout, followed by Chatty Chairs, a seated exercise session for those with reduced mobility.
On Fridays, the Welcome Space offers a drop-in session with food, games, and opportunities for informal socialising.
The programmes at the Community Hub are reviewed regularly, and adapted to suit community feedback, allowing the Hub to remain responsive to local needs and offer relevant support.
For more information on St Barnabas Community Hub, please visit their website at www.stbarnabaserdington.org.uk and follow their Facebook page @StBarnabasErdington.
To get in contact with a member of the team, please email [email protected] – or call the Community Hub reception on (0121) 306 4820.
Watch out for more COMMUNITY SPOTLIGHT features from Erdington Local, online and in our monthly newspaper.
If you are from a community group or an active volunteer anywhere in the Erdington constituency then we want to hear for you. Please email our Community Reporter Hema Chumber at: [email protected]
A small but vibrant charity is helping people across Erdington and Birmingham discover their creative confidence – one poem, painting, or play at a time.
Arts All Over the Place (AAOtP) has been championing wellbeing through the arts for over 14 years, running regular creative workshops and sessions from a unit in the remaining Central Square shopping precinct on Erdington High Street.
From poetry and painting to crafts and drama, the creative activities AAOtP offer aim to uplift, empower, and connect people – particularly those living with disabilities – giving them a safe space to express themselves and try something new.
Central to the charity’s work is breaking down barriers and offering people the chance to build confidence in their creativity.
Masquerade mask making at The Sanctuary, Castle Vale / Pic supplied by Arts All Over the Place
Margaret Murray, Freelance Artist at Arts All Over the Place, said: “It’s really important for us to focus on individuals or groups who don’t get a lot of input from organisations, or haven’t had the chance to take part in certain things.
“We don’t want people or groups to feel marginalised.
“With this role you meet great pockets of people, it can be challenging at times, but more than anything, it’s rewarding. It’s about giving people a voice, to be visible and change things through visibility.”
Margaret comes from a teaching background in art and now uses her creative practice to engage with, and support, others in the community.
She added: “It’s important to encourage people who are low in confidence and self-esteem to realise their own potential and get involved with community projects.
“This can sometimes even be a stepping stone towards employment, and the social skills people gain let them feel more confident to take part in things within their communities.
“It’s a safe, sensitive, and understanding space with peer support.”
Decorated origami animals made during crafts workshops / Pic supplied by Arts All Over the Place
One of the group members recently used their experience with Arts All Over the Place to help in shaping their career, progressing to work as an arts coordinator in a care home – bringing music, writing, and creativity to this new setting.
Volunteers are also at the heart of everything AAOtP does, helping to run sessions and support participants. Their commitment recently shone through in a national charity initiative that caught the imagination of the group.
One talented knitter inspired them to take part in a project for Age UK, creating 500 miniature woolly hats to sit on top of Innocent smoothie bottles. For every bottle sold with a hat, a donation was made to Age UK – and the group is well on its way to going beyond that 500-hat target.
Whether it’s through art, drama, crafts, or community action, Arts All Over the Place continue to prove that creative expression has the power to bring people together, boost wellbeing, and open up new possibilities for everyone involved.
Making woolly hats to support Age UK charity / Pic supplied by Arts All Over the Place
Currently supporting a project to raise awareness over violence towards women and girls, AAOtP have been the central creative partner for the Mothers Without Hands programme – which will be holding a procession in Erdington Town Centre in June, led by internationally renowned artist Tereza Buskova.
Using their workshops to help build a special headdress that will be front and centre of the parade, which will begin at Oikos Cafe and walk down Erdington High Street towards St Barnabas Church, Arts All Over the Place participants are able to use their craetivity to support meaningful projects outside of their own sessions.
The group has also brought their energy and colour to communities across the Erdington constituency, with sessions held in Perry Common and on Castle Vale – alongside other venues across the city.
To find out more about Arts All Over The Place, their ongoing projects, or how to get involved, please visit their website at www.artsallovertheplace.org.uk
Watch out for more COMMUNITY SPOTLIGHT features from Erdington Local, online and in our monthly newspaper.
If you are from a community group or an active volunteer anywhere in the Erdington constituency then we want to hear for you. Please email our Community Reporter Hema Chumber at: [email protected]
EcoGrow team at Court Lane Allotments / Image supplied by EcoGrow CIC
Words by Hema Chumber
In the spring of 2020, during the Covid-19 lockdown, a group of families with young children in Erdington came together with a shared goal: to address the growing challenges their community was facing, including food shortages and the lack of accessible green spaces for children to play and learn safely.
What began as a small grassroots effort evolved into EcoGrow CIC, a community-led environmental education group that focuses on sustainability, wellbeing, and environmental stewardship.
Based at Court Lane Allotments in Erdington, with activities now also operating from sites in Moseley and Sutton Coldfield, EcoGrow CIC has expanded to offer a range of programs designed to connect people with nature and promote community engagement.
The group provides adult gardening sessions, forest school programs for children, bush-craft workshops, and art and wellbeing activities.
Outdoor family cooking session at Court Lane Allotments / Pic supplied by EcoGrow CIC
In addition, EcoGrow offers environmental education in schools and community groups, as well as corporate team-building events that incorporate sustainability and hands-on learning.
Naomi Gregory, Environmental Educator at EcoGrow CIC, said: “I believe that by encouraging people to get outdoors and experience the wonders of the natural world, we can better understand our connection to it.
“Once we recognise this, we’re more likely to respect and protect the world around us.”
Celebrating Halloween with home grown pumpkin carving / Pic supplied by EcoGrow CIC
She added: “A normalising skill like gardening and growing our own food is gaining momentum, and it’s rewarding to be part of that in the community.”
One of the group’s standout services is its forest school program, which has become increasingly popular with local families.
Paula Sheldon, a parent whose children attend the sessions, added: “We’ve had the pleasure of being part of the EcoGrow community for nearly four years, and it’s been an absolute delight.
“As a family, we’re passionate about spending time outdoors and getting our hands dirty, and EcoGrow has provided us with the perfect platform to do just that.
“The forest school sessions have been a highlight for our children, who love exploring the outdoors and getting creative with art and nature.”
Children riding dressed up donkies as part of an special ‘unicirn and drago adventure’ / Pic supplied by EcoGrow CIC
She added: “The fire pit and mud play areas are always a hit, but what we appreciate most about EcoGrow is the sense of community they’ve fostered among families.
“It’s wonderful to see my children making new friends and learning valuable skills alongside us.”
One of EcoGrow’s new initiatives is the Salad Bags Project, which will run every Friday during term time from 12:30pm to 2:20pm.
People will help grow salad from seed and package it into bags for local distribution, promoting healthy eating and food security within the community.
EcoGrow will also host seasonal nature walks across various green spaces in Erdington, where people can learn about the environment, and connect with others who share an interest in nature.
Another new project is the fortnightly woodwork group, which will give community members the chance to develop practical woodworking skills, to create simple, yet useful items.
EcoGrow CIC team dressed up for the Spring Fair at Court Lane Allotments / Pic supplied by EcoGrow CIC
To contact EcoGrow CIC email [email protected] or call 07421 329 836.
Watch out for more COMMUNITY SPOTLIGHT features from Erdington Local, online and in our monthly newspaper.
If you are from a community group or an active volunteer anywhere in the Erdington constituency then we want to hear for you. Please email our Community Reporter Hema Chumber at: [email protected]
Rainbow reflection on Erdington Town Centre sign near Six Ways Island / Photograph taken by Ed King
Erdington Town Centre has been allocated its own dedicated High Street police team to tackle crime and anti-social behaviour in the once troubled retail hotspot.
Working alongside the Operation Fearless policing initiative, the Erdington High Street police team will bring six constables, led by Sergeant Gary Grove, to the Town Centre – creating “a high visibility presence on the High Street to tackle the issues that matter to residents, shoppers and traders”, according to a West Midlands Police spokesperson.
The officers will also work with the Erdington Business Improvement District (BID) Street Wardens, conducting joint patrols on the High Street and sharing intelligence about criminal activity and regular offenders in the area.
Officers on patrol on Erdington High Street as part of Operation Fearless / Pic supplied by West Midlands Police)
The team will also work alongside local partners including Birmingham City Council and Transport for West Midlands, to further tackle crime and anti-social behaviour and build on the work already being delivered by the responsible authorities.
The dedicated Erdington High Street police force, led by Sgt Grove, has been operational since 4 April, working in tandem with the Operation Fearless team to share information and continue the “sustained effort to reduce crime” in the retail hub.
Alongside the 140 arrests made by the Operation Fearless, Sgt Grove’s new High Street police team have made a further 17 arrests in the past few weeks – keeping the pressure on criminals who have operated in the area, including those involved in drug dealing and shoplifting.
Officers talking to members of the public on Erdington High Street / Photograhp taken by Ed King
Sergeant Gary Grove told: “It’s clear to see the difference [Operation] Fearless has made to Erdington, and we’re committed to building on that.
“Myself and my colleagues have experience working as part of the Erdington Impact Area team – and we’re working hard to build on existing relationships around the area.”
Underlining the importance of working with Erdington locals, the business community, and the wider general public visiting the area, Sgt Grove added: “If you’re out and about in Erdington or have any concerns you’d like to discuss, please come and say hello to us.”
The Erdington BID is also currently establishing a High Street Community Support Team to work alongside Sgt Grove and his team – made up of local volunteers and community groups and addressing non-response issues.
The Erdington BID High Street Community Support Team will be investing more into High Street security, and offering help with activities including consumer and visitor advice, litter picking, maintaining the High Street’s green spaces, and helping busy businesses report lower level crimes.
A spokesperson for the Erdington BID, who act as the link between the local police and retail community, told: “Erdington High Street needs a constant, uniformed, public facing police presence – with the power to arrest criminals and process them to the courts – and having a dedicated High Street police team will be a huge support to the local business community.
“We are thrilled to welcome Sergeant Grove and his team to the area and offer our full support.”
They added: “Operation Fearless, and now Sgt Grove and his High Street police team, have given Erdington a real chance to properly challenge the criminal activity in Erdington Town Centre – but we can all help.
“If we want to keep the crime away, and to further deter those repeat offenders who have got away with too much for too long, it should be a team effort. If you live or work in Erdington, or just want to help make a difference to our Town Centre, then please get in touch about joining [the Erdington BID] High Street Community Support Team.”
Operation Fearless team on Erdington High Street / Pic supplied by Operation Fearless
Operation Fearless was launched in January 2025, bringing a dedicated team of 20 officers to tackle crime and anti-social behaviour into Erdington Town Centre.
The initiative was supported by £880,000 from the Proceeds of Crime Fund, as allocated by the Police and Crime Commissioner Simon Foster – who has been a regular visitor to Erdington Town Centre, meeting with both businesses and the general public on the High Street.
Led by Detective Superintendent Jim Munro, the Operation Fearless team have made over 140 arrests [at the time of writing] and seized an array of contraband off the Erdington streets – including an arsenal of offensive weapons, and illegal drugs worth hundreds of thousands of pounds.
Operation Fearless lead Detective – Detective Superintendent Jim Munro / Pic supplied by West Midlands Police
As the Operation Fearless team start to hand over to Sgt Grove and the High Street police team, alongside the pre-existing Neighbourhood Police Team (NPT) that covers Erdington Town Centre, a WMP spokesperson confirmed: “The [Operation] Fearless team will continue to provide support and resources to the new High Street team, ensuring a seamless transition and sustained effort to reduce crime.”
Detective Superintendent Jim Munro added: “The new dedicated High Street team will be a constant presence in the area, and although Fearless is expanding to a new location – our Fearless officers will be using their impressive local and operational knowledge to support them.”
The Recovery Foundation exhibition of participant’s artwork at Secret Arts Studio Space, Erdington / Photography by Emma Bown
The Recovery Foundation, a mental health charity based in Erdington, has been supporting local residents for the past five years by offering a range of free services aimed at improving wellbeing and building resilience.
Over the last half decade, the charity has become a key resource for individuals facing mental health challenges, helping them find hope and strength during difficult times.
in 2025, The Recovery Foundation will mark its fifth anniversary, a significant milestone for an organisation that began with a clear mission to provide accessible and person-centred care.
Today, The Recovery Foundation supports over 100 people each week through its various services, all of which are designed to meet the needs of those experiencing mental health difficulties.
The Recovery Foundation founder, Emma Sitole (left) at exhibition of participant’s artwork at Secret Arts Studio Space, Erdington / Photography by Emma Bown
Emma Sithole, CEO of The Recovery Foundation, said: “We are celebrating our five year anniversary this year, and are in the midst of organising a celebratory event for this.
“It’s been an incredible journey and we are so glad to see the positive impact we’ve made on people’s lives in Erdington.”
The charity provides several key services designed to offer practical support, build confidence, and improve mental wellbeing.
One of the core services are the Hope Groups, which run over four weeks and help individuals explore what ‘’ means to them and how they can maintain it through challenging times.
Hope Group participant holding journal used as part of The Recovery Foundation sessions / Image supplied by The Recovery Foundation
The groups are facilitated by trained staff with lived experience of mental illness, ensuring that participants are supported by people who understand their struggles. Attendees can join the groups either in person or online.
One service user commented: “I left each session of the Hope Group feeling great and thinking more positively.”
Another service user, added: “The group gave me the space to feel heard and understood in a way I hadn’t experienced before. Coming together to talk and share our issues has really helped. I have already recommended this group.”
The Recovery Foundation also runs Rainbow Minds Matter, a similar programme tailored specifically to the LGBTQIA+ community.
It provides a safe and supportive space for individuals to discuss mental wellbeing, again facilitated by staff with lived experience.
Woodland Wellbeing session at Pype Hayes Park / Image supplied by The Recovery Foundation
The charity also offers the Creative Arts Programme, which offers participants the chance to engage with arts and crafts in a relaxed and informal setting – as well as Woodland Wellbeing, a six-week programme that combines nature and wellbeing.
Woodland Wellbeing is set in Pype Hayes Park, as activities such as natural crafts around the campfire take place for participants to build connections and friendships while enjoying the outdoors.
This has helped the charity to reach a diverse group of individuals, who may otherwise have struggled to find support.
The Recovery Foundation remains committed to expanding its reach and providing vital support to the local community.
With plans to continue growing its services and celebrating its achievements, the locally based charity looks forward to another five years supporting people in Erdington and neighbouring areas.
Watch out for more COMMUNITY SPOTLIGHT features from Erdington Local, online and in our monthly newspaper.
If you are from a community group or an active volunteer anywhere in the Erdington constituency then we want to hear for you. Please email our Community Reporter Hema Chumber at: [email protected]
Bins and bin bags uncolllected on Mason Road, Erdington / PIc by Ed King
On 11 March 2025, hundreds of council refuse workers took industrial action, joining the Unite the Union picket line and effectively halting the collection of household rubbish and recycling across the city.
The issues were similar to those Unite members voted to strike on in June 2017, September 2017, December 2018, and February 2019, as was the media fallout that followed – with pictures of rubbish piling up on city streets and reports of “rats the size of cats” in the national press.
Erdington Local takes a look at the history behind the revolving door bin strikes that have come back to haunt, and taunt, Birmingham City Council, and asks – what keeps going wrong with Birmingham’s Waste Management Service?
‘Cat-sized rats are attacking our cars’, ran the BBC headline, framing an article published on 26 February this year.
Two weeks later and a reported 350 Birmingham City Council (BCC) refuse workers would go on strike, leaving bin bags to pile up on city streets and vermin of all shapes and sizes to burrow their way into the conversation.
“The rats are huge,” explained one local resident, when quizzed further by the BBC reporter, “they are like small cats and their tails are really chunky.”
A media monster is born. Or reborn. And the Labour run council is once again at war with Unite the Union. But why is Birmingham back in crisis over its bin collections? And why is one of the largest trade unions in the UK, and a onetime close Labour ally and donor, now bringing the city to its knees? Again.
Bins and bin bags uncolllected on Mason Road, Erdington / PIc by Ed King
The answer to this immediate problem can be found from looking through the last decade of how Birmingham City Council has wrestled with Unite – the union who represent the majority of council employers working in the Waste Management Service.
The Birmingham bin strikes are viewed by many as a case of history repeating itself, and in order to successfully to navigate a future path the council must learn from its mistakes of the past.
In 2017 it was the threat of losing 107 Grade 3 Leading Hands roles from the waste collection trucks, workers with a safety brief who were paid more than their counter parts, and today it’s the Waste Recycling and Collection Officer (WRCO) role.
The Leader of Birmingham City Council has changed too, but it is the actions of Birmingham Labour a decade ago that lie at the root of this dispute.
According to one senior member of Unite the Union’s West Midlands branch, commenting anonymously for fear of reprisals, the rot began to set in when Sir Abert Bore was replaced by Cllr John Clancy as Council Leader in 2015 – seeing a man The Birmingham Post once dubbed a “leftwing firebrand” handing the reigns to a Mancunian lawyer turned Brummie councillor.
According to our source, Unite top brass were rattled by the new tone of Clancey’s Cabinet, and the “dominance in Birmingham” the union had previously enjoyed was perceivably under threat. Whereas in the salad days of Sir Bore’s administration Unite could “just [go] to him and we’d have got what we wanted” they now faced elected officials who would not “bow to that pressure.”
Birmingham’s a big patch for many civic partners and showing strength in the face of administrative action is an important vertebra in the backbone of any West Midlands union official. Especially if your workforce is employed by the council.
At the time of the first bin strike in 2017, Unite had brought in Howard Beckett as Regional Director, who our source explains had been “sent to the West Midlands to make a name for himself”. The then General Secretary, Len McCluskey, was set to step down and top tier Unite members had their eyes on the job. And for Beckett, argues our source, the Birmingham bin strike “was his baby.”
So, when in spring 2017 a proposed restructuring of the Waste Management Service – in an effort to save £5m in operational costs – called for the redundancy of 107 Grade 3 Leading Hands roles, Unite, led by Beckett, went on the attack.
Birmingham City Council argued they had to restructure, as they still do today, over concerns of equal pay – with potential liabilities across the 12000 strong Council workforce a dangerous thundercloud on the horizon.
(That burst on 5 September 2023, bringing with it unprecedented cuts to Council services, sales of public assets, and a near 20% rise in Council Tax over two years.)
And whilst back in 2017 BCC claimed they were offering equivalent roles or severance packages to anyone made redundant, as again they still do today, Unite stuck to their stance the redundancies were unlawful. The Council disagreed, so Unite the Union members working in Waste Management were balloted over industrial action and went on strike starting 30 June 2017.
Initially Cllr Clancey attempted to placate Unite with the now infamous ‘beer and sandwiches’ deal, where he met with union officials through the national Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service (ACAS) on 15 August 2017 to sign off a settlement.
But without official Cabinet support, BCC’S then interim Chief Executive, Stella Manzie, called on the Leader to “‘not progress the proposal” and return to the negotiating table.
Fostering a direct relationship with Unite, Cllr Clancy candidly informed Howard Beckett via text that he was “working most of every day to outflank inappropriate [city] officers” and how “a pincer manoeuvre from others will help specifically to do this”.
Then on 31 August 2017, John Clancy texts Howard Beckett again, explaining “the mood [in Birmingham Labour] has changed drastically” and it is “inevitable” that the “redundancies will have to go ahead straight away”. A curious division of loyalties that would begin the corrosion of the senior council officials, elected or not, and send the city further into bin collection chaos.
On 1 September, Unite the Union members working in Waste Management went on strike.
Ten days later, on 11 September, John Clancey resigned as Leader of Birmingham City Council.
Birmingham City Council Town House / Image from Adobe Stock
BCC and Unite would end up arguing it out in the High Court – where one judge commented in September 2017, after the redundancies were eventually blocked: “How a public body with 12,000 employees can operate sensibly with this degree of chaos between its senior personnel is remarkable.”
And it is here the game of cat and mouse, or perhaps rat, would repeat over the next two administrations.
Erdington MP Paullette Hamilton sat on Clancey’s Cabinet at the time. She explains: “You have to understand, formally, nothing was passed by cabinet. John Clancy went into a meeting… with the unions, [and] decisions were taken at the time. But the other members of the cabinet were not there.”
She adds: “The point was [John Clancey] didn’t understand what a Cabinet structure meant. He felt being the Leader he could go away and do what he felt was right and the Cabinet would just fall in line. And unfortunately, that didn’t happen.”
Jump forward to today’s widely reported on rubbish and the argument over restructuring the city’s Waste Management Service remains much the same, as does the outcome of such a service deadlock. Piles of black plastic bins on the pavement and the circling folklore of vermin big enough to bite your pet Poodle.
Unite is now run by Sharon Graham, who was elected as General Secretary in 2021 and – in an open letter to Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner – has stated the “current escalation [in the dispute] increasingly looks like a declaration of war on these [Birmingham City Council Waste Management] workers”. Tough but consistent rhetoric.
There are some more positive noises being made today, however, with Birmingham City Council declaring the situation a “major incident’ and “public health crisis’ – paving the way for BCC to instigate contingency plans and bring in external help to literally clean up the mess.
Rubbish and waste increasing, uncollected due to workers strike UK / Image from Adobe Stock
This also allows Birmingham City Council to seek support from central government, and, as some around the campfire predict, take a more aggressive stance against the union who has blocked them over Waste Management reform for the last decade.
And this has been mirrored recently in Westminster. Following reports striking workers were blocking the waste collection trucks leaving a plant in Tyseley, the Health Minister, Wes Streeting, told: “I understand industrial disputes happen. I understand people have the right to withdraw their labour. That’s part and parcel of industrial relations in our country. But what is not acceptable is allowing these sorts of… unsanitary conditions… to occur on people’s streets.”
But one thing’s for sure, the bin strike debate is keeping our local Council Chamber full of fireworks and festivities – with one plucky member of the public dressing up in a full body rat costume to ask their question about taxes on pest control at the Full Council meeting on 8 April.
Shots were fired over strategy too, with Birmingham Conservatives Leader Cllr Robert Alden (Erdington Ward) challenging the current Birmingham Labour Leader, Cllr John Cotton (Glebe Farm and Tile Hill Ward) over his management of the crisis.
In a barbed exchange in the Council Chamber, Cllr Alden quizzed when there are “over 21000 tonnes of uncollected rubbish [on Birmingham streets] and pest control experts… warning the city could face a rat epidemic” why weren’t opposition leaders being brought in to help find a solution.
Cllr Robert Alden in exchange with Cllr John Cotton over waste managemnet startegy at Full Council meeting on 8 April / Image taken from BCC webcast
After initially responding it was “absolutely appropriate” the Gold Command – a special taskforce set up to tackle the issue – were “reporting into the political leadership of this council at regular intervals”, Cllr Cotton became visibly more irate at the “heated rhetoric” coming from his Conservative counterpart.
In a curt and final riposte, Cllr Cotton quipped he was “not going to get involved in… party banter and nonsense” and that “the priority here is to reach a resolution to this dispute.” A possibly welcome tough line as wider negotiations continue both in and outside the Town House.
There are signs the end will come, and BCC have been using the public health agenda to bring in temporary support whilst the strike continues. So bins are being emptied.
But whilst the Cabinet Member for Digital, Culture, Heritage, and Tourism – Cllr Sulaman (Hall Green North, Labour) – is confident Birmingham will still be seen as “a clean, welcoming, and exciting destination,” the embarrassing media cycle continues.
Cllr John Cotton in exchange with Cllr Robert Alden over waste managemnet startegy at Full Council meeting on 8 April / Image taken from BCC webcast
Over in Erdington, however, people have been showing the national press a positive display of community in the face of adversity – as those living in the B24 and B23 postcodes so clearly showed in another recent time of crisis.
In a visit to a mobile rubbish collection point on Grange Road, as piles of rubbish are being set alight in other areas of the city, the BBC reported how in Erdington “the scene is all very well-mannered”. All this North Birmingham constituency needs now is a Vera Lynn song on repeat and a good stock of tinned food.
And the “120 new vehicles with state of the art technology that will truly modernise the service” promised by the Council Leader, if they have a spare afternoon.
Men’s Health and Wellbeing Group meeting at High Croft Community Centre / Pic supplied by Men’s Health and Wellbeing Group
The Men’s Health and Wellbeing Group, is a group for men looking to improve their health and wellbeing, who meet monthly at Highcroft Community Centre – located at 485 Slade Road, opposite Stockland Green Methodist Church and Stockland Green School.
Focused on providing a supportive and inclusive environment, the group aims to tackle the stigma surrounding men’s health, particularly mental health, and encourages men to actively take charge of their physical and emotional wellbeing.
Founded as a Community Interest Company (CIC), the group offers a range of activities from fitness classes to workshops and educational events, all designed to provide men with the tools, knowledge, and support they need to live healthier lives.
The group is committed to ensuring that men feel empowered to talk openly about their health and to foster a sense of community among participants.
Derrick Gidden, Chairman, said: “We want to create a space where men can feel comfortable talking about their health, without the stigma that often surrounds it.
“By sharing experiences and learning together, we can all improve our health.”
The group’s regular meetings at the Highcroft Community Centre have become a central point for local men seeking both social connection and valuable health resources.
Meetings feature expert speakers, covering topics such as stress management, physical fitness, and mental resilience.
These sessions encourage men to take small, manageable steps towards improving their wellbeing, making healthy living more accessible to all.
The Men’s Health and Wellbeing Group also organises physical activities to encourage men to stay active – including walking groups, football sessions, and fitness classes.
Men’s Health and Wellbeing Group meeting at High Croft Community Centre / Pic supplied by Men’s Health and Wellbeing Group
One of the group’s key initiatives was the Prostate Cancer Awareness Evening, which took place on 22 November 2024, at the Lighthouse Young People’s Centre in Birmingham.
This event brought together local men and women to learn more about prostate cancer, a health issue affecting thousands of men across the UK.
The evening featured expert presentations from Aidan Atkins from Tackle Prostate UK, Lindsay Thompson from Infopool, and Junior Hermans from Prostate Cancer UK’s Black Men’s Health Advisory Group.
After the event, Junior Hermans explained: “Prostate cancer isn’t just a men’s issue; it affects families and communities.
“By coming together to share knowledge and experiences at events like these, we can empower everyone to take proactive steps in their health journey.”
Sign outside High Croft Community Centre, Slade Road / Pic supplied by Men’s Health and Wellbeing Group
This event is just one example of the Men’s Health and Wellbeing Group’s ongoing efforts to raise awareness about men’s health issues and to create spaces where men can engage in conversations about topics that are often overlooked.
Its proactive approach has led to growing participation and a strong sense of community among its members.
The group is eager to welcome new participants, including local men looking for support, fitness opportunities, or simply a place to connect with others, with its diverse range of activities and resources.
For more information about the Men’s Health and Wellbeing Group, please visit their website at www.menshealth-wellbeing.co.uk
Watch out for more COMMUNITY SPOTLIGHT features from Erdington Local, online and in our monthly newspaper.
If you are from a community group or an active volunteer anywhere in the Erdington constituency then we want to hear for you. Please email our Community Reporter Hema Chumber at: [email protected]
Paulette Hamilton MP with police on Erdington High Street / Pic supplied by Paulette Hamilton MP
Three years ago, when I was first elected, I made a promise, to tackle the crime and antisocial behaviour plaguing Erdington High Street.
Today, I’m proud to report that Operation Fearless, launched in January with £880,000 in funding from the Proceeds of Crime Fund, is delivering incredible results.
At my latest High Street meeting, Inspector Shameem Ahmed provided a detailed update on multiple arrests and seizures – proof that our community’s persistence is paying off.
Traders who once lived in fear now speak of real transformation, something I saw firsthand during my walkabout with Police and Crime Commissioner Simon Foster and DS Jim Munro last week.
Paulette Hamilton MP with Inspector Shameem Ahmed at a meeting about crime on Erdington High Street, held at St Barnabas Church / Pic supplied by Paulette Hamilton MP
But while we celebrate progress, we cannot ignore the recent knife attack in Kingstanding. My heart goes out to the victim, and I pray they make a speedy recovery.
As someone who has recently spoken in Parliament about rising knife crime and as an aunt whose own family has felt its devastating pain, I’m calling for action. That means tougher measures and longer-term, sustainable funding for initiatives like our Violence Reduction Partnership.
Beyond crime, as Chair of the Hospices APPG, I’m also fighting for dignity in dying. Places like John Taylor Hospice in Erdington provide incredible care, yet rely too heavily on charity. They deserve long-term funding, and I’m determined to keep pushing to make that happen.
Erdington, Kingstanding, Castle Vale, and South Oscott are stronger when we stand together. We’ve already shown what we can achieve, so let’s keep pushing forward.
Words by Erdington Ward Cllr Robert Alden – Leader of Birmingham Conservatives
Cllr Robert Alden outside a mobile waste collection unit on Grange Road, Erdiington / Pic supplied by Cllr Alden
As we enter April, Erdington and Birmingham have been facing a bin strike for over three months due to the dispute between two parts of the Labour movement.
Across the City there have been hugely concerning scenes of dumped rubbish sometimes piled up to shoulder height, blocking pavements and carriageways, while the papers have reported that rats are growing as large as cats and spreading exponentially.
That’s why, while the Labour Council failed to lead, as the opposition the Local Conservatives published our plan to end the strike and clean up the city.
We also called on the Council to declare a public health emergency, to ask neighbouring councils for help clearing up the 21,000 tonnes of uncollected rubbish on the streets and we have offered as the opposition to join the gold command major incident board of the Council, putting residents first to help Labour end the crisis they created in Birmingham.
A massive thank you to local residents and everyone volunteering with Erdington Litter Busters and local friends groups helping to keep our area clean.
While press coverage around the world has highlighted rubbish issues in communities and at Mobile Collection sites across the city, Erdington’s recent visit passed with praise from the media for how calm and well-mannered it was and that there were no piles of dumped waste.
Once again, together as a community, we’ve shown why Erdington is such an amazing place to live.
Paulette Hamilton MP by the Houses of Parliament / Pic supplied by Paulette Hamilton MP
The first duty of any government is to keep its citizens safe. That’s why I’m proud this Labour Government is increasing defence investment 2.5% of GDP by 2027, the biggest sustained boost since the Cold War.
This commitment strengthens national security and ensures we have the capabilities to protect the UK and our allies.
But security isn’t just about national defence, it’s about keeping our communities safe too. After 14 years of Conservative neglect, our armed forces are stretched thin, and crime and anti-social behaviour are rising. Undoing the damage of the past will take time, but Labour is committed to rebuilding Britain and delivering for our communities.
Locally, I took a firm stand against an HMO application on Mason Road, leading a campaign backed by 386 residents. Birmingham City Council rejected the application, sending a clear message that enough is enough.
HMOs bring increased crime, put pressure on local services, and undermine initiatives like Operation Fearless, which aims to tackle crime and anti-social behaviour.
I joined West Midlands Police for an all-out day on Erdington High Street. With a new Public Spaces Protection Order in place and Operation Fearless making an impact, traders and shoppers are seeing a real difference.
I also held a coffee morning in Kingstanding, where residents raised crime and anti-social behaviour as top concerns. I’ll keep working with the police and local partners to tackle these issues.
From community campaigns to coffee mornings, I will keep fighting for a safer Erdington, Kingstanding, Castle Vale, and South Oscott.
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