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