Tag: Fauzia Begum

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COMMUNITY ANCHORS: Residents invited to become Community Health Champions and transform local wellbeing

Staff at Witton Lodge Community Association (WLCA) engaging in community outreach work / Photograph supplied by WLCA

Words by Witton Lodge Community Association

Residents across Birmingham are being offered a unique opportunity to become a catalyst for change in their communities.

The Birmingham Community Health Champions programme is officially open for applications, inviting passionate individuals to step forward, gain expert knowledge and lead the way towards a healthier, more informed and connected city.

Funded by Birmingham City Council’s Public Health Team and delivered in partnership with Witton Lodge Community Association (WLCA), the initiative is designed to bridge the gap between health services and local residents.

Building Connections

By empowering ‘trusted voices’ within the community, the programme aims to ensure that vital health information isn’t just a list of statistics for people to access but a supportive conversation between friends and neighbours.

The benefits of joining the programme and becoming a Community Health Champion are extensive. People will benefit from:

  • Professional Training: Gain free, monthly expert-led training on critical topics including mental health, nutrition, cardiovascular health, diabetes and air quality.
  • Personal Growth: Develop communication skills, build your CV and grow your confidence.
  • Flexibility: The role is designed to fit around your life. Whether you have hours to spare or just a few minutes for a chat, your contribution matters.
  • Full Support: Champions receive ongoing guidance and all travel expenses are fully reimbursed.

 

Tackling Inequalities

Waheed Saleem, Head of Programmes and Partnerships at Witton Lodge, added: “Community Health Champions will be trusted voices within their communities.

“By using the knowledge gained through the programme they will be able to make a real difference.

“Anyone with a passion to make a difference can join. This is a great opportunity to address health inequalities and improve wellbeing across Birmingham.”

A lack of experience is no barrier to becoming a Community Health Champion. People don’t need a medical background or prior work experience in a medical or health setting, they just need to have a genuine desire to help others.

The programme provides all the tools people need to share practical, accessible health advice through everyday conversations.

Joining is simple. Interested residents can apply via the Volunteer Brum platform by completing an Expression of Interest form. This is followed by a friendly introductory conversation and a comprehensive induction session.

Alternatively, you can get started immediately by completing the Community Health Champion Getting to Know You Form – North Birmingham.

For more details, please call Fauzia on 0121 382 1930 or email: [email protected]

For more on Witton Lodge Community Association visit: www.wittonlodge.org.uk

Witton Lodge Community Association is a leading partner in the Erdington Local COMMUNITY ANCHORS programme, supporting independent local and community journalism.

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COMMUNITY ANCHORS: Let’s Get Together with Erdington Neighbourhood Network Scheme – at St Barnabas Church on 10 April

Words by Witton Lodge Community Association

Let’s Get Together this April!
Join the Erdington Neighbourhood Network Scheme (ENNS) for a vibrant community gathering at St Barnabas Church on 10 April 2025, between 11am–2pm.

The annual, FREE, Let’s Get Together event offers residents across the Erdington constituency a chance to connect with local groups, professionals, and services that support independent living
and wellbeing.

Everyone is welcome to pop in and meet teams from ENNS-funded organisations, Occupational Therapists, Adult Social Care teams, as well as Social Prescribers.

The teams are on hand to help you explore activities, advice services, and community initiatives designed to tackle isolation, improve health, and enhance quality of life.

The ENNS team will also be available to answer questions and guide attendees to tailored support, including grants for community projects (up to £10,000).

St Barnabas Church, Erdington High Street / Pic by Ed King

Come & Connect
ENNS supports older adults and younger adults with disabilities, fostering connections through partnerships with voluntary groups and social enterprises.

Whether you’re seeking a group to join or simply need practical advice, this event is your gateway to Erdington’s thriving community network.

ENNS Neighbourhood Networker Fauzia Begum said: “Our annual Let’s Get Together event provides a fantastic opportunity for members of the community to find out what’s available locally.

“Following a successful 2024 turnout, we are gearing up for an even bigger Let’s Get Together event on 10 April 2025.”

She added: “We are really excited to welcome our community on the day to connect with local groups and access vital resources available across our area.”

Event Details
Date: 10th April 2025
Time: 11am – 2pm
Venue: St Barnabas Church, High Street, Erdington, B23 6SJ

No booking required – drop in and join Erdington’s thriving community network!

For further information you can contact the ENNS team on (0121) 382 1930 or email [email protected]

For updates, click here to follow Erdington NNS on Facebook: @ErdingtonNNS

For more on Witton Lodge Community Association, visit www.wittonlodge.org.uk

Witton Lodge Community Association is a leading partner in the Erdington Local COMMUNITY ANCHORS programme, supporting independent local and community journalism.

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NEWS: New Small Grants Programme could give Erdington community groups up to £10k support

Words by Erdington Local editorial team

A new Small Grants Programme could see community groups across the Erdington constituency get up to £10k support from government funding.

Launched in Erdington on 3 January and managed by Witton Lodge Community Association (WLCA), the scheme aims to support local organisations and charities extend their existing reach and to encourage new projects.

Those wanting to know more are invited to attend a free workshop about the Small Grants Programme on 11 January, held at Perry Common Hall. For online directions to Perry Common Community Hall click here.

With sessions running from 11am to 7pm, the day will “provide full details of the fund, give help and advice as well as the opportunity to access face-to-face support with completing the grant application.”

Interested groups are asked to email WLCA Wellbeing Officer Fauzia Begum at [email protected] or to call (0121) 382 1930.

Aimed at community and voluntary groups across the whole constituency – including the wards of Castle Vale, Erdington, Gravely Hill, Kingstanding, Perry Common, Pype Hayes, and Stockland Green – the Small Grants Programme funding is available to help grow existing programmes and services, but also to encourage work that tackles issues around mental health, employment, community engagement, and environmental issues.

The specific “themes” that funding would be available for are outlined on the WLCA website as: Organisational capacity building, Community events, engagement and reach, Health and Wellbeing, Job, Skills and Enterprise, and Environmental Activities and Improvements.

A statement from WLCA further confirmed: “This new programme will build community capacity, capability, and networks in Erdington Constituency.

“Grants of up to £10,000 will be available to develop and deliver services for vulnerable residents and groups, and successful applicants will be encouraged to join local networks that share knowledge and collaborate on future opportunities.”

The Small Grants Programme is funded by the government’s UK Shared Prosperity Fund, a £2.6 billion pot of money to support ‘local priorities’ and ‘empower local leaders and communities’.

Launched in April 2022 by the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, the UK Shared Prosperity Fund is set to run until March 2025.

For more information on the Small Grants Programme, or to book a place for the workshops on 11 January, please email [email protected] or call (0121) 382 1930.