Tag: The Pioneer Group

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COMMUNITY ANCHORS: Ladders of Opportunity bursary sees applications surge, empowering Erdington’s youth

Words and pics supplied by Witton Lodge Community Association

Ladders of Opportunity second round recipients at BMet Erdington Skills Centre, Edwards Rd / Pic supplied by Witton Lodge Community Association

The Ladders of Opportunity Bursary, established in memory of Erdington MP Jack Dromey and Councillor Penny Holbrook, has achieved remarkable success in its second round of funding.

The initiative, aimed at supporting young residents living in the Erdington Constituency, saw applications triple from the first round, demonstrating its growing impact and importance in the community.

For both rounds, a total of £20,000 was awarded to 23 young individuals across the Erdington Constituency, each receiving up to £1,000 to support their career aspirations. The bursary recipients represent a diverse range of career paths, including aspiring pharmacists, dentists, teachers, nurses, youth workers, solicitors, midwives, and mechanical engineers.

In addition to financial assistance, the bursary programme offers vital mentorship and coaching opportunities. These connections with experienced professionals provide invaluable guidance for the recipients’ personal and professional development and can provide excellent insight into future careers.

The bursary is a collaborative effort, generously funded by dedicated partners including Witton Lodge Community Association, IM Properties, BMet College, The Pioneer Group, and Urban Devotion. This partnership exemplifies commitment to nurturing local talent, working together to create a brighter future for young people across Erdington.

Ladders of Opportunity sign identifying project partners / Pic supplied by Witton Lodge Community Association

A special event, hosted at BMet Erdington Skills Centre brought together the successful applicants and guests, alongside the panel and community leaders, including Perry Common Councillor Jilly Bermingham. The gathering provided an opportunity to celebrate the achievements of these inspiring young individuals and hear about their plans for the future.

Afzal Hussain, Chief Officer of Witton Lodge Community Association, expressed his enthusiasm for the inaugural Ladders of Opportunity bursary programme, which has distributed £20,000 to promising young individuals across the Erdington Constituency.

He told: “Congratulations to all the recipients whose determination to achieving their goals have earned them this well-deserved recognition and support. The standard of applications has been exceptional and it’s an absolute pleasure to see these aspiring young people embrace this opportunity.”

(l-r) Linda Hines MBE from Witton Lodge Community Association and Ladders of Opportunity second round recipient Anisha Begum Mukhta / Pic supplied by Witton Lodge Community Association

Recognising the success of the programme and the pressing needs within the community, Afzal, emphasised the importance of expanding this initiative. He added: “Our aim is to increase the funding for 2025 by bringing on board new partners who share our passion and vision for supporting young people and education.

“We are hopeful this proactive approach will ensure that more young individuals realise their potential and contribute positively to their community, reinforcing the idea that investing in youth is an investment in the future of Erdington, and the city as a whole.”

(l-r) Kerry Amory from IM Properties and Ladders of Opportunity second round recipient Ellie Turner / Pic supplied by Witton Lodge Community Association

By seeking new partnerships, the programme aims to secure additional resources that will enable even more young people in Erdington to benefit from financial support and mentorship opportunities.

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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NEWS: Castle Vale Christmas Tree planted in Centre Park by local stakeholders with ‘lights switch-on’ event on 5 December

Words by Ed King

Centre Park, Tangmere Drive, Castle Vale / Pic supplied by The Pinoeer Group

Castle Vale is kickstarting the festive season by planting a real Christmas Tree in Centre Park, with an official ‘lights switch-on’ event to be held at 4:30pm on Thursday 5 December.

Free to attend, local residents are all invited to see the Castle Vale Christmas Tree illuminations, with stalls serving donuts and hot chocolate throughout the event.

The Castle Vale Christmas Tree, which stands at over 14ft tall, has been permanently rooted in the park off Tangmere Drive and will be a central part of the estate’s Christmas celebrations for years to come.

Organised by The Pioneer Group, the modern-day housing association that evolved from the old Castle Vale Community Housing Association, the tree was donated by Nationwide Windows and Doors – as part of their partnership with The Pioneer Group to help support local residents on the North Birmingham estate.

Nationwide Windows and Doors also donated 60m of special Christmas lights to decorate the tree, which organisers hope will stand as a beacon on community spirit throughout the dark winter nights.

The Pioneer Group manage over 2000 homes on Castle Vale and have previously worked on a widespread windows and doors replacement programme with Nationwide, helping make homes more energy efficient and increasing security.

Simon Wilson, Chief Executive at The Pioneer Group, told Castle Vale Local: “The Christmas tree lights switch-on is a great way to bring our community together during the festive season. My thanks go to everyone involved in making this event happen.”

He added: “Special thanks to Nationwide [Doors and Windows] for donating the tree and to Councillor [Ray[ Goodwin for his support to bring this event to life. This event will kick start our celebrations across Pioneer and Compass Support with a host of festive activities taking place this December.”

Cllr Ray Goodwin (Castle Vale, Labour) standing by the Christams Tree in Centre Park – donatred bvy Natrionwide Doors and Windows / Pic supplied by Cllr Goodwin

Councillor Ray Goodwin (Castle Vale, Labour) also championed the partnerships that made sure some festive fun came to Castle Vale this Christmas.

He told: “My sincere thanks to The Pioneer Group and its partners for embracing the Christmas spirit in such an amazing way. This is a true testament to Castle Vale and the strength of its partnership working that made this possible.”

Kevin Caveney, Director of Commercial Sales at Nationwide Windows and Doors, further stated: “We are deeply committed to creating social value in the communities we serve. We understand the importance of fostering community spirit, especially during the holiday season, and we’re proud to support Castle Vale with the donation of a community Christmas Tree.”

He added: “It’s our privilege to work alongside the Castle Vale community to make this Christmas a little brighter and to demonstrate how businesses can create meaningful impact through small but powerful gestures.”

Christmas Tree in The Sanctuary Community Centre / Pic by Ed King

Throughout December, The Pioneer Group and its charitable subsidiary Compass Support will be helping local residents this Christmas with outreach campaigns to provide food, household goods, and even presents to those who are struggling over the festive period.

Special Christmas Hampers will be made up and distributed to local residents in need, providing groceries and everyday essentials, with people asked to donate an old ‘bag for life’ from their supermarket shopping to hold the goods in.

Anyone who can donate a ‘bag for life’ for the Christmas Hamper campaign is asked to drop them into The Pioneer Group offices on Castle Vale High Street before 16 December.

‘Caring Together at Christmas’ campaign poster on display in The Sanctuary Community Centre / Pic by Ed King

The Sanctuary Community Centre is also organising the ‘Caring Together at Christmas’ campaign, where a special Christmas Tree will stand in the community centre entrance featuring tags hung on its branches with ideas for presents for local children in need.

Charitable members of the public can then choose to purchase a gift for a local young person, akin to the Secret Santa gift giving idea, and help make sure each child on Castle Vale has something to unwrap on Christmas Day.

Anyone wishing to nominate a child to receive a special Christmas gift can visit The Sanctuary and ask to fill out a form with the child’s name, age, and suggested gift ideas.

To contact The Sanctuary and Compass Support directly please call (0121) 748 8111 or email [email protected]

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 Nationwide Doors and Windows visit www.nwd.co.uk

 

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COMMUNITY ANCHORS: Looking back and facing forward with Witton Lodge Community Association

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

Witton Lodge Community Association Chief Officer Afsal Hussain on Erdington High Street / Pic by Ed King

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

Every year, Remembrance Weekend pulls us into a shared pause, as we honour the sacrifice of those who stood in harm’s way for the sake of our tomorrow. It is a time when history reminds us of the profound cost of freedom and the resilience of the human spirit. We remember them. Always.

I had the privilege of attending a remembrance service alongside veterans, communities, and dignitaries, where we gathered to pay our respects. And in remembering them, we renew a promise: to cherish the peace they fought for and to strive for a world where such sacrifices are no longer necessary.

The Autumn 2024 budget gave us a sense of direction and priorities of this new government. Whilst there were some welcome measures, such as investing in our public services, increasing the national living wage, and the earnings threshold for carer’s allowance; the wider economic environment remains challenging.

Locally, the Council’s financial position, unfortunately places further strain on community and youth services, and we will be redoubling our efforts through local and city-wide partnerships, such as B:CAN to work together to minimise the impact of cuts and provide alternative ways of delivering services that are community led.

The Ladders of Opportunity Bursary is just one example how we can invest in future generations. This fantastic initiative, is dedicated to supporting the youth of Erdington with funding and mentorship, helping them achieve their dreams.

I recently had the immense pleasure of meeting the young people who were awarded the bursary. The room was filled with ambition and energy, with aspirations that spanned a wide range of careers and enterprises.

A big thank you to our generous funders: BMet, IM Properties, The Pioneer Group, Urban Devotion and Witton Lodge Community Association. For the year ahead we will be seeking additional partners to expand the fund, levelling the playing field, and supporting more young people who haven’t always had the best start in life.

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: 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.

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COMMUNITY ANCHORS: From CVCHA to The Pioneer Group with quality housing always at heart

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

Since we took management of our Castle Vale properties from the Housing Action Trust we’ve been known by many names.

Although the change to The Pioneer Group was relatively recent, some of our colleagues joined us when we were known as CVCHA or CVCH and they continue to provide high quality and safe housing for Castle Vale residents.

You may not know this, but the decision to change our name to The Pioneer Group was taken to support our mission to grow our business and continue to support our communities.

Under both the last and newly elected Governments, there’s an expectation that housing organisations don’t just manage social and affordable homes but continue to grow and build new, much needed affordable homes.

It is this ambition to grow and unite our partner organisations with one brand that fuelled this change to The Pioneer Group.

We’ve recently rejoined PlaceShapers, an organisation that supports community focused housing organisations.

They were excited to hear that we have our own charitable arm, Compass Support providing a range of services to residents and our own football stadium!

Together, We Are Pioneer and we’ll continue to shape our services around your feedback and to provide safe, affordable accommodation for Castle Vale.

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: Ladders of Opportunity bursary celebrates first recipients and announces second round of funding

Words and pics supplied by Witton Lodge Community Association

Witton Lodge Community Association (WLCA) recently honoured the inaugural recipients of the Ladders of Opportunity Bursary at a special celebration event.

Three exceptional young people, each with unique career and education aspirations ranging from sixth form progression to nursing to electrical engineering, were awarded £1,000 to support their educational journeys.

The bursary, established in memory of Erdington MP Jack Dromey and Stockland Green Councillor Penny Holbrook, aims to provide crucal support for young people in the Erdington area. Family and friends of the late MP and Councillor attended the event, witnessing firsthand the positive impact of their legacy.

Jo Townsend, Communications & Marketing Co-ordinator at WLCA, expressed pride in the recipients’ achievements, stating: “It’s inspiring to see these three exceptional young people taking their first steps towards their dreams, and we’re proud to play a part in their success stories.”

The selection panel, comprising representatives from WLCA, IM Properties, Pioneer Group, BMet, and Urban Devotion, looks forward to providing ongoing mentorship and career guidance to the successful applicants.

Building on this success, WLCA is pleased to announce the opening of applications for a second round of funding.

Young people aged 16-25 living in the Erdington Constituency with a household income under £25,000 are encouraged to apply.

Key details for the second round:

– Eligibility: Ages 16-25, residing in Erdington Constituency with a household income under £25,000

– Bursary amount: Up to £1,000

– Application deadline: 6pm on September 30, 2024

Interested individuals can find more information or start their application by visiting the WLCA bursary page https://wittonlodge.org.uk/2024/07/17/bursary/

Alternatively they can email Jo Townsend at [email protected] – or by phone WLCA on 0121 382 1930.

The Ladders of Opportunity Bursary is made possible through the collaborative efforts of Witton Lodge Community Association, IM Properties, BMet College, The Pioneer Group, and Urban Devotion, all working together to create a brighter future for local youth.

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: Falcon Lodge Community Centre to be handed back to Birmingham City Council

Words & pics supplied by Compass Support

Since 2018 the community centre at Falcon Lodge, Sutton Coldfield, has been managed by local charity and part of The Pioneer Group, Compass Support.

The charity took over management of the site initially on a three-year lease. This was later extended and they have been using the site to work with local partners to deliver events and services for the local community.

Compass’ lease with Birmingham City Council is due to end on the 13 September and a decision has now been made to return the building to the council.

Chief Executive of The Pioneer Group, Simon Wilson said ‘We are sad to be unable to renew the lease at Falcon Lodge Community Centre, but the building has now become financially unviable for us to continue managing as a small charity.

“While we are withdrawing from the building, we are committed to working closely with our stakeholders, partners, and the community to look at what can be done to secure its future.

“Discussions with Royal Sutton Coldfield Town Council, Sutton Coldfield Charitable Trust, and Birmingham City Council, who are all committed to finding a permanent solution for the future of the building are ongoing with a further survey of the building due to take place next week.

“We will continue to work closely with our partners to keep the community updated once any final decisions have been made.”

Earlier this year, a full structural survey exposed major risks relating to the building’s roof structure and much of the centre was closed to members of the public.

Jo Fieldhouse, Housing and Regeneration Director said: “After the initial survey, our team at Falcon Lodge have worked with partners to find alternative venues for our community services while we have been in discussions about the future management of the building.

“We are continuing to deliver a wide range of services to the local community working closely with Royal Sutton Coldfield Town Council and Sutton Coldfield Charitable Trust, both having awarded funding to the centre and service provision over the years.”

For information about where services have relocated to please contact Compass Support at The Sanctuary 0121 748 8111 or [email protected]

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: We are many, they are few

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

(Ed’s note – this column was written for the Erdington Local printed edition and first published on 15.08.24)

I want to start by sending my heartfelt sympathy to the family and friends of Alice, Bebe and Elsie from Southport. I grew up nearby with family and friends in that community.

Actions of a minority have only added to their grief and pain. That tragedy be drowned by the far right and their hateful agenda.

At Pioneer, we take equality, diversity and inclusion incredibly seriously. Our staff diversity represents Birmingham, where the last census showed 51.4% of the city’s population has a diverse ethnic background.

Castle Vale, where we manage our homes, has historically been predominantly white British. But over time, as we allocate half of the 100 or so homes that become empty each year to those on the housing register, our community becomes more diverse. The Vale is a vibrant community, welcoming all backgrounds and faiths.

Setting fire to and destroying buildings, like Citizen Advice Bureau offices, libraries and local businesses is wrong. Attacking people because of their faith isn’t protest, it’s fascism.

We should be thoughtful as to where we get our information – disinformation and conspiracy is peddled through media. We should also look out for family, friends and neighbours at this time.

Communities deserve to feel safe and secure in their home and outside. Pioneer stand with those attacked and the emergency services trying to help people.

It was warming to see many people standing against fascism and the far right. We are many and they are few.

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: Joining forces to improve children’s play area

Words & pics supplied by The Pioneer Group

A local painting team and several staff volunteers, have been working hard to deliver a much-needed revamp to the children’s park on Blenheim Way in Castle Vale.

The Pioneer Group are a community based housing association providing 2,500 homes in Castle Vale, Birmingham.

During the makeover, all children’s play equipment and railings were given a fresh coat of paint, as well as litter-picking and general cleaning up in the local area.

Painting Team Leader, Liam, said: “All of the painting team at The Pioneer Group enjoyed completing this project at Blenheim Park and it was fantastic to hear the positive feedback from residents in the local community.”

“We would like to say thank you to all of the staff volunteers who joined us – it’s clear to see the impact we have had so far!”

The team of volunteers spent three days on site preparing the existing play equipment, painting and tidying the area last month.

Head of Facilities, Irfan, added: “Revamping the park on Blenheim Way was a great team effort.

“This is just one example of the additional value we can bring to the community, making real improvements to Castle Vale.

“We hope children and families will enjoy using it more!”

For more information about The Pioneer Group’s and the services they provide visit www.pioneergroup.org.uk

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.