Charity
VIDEO: Volunteers feed homeless on Christmas Eve at Birmingham New Street Station
Volunteers from across Birmingham came together this evening to help feed the homeless in the city. Organised by Sikh charity Midland Langar Seva Society, the special soup kitchen was held just outside Birmingham New Street station in partnership with Network Rail.
Miss Black Country nominated for ‘Unsung Hero Award’ at BBC Sports Personality ceremony
Isobel Lines, the current Miss Black Country who has worked tirelessly for charities during the pandemic, was nominated for the ‘Unsung Hero Award 2020’ at this year’s BBC Sports Personality of the Year ceremony. The 20-year-old from Wednesbury, who is a former Sports Scholarship student studying Sports Science at the University of Worcester, has been…
Wolverhampton woman raising domestic violence awareness through lived experience
An inspiring woman from Wolverhampton is hosting an online event to raise awareness about domestic violence, both towards women and men. Farisai Dzemwa, 48, who herself suffered years of abuse in her homeland, is hoping the virtual workshop will help those struggling with physical and psychological abuse from a spouse, partner or family member.
Fraudulent charity bosses jailed for illegal trafficking racket exploiting undocumented migrants
A woman who set up a bogus charity purporting to help asylum seekers was secretly smuggling undocumented migrants into the UK and exploiting their labour to enrich herself. Turning a blind eye as scores of migrants worked in cannabis farms to pay for her ‘charitable’ services, Pranvera Smith established ‘Freedom to Stay’ in 2014 and ran the Birmingham-based group…
Birmingham street artist joins forces with social enterprise cafe to support young people
A Midlands-based social enterprise cafe has teamed up with satire artist Foka Wolf to call on Birmingham corporations to support its young people. The region’s infamous satirical visual artist has joined forces with Evolve – a cafe run by Midlands-based charity Aquarius – to launch limited edition t-shirts, with proceeds from sales going towards funding the cafe’s work-placement schemes for 16…
Youth homelessness charity St Basils announces Feizal Hajat as new Chair of Board of Directors
West Midlands youth homelessness charity St Basils has revealed its new Chair of Board of Directors, Feizal Hajat OBE. St Basils, the largest youth homelessness charity in the region, appointed Hajat as its new Chair at the organisation’s Annual General Meeting on yesterday (September 14).
West Midlands celebrities reflect on vital hospice care during their partners’ final months
Two well-known celebrity personalities from the Midlands have been reflecting positively on the palliative care their partners received, as they pledge their support for the Birmingham hospice that looked after their loved ones. West Bromwich Albion legend, Brendon Batson and former ITV Central News anchor, Llewela Bailey donned white feather badges to encourage people to support Birmingham…
Edgbaston family caring for disabled adult is one of many “forgotten” families during coronavirus pandemic
A Birmingham family from Edgbaston is one of many across the country struggling with the impact of taking on extra responsibilities caring for disabled adults during the coronavirus pandemic. A new survey by a national disability charity has highlighted the plight of families in the UK caring for disabled adults at home during the pandemic, with 75% saying…
Coventry asylum seeker with disability launches crowdfunder to raise fees for his PhD study
The struggle of a Coventry-based, disabled and wheelchair-bound asylum seeker to raise tuition fees for his PhD in the UK is continuing with no end in sight. After applying for admission to five UK universities, asylum seeker Dickson Tarnongo was offered a place by a Midlands-based university. The university gave him an offer with a…
COVID-19 wellbeing counselling service launched for Birmingham’s LGBT+ community
A new counselling service for LGBTQ+ people has been launched in the city to help individuals with their mental health and wellbeing during the ongoing coronavirus crisis. The service aims to offer free counselling assistance to people who have or are suffering from difficulties around mental health, isolation and financial hardship.