Homelessness
West Midlands officials launch plans to protect rough sleepers from harsh winter weather
West Midlands Mayor Andy Street is once again joining forces with councils from across the region to protect rough sleepers from the bitter cold winter months ahead. As rough sleepers face the double threat of harsh winter weather and the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, the region’s local authorities have come together to announce their joint winter…
“Horrific vandalism” say Brummies as UB40 pub gobbled up by HS2 demolition in Digbeth
Shocked Brummies are calling the demolition of the legendary Eagle and Tun pub in New Canal Street in Birmingham – which has connections to reggae band UB40 – an act of “horrific vandalism” as HS2 demolition crews tore down the landmark building. Attempts to save this slice of Birmingham heritage by local history groups and…
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).
Stunning new charity mural unveiled in Brum depicting the battle against COVID-19
A dramatic new mural depicting Birmingham keyworkers battling against COVID-19 against the backdrop of the city’s skyline has been painted for charity in Digbeth. Birmingham-based street artist Josh Billingham (aka Gent48) painted the gigantic mural over the past few days and the final touches will be applied on Friday as the mural is unveiled to…
Birmingham beauty contestant raises money for the NHS during coronavirus lockdown
A young Birmingham beauty contestant is raising money for the NHS and highlighting the impact of plastic on the environment as the country continues to be gripped by the coronavirus pandemic. Isobel Lines, a teenage beauty contestant, is raising money for charity and vows to continue with her community projects during the coronavirus lockdown as…
Hundreds band together to create coronavirus solidarity network for Birmingham’s vulnerable and needy
Hundreds of people all over Birmingham have joined forces to create a network of volunteers to help the homeless and elderly in the wake of the coronavirus crisis. Individuals, charities and residents groups have come together to launch Birmingham Community Solidarity, a new initiative focusing on helping the most vulnerable as key to protecting the wider…
Sikh soup kitchen to soldier on feeding the homeless despite coronavirus threat
A Sikh soup kitchen in Birmingham is determined to continue feeding the homeless despite the threat of coronavirus. The Midland Langar Seva Society – who feed the vulnerable and needy in Birmingham nearly every single day of the year, taking a break only on Christmas Day – have announced they won’t be backing down from their duty in…
Aston Villa donates over 800 packed lunches to homeless after game postponed in wake of coronavirus
Aston Villa Football Club have donated hundreds of pre packed lunches to homeless charities today, after a planned football game had to be postponed in the wake of the coronavirus threat. The news came only an hour after the club confirmed that tomorrow’s fixture with Chelsea has been postponed in line with the Premier League’s decision to…
Almost 24,000 people in West Midlands are homeless, according to national charity
The number of people recorded as homeless in the West Midlands has reached 23,715, new figures from Shelter reveal. Shelter’s extensive analysis of official rough-sleeping and temporary accommodation figures shows the number of homeless people in the region has increased by 64% since 2016 when the charity first published its landmark annual report.
WATCH: Brum parody of ‘Fairytale of New York’ released as Xmas single for charity
A Christmas song The Fairy Tale of New Street – a Brummy inspired parody of “The Fairytale of New York” by The Pogues, has been recorded with a music video and released as a single, with all money raised going to a local Birmingham homeless charity. The 4 piece band Ire-ish shot to local fame when…