Steps forward for Headingley Road

A dangerous mix of domestic and commercial waste fly-tipped to the rear of Headingley Road. After raising the issue of domestic and industrial waste dumped in the lanes to the rear of homes on Headingley Road, I was very pleased to receive notice from Birmingham City Council that the lanes will be cleared on 6th …

NHS in crisis

THe UK government has denied that the NHS in crisis. I would like to offer a counter argument based on, well, my experience as a frontline NHS mental health nurse working in Ladywood and Handsworth. You won't be surprised to learn that the truth is a bit different to what the privileged, out of touch …

First Tea & Social of 2023

A really excellent session of Tea & Social at the Sons of Rest today, serving 22 lunches and numerous snacks and drinks to dozens of local residents and visitors. We've been running for nearly eight months now, and have supported hundreds of people by creating a warm and welcoming space right in the heart of …

A Warm Welcome @ Tea & Social

Another wonderful Wednesday session at the Sons of Rest, every week is a new soup recipe! This week we were featured on BBC WM, showcasing the important role of community drop-in and warm spaces, especially as the weather turns colder. You can listen here: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/p0dpp56p?partner=uk.co.bbc&origin=share-mobile Every week we're providing 20-30 lunches, even more cups of …

Tea & Social at the Sons of Rest – six months on!

In May this year, a small band of us got a few supplies from the local shop, and served some tea and coffee to a handful of passers-by in Handsworth Park. Now, six months later, we've expanded to serving upwards of thirty regular and new visitors every Wednesday with home-made soup and snacks, fresh fruit …

Conservative Governments – bad for your health

I was very happy to be asked to share my thoughts for the Green Party newsletter this month: https://greenworld.org.uk/article/cuts-health-services-are-cuts-our-health

Ward Plan

This evening was the opportunity for residents of Handsworth to develop a new Ward Action Plan. Going straight from work, from solving problems to hearing about more problems! The last ward action plan was written in 2018, covering issues like reducing fly-tipping and waste, addressing concerns around HMOs and exempt accommodation, crime and antisocial behaviour, …

Handsworth Ward Forum 28.Jun.22

Last night I attended the Handsworth ward forum in the sports hall. Half an hour into the meeting, there were 13 residents in attendance, out of a population over 12,000. I was a bit disappointed. I don't blame residents for not going though: It wasn't widely advertised - you have to opt in to an …

Community Connections in Handsworth

With Kalpana outside the Sons of Rest, Handsworth Park. There are community initiatives that take months of planning, multiple funding applications, steering committees, consultations, business plans and long evaluation. And there are times when you just need to put the kettle on... Today was our third weekly drop-in coffee session at the Sons of Rest …

#MentalHealthAwarenessWeek

We're all aware of mental health, so... job done? The thing is, being aware of an issue doesn't mean we're even adequately equipped to deal with it (see also climate, pollution, political corruption, housing crisis, cost of living crisis...) There's a dichotomy of meaning when we talk about mental health; we might mean health as …