Handsworth is a densely populated area - 12,000 people living tightly packed buildings. So many of the big Victorian houses that were built during the height of the Industrial Revolution have been turned into blocks of flats and HMOs (Houses in Multiple Occupation). Screenshot of Zoopla.co.uk on 12th April 2022, showing available rental accommodation. A … Continue reading Homes or Housing?
Fly Tipping – ruining our streets
On Friday I took a walk round the southern parts of Handsworth ward, to report issues of fly tipping. Thornhill Road, Golds Hill Road, Union Row, Dawson Rd, Woodstock Road, Chantry Road and Grove Lane all had piles of rubbish like those pictured, and lots of litter along the pavements, on the roads and ground … Continue reading Fly Tipping – ruining our streets
Cost of Living – help available
As prices go up and wages stay stagnant, below I have collated some notes on things that might help. Handsworth Foodbank You need to get a voucher - Citizens Advice, housing support officers, children’s centres, health visitors, social services and some local charities can provide this. Your GP might also be able to provide a … Continue reading Cost of Living – help available
Challenges in Handsworth
Yesterday (6th April) was a great day meeting Carla Denyer, co-leader of the Green Party as we supported our friend Siobhan Harper-Nunes' campaign in Gravelly Hill. Siobhan has been working with residents for over a year to solve problems like fly-tipping, potholes, drug dealing, empty houses, pedestrian safety and planning permission. Those are the same … Continue reading Challenges in Handsworth
Urgent Community Action – an idea for us all
A household is in poverty if it earns less than 60% of the UK median wage. In April of last year, according to ONS figures, that means if your household income is less than £19,063, you live in poverty. The dramatic increases in fuel costs, inflation above 6% and rising on top of high(er) rents, … Continue reading Urgent Community Action – an idea for us all
Local elections 5th May
One of my favourite quotes is from Eisenhower: Decisions are made by those who turn up. You've got to be part of the thing that needs changing. Every day in my neighbourhood I see things that need changing, fixing, improving. Dirty streets. Uncollected waste. Closed shops. Potholes. Substandard and overcrowded housing. Traffic. Queues outside the … Continue reading Local elections 5th May
#MHNursesDay 2022
February 21st is Mental Health Nurses Day, an initiative that I was proud to help start, and one that every year sees me tied to Twitter retweeting and sharing and commenting (and correcting the hashtag...) from about 7am to 9 at night. It's a day to celebrate, describe and promote the profession of mental health … Continue reading #MHNursesDay 2022
All change?
The transition from a year of hell and misery to a 2021 full of potential and recovery is an illusion. The arbitrary measurement of time in years, seasons, months and days is not something recognised by illness, economics or climate. The former three are the ever present and extreme challenges that need constant addressing. We … Continue reading All change?
Moving on
The end of a wretched 2020 sees the end of my term as Chair of the RCN Mental Health Forum, a position I've held formally for four years having been on the committee for a total of six. In that time there have been some great wins, some losses but more than anything I've had … Continue reading Moving on
Statement following RCN General Meeting
At today’s RCN General Meeting, a resolution was passed by an overwhelming majority for RCN Council to initiate a comprehensive review of governance. This vote gives Council the mandate to address the issues that led to a failed Presidential election this year, and as authors of the petition that called this meeting we are delighted … Continue reading Statement following RCN General Meeting
Ed Freshwater 