Month: September 2024

Editorial

• 14 million people in the UK are living in food insecurity.
• 3 million of these are children.
• 145,000 children living in poverty in Birmingham alone.
• Do you want to help?

Are you feeling bored, lonely or just stuck in a rut? Would you like to find a way to stay active, meet like-minded people and know you are making a difference to your local community? Do you want to improve your mental health and boost your confidence? Come and join us at FareShare Midlands as one of our Volunteer Drivers, Warehouse Assistants or Administrators.

FareShare Midlands is the region’s largest food redistribution charity, fighting food poverty while saving nutritious food from going to waste. We rescue good quality surplus food and redistribute it to charities and community organisations across the Midlands. Each week we reach more than 83,000 people through a network of 800 community partners – providing nourishment to vulnerable children, families and older people. Last year we redistributed almost 6,000 tonnes, providing 13 million meals.

Our Members include community centres, homeless shelters and children’s breakfast clubs and they are feeding families battling poverty and hunger. They turn the surplus food into affordable shopping, food parcels and delicious meals. But it’s not just about the food – the Members provide additional support including advice in respect of benefits, housing and debt.

To get as much food as possible to these charities and community organisations and the thousands of people they support, FareShare Midlands relies on the help of our Volunteers. Right now, we need passionate people with spare time and a desire to help. Please sign up as a Volunteer at our Nechells depot – you will perform essential tasks such as driving the delivery vans and packing the food in the warehouses. At the same time, you will gain so much – friendship, fun, exercise, new skills and the knowledge that you are helping your local community and the environment.

Volunteer Lindsay said “Volunteering gets you up and focused to start the day.  It gives you structure which I find helps after big life changes like retirement or bereavement etc. Helping out at FareShare, you know your little bit helps those who need it, (it’s not lost in admin) and they are a really friendly and bunch and SO well organised (a few public organisations could learn a lot!) So be brave and join the fun!”.

FareShare Midlands Chief Executive, Simone Connolly said “Over the summer school holidays we will strive to support families in need across Birmingham by redistributing as much surplus food as we possibly can. There is no end in sight for the cost of living crisis and we are seeing unprecedented need. We urgently need kind people to volunteer with us – by lending a hand for just a few hours a week, you can make a massive difference”.

To find out more about becoming a volunteer call: 07981 36023, or email: Volunteer@faresharemidlands.org.uk. To read about FareShare Midlands, please visit the website https://faresharemidlands.org.uk/.

40-year-old Stephen Webb is in the fight of his life after being diagnosed with glioblastoma, an aggressive type of cancerous brain tumour.

The previously healthy father of two, and Head of English at Hastings High School in Leicestershire, was in total shock after he experienced a seizure last month, and was whisked to hospital where doctors broke the heartbreaking news.

Stephen Webb with his fiancée, Cheryl

The prognosis for glioblastoma is poor with the average survival time 12-18 months and only 25% of patients surviving more than one year.

 

 

However, there’s still hope that Stephen can spend more time with his young family, Noah, 11, and Scout, 9, as well as his fiancée, Cheryl, thanks to pioneering immunology treatment.

Family friends have set up a GoFundMe to help raise £150,000 which will pay for vaccine (DCVax-®L) that was trialled at King’s College Hospital and can potentially extend the life of patients.

Stephen with his family

The GoFundMe has already raised over £100,000, but more donations are needed to hit the goal as quickly as possible.

• Donate or share the glioblastoma appeal

Meanwhile, Stephen will be undergoing brain surgery at Coventry Hospital on Thursday, 19 September, followed by chemotherapy and radiotherapy treatment.

If you’d like to find out more about Stephen, check out the Radio Leicester interview and the official GoFundMe page.

Walsall Library is set to host a unique art exhibition that transforms seized knives and weapons into striking works of art. The exhibit, which opens this week, aims to promote dialogue around violence and its impact on communities.

The exhibition, named ‘Swords into Ploughshares’, showcases creative pieces crafted from weapons that have been confiscated by local authorities. This powerful display not only highlights the artistry of the pieces but also serves as a poignant reminder of the ongoing efforts to combat violence in the area.

“The exhibition is very thought-provoking, every individual piece has a meaning behind it, so I’d really recommend visiting,” said Councillor Gary Perry, Leader of Walsall Council, who visited the library last week.

“It was great to speak with people who can talk about the transformation of each and every item, all of which have been repurposed from seized weapons. 

“The arts can help us tell stories about the devastation knife crime is causing, and this exhibition tells a clear and simple message: choose life or knife.”

The exhibition features a range of artworks, including sculptures, installations, and mixed-media pieces. Each piece tells a story of transformation, inviting visitors to reflect on the journey from violence to creativity.

The exhibition can be found on the second floor of the Lichfield Street Hub, Lichfield St, Walsall, WS1 1TR.

In a heartwarming story from Walsall, the daughter of a local centenarian has shared the unique secret behind her mother’s impressive longevity. 

Mary Gutteridge, who was born in Wednesbury in 1924 and celebrated her 100th birthday in August, attributes her remarkable health and longevity to a lifelong passion for dancing. 

Walsall Mayor and Mayoress with Mrs Mary Gutteridge and family

“My mum’s longevity is proof of her positive outlook and zest for life,” said Elaine.

“She loves to dance and I recall she danced till 1am on her 90th birthday! It’s overwhelming to see her achieve this milestone. She has always been a happy woman with so much positivity, and her advice to me has always been to be true to myself.”

Mary’s story is not just about longevity but also about maintaining a positive outlook and staying active. This includes being an active participant in local dance classes and events, a commitment that has kept her high-spirited throughout her life.

We hope you had a wonderful birthday, Mary!

A specialist team of physiotherapists will be hopping on their bikes for 24 hours – all in aid of charity.

Physiotherapists from Sandwell and West Birmingham NHS Trust (SWB) are highlighting the importance of ‘ Physical Therapy Day ‘ by hosting a 24 hour spin relay starting on Friday 6 September through to Saturday 7 September.

They are raising money for Your Trust Charity, the registered charity for SWB. Funds will go towards enhancing the experiences of patients at the Trust who suffer from Musculoskeletal injuries.

World Physical Therapy Day celebrated on Sunday 8 September recognises and celebrates the work that physiotherapists do for their patients and the community.

Led by Paul Rees, Advanced Physiotherapy Practitioner, said: “The team and I are excited to be hosting our first spin-relay here at Sandwell Hospital.

This is a great opportunity to raise money for our patients whilst getting fit at the same time.

“We encourage anyone of any fitness level or role to join the team or to come along and support us whilst we peddle our way across the finish line.”

Physiotherapists work with patients across the Trust to help to restore movement and function when someone is affected by injury, illness, or disability. They provide education and advice for everyday activities, such as improving posture, mobility, and stiffness.

To sponsor the team during their 24-hour gruelling spin relay you can do so here – https://www.justgiving.com/page/paul-rees-1716997204681?utm_medium=qrcode&utm_source=offline