1. LSCP FREE Safeguarding Training for the Voluntary & Community Sector – BOOKING CLOSING SOON
2. HAF Easter Funding – APPLICATION DEADLINE FAST APPROACHING
3. Solihull Active Newsletter – March 2021
4. The Heal Hub
5. Straight Up
6. Volunteering Opportunity – Cadet Leaders
7. Mason Foundation – The Community Mile
8. Meriden Rotary Club – information on club
9. YOU WM – Youth Organisations in Uniform West Midlands
10. Activities for Young People – The Fordbridge Centre
11. Capturing Kingshurst Event
1. Solihull Local Safeguarding Children Partnership Solihull LSCB are providing a FREE- An introduction to safeguarding training for voluntary & community sector organisations.
Being held on: THURSDAY 3RD MARCH 2022
Deadline to book onto this session : 24TH FEBRUARY 2022
Aimed at:
Those who work or volunteer in voluntary and community sector not for profit organisations for children, young people and families. This will be helpful for those groups that are applying for the Winter Wellbeing fund from the Heart of England Foundation that haven’t created their Safeguarding policy yet.
Learning Outcomes:
When you have completed this webinar, you will be able to:
· Understand what is meant by safeguarding and child abuse
· Describe different types, signs and indicators of abuse and neglect
· Understand how to respond to concerns about safety and welfare of children and know who to report to
· Understand what the process is for reporting your concerns and recording your observations
For booking access directly through this link: https://training.solihulllscp.co.uk/Course/CourseDescriptive.aspx?id=168
Online user guide for assistance for people booking & the link is: https://solihulllscp.co.uk/training.php and scroll to the bottom of the page.
Other useful link: Solihull Local Safeguarding Children Partnership website also has advice around writing a safeguarding policy on the website: https://solihulllscp.co.uk/practitioner-volunteers/voluntary-community-faith-third-sector-90/how-to-write-a-safeguarding-policy-91.php
2. HAF Easter Funding
Applications for HAF Easter 2022 can now be submitted by emailing your application form and supporting evidence to hafsolihull@solihull.gov.uk. You can find the application form and supporting docs on the website:
Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) Programme (solihull.gov.uk)
The deadline to submit your application is Sunday 27th February (midnight) and you will be informed of a decision by Friday 18th March 2022. If you have any questions please feel free to get in touch at hafsolihull@solihull.gov.uk and one of the team will get in contact with you.
3. Solihull Active Newsletter – March 2021
The newsletter is attached ‘ Solihull Active Newsletter March 2021’ to these weekly updates. Please take a look, and visit www.solihullactive.co.uk for more information and to sign up to their mailing list and receive their newsletter direct.
4. The Heal Hub
The Heal Hub is a VRU-commissioned project, run by Lyfeproof UK and Aspire4U CIC. It provides free mental health support to vulnerable young people aged 14-25.
· This service is for young people (14-25) living in the West Midlands who are either: at risk of exclusion; currently in alternative education provisions; at risk of engaging in youth violence; involved in Youth Offending Services
· Those referred to the programme can receive sessions of CBT with a therapist to support their mental health and is completely free of charge
· More information is provided on the website https://healhub.org.uk/
Contact details for The Heal Hub: Tel – 0121 622 3603, Email – mhteam@lyfeproof.co.uk
5. Straight Up
Youth work charity Catch 22 have launched a new service for young people called ‘Straight Up’. The service provides 1-1 mentoring support for vulnerable young people at risk of involvement in gangs.
More information and the referral form can be found in the documents attached.
For more information please contact Daniel Cunningham, Service Coordinator – Gangs and Violence Reduction Services: Tel – 07850929139, Email – Daniel.Cunningham@catch-22.org.uk
6. Volunteering Opportunity – Cadet Leaders
The police cadets are looking for adults who can be positive role models for their Cadets. Thy want someone who can help to guide and support them to be the best they can be, including helping them to become more active citizens with a voice and help them achieve and push through any boundaries to reach their full potential.are you an adult who can listen, support and encourage, motivate, inspire and care. Then please contact Kristina.burns@westmidlands.police.uk for more information.
7. Mason Foundation – The Community Mile
The Mason Foundation was founded in 2017, by entrepreneur and philanthropist Stephen Mason, with the single mission of supporting communities to become happier, healthier, and more active. Following the devastating long-term impact of the pandemic, The Community Mile was launched in 2021 to help those communities most in need.
The Community Mile is a 6-month wellbeing programme delivered in partnership with grass roots organisations, to support vulnerable communities. We support organisations to deliver a ‘Mile’ within their setting, for their specific community. The Community Mile provides the first, important step to changing behaviours for many people, who otherwise will remain inactive for the rest of their lives. The programme plays a fundamental part in addressing the huge inequalities faced by so many, unlocking the advantages of physical activity for everyone through removing barriers for those most disadvantaged groups. A Mile can be a structured or unstructured route, or simply 15 minutes of activity #YourMileYourWay. Whether that’s walking, rolling, arm-chair exercises, or perhaps a sensory experience, we embed ‘The Mile’ in your community so that it is inclusive and accessible for all.
We achieve this through supporting and empowering local community-based organisations to set up, deliver and do ‘Their Mile, Their Way’ – in the community, for the community, by the community. There isn’t a more powerful role model than the person that lives and understand the everyday challenges and can relate first-hand to how to overcome them.
The 6-month programme costs £6,000 however if the cost is a barrier, please let me know as we will support organisations with cost where we can. Attached are the Community Mile Flyer and FAQ’s which contain more information.
If any community organisations are interested or would like to ask any questions, please drop Hayley Noel an email on Hayley.noel@masonfoundation.co.uk
8. Meriden Rotary Club – Information about the club
The Rotary Club of Meriden will be holding a table at Fentham Hall for information on Rotary and membership.
It will be held on Wednesday 3rd March at Fentham hall from 7pm until 9pm including a bar.
The Rotary Club of Meriden will also be holding a membership evening at The Manor Hotel, Meriden CV7 7NH on Tuesday 12th April for anyone interested in membership. A PowerPoint display will be shown highlighting what the Rotary Club of Meriden does.
You can meet members of the club, ask questions and have a 3-course meal for £20.
If you are interested in attending email the club secretary mrcsecretary79@gmail.com by Friday 8th April to book a meal at The Manor quoting any dietary requirements.
9. Youth Organisations in Uniform West Midlands
YOU WM is a new collaboration of the 11 Youth Organisations in Uniform in the urban West Midlands. (Army Cadet Force, Boys’ Brigade & Girls’ Association, Combined Cadet Forces, Fire Cadets, Girlguiding, Girls’ Brigade, RAF Air Cadets, Sea Cadets Corps, Scouts, St John Ambulance and the Volunteer Police Cadets ). A background note is attached for your information.
See attachment ‘Youth Organisations in Uniform West Midlands Summary’ for full details of what assistance and support they will be delivering.
They will be bringing together leaders of the Coventry & Solihull Communities for a launch of YOU WM on Tuesday 1st March 22 at Coventry College, 50 Swanswell Street, Coventry CV1 5DG from 1800 to 1930 to meet and talk to leaders and young people from the YOU WM organisations and to hear more about YOU WM. Refreshments will be provided and parking is available.
10. Activities for Young People – The Fordbridge Centre
The Living Well Consortium are working in conjunction with Train & Play to provide FREE activities for 11 – 18 year olds every Tuesday and Friday at the Fordbridge Centre between 15:30 – 17:30. Activities include arts and crafts and sports and games. See flyer ‘North Solihull – Children and Young People Activities’ for how to book onto the sessions.
11. Capturing Kingshurst Event
Big changes are coming – the future is exciting, but the past is important too. The library team want to spend a day in collaboration with everyone who loves Kingshurst and has memories and feelings about the parade, documenting the sights and textures of the area.
Come and join them on Saturday 5th March between 10am – 4.30 pm with refreshments provided throughout the day. All ages welcome.
Please see attachment ‘Kingshurst Poster’ for more information.
Kingshurst_Poster_PDF North Solihull – Children and Young People Activities – Amended YOUTH ORGANISATIONS IN UNIFORM WEST MIDLANDS Summaryv3 31Jan22 The Community Mile FAQs_final The Community Mile_final Straight Up Referral Form Solihull Active Newsletter February 2022 Straight Up flyer
North Solihull – Children and Young People Activities – Amended
YOUTH ORGANISATIONS IN UNIFORM WEST MIDLANDS Summaryv3 31Jan22
Solihull Active Newsletter February 2022
Please see items in this week’s newsletter for your information, and to share with those you feel could be interested:
1. Information about Domestic Abuse
2. Donated Items Available at Vulcan House
3. Batonbearer Nominations
4. ‘Conversation Culture’ event
5. New Solihull Community Cycling Hubs
6. Have your say on a plan to tackle health inequalities across Solihull
7. Children & Young People’s Choir
8. Dad’s Stay and Play in Kingshurst
9. Kooth February Update
10. MAPA Winter opening times
11. Solihull Climate Action – New Members Welcome
12. DigiKick are hiring!
1. Information about Domestic Abuse
Domestic abuse reaches every corner of our society. It is a complex issue which sadly affects many individuals and families. While anyone can and are affected, it is overwhelming experienced by women, and perpetrated by males. It can happen to anyone, regardless of status, address, class, culture of wealth.
COVID-19 led to a spotlight on domestic abuse, and while COVID-19 does not cause domestic abuse, there was a visible escalation in reports of domestic abuse. In April 2021, the United Kingdom introduced the first ever legislation in the form of the Domestic Abuse Act 2021. The Act aims to tackle domestic abuse, through improving awareness and understanding, so that we can improve how we can support those who are subjected to domestic abuse, and strengthen how we respond to those who perpetrate it.
One way we can do this, is by asking agencies and individuals who have contact with residents to be alert to the issue, and to feel more confident in being able to spot the signs and to respond in a safe way. To help with this, we have produced a short guidance that is attached (see ’guidance for people working with the community members’). Please share this across your networks.
Useful links for further help:
https://westmidlands.procedures.org.uk/ -children safeguarding procedures
https://www.safeguardingsolihull.org.uk/ssab/
https://the-waitingroom.org/ – directory of local services
https://www.ourwatch.org.uk/crime-prevention/crime-prevention-toolkits/domestic-abuse/domestic-abuse-campaign-toolkit – neighbourhood watch toolkit
https://hollieguard.com/ – Hollie App
2. Donated Items Available at Vulcan House
There are still many donated items available for organisations to come and collect as much as they like, with there being the following available: a range of baby food pouches (including Aisha halal baby food); first infant and follow on milk; nappies (all sizes); baby bottles; baby wipes; baby clothes; brand new infant school shoes (boys and girls); women’s clothes; hand gel; and kids toys.
If you are interested in collecting items, please contact Tom Eley on 07554306645 or at tom.eley@solihull.gov.uk to confirm collection.
The date for collection is Wednesday 9th February from 12:00 – 15:00 at Vulcan House, Vulcan Rd, Solihull B91 2JY.
3. Batonbearer Nominations
The Queen’s Baton Relay need 2,022 Batonbearers, each with inspiring stores, to take on the special experience of carrying the Queen’s Baton through England in summer 2022. To nominate, simply let them know how your nominee is making a difference in their community and why they deserve to take on this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
You can nominate at: https://www.birmingham2022.com/queens-baton-relay/batonbearer-nominations/ . Nominations close in February.
4. ‘Conversation Culture’ event
Arts and Culture play a vital role in making Solihull a prosperous, healthy and attractive place to live and in bringing people together provides a sense of vitality and belonging. The council recognise that there is more that they can do to strengthen the cultural infrastructure in Solihull, and they’re keen to develop an ongoing dialogue with local practitioners and organisations. They are therefore issuing an open invitation to a first ‘Conversation Culture’ forum as a space to discuss the opportunities and challenges as we move out of the pandemic.During the evening there will be an opportunity to: hear about the results of a cultural audit of Solihull, carried out by Sampad; hear about the council’s cultural programming over the next year, particularly in relation to the Commonwealth Games; discuss what works well and what could be improved in the cultural sphere in Solihull, and suggest how the council can support you.
The council want to reach and engage with individuals and organisations from the arts, heritage and culture sector no matter how big or small, regardless of whether they are relatively new or well-established. They want representation from all disciplines to achieve some rich feedback so please pass this invite on to those in your networks who they may not have yet had the opportunity to make contact with.
The event is on Thursday 17th February at 5pm-7pm at The Core, Homer Road, Solihull, B91 3RG. Registration for the event can be done via Eventbrite via the following link: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/copy-of-conversation-culture-tickets-251101650797
For further details about the event please contact Kate Bunting- Strategic Lead for Culture on kate.bunting@solihull.gov.uk or call 0121 704 6958
5. New Solihull Community Cycling Hubs
New community cycling hubs are launching during February! There will be various free cycling activities available at each event, come and join in. Dates for the diaries are:
• Babbs Mill – Saturday 5th Feb 9.30am-12.30pm
• Tudor Grange Park – Saturday 12th Feb 9.30am-1.30pm
• Shirley Park – Saturday 19th Feb 9.30am-1.30pm
• Elmdon Park – Saturday 26th Feb 9.30am-1.30pm
The first event at Babbs Mill on Saturday 5th Feb includes: have your own bike checked & fixed at Dr Bike; take part in a Cycle Safe guided ride; try out the new hub bikes and get your bike security marked. Solihull Wheels For All, an inclusive cycle project will also be there.
Thanks goes out to everyone who’s been involved in organising the events and British Cycling for the Places to Ride match-funding. For further information please see the attachments ‘Launch Events Dates’ and ‘Babbs Mill Cycle Hub Launch’ or visit: www.solihullactive.co.uk/cycling-in-solihull/
6. Have your say on a plan to tackle health inequalities across Solihull
Solihull Council would like to hear your views on a proposed three-year strategy to tackle health inequalities across the borough. The aim of the strategy is to improve the lives of those with the worst health outcomes the fastest, to help them live healthier, happier, longer lives. The strategy is a call to action to residents, community groups and local organisations to partner with the Council and NHS, to tackle health inequalities across the borough. It focuses on what more can be done locally to close the health gap at different stages in people’s lives.
The Council would like to know whether the strategy focuses on the areas that matter most to you. You can view the draft Strategy and have your say via a short anonymous survey here. The Survey is open until Monday 7 February.
7. Children & Young People’s Choir
New members are welcome at a FREE AC Academy choir for children & young people aged 7-16.
• They meet at The Junction, Chapelhouse Road, Chelmsley Wood, B37 5HA
• Free weekly sessions on a Thursday 4pm to 5pm (term time only)
• All sessions are run by qualified leaders
• Singing is great for mental health and wellbeing so why not join
• No singing experience needed
For further information, or to book a taster session, please contact Ann Hannan via email on ahannan@armonico.org.uk or phone 07587 700740. Also see attachment ‘Solihull 2021 2up’ for more information.
8. Dad’s Stay and Play in Kingshurst
There is now a dad’s stay and play sessions in Kingshurst. These sessions will act as a conduit to engaging dads so that wider conversations can be opened up around physical activity, mental health and general wellbeing. The sessions are semi-structured in terms of the physical literacy that will be introduced but this will be through free play which will encourage physical activity and early years motor skills development.
• Evergreen Building (formerly Capitol House) Yorkswood Primary School Kingshurst Way B37 6DX
• Starts on Weds 2nd February 9.15 – 10.15 for 6 weeks
• A home learning activity pack will be provided for half term week
• Children aged 0 – 4 years
• Dads/grandads/male carers welcome,
• Limited spaces are available so please call or text to book your place in advance on 07436 333946
For further information please contact Gemma Ashington, Colebridge Trust at gemmaa@colebridge.org / 07436 333946 and also see attachment ‘Dads Stay and Play poster’.
9. Kooth February Update
In light of ‘Children’s Mental Health Week’ coming up on 7th – 13th February 2022, Kooth would like to offer students’ a short Introduction to Kooth Presentation, sharing with them exactly how they can benefit from Kooth’s services and receive the professional mental health and emotional wellbeing support they need, without any long waiting lists. The sessions can be delivered virtually or face to face as required. There are also other presentations available focusing on different topics such as ‘peer pressure’ or ‘feeling lonely and isolated’. Please email Wynnie on walexander@kooth.com to book the presentations required for your organisations or complete the Booking/ Order Form asap as availability gets booked up quickly.
Kooth would also like to share their latest resources including their ‘What’s on Kooth in February’ poster with the dates of the Live Forums (attachment ‘Digital Campaign_WhatsonFeb’); Exam Stress poster (attachment ‘exam stress digital dispay’); and a LGBT+ History Month poster (attachment ‘2022 LGBT History month refresh digi poster’).
10. MAPA Winter opening times
Please see attachment ‘Winter opening times 2022’ for the Winter opening times for Meriden Adventure Playground.
11. Solihull Climate Action – New Members Welcome
Solihull Climate Action is a recently-formed, small group of people concerned about the climate and environmental crises, and keen that we in Solihull, the Council, businesses and individuals, should play their part in tackling them. They meet once a month and would love to have more people join them.
In response to rising energy bills they have also just produced an info sheet with top tips to reduce your energy bills and help save the planet. If you would like to know more about their community group or their info sheet, please email them on solihullclimateaction@gmail.com
12. DigiKick are hiring!
DigiKick are a Birmingham Based Community Interest Company. They are a non-profit that helps people get online for the first time. DigiKick CIC are currently recruiting Digital Engagement Officers to become part of an ever-growing team. The hourly rate for each role is £9.50 per hour for roughly 32 hours per week.
For more information and to apply, click here
Winter opening times 2022 v2 Digital_campaign_WhatsOnFeb_A4 
Dads Stay and Play poster (1) 
2022 GUIDANCE FOR PEOPLE WORKING WITH THE COMMUNITY MEMBERS