News on HS2 in Birmingham

Family support services in Castle Vale

Compass Support Services Ltd, a registered charity based in Castle Vale, have been awarded £75,000 for their ‘On Track Family Coaching’ project. The initiative will help families with multiple and complex needs facing isolation, poor physical and mental health, low confidence, domestic abuse and Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE). The project aims to improve the lives of these families through providing access to wrap around support and helping increase their resilience.

The funding will provide:

· Wrap around support including wellbeing activities such as exercise classes, healthy eating workshops and arts and crafts groups;

· Counselling, debt and benefit advice and access to qualifications to boost job prospects;

· The recruitment and training of Parent Champion volunteers from within the local community, who will give informal support to peers, and organise and manage community events including informal social gatherings and fun days.

You can find out more about the ‘On Track Family Coaching’ Project by visiting https://www.compass-support.org.uk/ .

Community cycle project ‘Bikeabilty’ in Washwood Heath

Alum Rock Community Forum was set up to support people living in Alum Rock and the surrounding areas of Washwood Heath, working with the community and local organisations to find solutions to local issues.

The funds will be used to encourage healthy lifestyles through the Bikeability initiative – providing social and educational cycling and volunteer opportunities. The project will initially run for a year, managed by a Project Coordinator one day per week.

The funding will provide:

· Six adult and six children’s bikes, helmets, hi-vis jackets and repair kits;

· Bikes available on an open access basis to local people three mornings a week and also available to local groups outside open-access sessions;

· Bikeability courses for adults and children, teaching how to ride and cycle safely;

· Recruitment of volunteers to support project delivery and provide encouragement;

· Free bike repair service during one of the weekly sessions for local people to bring their own bikes and learn how to maintain and repair them.

The community and business funds are administered and managed by independent community charity, Groundwork UK. For more information on Groundwork and the funds themselves click here.

You can also see an interactive map showing all of the projects awarded funding so far by clicking here .