Exercise your right to vote in the West Midlands.

On 2 May 2024, people across the West Midlands are being invited to vote in the polls to elect A Mayor for the West Midlands Combined Authority A Police and Crime Commissioner for the West Midlands  Councillors within local authority areas of, Coventry, Dudley, Sandwell, Solihull, Walsall and Wolverhampton.  (In Selly Oak and Bournbrook in […]

The Black Country Foodbank publish their 2023 impact report.

Since its inception in June 2006 at Chawn Hill Church in Stourbridge, the Black Country Foodbank (BCFB) has been steadfast in its commitment as a Christian-based charitable organisation to aiding those in need. Fast forward to the end of 2023, the BCFB has remarkably expanded its reach, boasting a comprehensive network of 26 food banks […]

Give Help Campaign launches in the West Midlands

The Street Support Give Help Campaign launches in the West Midlands Did you know today is #GivingTuesday ? It seems a perfect day to launch our Street Support West Midlands #GiveHelp campaign.  Organisations across the region have listed what they need, be it items, time, or funding to help prevent people from becoming homeless, or […]

Black Country Foodbank: Reverse Advent Calendar

Black Country Foodbank have launched their Reverse Advent Calendar full of ideas and items that can make a difference to people struggling with food poverty and the cost of living this winter.  What does “reverse advent calendar” mean? Most calendars comprised a series of doors or windows to open, revealing a picture, small chocolate or […]

Tackling homelessness – it’s everybody’s business

The WMCA Homelessness Task Force have shared their thoughts about why homelessness is everybody’s business. Read to find out how you can ‘Find Help’ and ‘Give Help’ To a lesser or greater extent, the cost of living crisis is affecting most of us on a daily basis with the cost of essentials like food, rent, […]

WMCA Rough Sleeping Initiative Regional Training Programme 2023-24

The West Midlands Combined Authority Rough Sleeping Initiative seeks to add value and complementary outcomes to the work of our Local Authority and wider partners. To build upon the good work established in recent years, we are delighted to share details about our new regional training programme. This exciting training offer is not open to […]

Black Country Women’s Aid to deliver domestic abuse support in the Borough

Sandwell has announced news of a five year contract with Black Country Women’s Aid (BCWA). Sandwell Council recently awarded a five year contract worth over £2m to BCWA to deliver safe accommodation and support services for victims of domestic abuse. Longer term funding will provide some stability and assurance to the continuation of these services which offer […]

Street Support Launches in West Midlands

Following huge successes in other cities across the country, Street Support West Midlands has now been launched and is already rapidly becoming the key live portal for accurate up‐to‐date information for people experiencing homelessness and for support workers working to help meet people’s needs. Street Support West Midlands is continually updated by the city’s key […]

No Recourse to Public Funds (NRPF) Conference

By Eliz Hopkins On Wednesday 19 October 2022 I had the privilege of attending the WMCA Homelessness Taskforce NRPF and Homelessness at Birmingham Symphony Hall. The conference promised to be an insightful day bringing partners together to consider and explore regional approaches to designing out homelessness for non-UK nationals with no recourse or restricted eligibility […]

Miss Macaroon Programme and open day

Macaroons that Make a Difference programme was developed as part of Miss Macaroon’s work as a Social Enterprise. The scheme offers support for long-term unemployed young people, aged 18-35 years old, who have certain disadvantages when it comes to gaining employment. For example, some trainees are ex-offenders. Others have had a history of mental health […]