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 […]

Free School Uniforms Across the West Midlands

The increase in the cost of living is at the forefront of everyone’s minds at the moment. Sadly, there are necessities that are no longer affordable for families, and this includes school uniforms.  A survey of about 1,000 UK parents by The Children’s Society suggested those with children in state schools spent on average £337 […]

Black Country Foodbank – Recipe Bag Initiative

The Black Country Foodbank recently launched an initiative in the Sandwell area. Receipe Bags use the ambient food in the food parcels to create appetising and healthy meals. The recipe bag contains ALL the ingredients needed to cook a nutritional meal along with a step-by-step instruction recipe card, and a QR code which opens a […]

Homeless Link Spring Conference: Accommodation Solutions

Homeless Link Spring Conference: Accommodation Solutions Homeless Link are the national membership charity for organisations working directly with people who become homeless in England. In March Homeless Link are hosting their Spring Conference in Birmingham. This will be an in-person event and a great opportunity to network with other organisations and charities within the homeless […]