Archive for the ‘Uncategorized’ Category

Social Media Surgeries in Lozells and Birchfield 2012

Posted on 21st December 2011 by

The Social Media Surgeries taking place in the area in 2011 have been lots of fun and it looks like both ‘surgeons’ and ‘patients’ have got a lot out of it.

We now have dates set for 2012 which you can see here:

http://www.socialmediasurgery.com/surgeries/lozells-and-birchfield

Please note, stemming from feedback from local people who can’t make the daytime events, the surgeries will alternately take place in the morning 10-12 or the evening 6-8. No surgeries will take place in August and December 2012.

This post tell a little bit more about what a social media surgery is.

If I don’t see you before, have a peaceful Christmastime and a Happy New Year!

Jo

Posted on 21st December 2011 by
Posted in Uncategorized | No Comments »

Burglaries: Public meeting and tips to beat the burglars

Posted on 14th December 2011 by

Message from Saeed, co-chair of Lozells Neighbourhood Forum:

“Your local Policing team and the Lozells Neighbourhood Forum are holding a community awareness raising meeting for anyone living or working in the community to find out about how we can ‘beat the burglars’.

 There has been a spike in burglaries across our area again (we had a previous surge in May early this year). I know this is a concern for a number of local neighbourhoods too.

 The full details of the meeting are:

 Date:              

Thursday 15th December 2011

Time:             

6pm – a warm cuppa with biscuits & a chance to meet others

6.30pm – 7.30pm meeting (we will start and finish on time)

Venue:           

 St Pauls & St Silas Church Centre, 80 Lozells Road, Lozells, Birmingham, B19 2TL.”

Some tips  for keeping your home and belongings safe:

 Burglary Crime Prevention Advice

• Always lock doors and windows securely. Even if only going out for a few minutes.
• Keep valuables out of sight and ensure curtains are closed once it gets dark.
• Consider purchasing timer switches for your lights or leave a couple of bulbs on when heading out after dark.
• Install a burglar alarm as a visible deterrent.
• Ensure that sheds, garages and other out-buildings are securely locked.

• Cancel milk / newspaper deliveries if you are away from home for any considerable time.
• Never leave car keys or important documents near doors, letterboxes or windows.
• Always check before opening your door to strangers. If in doubt, keep them out.
 
  

Inside a burglars mind
 
• Burglars are usually opportunistic criminals that look out for insecure homes.
• A building that presents itself as unoccupied or insecure is far more likely to be targeted by a burglar than a home that is properly secured.
• Burglars usually break into homes which they believe offer the best opportunity to carry out their crime undetected.
 
 Things a burglar may lookout for

• Ground floor windows left open.
• Side gates left open or insecure.
• Ladders left outside, allowing burglars possible access to otherwise inaccessible windows.
• Garden sheds left insecure.
• Easy access to garden tools that could be used to force entry into your home.
• Unlit houses with curtains open after dark.
  

Keeping your keys safe
 • Never leave spare keys concealed near your door. Burglars know all of the hiding places.
• Prevent letterbox burglaries by storing house keys securely and away from doors.
• Never label your keys. If they were stolen or lost, a criminal could easily find your home and know which keys to use.
 
 Make it look like you are at home

 • Consider purchasing timer switches to turn lights on and off if you are not home.
• Encourage trusted neighbours to park their car on your drive if you are out.
• If heading out in the evening, make sure your curtains are closed and leave a light on.
• Ask trusted neighbours to remove any post or deliveries from your porch area if not at home.
  
Keeping your keys safe
 • Never leave spare keys concealed near your door. Burglars know all of the hiding places.
• Prevent letterbox burglaries by storing house keys securely and away from doors.
• Never label your keys. If they were stolen or lost, a criminal could easily find your home and know which keys to use.
 
  Going on holiday?

 • Cancel deliveries such as milk & newspapers.
• Arrange for trusted neighbours or family members to keep an eye on your home.
• Always remember to set your burglar alarm.
• If you have family members living nearby, give them a spare key and ask them to open / close curtains and put the light on regularly.
 
 

Any Questions?
 
 • For daily updates from local officers, please join @brumpolice on twitter.
 
You can view more home security advice online.
 
 

Posted on 14th December 2011 by
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Posted in Birchfield, Handsworth, Lozells, Safe, Clean and Green, Uncategorized | No Comments »

Free IT classes in Birchfield – drop in or book a place now

Posted on 22nd November 2011 by
Computer

Want to learn some basic computer skills in a relaxed and friendly environment?

Freshwinds and Birchfield Children’s Centre are running classes to teach basic IT skills –

  • ·         How to operate a computer – using a mouse and keyboard
  • ·         How to send a receive emails and attachments 
  • ·         Searching the internet
  • ·         Being safe on the Internet
  • ·         Accessing information and Public services on the internet

Every Thursday

Starting on Thursday 1st December from 12.30pm to 3.00pm.

At:  Birchfield Children’s Centre, 1 Haughton Road, B20 3LE

Free to everybody no matter your benefits or immigration status.

Ring 0121 675 0967 to book your place or just come along.          

Posted on 22nd November 2011 by
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Posted in Birchfield, Employment, Family and Children, Learning, Make a Contribution, Succeed Economically, Uncategorized, Voluntary and Community Sector | 2 Comments »

Advice for people about Incapacity Benefit and Employment Support Allowance

Posted on 21st November 2011 by

 

Birmingham Citizens Advice Bureau have circulated information and advice for people who have been told that they do not qualify for the Employment Support Allowance (ESA) when transferring from Incapacity Benefit.

Advisors at all four of the Birmingham bureaux (City Centre, Tyseley, Northfield and Kingstanding) can provide advice and assistance to anyone affected by the reassessment of people on Incapacity Benefit. People affected are encouraged to seek advice, regardless of which stage in the process they are at.

(more…)

Posted on 21st November 2011 by
Posted in Uncategorized | No Comments »

Know your community? Community Worker positions x 3 Closing date: 29th Nov

Posted on 21st November 2011 by

 Near Neighbours

The Near Neighbours Programme in Birmingham is looking to appoint:

3  x “Near Neighbour Community Workers” to work in  Ladywood, Hodge Hill and Birchfield.

 The post holder will (more…)

Posted on 21st November 2011 by
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Posted in Birchfield, Charity, Employment, Leadership, Learning, Uncategorized, Voluntary and Community Sector, Volunteering | No Comments »

Birmingham Sustainability Forum – “The Future of our Streets” – 3/10/11 6pm – 8.45pm

Posted on 26th September 2011 by

‘Grot spots’, littering, dumping, transport, refuse collection are often mentioned as causes for concern for residents of Birchfield, Lozells and Handsworth. In dealing with these concerns it is also important to consider the environmental impact we have on the planet.

There are changes and developments afoot for the future – this forum is an opportunity to find out what is happening and the city council’s plans for transport, waste management and renewable energies.

 

Book you place with Barbara Street  barbara.j.street@birmingham.gov.uk or Tel:  0121 464 9166

“Dear Colleague,

The next Sustainability Forum  will be held on Monday 3rd October from 6.00 PM to 8.45 PM in the Banqueting Suite at the Council House.

The Sustainability theme of the evening is “The Future of Our Streets?”.

The subjects being discussed:

- Vision for Transport, and the launch of the Low Carbon Transport Strategy

- The forthcoming Municipal Waste Review

- Food Security and Alternative Renewable Energies

Guest speakers include:

- David Bull, Birmingham City Council
- Kevin Mitchell, Birmingham City Council
- John Boyle, West Midlands Co-operative Society
- Phil Beardmore, Localise West Midlands.

Free Exhibition space available.
Free organic soup and fairtrade refreshments”

 

 

 

Posted on 26th September 2011 by
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Posted in Birmingham, Safe, Clean and Green, Uncategorized | No Comments »

Message from Chief Inspector regarding disturbances in Birmingham

Posted on 9th August 2011 by
Please see attached message from Chief Inspector Sean Russell of West Midlands Police. 
Tonights activities on the streets of Birmingham City Centre are disgraceful and by means acceptable as a means of protesting against anything including the death of a gentleman in London with Police involvement and/or disaffection of young people not in employment. It is important that those responsible for bringing our great city of Birmingham into disrepute are bought to justice asap. 
Please ensure that your children, family and friends are at home tonight to prevent them getting held up in the middle of disorder in the city. 
Dear all,

As you may be aware we have a number of issues currently occurring within the city centre. It is apparent that we have large groups of youth, male and female, all heritage groups , aged 14 – 19yrs currently running amock in the city.

I am asking for you to speak to you community contacts, family and friends and ask the following questions.

1. Do you know where your children are currently?
2. Are they out in the city?
3. Can we exert some parental responsibility to bring our children home and stop this disorder.

Are you able to copy and paste this onto community contacts and try to help to resolve this speedily.

I would be grateful if you are able to support this.

Sean Russell
Chief Inspector
Birmingham West and Central

Posted on 9th August 2011 by
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Posted in Birmingham, High Quality of Life, Safe, Clean and Green, Uncategorized | No Comments »

Girls Got Talent! presented by BYF – 20th July 2011

Posted on 18th July 2011 by

Join the women and girls of Bangladeshi Youth Forum for a fundraising event “Girls Got Talent”!

When?  Wednesday 20th July 2011  – doors open 5.30pm, main event starts at 6.30pm. First come, first served

Where? Royal Banqueting Suite, 271 Birchfield Road, B20 3DD

What’s happening? Fashion show, singers, dancers, stalls and more!

Who’s invited?  GIRLS ONLY! No upper age limit

How much? Only £1 entrance fee

If you have a talent to share and would like to perform, please contact BYF on 0121 554 0305 or 07908997176

Posted on 18th July 2011 by
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Posted in Be Healthy, Birchfield, High Quality of Life, Make a Contribution, Succeed Economically, Uncategorized, Volunteering | No Comments »