Following the successful completion of the recent Connecting Communities project, Sandwell Partnership commissioned an evaluation exercise in order to capture best practice and the key lessons learned.

A selection of clips from the Be Proud of Sandwell events held in June & July 2010

The New Communities project works with the Migrant Impact Fund to help people who are no longer asylum seekers and have been allowed to stay in the UK.

When this happens, they move out of the temporary accommodation provided by the UK Border Agency, and can then be completely alone. New Communities aims to set them on a safe route to a secure future here by putting together a package of support services.

The Welfare Benefits Team at the Council is the first point of contact in sorting out their benefits, then they are found somewhere to live with the help of either Sandwell Homes or private sector housing providers. New Commmunities also works with the Primary Care Trust to make sure the newcomers are registered with a GP practice, and people are given support with ESOL classes if necessary, and in getting to know Sandwell.

A special website, www.welcometosandwell.org.uk has been set up as an offshoot of the original WelcometoBirmingham site to help new residents find out more about the area and about services such as education, health, transport, working here and ‘understanding the UK’.

Young people in Friar Park have been trying their hand at running their own businesses. These included a business to provide crèche and childcare services plus holiday activities, and a small digital media company. One of the small enterprises undertook consultancy work about community development, while another worked in sport and leisure.

As the enterprises all seem to be sustainable, the project has attracted Future Jobs Fund money which has led to the employment of 20 young people for six months.

The Friar Park group hosted a visit by former Communities and Local Government Minister John Denham, who chatted to young people from Friar Park and Tipton.

One of the highlights of the Rowley Regis Connecting Communities programme was a taster session with the Fire Service.

Sparks were ignited in three of the young people who attended and they decided then and there to take their training further. They’re now going to embark on an Understanding Fire Fighting – BTEC Level 2 award in the hope of gaining employment with the Fire Service.

The programme has also enthused other young people who are undertaking extra tuition in their own time with TOPPS Training. They hope to gain a CSCS card which will allow them to work in construction.

Sandwell Homes is responsible for managing the borough’s 29,000 council homes, but the organisation is about more than just bricks and mortar.

It currently provides 40 apprenticeship opportunities every year, across a range of work areas. These include business administration, finance and customer care as well as housing management and community care, in addition to the more traditional trade apprenticeships in bricklaying, carpentry, plastering, painting and decorating.

In addition it also offers more than 200 work placements for Year 10 and 11 students and encourages its partner organisations and suppliers to provide apprenticeships for local people. Since the Sandwell Decent Homes Partnership was set up in 2005, more than 200 apprenticeship opportunities have been provided.

Four-year-old Mia Saunders is the toast of her Wednesbury school after her design won the Fresh School Meals service ‘Be Proud of Sandwell’ poster competition.

The competition was run for children as part of the borough-wide ‘Be Proud of Sandwell’ campaign. The Fresh School Meals service promotes a series of themed school meal days aimed at encouraging children to take part in a range of fun learning activities. Pupils were asked to design a poster to show how proud they were of Sandwell and its heritage.

Mia is a pupil at Park Hill Primary school in Coronation Road and her artistic talents won her a Wii console and Wii fit. Her headteacher Caroline Logan said: “Mia has included mining, canals and The Public in her drawing – as well as a colourful map of the borough. We are very proud of what she has achieved.”

Gary Bowman, Sandwell Partnership Director, said: “The Be Proud poster competition has been fantastic.  We’ve been so impressed with the imagination and real sense of pride in their area that’s been expressed in all of the entries.

“Choosing one winner was very difficult, but Mia clearly put so much thought into her poster and managed to include some of the things so many of us are proud of about Sandwell, from our heritage to our future, that she’s a worthy winner.”

To see more of the picture competition entries, visit the Be Proud website and click on the flickr feed link.

Sandwell Council in partnership with Queen’s Square Shopping Centre are offering empty shop windows and spaces to local artists, arts organisations, arts groups and creative people to showcase their work in the Queens Square shopping Centre in West Bromwich.

The project aims to not only boost the appearance of Queen’s Square by providing a number of colourful and attractive displays, but also bring in more visitors and appeal to businesses looking to move into the shopping centre.

The project has been set up to support economic growth and aims to attract new customers and business to Queen’s Square Shopping Centre while promoting local artists and encouraging everyone to get involved in the arts.

Keep an eye out for the changing displays in shop windows from local artists and community groups and watch out for opportunities to get involved in some of the free arts activities that will be happening in Queen’s Square.

The ‘Full of Life 2010’ event celebrates life and opportunities for people over 50 in Sandwell and this year takes place on international day of older people. The national theme for this year is ‘getting and staying active in later life’.

Come along to Full of Life and find out more, including:

• an Information Zone where you can find out about local services
• a 70’s tribute band – ‘70teez’
• a vintage film showing – Casablanca
• tea dancing
• exercise with Extend, tai chi and a health walk
• hits from the musicals and classics from the 50’s to present day, played by ‘Encore’
• local poetry from Sue Hulse
• West Bromwich African-Caribbean Day Centre choir.

Older people will be given the opportunity to contribute to Living Well in Later Life, the revised strategy for older people in Sandwell.

This will be a positive, productive and enjoyable experience for members of the public of all ages (including children) and staff.

Full of Life will take place on 1st October, from 12noon until late at The Public in West Bromwich. To get more information you can call 0121 569 2366.

So come along – get full of life!

The September edition of the Community Newsletter on Disability Issues on disability issues is now available at www.idealforall.co.uk to download

This month’s edition includes a spotlight on Warley Woods, reports on local events and information on forthcoming ones. If you have any feedback, or if you have events/organisations you would like featured then please email simon_ware@sandwell.gov.uk or call 0121 558 5555.