Month: February 2020

An Aldridge volunteer, who has worked tirelessly to promote positive mental health with the Royal Air Force Air Cadets, was shortlisted for West Midlands Thrive Mental Health Superstar 2020.

Flight Lieutenant  Laura Horobin, Commanding Officer at 425 (Aldridge) Squadron RAF Air Cadets, was shortlisted at the awards ceremony on 29th January at the West Midlands Combined Authority event.  The Thrive Awards celebrate the people, teams or organisations who have made a significant contribution to improving mental health in their area.

Laura, who works as a Hazadous Area Response Team Paramedic, was nominated in the individual category for the Black Country area.  She thrives on her volunteer youth work with the Air Cadets and is passionate about the mental health and well-being of the young people in her care.  She has gone above and beyond her role as a volunteer.  She is an unsung hero.

“I have done my mental health first aid with work and also volunteer as part of the SALS team which offers an ear to listen and signpost services” she said.  Laura is attuned to the signals that point to mental health issues of her cadets and staff and implements early intervention by encouraging those in her care to talk to her confidentially at any time.  She totally understands what is important to people who experience mental health issues and involves cadets and staff in decisions to promote and empower positive self-validation and well-being for a positive state of mental health.

“A massive congratulations to our Boss Flight Lieutenant Horobin” said Sergeant Ian Sweet at 425 (Aldridge) Squadron RAF Air Cadets “who was shortlisted in the Mental Health Awards and her great work within the community.  Well deserved, Ma`am!”

The Air Cadets are not a recruiting organisation for the Royal Air Force.  The volunteers who give up two nights a week and their weekends for local young people are not interested in anything but young people`s potential.  Equality, diversity and inclusivity is a central part of the Air Cadets` ethic.  The Air Cadets meet in Station Road in Aldridge twice a week.

“The cadet experience is open to anyone” explained Flight Lieutenant Horobin “so whatever a young person`s background, religion, gender or ability then providing they are aged between 12 when beginning school year 8 and 17 years old they can be a cadet”.

As Commanding Officer of the Squadron, Flight Lieutenant Horoboin is sensitive to the signals of those in her care who are struggling emotionally or wondering if they should seek intervention.  She guides teenagers and staff to the right services.  Laura is a positive role model and inspires young people who enjoy and thrive on the activities she organises which embolden their self-esteem, teamwork, identity and belonging, outdoor pursuits, sports, community engagement, learning and development as individuals at every opportunity within a safe, mutually supportive environment which is non-discriminatory but champions diversity and inclusivity.

The number of staff and cadets under Laura`s welfare – plus the awards the young people earn – are proof of their training and provides evidence-based, proven and validated proof Laura Horobin is an unsung hero.

People who have challenged themselves to get more fresh air and exercise in 2020 are being invited to join a St Giles Hospice treks and trails event.

Walkers wanting to stay on the path to good health after the new year’s resolutions have become a distant memory can join Team St Giles on one of their adventures based across the UK – or even as far away as Iceland!

Fundraisers can choose one of a variety of activities to suit all interests and levels of fitness while helping to fund the charity’s work.

Two sets of sisters from Walsall were among the intrepid trekkers who laced up their walking boots to support St Giles during an overnight trek to Mount Snowdon in August last year.

Ellen and Laura Knowles took part alongside their friends Jemma Lloyd and Lu Badger in memory of their fathers who were both cared for at St Giles Hospice. The team they put together raised more than £5,600 from the trek which took place on Ellen’s 37^th birthday.

“Every time I look to the stars I think of dad and my children do the same,” said Ellen, mum to six-year-old twins Ava and Eve. “Dad was one of life’s rare diamonds. That’s why trekking up Snowdon through the night on my birthday was so special.

“Reaching the summit was beautiful – something I’d definitely recommend doing. It was grueling but, because we were a team of very close family and friends all doing it for our dads, we kept each other going.”

Ellen and Laura’s dad Alf Knowles was cared for at St Giles Hospice in Walsall after being diagnosed with lung cancer in September 2016.

Jemma and Lu’s dad Pete Badger was cared for at the same hospice and died there in March 2017.

In the weeks before Alf died he was surrounded by family and friends who decided to take part in Trekfest – a 25km walk over the Brecon Beacons – in his memory. Since then an ambitious team of fundraisers led by Ellen and Laura has taken part in 12 different events, raising an amazing total of £33,600.

Ellen recalls the moment her dad was given the news he had terminal lung cancer.

She said: “I’ll never forget Dad’s words when he was told. He said: ‘I’ve had 69 years, that’s a good innings’. He’d just been given a death sentence and there he was being selfless, trying not to upset us. That was typical of dad – he was one in a million. He would have been so proud of what we’ve achieved and it’s great to think that more people will get the same end of life care as Dad because of it.

“St Giles was like a home from home – I’ll never forget the day staff got him a pint of Guinness and streamed the Aston Villa match for him to watch with his friends. They were amazing and giving something back by doing all these fundraising events has really helped us come to terms with his loss.”

Anyone wanting to join Team St Giles on a trek can choose from events including Snowdon at Night (13^th-14^th June, 2020), Three Peaks Weekend (10^th-12^th July, 2020), Wales End-to-End Cycle Challenge (13^th-16^th August, 2020) Trekfest – The Beacons (19^th-20^th September, 2020) and the Northern Lights Trek in Iceland (10^th-14^th March, 2021).

Zoe Wright, Senior Events Coordinator at St Giles Hospice, said: ““People like Ellen, Laura, Jemma and Lu are a real inspiration – their efforts help us to raise the £10m we need each year to provide our services and we’d like to thank everyone who joins Team St Giles to make a real difference to local people living with a potentially terminal illness and their families.

“If you join one of our treks and trails we will be encouraging you every step of the way and supporting you with your fundraising, giving you all the motivation you need. We have a variety of different treks and trails to choose from so there is something achievable for everyone.”

To find out more about St Giles treks or to sign up, visit: www.stgileshospice.com/treks-and-trails

The Lamp Theatre and Arts Venue operates from Brownhills Community Centre by the Miner Island on Chester Road, drawing in a number of successful musical theatre and opera groups who have adopted the Lamp as a permanent rehearsal and performance space, putting on almost thirty shows over the last couple of years, ranging from the Rat Pack songbook to the light comic opera of Gilbert & Sullivan.

Building on this success, Community Association Manager Jan Davies applied for and won a grant from the Community Development Fund to set up and run a local theatre group in the Brownhills area to be closely associated with the Lamp Theatre. This done, the problem now lay in finding a show to produce within the guidelines and the six month deadline of the grant.

So in September 2019, Centre staff Nigel Anderson and Martin Hughes – producers by default – looked around: the scripts were out there, pantos, farces, murder mysteries and serious dramatic pieces were all read through and rejected.  Someone even said they could write a better show themselves.

Was there something out there that would not only pull in an audience but attract a cast of actors and a director for the first production of a fledgling theatre group?

It was at this point that the team asked what sort of show they would like to see themselves and began thinking of the classic TV comedies, parroting favourite catchphrases such as ‘Don’t panic!’ and ‘I have a cunning plan’ and Jan, Nigel and Martin finally settled on long-running BBC favourite ‘Allo ‘Allo as a solid show with audience pulling power as repeats still run strongly on YouTube and satellite channels on UK television.

An initial call for people to audition had a great response and flurries of e-mails quoting the show flowed back and forth, along with offers of German sausages stuffed with priceless portraits of the Fallen Madonna.  Before full rehearsals started, the cast assembled for an initial read through of the script and were soon in stitches –the ‘Allo ‘Allo play is based on the TV show, with a script by original writers Jeremy Lloyd and David Croft every bit as funny as the BBC series ever was.

There remained the predicament of finding a director who could manage a lively cast and chaotically comic script laden with double entendre and farce. After several false starts, Cannock lad Martin Popov was persuaded on board as director. Martin is a science teacher during working hours and actor/director every weekend  and most nights of the week,  with a long list of credits including theatre and work as a film extra, giving Martin and his friends the opportunity to watch himself on the silver screen in Punjabi movie Jhalle at the local multiplex last November.

‘Allo ‘Allo runs at the Lamp Theatre in Brownhills on 13^th and 14^th March, tickets are available from thelamparts.co.uk or on (01543) 452119. Tickets are £8.00 including light refreshments.

I shall say this only once: Don’t miss it!

Every year nearly 56,000 air cadets and volunteer staff take part in exciting events all over the UK.  There are over 1,000 squadrons across the UK run by volunteer staff who want to make a positive difference to their communities by providing a modern, dynamic, sustainable air-minded youth organisation of choice that offers fun and challenging opportunities for both young people and volunteers.  The Air Cadets is parented by the Royal Air Force and exists to provide adventurous opportunities and good citizenship to young people in their communities.

What are the young people getting up to at 425 (Aldridge) Squadron RAF Air Cadets – and why did they join?  “I joined cadets 2 years ago at the start of my second year at secondary school,” said Cadet Emmerson. “I was a shy and irritable child with hair that reached my shoulders.  Two years later I stand tall and proud, confident with aspirations to do more, a policy I am trying to pass on to people in the position I was once in with a passion.  It has made me grow up and come out of my shell.  It is the beginning of a larger adventure, one I don`t think anyone would want to miss.”

The Air Cadets are not a recruiting organisation for the Royal Air Force.  The volunteers who give up two nights a week and their weekends for local young people are not interested in anything but young people`s potential. Equality, diversity and inclusivity is a central part of the Air Cadets’ ethic.

“The cadet experience is open to anyone,” explained Flight Lieutenant Laura Horobin.  “So whatever a young person`s background, religion, gender or ability then providing they are aged between 12 when beginning school year 8 and 17 years old, they can be a cadet.”

Aside from flying, sports, adventure training and target shooting there are many activities for young people to get stuck in.  Cadet Tatton wanted to join the Squadron band.

“Joining the 425 Squadron band was one of the best things I have done since I have been in cadets,” he said.  “I have made new friendships and strengthened others.  I had wanted to play the snare drum in the previous Remembrance Day parade but I wasn`t able to because there wasn`t a free space.  This year, when the offer came about, there was no way I would decline it.  On the first night that I picked up those drumsticks I was instantly in love.  Immediately I persuaded my parents to buy me a drum so that I could improve on my skills whilst at home.  I attended a band practice session every week up until Remembrance Sunday.  This year, on Remembrance Sunday my good friend Cadet Emmerson and I were both extremely nervous as it was our first Remembrance Parade with the band in Aldridge.  Thankfully, everything went smoothly but I was out of step a few times but I don`t think that anybody noticed when we got back at the Aldridge Community Centre!”

RAF College Cranwell is a busy RAF Station in the heart of Lincolnshire with a long and distinguished history dating back to its foundation as a Royal Navy Training Establishment in 1916.  It was the world`s first Air Academy and today it continues to select and train the next generation of officers and aircrew.

“I`ve recently been on a training camp at RAF Cranwell,” explained Cadet Middleton.  “I did numerous activities such as flying, rock climbing, drill, uniform and room inspection, bowling and many more. I was only there for a week, which felt like a couple of hours, but it was one of the most beneficial weeks of my life.   This is because I learned that it doesn`t matter where you are – it`s the people whom you are with that matters.  I met some of the best friends I could ever imagine.  There`s a saying: ‘You can walk outside and find pigeons but if you`re looking for eagles it`s going to take you a while’.  This relates to my camp at RAF Cranwell because it took me a while before I was able to meet so many people I get along with but, at RAF Cranwell, all it took was writing my name down.”

The Air Cadets encourage young people to volunteer their time to support the local community.  “I enjoy volunteering,” said Cadet Hill.  “What I love about the Air Cadets is that it supports the local community.  This is important to me.  I also volunteer for the RSPB at Sandwell Valley Nature Reserve.  It feels good to know my work will help to inspire others to take measures to save our wildlife and the volunteering work really helps to empower me and build my self-confidence.”

Celina’s Hair & Beauty Studio: Celebrating a Decade of Beauty

A local salon has plenty to celebrate as it reaches a special anniversary. Conveniently situated in Park Hall, with ample free parking close by and only a few minutes from M6 J7, Celina’s Hair & Beauty in Park Hall has been making local residents look and feel wonderful for over a decade.

Salon owner Polly reflects on their journey. “There was nothing in this area offering hair and beauty when we set up,” she recalls. “Originally we intended to run only as a beauty salon but whilst we were renovating the premises, people kept asking if we would offer both.”

Polly and her husband come from a business background which makes them the perfect team to successfully run the salon. They took on board the wishes of potential customers and decided to offer hair services from the outset.

“It wasn’t long before we added gents barbering to our services,” explains Polly, “and many other treatments have followed”.

The list of treatments on offer is extensive. Whether you’re male or female, celebrating a special occasion, in need of your regular beauty top-up or just need a relaxing pamper, Celina’s has you covered. Their gift vouchers make a lovely present for that special someone so why not treat someone for Christmas?

As a local family-run business, Polly is keen to support the community. The salon is heavily involved in charity work, often raising money and donating gift vouchers to worthwhile local causes.

Reflecting on the salon’s success, Polly believes that much of it comes from valuing the wishes of her customers, as well as staying up to date with the latest fashions and trends. Staff are trained accordingly and as such can meet the needs of customers with confidence. Laser hair removal is the latest addition and has proved to be very popular.

Being able to offer hair and beauty all under one roof means many regular customers. The staff at Celina’s pride themselves on offering a top-quality service, alongside an unrivalled relationship with their clients. Polly recently took her staff and customers out for a Christmas meal at a Birmingham restaurant to thank them for their loyalty. And of course, a staff meal to celebrate the success of their ten-year anniversary was a given.

“I’d just like to say a huge thank you to all our staff and customers,” adds Polly. “Without them, we couldn’t have achieved what we have – and here’s to the next ten years!”

RNLI: Local Lifesavers

In the small coastal town of Burry Port in Wales, holidaymakers often wait for the tide to sweep out to reveal huge inviting beaches, perfect for a picnic or seaside stroll. But all too often, after they have made their way down to enjoy the sands, that same tide sweeps back in to leave them stranded, high and dry, on sand bars and rocks.

Luckily for them, help is at hand. A small lifeboat is available to come speeding across the estuary waters to pluck them to safety – and that little life saver comes all the way from Walsall… with love.

Walsall may not be somewhere you readily associate with the sea, but generous local people have splashed out to help make life a little safer for the small Welsh town. In fact, the people of Walsall have raised an estimated £500,000 for the national lifeboat charity in 60 years of fundraising.

And the most obvious beneficiary of that generosity is the town of Burry Port, just to the west of Llanelli – where two lifeboats can be found that were paid for by private donations from Walsall.

“Walsall has bought two boats, one in 2003 and one in 2011, which are still in use,” explained branch treasurer Phil Martin.

“The first one was paid for by a local family and named after their grandchildren – it’s called ‘the Young Watsons’ – and the second was paid for by a gentleman from Bloxwich and called the ‘Diane Hilary’.

“They are both based at Burry Port lifeboat station. The older boat is used more for training exercises these days, allowing crews to learn how to deal with capsizes, but they are both in use all the time.”

Walsall’s link with Burry Port came about after the RNLI suggested a number of places that were in need of a new boat and the Welsh coastal town was selected. Ever since, there has been an association between the Black Country and the lifeboats of Burry Port.

The two boats provided by Walsall fundraisers are technically ‘inland’ vessels. Burry Port sits on the wide, tidal estuary of the River Loughor, where low tides leave vast expanses of inviting beaches.

The small Walsall-funded craft are kept busy rescuing unsuspecting holiday makers who have become stranded on sandbanks or rocks.

“The RNLI even let you know when a lifeboat you have helped pay for is used, so you can see your fundraising at work,” explained Phil, who has been volunteering his time to the charity for 35 years.

In fact, in 2018 the boat named Diane Hilary was launched 44 times, helping 57 people – the third highest of the 15 stations in the Wales and West area. Walsall’s little boat has come to the aid of a lot of people.

“Walsall people have been incredibly generous over the years, but we want to appeal for them to keep supporting us,” Phil said.

“There are 348 lifeboats out there, including the relief fleet which is needed when craft get damaged or need repairs. They are spread across 238 lifeboat stations, so there is always the need for more funding.”

The Walsall branch hold all kinds of events throughout the year to raise funds.

“We hold a fundraising lunch in January, a flag day in Walsall town centre in April, another flag day in Aldridge in September, a coffee morning in March and then an Autumn coffee morning in October. On top of that we have a May Day skittle evening in May, and in October we have a fish supper too. There is always something going on to raise money.”

While it may seem odd that people in landlocked towns like Walsall fund lifeboats, Phil is keen to point out that these lifesaving craft also help people away from the coast.

“Most people don’t realise this, but around 45% of flood rescues are carried out by RNLI boats too,” he said.

“Lifeboat crews are trained in fast water rescue and can be called upon within a couple of hours to go anywhere in the country and help after a flood. If necessary, a lifeboat can be sent from one of the depots, and the crew will meet it at a flood site inland. It’s a part of the work lifeboat crews do that tends to go unreported.”

Husse Pets: Healthy and Happy

When Jenny Wheale was a little girl, she never had a pet. Because her family travelled often, her parents thought it would be impractical and unfair to have a cat or dog. When she grew up and her partner, Paul, suggested they get a cat, she jumped at the opportunity. The rescue cat they chose from the RSPCA became a beloved part of the household.

“He was my world, I loved him to bits,” Jenny remembered. “We called him Ruiz, after a favourite author called Carlos Ruiz Zafón, and we had him for five or six years. Then, suddenly, in January 2015, he passed away as a result of heart disease. It was really quick; he had seemed so healthy and it broke my heart.”

Jenny had always been interested in nutrition for humans, and started to look into the animal equivalent, and how lifestyle – and quality of food – can have an impact on heart health for pets as well as people.

As a result, Ruiz’s sad death led to Jenny starting her business – and her mission to provide local pets with the healthiest food you can get.

“The more I looked into pet food the more horrified I was by the quality of the ingredients that most of the major pet food brands use in the UK,” she explained.

“We knew we couldn’t live without a cat in the house, so we took in two kittens from Cats Protection, and I made it my mission to find the healthiest food I could for them. That’s what lead me to Husse.”

Husse – pronounced ‘who-say’ – was launched in Sweden in 1987. Founded by vets, the brand’s guiding principle is to provide a better quality of life for animals by putting the best quality of product they can into their pet food, for dogs, cats and horses.

With a UK HQ in London, the company has franchises across the country, providing personal service to customers and delivering pet food free to your door.

“I was completely won over by the Husse approach,” Jenny said. “We offer a range of more than 300 products – dry food, wet food, health supplements, toys, bedding, bowls and so on.

“But the core business is dry food because it’s best for the optimal health of an animal. The idea is to provide a formula of food that is specific to your pet, looking closely at what the needs of animal groups are.

“You tell us about your animal, and we will recommend the best food option based on the needs of your animal, it’s that simple.”

Jenny says the benefits of using Husse food become clear to customers very quickly: “Our clients comment that it improves the skin, coat and eyes of their pets, and Husse’s research shows that it helps organ health and digestive health. In theory, you should see lower vet’s bills, fewer trips to the vets, and an extended life of the animal.”

Husse say that in conventional dog and cat food, a lot of the product is made up of poor-quality carcass meat, with plant proteins often used in place of meat proteins.

“A lot of people don’t realise it, but the majority of products that you see in the supermarket have got hardly any meat in, especially cat food,” Jenny said.

“Cats are obligate carnivores, so their only diet requirements from nature is meat. The majority of products for cats in the UK are only 4% meat and the rest is filler to bulk it out. Husse food is made mainly from high quality animal protein, which sets it apart from other products in the market. The right balance of vitamins and minerals also go into their food.”

Another handy benefit of Husse’s quality ingredients is that, as a result of a cat or dog digesting more of their food, there should be less poop for owners to deal with after nature calls.

“This is an important factor, particularly for dog owners,” Jenny said.

Won over by the Husse way of feeding animals, Jenny launched her own franchise in October 2018, delivering food to local customers from her Great Barr base and providing personal advice and service. It’s growing steadily.

“It’s a very enjoyable thing to do and, as an animal lover, it feels great to be doing a job that improves the lives of animals,” Jenny said.

“We offer free nutritional advice, free trials and free delivery for the lifetime of your pet and all our products are made from natural, healthy, high quality ingredients.

“Husse products are free from poor-quality fillers, contain no artificial colours, flavours or preservatives and no genetically modified ingredients in order to provide optimal nutritional benefit to every cherished pet.”

Firmcare Mobility: Making Life Easier

It can be easy to forget that loved ones are not getting any younger and may be experiencing some difficulties with everyday living. Very often it is older people themselves who find it hard to accept that a little extra help is needed and even if it is welcomed, it can be hard to know where to turn for advice. A little bit of forward planning and adaptation can make things much easier for all concerned and Steve Rollings, Managing Director of Firmcare Mobility Ltd is very much aware of this fact.

“It is easy to miss that relatives may be struggling with everyday tasks such as bending, standing up or gripping things,” he says. “Balance may not be perfect any more or stairs have become a problem. It’s easy to miss these things on a day-to-day basis but they often become much more obvious when families have the chance to spend some quality time together.”

It can sometimes be hard to know how to help but Firmcare have a superb range of products designed to help people retain their independence for longer. As well as individual advice and support, they offer free catalogues to browse at home.

“Where we score is personal service,” explains Steve. “With a larger store of using the internet, people very often end up buying the wrong or most expensive product. We endeavour to sell the right product for the customer’s needs.”

Mobility Equipment

Wheelchairs are now available for hire, both self-propelled and attendant controlled. Other mobility equipment can also be hired including hospital high back chairs, mobility scooters, powered wheel chairs and walking aids. This can be a good option before committing to buying a piece of equipment, particularly if you are not sure which one will suit you best.

Chairs

Firmcare offers an impressive range of rise-and recline chairs. These are UK-produced chairs (available for next-day delivery) with a choice of five fabrics and two styles of back. There is a choice of three sizes as well as three different motor configurations each one also has matching sofas if required.

If people can wait a little longer (usually 7 – 10 working days), the bespoke made-to-measure chairs are also incredibly popular. With these chairs, customers can expect to order exactly what they want in terms of sizing, style and options – even including built-in heat and massage. There is a wide range of fabrics including vinyl, leather and waterproof to name but a few.

“A chair is not just a chair, any more than shoes are just shoes,” says Steve. “A chair made personally to suit your needs will offer a much higher degree of comfort. Times have changed and many of the fabrics no longer look and feel as you may expect. Take waterproof fabrics for example: these no longer the crinkly rustling materials they once were.”

In the case of a progressive illness for example, a chair can be ‘future-proofed’. If a pressure cushion is likely to be needed in the future, the chair can be made so that the cushion can be changed. The cushions can also be Velcro-ed so they can be moved as needed.

Beds

The rise and recline range has a wide choice of options and can be more or less what the customer requires. These come in a variety of styles with a choice of headboards. Fabrics and upholstery can complement existing furniture if desired. Built-in features such as massage pads and height adjustment are also popular.

Stair Lifts

There is a range of Stannah lifts (which can be rented or bought) and can be fitted on straight or curved staircases. If customers would like to try before they buy, Firmcare’s showrooms offer a lift which can be tested.

Bathroom & Wet Room Adaptations & Walk In Baths

Firmcare can help you choose the most suitable option for you.

Daily Living Aids

Sometimes it’s the small things which can really make a difference to the quality of everyday life. Firmcare offers a wide choice of mobility aids to make tasks a little bit easier.

“Some of our top selling products are from our continence care range,” explains Steve. “It’s a delicate subject which people are often embarrassed to discuss so when they need help, they don’t know where to go.”

Other living aids include wide-handled cutlery, dressing rails, grab rails, wheelchairs and commodes. Wide-fitting footwear and Helping Hands can make people’s lives much easier, as can bathing aids such as bath lifts, walk-in baths and shower stalls. It’s always worth visiting Firmcare to discuss individual difficulties as often there is a solution which people may not even be aware exists – and this is where the personal touch at Firmcare really comes into its own, making life easier.