Melissa Aitchison

West Midlands charity The Buddy Bag Foundation, which helps children fleeing domestic violence, has been awarded the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service. It is the highest award a local voluntary group can receive in the UK and is equivalent to an MBE. The BBF provided a bag of essential items to children who find themselves in emergency accommodation. Karen Williams OBE, founder of the BBF, said: “We were thrilled and overjoyed to be awarded the QAVS. “The Buddy Bag Foundation has now had over 4,000 volunteers so this award is recognition of their hard work and support over the last […]

Work placement employers who supported students at the University of Wolverhampton through pandemic challenges are set to be celebrated. The University of Wolverhampton’s Students’ Union Awards will this year mark its 10th anniversary and for the first time, recognise exceptional placements and individual placement experiences. The new awards come alongside existing recognition for outstanding staff  and students themselves. University of Wolverhampton students spend significant time with major Midlands employers – from schools and hospitals to innovative teams of entrepreneurs. Now, an award for Placement Provider of the Year will pay tribute to consistency in offering excellent learning opportunities and nurturing wellbeing.  An outstanding contribution to the

A campaign is under way in Cannock to oppose a cut to UK foreign Aid and give support to refugees across the world. The leaders of the group Cannock Chase Cares are urging people to take part in their postcard petition campaign to write a personal message about the importance of tackling global injustice and why they would like to help refugees. The group held its first meeting in Cannock recently. At the meeting Chair of Cannock Chase Pride, Kathryn Downs spoke about the bigotry LGBT+ refugees are victims of, with a particular focus on Ukrainian refugees. Mahnaz Shariat an

The founder of a Birmingham based charity, that helps children fleeing domestic violence has been formally presented with her OBE by the Princess Royal. Karen Williams, founder of the Buddy Bag Foundation, was awarded the OBE in the Queen’s New Year’s honours list in 2021 for services to the victims of domestic violence. Karen said: “On receiving the news that I was to be awarded an OBE in the New Year’s Honours list I was both shocked and surprised, then as it sunk in honoured and extremely grateful. “I will be forever indebted to my parents who taught me that

LGBT awareness charity Chase Pride is encouraging locals to lace up and speak up in support of greater diversity in sports. The organisation, which is bringing the first ever Pride event to the Cannock Chase area in 2022, is teaming up with local shops and venues to sell rainbow laces as part of a national campaign to eradicate homophobia, biphobia and transphobia in sports spaces for players and fans. Bella’s Coffee Shop in Market Street, Hednesford, is the first venue to sign up to sell the rainbow laces, but Chase Pride would love to hear from other shops and venues

A vibrant independent street food market in the heart of Birmingham is back. City Social returned on 25 November as an underpass has been transformed to welcome revellers for culinary and musical treats. Now in its sixth year and after a break because of Covid, it’s getting under way in the Suffolk St Queensway underpass next to The Mailbox, from midday to 9pm each Wednesday to Sunday until Saturday December 18. Traders this year include the award-winning Laghi’s Deli, City Social Bar, and Roastie Toastie’s – roast dinner in a sandwich. There’s also a chance to browse Christmas gifts and ready made-up trees. Mulled wine, hot chocolate, cider and

A charity that helps children fleeing domestic violence has a rent-free new HQ thanks to a caring Birmingham company. The Buddy Bag Foundation (www.buddybagfoundation.co.uk) now has an office space on Maybrook Road in Minworth, near Sutton Coldfield thanks to Graham Johnston, director of logistics firm The Haulage Group. Founder and CEO of the foundation, Karen Williams OBE said: “We had been dreaming of a new space where we could base the charity. It was vital that the Buddy Bag Foundation had a place to call home, not only so we could have a dedicated space to pack our bags but