Nurture News

The Buddy Bag Foundation, a West Midlands charity that helps children entering emergency accommodation as they flee domestic violence, will receive one of the final awards approved by Queen Elizabeth II at a special ceremony this month. The Buddy Bag Foundation will receive the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service, the highest possible honour bestowed on local charities, equivalent to an MBE. CEO and co-founder, Karen Williams OBE, said: “The pride I feel for the recognition of our volunteers is immense, that hasn’t changed but now there is an awareness that we are also a part of a chapter in the

Interactive tours of UK crematoria are being rolled out to help grieving families understand what happens ahead of a loved-one’s funeral. New technology, already embraced by the hospitality industry, to give the most realistic virtual experience, has now been adapted by a leading funeral company. In a worldwide first, all five senses are targeted by ‘immersive’ show-round experiences – from seeing the layout of a chapel of rest, to hearing planned music and smelling flowers with scents made available ahead of the service. Children and first-time funeral attendees can particularly benefit from an opportunity to get such a realistic taste

Re-imagined photos of model Christine Keeler, whose role in the infamous Profumo affair brought down a government, are to go on private display on the site of the Soho nightclub at the heart of the scandal. Photographer Joe Leslie wants to ‘reframe’ the iconic showgirl, 60 years on from when a notorious series of events first unfolded in Wardour Street jazz bar the Flamingo Club. Included in the invite-only viewing is a reworking of Christine posing on a back-to-front Arne Jacobsen chair, which has remained one of the most enduring symbols of the era. Remembering Christine is being held on Thursday,

A ‘first spade in the ground’ ceremony is set to signal major progress for an innovative £1.5 million new housing scheme sparked by a call for action from a Stourbridge musician. On Thursday September 8, VIP guests will gather to witness the important milestone ahead of the building of the new development on the site of the old Mayfield House in Enville Street. The site of the 11 affordable apartments, with solar panels and ground source heat pumps, will also host an eye-catching ‘art installation’ with an affordable housing theme, from three local artists, David Johnson, known as DJ, Cal and

An entrepreneur who sank into depression after a motorbike accident left him paralysed has gone on to design a revolutionary training machine that’s now changing the lives of wheelchair users across the globe. Paul Cooksey, 56, a former managing director of an engineering company, suffered life-changing injuries in his accident in 2006. But after around two and a half years of being virtually immobile, paralysed from the shoulders down, he realised he had to take action to boost his own fitness and mental health and he put his engineering skills to use, designing a trainer specially for wheelchair users. Shortly

Thousands of people are expected to flock to the first ever Chase Pride festival next month for a star-studded day of celebration and entertainment. Around 4,000 people are expected at Hednesford Park on Saturday, September 3, for the event which will celebrate diversity, support the local LGBTQ+ community and break down barriers. Festival director Kathryn Downs said more than a thousand tickets had already been sold for the event, which promises a packed day of entertainment and activities for all, including a rainbow-clad parade. Headline artists include RuPaul’s Drag Race star Cheryl Hole, award-winning cabaret artist Danny Beard and reality