YEF COMMUNITY RESEARCH PROJECT

THE LOZELLS AND NEWTOWN YEF COMMUNITY RESEARCH PROJECT

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

The Youth Endowment Fund (YEF) aims to prevent children and young people becoming involved in violence, by finding out what works, for whom and why. The Neighbourhood Fund is one of the programmes that YEF is funding. It’s aim is to understand if and how empowering people to make decisions about their local neighbourhoods prevents children from becoming involved in violence.


BVSC Research and their partners University of Birmingham and University of Wolverhampton, were commissioned to undertake community research and co-design activity. This activity sat across three phases, Feasibility, Discovery and Co-Design. The first phase saw Lozells and Newtown identified as the ‘hyperlocal’ area of focus for the Neighbourhood Fund. This report sets out the findings from the second phase, the Discovery Phase.


The Discovery phase was led by the University of Birmingham, employing the Use-It model of Community Research. The research focused on exploring the ideas of local people in relation to the needs of the area and potential solutions. The aim was to seek the views of individuals from the
community who would not usually have a voice. To achieve this, the University of Birmingham recruited 29 individuals who live and work in Lozells and Newtown and provided accredited community research
training. 13 individuals went forward to complete 38 interviews with individuals from the area.

Interviewees came from a range of different communities and included individuals who had personal experience of youth violence, having been victims of violence, spent time in prison, witnessed the aftermath of stabbings, experienced police brutality and lost close friends to knife and gun crime.

Read more in the PDF below.

Step Out Of Your Comfort Zone This April 2023

We are back with April’s Group, so please set a side some time for the 28th April 2023 6:00 – 8:00PM

HOT TOPIC! Social Media: Parents usage & the Impact on their children!

28th April 2023 // 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm // Online every month *In person Groups and Outings monthly

Ladies, it’s time to make a difference join The Nubian Team (TNT) as we take you on a journey of self discovery with our group designed for woman!

Pitch Your Brand!

Pitch your brand to our group. Local Entrepreneurs and business people we’ll help to get you out there.

Get On It

Discussing a key topic, thoughts and opinions in a non-judgemental location. (See Eventbrite for Topic!)

Online and In-person

We have a safe space to talk and connect with other like-minded individuals – Find out more please get in touch with us.

Help & Support

Find out what’s happening in your community and where to get support.

Join our ‘The Nubian Team’ to get on top of topics that affect us but are normally avoided.

The Hot Topic for 28th April 2023:-

‘Social Media: Parents usage & the Impact on their children’

Topic: TNT Women’s Group ZOOM 2023

Save the link!: This is a recurring meeting Meet anytime

Join Zoom Meeting 18:00 – 20:00

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83777072518?pwd=VHM4aDdsVExZc2dmbk1LVUxVU0Fydz09

Meeting ID: 837 7707 2518

Passcode: 124633

One tap mobile

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Dial by your location

+44 203 481 5237 United Kingdom

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Let’s speak the unspoken and stand firm in who we are and what we do!

Our organisational Project to breakdown the narrative of mental health is called RESPECT which stands for:

Respecting, Every, Single, Perspective/Person’s, Emotional, Challenge, Together.

We hope that embodying RESPECT we can make this Podcast/Group a safe space to be genuine, to cry, to hurt, to deal with shame and all the things that life throws at us, including the ‘Inequalities’ that impact women.

Our Women’s group is launching thanks to the support of Heart Of England that have funded the project. It will consists of three strands:-

  1. Monthly online podcast
  2. Face to face workshops
  3. Community events, so ‘Watch this space‘ for future updates!

We will have ‘Well Women Packs’ as guest give away in our online competitions and face to face groups.

Sadly , Black women we are 4 times more likely to die in pregnancy or giving birth than our white counterparts.(BBC, 2022)

45% of Black women working in white-collar jobs in the UK believe they will be overlooked for promotion despite having equal competence as a non-Black female colleague. (Black Women In The UK Workplace Online)

All of these intersectionality’s will have an impact on our Mental Health.

We will discuss the issues that raise the uncomfortableness, while facilitating a safe space that we can Support and Empower each other.

Most importantly RESPECT each other.

Respecting, Every, Single, Perspective/Person’s, Emotional, Challenge, Together.

For more information on how you can be involved please contact us

(TNT) Third time’s a charm

Step Out Of Your Comfort Zone with our third TNT group discussion set for March 3rd 2023.

The AFC services Female ‘The Nubian Team’ (TNT) Launch the women’s group to discuss issues that affect us!

Pitch Your Brand!

Pitch your brand to our group. Local Entrepreneurs and business people we’ll help to get you out there.

Get On It

Discussing a key topic, thoughts and opinions in a non-judgemental location. (See Eventbrite for Topic!)

Online and In-person

We have a safe space to talk and connect with other likeminded individuals – Find out more please get in touch with us.

Help & Support

Find out what’s happening in your community and where to get support.

When and where

Date and time

Fri, 3 March 2023, 18:00 – 20:00 GMT

Location

Online for more information please click here to book your tickets.

About this event

Join our ‘Nubian Team’ to get on top of topics that affect us but are normally avoided.

The Hot Topic for 03rd March 2023:-

‘Are black women allowed to be vulnerable? Do black women trust other black women to be vulnerable?’

Topic: TNT Women’s Group ZOOM 2023

Save the link!: This is a recurring meeting Meet anytime

Join Zoom Meeting 18:00 – 20:00

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83777072518?pwd=VHM4aDdsVExZc2dmbk1LVUxVU0Fydz09

Meeting ID: 837 7707 2518

Passcode: 124633

One tap mobile

+442034815237,,83777072518#,,,,*124633# United Kingdom

+442034815240,,83777072518#,,,,*124633# United Kingdom

Dial by your location

+44 203 481 5237 United Kingdom

+44 203 481 5240 United Kingdom

Let’s speak the unspoken and stand firm in who we are and what we do!

Our organisational Project to breakdown the narrative of mental health is called RESPECT which stands for:

Respecting, Every, Single, Perspective/Person’s, Emotional, Challenge, Together.

We hope that embodying RESPECT we can make this Podcast/Group a safe space to be genuine, to cry, to hurt, to deal with shame and all the things that life throws at us, including the ‘Inequalities’ that impact women.

Our Women’s group is launching thanks to the support of Heart Of England that have funded the project. It will consists of three strands:-

  1. Quarterly online podcast
  2. Face to face workshops
  3. Community events, so ‘Watch this space‘ for future updates!

We will have ‘Well Women Packs’ as guest give away in our online competitions and face to face groups.

Sadly , Black women we are 4 times more likely to die in pregnancy or giving birth than our white counterparts.(BBC, 2022)

45% of Black women working in white-collar jobs in the UK believe they will be overlooked for promotion despite having equal competence as a non-Black female colleague. (Black Women In The UK Workplace Online)

All of these intersectionality’s will have an impact on our Mental Health.

We will discuss the issues that raise the uncomfortableness, while facilitating a safe space that we can Support and Empower each other.

Most importantly RESPECT each other.

Respecting, Every, Single, Perspective/Person’s, Emotional, Challenge, Together.

Director of Adult Services

YouTube player

Michelle Kelly

Position: Director of Adult services

Email: info@afcscic.org
Tel: 0121 389 4922

My background has been that of supporting friends and loved ones with Mental Health support needs over the years, so I felt it was necessary to gain some qualifications in a cause that I am so passionate about.

My History

My history is that I started my Counselling journey many years ago, I have a strong sense of people being Autonomous and I have been a Whistle blower supporting those most vulnerable when they have been at great risk.
During Covid-19, I found myself in this position again, with a lack of cultural competence playing heavily.


We lost a family Friend Michael Lloyd Powell who experienced poor mental health and needed support in 2003, this was the catalyst of a very emotional Journey for me and my family and led to his cousin Tippa Napthtali launching 4Wardever uk and eventually The National Family Fund to help support impacted families like Mikey’s.

Mikey died on 07th September 2003, and ever since I have supported Mikey’s and other affected families, around the ECHR Article 2 ‘The Right to Life’ in conjunction with bereaved families. I now sit on a community panel with Catalyst 4 Change CIC and our local mental health trust, supporting marginalised community members, to access the Mental health support and services that they need.

Those experience’s have led me to collaborate and work with many large organisations and institutions including West Midlands Police as a former member of the Mental Health Independent Advisory Group (IAG). I was tasked to provide input over a number of years advising how contact between the Police and those in Mental Health Crisis, should be as calm and communicative process as possible , including the input of their families.

I’ve supported the NHS programmed as a motivational speaker in conjunction with the Mental Health Crisis Care Concordat in 2016, sharing my families Lived experience, to educate others about the impact of Mental Health.

While running my private practice since qualifying in 2015, I feel I have developed many skills, and I am now a Clinical Supervisor and proud to hold a BACP Accredited Counselling qualification and sit on their Professional Standards Register, also the accredited Register for Infant Loss.


Consultancy

As a Mental Health First Aid England Associate Trainer I deliver their Race Equality programme, and as a qualified Mental Health First Aid Trainer I deliver both the Adult & Youth full Programmes. Suicide First Aid understanding Intervention and lite products too, all underpinned with a Mental Health Nursing Qualification.

Whether you are a counsellor or not, I strongly advocate that all practitioners should have a basic level of Mental Health First Aid knowledge, especially when supporting vulnerable people as mental Health affects us all.

I also deliver workshops in the West Midlands to schools and academies around the controversial Stop & Search Power, implementing The Home Office’s ‘Best Use of Stop & Search‘ scheme. Also sitting as a member of the affiliated scrutiny panel for The West Midlands Police & Crime Commissioners office aiming to ensure the safe & Lawful implementation of the power.

My knowledge with Mental Health has been enhanced by my personal experiences and working for Springfield MIND, a national Mental Health charity providing supportive services out of GP Surgeries, delivering MH pathways for Stress, depression, Grief & Loss, Managing Anger, Self-esteem, Anxiety & Panic Attacks and others.

The Priory in a rehabilitation and recovery service for females with complex mental health needs, including schizophrenia, bipolar, eating disorders with some having co-morbid conditions such as mild learning disabilities, alcohol and drug use and borderline personality disorder. My Community engagement continues and I am currently taking a short break as a Childline volunteer where I work as a primary contact for children calling in a crisis.

I hope that if we can support you in some way, that you embrace the journey and use the experience to learn more about you.

Director of Youth Services

Hi there and thanks for visiting A Father’s Child Services CIC. My name is Rochâna Kelly and I specialise in working with Children.

I am Qualified in Child & Integrated Professional Services Bsc Hons Degree, which has been underpinned with Law. I am also a Licensed Outcomes Star Practitioner.

I have experience of working in Children’s Centres across Birmingham, Community Outreach and working with some of the most vulnerable children that have been or are being subjected to issues of Child Sexual Exploitation.

My experience ranges from working with children and families offering workshops, Therapeutic intervention to Children and Young people with support needs around behaviour/anger management, low mood, self esteem, self harm ideation and a range of support needs. My experience also includes areas of risk management and observations for those at high level risks of self-harm.

I have trained with and supported families that have faced Article 2 (HRA) Bereavements,  and strive to address the imbalance of Social Injustice while empowering people to exercise their Autonomy.

I hope that you choose A Father’s Child Community Services to support you on your journey, until then take care of you.

Director & Volunteer Co-ordinator

I’m Ava Clarke, a Director, Counsellor and Volunteer Co-Ordinator with A Father’s Child Services CIC.

Counsellor, MBACP

She/Her/Hers

Sometimes life stresses can become overwhelming, and it seems as though there is no one to listen.

You may be anxious, or losing sleep due to worry, unresolved past experiences, grief or fear. Together we can work through whatever is holding you back, with me supporting you on your journey.

I offer a safe space for you to sort through your emotions, experiences, thoughts and feelings and together we can explore your goals and visions for your future. I am an integrative therapist, working from a humanistic approach, so I believe we can all reach our individual potential, and I will draw from different approaches to provide the support you need.

Everyone deserves a better tomorrow. Tell yourself that this is your moment, reach out and I will provide you with a non-judgemental listening ear, empathy and understanding.

Qualifications

Membership: British Association for Counselling & Psychotherapy / Registered Member

Specialties
  • Pregnancy, Prenatal, Postpartum
  • Pregnancy/ Infant loss
Issues
  • Alcohol Use
  • Anger Management
  • Anxiety
  • Behavioural Issues
  • Bereavement
  • Coping Skills
  • Depression
  • Racial Identity
  • Self Esteem
  • Stress
  • Women’s Issues

Client Focus

Ethnicity: Black British

Age
  • Elders (65+)
  • Adults
Communities
  • Racial Justice Allied
  • Single Mother

Treatment Approach

Types of Therapy
  • Culturally Sensitive
  • Person-Centred
Modality
  • Individuals

Director of Finance

Hi my name is Dean Turner and I am a Father’s Child Services CIC Director of Finances.

My background has been varied and I started of providing supportive services as a carer many years ago, supporting and caring for primarily older people and also my mum when she became ill.

I am familiar with the challenges facing people that need support around their well-being, and the impact of being someone that provides that support.

Hi my name is Dean Turner and I am a Father’s Child Services CIC Director of Finances. My background has been varied and I started of providing supportive services as a carer many years ago, supporting and caring for primarily older people and also my mum when she became ill. I am familiar with the challenges facing people that need support around their well-being, and the impact of being someone that provides that support.

I am a qualified chef and patisserie and was part of the team to get the first Michelin Star at Billesley Manor in 1986, so I know a little something about good quality and service.
I have been the Assistant Manager for Meg Rivers Artisan Bakery for a number of years providing products to businesses such as Moon pig, Selfridges, Harrods and many more. I am hoping to be able to share my knowledge and experience to add value to A Father’s Child Services CIC so that we can build on community relations and provide effective and supportive services to our community.

Director of Sports & Well being

Hi my name is Levi Manning-McLeod and my role here at AFCS Is considering the Health & Well-Being of the people that we support. I am a qualified personal trainer and a fully Licensed SIA Supervisor.

I have a keen interest in working with nutrition and fitness to help improve physical well-being, and implement this through workshops and bespoke programmes for individuals and groups.

I am also a mentor here at AFCS CIC, and use fitness incorporated with the programmes we deliver, to enhance the quality of life, in particular the physical health for the people that we support. Often once you get the momentum it is a lot easier for other things to fall into place.

Suicide First Aid Understanding Intervention Outline

Suicide First Aid Lite: Virtual the Internationally recognised half day qualification to respond to someone experiencing a suicidal crisis. For prices click here : Price List

This course is:

• The One Day course for Suicide First Aid
• Endorsed by UK ‘Skills for Health’ framework
• Assured by City & Guilds with the option to enrol in City & Guilds Level 4 Accredited Unit of Learning
• Also receiving a Certification on completion of written assignment towards this unit of learning

There are:

• No pre-training requirement

Course content:

SFAUSI is comprised of 4 parts, each 90 minutes duration. The programme teaches and practices the skills and knowledge needed to identify someone who may be thinking about suicide and competently intervene to help create suicide- safety as a first aid approach.

Part 1 – 09:15 to 11:00

• Introduction to: the day; programme; ourselves and suicide prevention
• Stigma, Survivors of bereavement by suicide and the Hidden Toll
• Suicide thoughts and suicide behaviour
• Intention of behaviour Versus Outcome of behaviour
• Possible Causes of Suicidal thoughts

Part 2 – 11:15 to 12:45

• Suicide – the Ripple Effect
• Population-based approach to suicide prevention
• Partnership working
• Working with attitudes and values
• “I’m so glad you told me” – Audio visual

Part 3 – 13:30 to 14:45

• Meeting the needs of a person who is thinking about suicide
• Suicide-Safety Guide
• Step 1 – Recognising suicide and asking about suicide
• Step 2 – Understanding options

Part 4 – 15:00 to 16:30

• Step 3 – Safeguarding suicide
• Suicide-safety and self-care
• The risk assessment approach
• Suicide and suicide gestures
• Future learning

Suicide First Aid Understanding Intervention (SFAUI)

training offers learning outcomes that are knowledge based and factual. This training can be used as a stand-alone programme or as the first part of a journey to learn suicide prevention skills.

Suitable For?

Multi-sector managers and practitioners including health, housing, social care, education, criminal justice, call centre operators, private, voluntary and public sector workers and community groups or members.

Referral form

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Support Resources

If you are in need of immediate help and support, we have put together a list of local and national services that could help you.

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