January's Community Stories

Baby Godiva gets a helping hand from England Rugby International, Coutney Lawes

In November England Rugby International, Courtney Lawes, visited the charity ‘Baby Godiva’ to discuss the work they do. He visited the charity along with representatives from the ‘Save The Children’ charity. He met with Isabelle McCabe, the charities founder, to talk about the work they do, and why she set the charity up and the support they offer to families in need.

Courtney and Belle engaged in conversations about the families that the charity extends assistance to, shedding light on the daily challenges these families face. Belle also shared insights into the backing she received from the Community Resilience Team, enabling her to access external funding and guiding her in how to write funding applications independently.

Courtney said, “people running baby banks do so out of the kindness of their hearts, which is amazingly special. It only takes a small amount from one individual to make a massive difference to three or four families”.

After the discussions Courtney helped Belle to pack donations and load them into the delivery van, which the charity had purchased with funding from the Clothworkers Foundation.

Pictured are: Picture Belle and Courtney discussing Baby Godiva.

Radford Partnership Meeting Highlights: Collaboration in the Community

Our recent gathering was held at Radford Road Fire Station. The meeting saw a fantastic turnout with 26 attendees, representing diverse organisations including Daimler Powerhouse, Fire, Ambulance and Police Services, Heartbeat UK, Chamber Training, and Coventry Building Society.

The Radford Partnership Meeting serves as a hub for community groups, charities, and professionals working in the Radford area, they provide a valuable platform for participants to share ongoing initiatives, establish connections, and collaborate to improve services for people in Radford.

The Radford Partnership Meeting has allowed some great links between community organisations, during the meeting Community Spaces and Heartbeat UK updated on their fantastic partnership to install accessible defibrillators in the community.

If you are part of a community organisation working in the Radford area and would like to participate in the meeting, please contact communityresilience@coventry.gov.uk

Jubilee Crescent Community Centre Secures Funding for Core Running Costs

Jubilee Crescent Community Centre, with support from the Community Resilience Team, has secured £13,968 funding from the Severn Trent Community Fund. The community centre will use the grant to help with core running costs to ensure the centre can continue its work supporting local residents.

To find out what activities or community groups are taking place at Jubilee Crescent Community Centre please take a look at their facebook page.

Willenhall Men’s Support Group

Congratulations to everyone at Willenhall Men’s Support Group who were nominated and shortlisted for a Coventry and Warwickshire Partnership Q Award! The NHS Trust recognised the outstanding commitment of local volunteers at Willenhall Men’s Support Group bring in supporting local people.

The group continues to grow, recently organising a successful trip to Cosford Air Museum and planning a visit to the British Motor Museum. The volunteers are continuing to work with ‘It Takes Balls To Talk’ and delivering speeches and collaborating with professionals to improve mental health services.

The Willenhall Men’s Group meets weekly, contact 02476 303266 for more information.