I've worked on various projects with the YMCA, or the 'Y' as they are now becoming known. I…read moreundertake some projects with a charity that helps people into work so when I have opportunities for young people, I talk to the YMCA. They are supportive of the initiatives and talk to all the people that use their facilities to see who I can further support. They offer an amazing service, far beyond just helping with housing; they are places for young people to go and firstly meet other people and make friends but also learn new skills that will help them both in life and obtaining work. I've worked with Y centres that offer cooking classes, dance sessions, keep fit lessons and far more. A great organisation that I'm happy to support.

I love a good charity shop, me, and I'm especially lured in by the promise of some cheap 50s…read morefurniture. Sure enough there was a gorgeous, Ercol style coffee table for just £15. This is why I love coming out of town. Living in the city centre, I really miss shops like this. So many bargains to be had. If the delivery price wasn't £18 then I might have bought it. I had a good look around and was amazed to find bed frames with mattresses included for as little as £80 and decent TVs for as little as £15. If you live in the area or have a car then you really should check this place out. Fridges and freezers are a bit of a let down though as they are pretty expensive and I think you could find a better deal on eBay.

WHoever moderates the stock here is doing a great job, all the items are in great condition and the…read morelayout feels well thought out and its a pleasure to navigate around the shop. Im not sure if they clean everything in shop, but all the furniture is spotless, a giant chest of draws for £50.00 that felt like it had just been sanded. The beds looked great, bit wary of second hand beds but they looked good as new. All electrical items are given a warranty, and some look better than others but there were some nice brands in there. Music blasting out the front was a bit of a put off though, poor choice but overall a really nice shop.

Perry Common Community Hall is a little treat nestled not far from Conker Island in the midst of…read morePerry Common / Kingstanding. The reason this place is so fab (aside from having had money from Advantage West Midlands, Birmingham City Council and Witton Lodge Community Association which has been used to make an amazing shiny new airy lovely space) is because the staff who work there are just passionate courageous people. You've all seen the knitted bull at the bullring at xmas, and more recently in a Union Flag getup? Well Witton Lodge and Perry Common worked together a couple of YEARS ago and managed to borrow the original lifesize maquette of the bull from it's current owner. It was installed in their carpark for an agreed period of time, during which they motivated local knitters to send in patches of knitting and then cobbled them all together to create a beautiful patchwork coat for the bull. THEY DID IT FIRST! They covered benches on the island, and lamposts and trees, and the residents were all so proud, and local shopkeepers would shoo away anyway picking at the knitting, and it was such a great community cohesion project done with very little money but lots and lots of love! Since then, the teams have continued working together to run other community events in their space and have continued building the social capital of the area! If you fancy popping along to the centre, there are plenty of classes that are run on a regular basis, and the rooms are also available to hire.

A community hall that has had a facelift makes this an even bigger gem than just a good community…read morehall. This one sparkles even brighter because it is supported by the Witton Lodge Community Association, which means right there that it is ran and supported by people from the area. Not only is it a great space with a hall and meeting rooms to hire but the staff are fantastic. They are passionate, helpful and enthusiastic. They are always eager to give new things a try, support people to get something happening in the community, and subside activity during trial periods to determine interest. Nestled in the heart of Perry Common, Kingstanding, on the edge of Conker Island, it is a greta place to visit and if something is happening on the island it's bound to be them that's doing it. They have knitting groups that were the first to fully cover the Bullring Bull, and if there isn't a group for something and there is interest then they'll get it happening. IJoin their Facebook group, find out when they are up to something and turn up and support them.