The Day Ed Milliband Visited The Hub
A crowd gathered at the Hub, Worth Unlimited's community building in the Firs & Bromford estate in East Birmingham, ready to welcome the Labour Party Leader Ed Milliband & the MP for Hodge Hill Liam Byrne. The gathering was a mix of people who are working hard to make a positive impact in the neighbourhood. The crowd included local parents, Police officers, SureStart Children's Centre workers, members of the local church, workers from Worth Unlimited, youth work trainee's from our Thrive course, and members of the Neighbourhood Community Association.

Tim Evans, CEO of Worth Unlimited and local councillor, welcomed our guests and facilitated the discussions. Ed & Liam listened to our experiences, issues and concerns within the estate, as well as giving us the opportunity to talk about the positive work being done. The issues raised included the impact of jobs being lost in the local manufacturing industry, funding reductions to undertake neighbourhood based programmes and interventions, the Police's reducing resources, reducing city council resources in the neighbourhood, and that the loss of E.M.A. and increasing tuition fee's will directly impact young people's aspirations and ability to flourish. We also discussed the role of local residents in youth work, children's work, supporting families, providing training programmes, running events which bring the community together, working together to identify issues and solutions & in general being good neighbours.

Ed Milliband identified how he believed it was the government's responsibility to create an environment that enabled 'empowered' communities to 'flourish'. He explained how he felt the government should be supporting active citizens and local organisations who have a key role to play. He also made clear his desire to combat the issues young people are facing and his desire for all young people to succeed.

We thank Ed Milliband for coming to visit our neighbourhood and giving us the opportunity to talk about the positive work being done & the key role local people are playing.

Article by Paul Wright - Development Worker for Worth Unlimited in Hodge Hill, local resident in the Firs & Bromford and Chair of the Firs & Bromford Community Association.

SHALOM CONFERENCE
Now in it’s third year, the Shalom Conference is a gathering of organisations and youth workers who share the common aims of working with marginalised young people from a Christian perspective. Taking place from 1-2 September in Birmingham, the conference is an opportunity to share with others involved in similar work, to be inspired by speakers and other projects as well as having time to reflect on your own practice.

Worth Unlimited Branch Director in Waltham Forest, Matt Perry, says of the conference “it’s a really good opportunity at the start of the school year to take a moment just to think about what we are doing. To reflect on our calling, sharpen our skills and be inspired by others. At just £25 per person for the two days it represents excellent value for all our staff”. For more information contact our Head Office.

Click here to visit the Shalom Youth Work Conference page on Facebook.

HUDDERSFIELD UP AND RUNNING
Worth Unlimited is delighted to announce that it’s latest new branch is up and running in Huddersfield. Building on the expertise and experience of local Christians, Worth Unlimited Huddersfield are planning innovative projects in the Lowerhouses are of the town as well as innovative music projects that engage with young people across the area. As in all Worth Unlimited branches, the staff and volunteers in our Hudderfield branch are focussed on delivering high quality interventions that enable them to build supportive relationships with vulnerable and disaffected young people. Read more here...

ON YER BIKE FOR WORTH UNLIMITED...
Now an annual event, the Worth Unlimited sponsored Bike Ride is planned again for 2011. Taking place from 15th to 18th September, this year’s ride is a challenging 147 miles from coast to coast across some of our country’s most beautiful landscape in the Lake District (Whitehaven to Sunderland). Over the past two years over £10,000 has been raised through these rides.

You can be involved...

• As a rider – are you up for the challenge? If you can raise a minimum of £250 then you are welcome to join our ride. All accommodation and meals will be covered – you just need a bike and a significant level of fitness!
• By raising sponsorship for other riders – let us know and we can get you a sponsorship form.

Contact our Head Office if you want to be involved.