The Moseley Road Friends institute building is a valued and vital community asset, serving the local and wider community since its opening in 1897, commissioned by Richad Cadbury – first as a home to the Quaker community, then from the 1980’s onwards as a community centre – continuing the original objectives of the building, which are enshrined in a covenant of use: “for educational purposes, for purposes of recreation and other leisure time occupation [with the object of improving the conditions of life] and for other Charitable purposes” When Richard Cadbury died, the building was held in trust and transferred to his children, and then in the 1980’s transferred to Birmingham City Council to manage and maintain. Once a thriving incubator of community activity with a café, function halls which hosted weddings, parties and meetings, music, arts and crafts, youth clubs and so much more, for the last twenty years it has experienced a consistent lack of maintenance and care via managed decline.  The building now faces closure, with Birmingham City Council issuing short notice to the tenants and users. There are currently four organisations using the building: The Moseley Road Community Conservation Trust (TMRCCT), Centrion Care, Dunamis Birmingham, and Live Art Life-drawing.  Between us, and in the case of TMRCCT supported by National Lottery Awards For All funding, we provide arts and crafts, music and music therapy, and therapeutic writing activities, carers training and provision, advice and support services, sales of donated goods, and Church services.  It is one of 23 landmark Birmingham buildings that feature on Historic England's at-risk register, highlighting their architectural significance and the challenges they face. There has been a lack of transparency or willingness to find alternative solutions – citing health and safety concerns for the users of the building, when no such concerns had been presented over the previous decade, despite there being no heating, a broken boiler, the kitchen removed so the café had to be closed and a small leak in the roof escalating to major damage, meaning space can’t be hired.  As Custodian Trustees of the Charity, Moseley Road Community Centre no 516602, Birmingham City Council are responsible for “the provision and maintenance of an Institute or centre for the benefit of the inhabitants of Birmingham” at the Friends Institute. By their lack of maintenance of the building over the last 20 years or so, contributing to the deterioration of the building, they are, and have been for many years, in breach of these responsibilities. Owing to The Friends Institute’s Grade 2* listed status,  Birmingham City Council are in breach of their legal responsibility to maintain the building. We see a continued lack of maintenance, and in particular wilful neglect of the building by allowing the roof to continue to leak since 2018  - a contravention of the Planning (Conservation Areas and Listed Buildings) act 1990. The Friends Institute has been in continual use as a Community Centre since 1897, providing opportunities for local people to improve not only their health and well being, but also wider life chances through social and recreational activities, and education and training opportunities. All of the above offer, and have offered in the past, invaluable opportunities for the community of Birmingham to engage in learning and training, self-improvement, information and advice, therapeutic and recreational activities and social support that provide considerable mental and physical benefits to participants, amongst whom are individuals with physical disabilities and mental health issues, as well as a range of other social and societal disadvantages.  Participants originate from a wide variety of social backgrounds and ethnic groups, and they include recent immigrants, asylum seekers and refugees, and those returning from prison or homelessness, as well as longstanding residents and their families and friends. The Friends Institute is therefore a place of huge potential educational and social value, offering opportunities to develop the potential, and improve the well-being of not only the Highgate community, but the wider community of the City of Birmingham.  As a significant historic building, and as a vital resource for the local community, it is essential to retain the Friends Institute as a community resource, and to enable it to be restored and revitalised as a thriving community hub as it has been through much of its previous history. We are urging Birmingham City Council to reconsider the closure of the building, and to work with us and the inhabitants of the City of Birmingham or some part of it, who are the stated beneficiaries of the Charity, to explore alternatives whilst continuing to deliver our vital services. We believe communities need space and meaningful provision, and that the Friends Institute can continue to do this, with support whilst we explore fundraising options and alternative models of management.  Please sign this petition and share amongst your networks. Thankyou Friends of the Friends x  

Bethnal Green Gardens is a rare open space in London that supports free, informal community use. The recent construction of padel courts has reduced the area available for people to gather, be active, and socialize. Losing this space would affect a wide range of people who rely on it for exercise, leisure, and community connection.

It matters to everyone who feels anger or even unease at the chaos and loss of life resulting from the war being waged by Israel & the US.  The involvement of other states is more likely to prolong than shorten hostilities.

I am one of the students at risk

Each one of these homes has provided exceptional, award winning care to thousands of elderly people over the years and has been a vital support for elderly and infirm residents as well as those requiring respite care in the final chapter of their lives. The RMBI has stated that “at the core of their organisation is a steadfast commitment to deliver safe, compassionate, responsive, high-quality care, with kindness, support and trust”.  The decision to walk away from the homes is exhibiting a cruel lack of empathy, care and consideration at a time when the residents need stability and security. Thousands of people across the UK have supported these homes, on a voluntary basis, fund raising and giving their time to improve the lives of residents within these homes.  If these homes are sold  there is no guarantee that the residents will be allowed to remain or that the standard of care will remain the same. The UK is facing a severe shortage of residential and care homes. The sector is already suffering from closures and cannot meet rising demand from an ageing population, leading to thousands of vulnerable people struggling to access suitable care.  Why add to this critical situation that we are already facing?  WE NEED THESE HOMES. Please sign and share the link to all your family and friends to implore the Executive Committee and the RMBI to reconsider this devastating decision to sell the homes and explore other ways to protect our vulnerable residents. 

Do you care about biodiversity, climate change, and Scotland’s natural beauty? Then please sign today to preserve a precious maerl bed on the Isle of Skye! In this frightening time where biodiversity is plummeting and global warming is rocketing, you can save an organism that protects us from both: maerl – a living calcified algae with coralline branches in exquisite pink and purple hues. Maerl is a crucial keystone of marine biodiversity. The spaces between its branches provide homes for a myriad of juvenile crustaceans and molluscs, such as scallops and anemones. In allowing these marine creatures to mature, maerl supports the fish, otters, seabirds, and seals that feed upon them. Maerl is invaluable in the fight against global warming, as it absorbs carbon dioxide and stores that carbon in its hard exterior. Because of these vital characteristics, maerl is a Protected Marine Feature under Scottish law.  We cannot take this beautiful defender of our planet for granted - maerl is categorised as a threatened and declining habitat. Therefore, we are unbelievably fortunate to have a 6-hectare, centuries-old maerl bed (recognised by NatureScot and the Marine Directorate) here in Ardmore Bay, on the Isle of Skye.  Unfortunately, SSEN are planning on high-pressure water blasting the seabed to lay a cable through Ardmore Bay, which can destroy this maerl bed. Maerl is extremely slow growing (about 0.5 mm per year) so when damaged it is essentially forever lost, depleting the wider marine life and negatively impacting the climate.  Thankfully, this is a unique case where both maerl and new infrastructure can co-exist! There are alternative routes for the cable into Ardmore which will not impact the irreplaceable maerl bed. Therefore, we urgently need SSEN to consider the alternative routes for their cable into Ardmore, before this Protected Marine Feature is irreversibly decimated. Maerl has helped protect our home, it’s now time for us to protect it.  Video of Maerl Bed: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lKnFGUAntfU Video Identifying Alternative Routes: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cnC5dJ5Myl8 Press Articles Referencing Ardmore Bay Maerl’s Plight: https://www.facebook.com/OpenSeasScot/photos/lovely-to-see-our-work-turn-up-in-private-eye-it-was-a-pleasure-to-help-the-comm/1234525238822664/ Skye locals fight power cable plan 'threatening rare coral beach' | The National

Too often, fans who are under a certain height are left straining to see the stage, as they’re blocked by taller people in front of them. Despite paying for tickets that cost upwards of £60, shorter individuals (like myself!) are left feeling excluded from the full experience. This is not only frustrating, but it limits our ability to enjoy the music, the performance, and the overall atmosphere of the event. We believe that concert-goers who are 5'4" or shorter should be given the option to sit or stand in a designated section where their view is unobstructed, ensuring that we can all have an equal opportunity to enjoy the show. As someone who’s on the shorter side, I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve gone to concerts and found myself standing behind a 6-foot-plus person, straining to catch a glimpse of the stage. It’s incredibly frustrating to pay top dollar for a ticket, only to be left squinting at the back of someone’s head for the entire show. It’s not just about the view—concerts are about experiencing the music and the energy of the crowd. But when you can’t see past someone’s shoulders, it completely kills the vibe. I’m not asking for special treatment, but why not create a space where shorter people can actually enjoy the show too? I know I'm not the only one who’s felt this way. If you’re shorter and have had the same issue, share your story and let’s work together to make sure concerts are a better experience for everyone—no one should have to sacrifice their view just because they’re not tall enough.

As residents of Long Itchington, we see the speeding on Marton Road (A423) every day. Cars and vans regularly travel through the village at dangerous speeds, putting pedestrians, cyclists and families at risk. The recent crash that completely knocked down a street light was a stark reminder of how serious this problem has become. Many of us walk this road with children, dogs or pushchairs, and it is frightening to think that without action, the next incident could involve a person rather than a lamppost. We simply want our village road to be safe for everyone who lives here.

We are Cameroonians and proud members of the Chevening and Commonwealth alumni community — programmes that represent some of the United Kingdom’s most powerful commitments to global education, leadership, and partnership. For decades, the opportunity to study in the UK has transformed the lives of many Cameroonians. These opportunities do not only benefit individuals; they help build institutions, strengthen governance, and support development back in Cameroon. Above 95% of Cameroonians who studied in the UK returned to contribute meaningfully to their country and communities, with others moving on to become strategic thought leaders across the African continent. Today, we see the impact of that investment across different sectors. thought leaders in the non-profit sector, academics, engineers, and public servants who studied in the UK are helping shape Cameroon’s development. For example, Cameroon’s current Prime Minister, Chief Dr Dion Ngute, and respected academic Professor Nkeng Elambo are among those who benefited from UK scholarship programmes. Across the country, many of the Chevening and Commonwealth Alumni are leading initiatives that are directly impacting the socio-economic and political life of the country. This has been thanks to the quality education acquired in the UK. This is why the recent decision to place a temporary brake on study visas for Cameroon is deeply concerning. It risks shutting the door on a new generation of talented young Cameroonians who aspire to gain quality education and return home to contribute to their country. Most Cameroonian students applying to study in the UK are genuine students. They invest years preparing for these opportunities. Punishing an entire nation because of isolated cases is unfair and risks damaging a long-standing relationship built on education, partnership, and mutual respect. If this decision remains in place, many talented young people will lose the opportunity to access world-class education. Cameroon could lose future leaders, innovators, and professionals who would otherwise contribute to development at home and strengthen ties between the UK and Africa. As a group of Chevening and Commonwealth Alumni who have seen firsthand the transformative power of UK education, we believe strongly that access to education should not be restricted in ways that undermine fairness, opportunity, and global development. That is why we are asking the UK Government to reconsider this decision and restore fair access to study opportunities for Cameroonian students.

Barnet Council approved redevelopment plans that allow the demolition of the existing bus station and bus garage beside Edgware Underground station. The bus station currently functions as a single sheltered interchange, allowing passengers to transfer easily between multiple bus routes and the Underground via a short, covered walkway linking the bus concourse to the Tube entrance. Around 23,000 passengers use the Edgware bus station each day. Under the approved scheme the bus station would not be replaced. Instead, buses would operate from scattered separate roadside stops along Station Road, requiring passengers to wait outdoors and walk further between buses and the Underground. Analysis of the proposed layout indicates that on average the bus-to-Tube interchange distance would increase by around 25-fold, from only a few metres today to well over 100 metres. Edgware Underground station has step-free access, meaning it is widely used by disabled passengers and others who rely on accessible transport. For passengers with limited mobility, one bus transfer that currently takes around 29 seconds within the sheltered station environment could take around six minutes if buses operate from dispersed roadside stops, requiring passengers to walk further and cross the busy Station Road (A5109). While this relates to a specific route, it illustrates the scale of potential change to interchange times. Longer transfers would affect all passengers but would disproportionately impact disabled people and others with limited mobility who rely on step-free stations and short interchange routes. The redevelopment also relies on constructing a large underground electric bus garage beneath residential towers, which has not yet been demonstrated to be safely deliverable. During consultation, the London Fire Brigade raised serious fire-safety concerns about the proposal. If the underground depot ultimately proves undeliverable, the current plans could allow the existing bus station and garage to be demolished before any replacement transport hub has been demonstrated to be safely deliverable and operational.

The Scottish Government and the UK Government must take action to protect younger women. I was healthy. I had a good career, a family, and a full life ahead of me. Breast cancer was the last thing I ever expected. At 38, I was diagnosed with breast cancer. Breast cancer can be a silent killer. Like many women in their mid 20s, 30s and 40s, I believed screening was something that happened later in life. But cancer doesn’t wait for a certain age. Since my diagnosis, I have met many other younger women facing the same reality — mothers, daughters, professionals, women planning their futures. Many of them were told they were too young for breast cancer. Many were not picked up through screening. By the time cancer is found in younger women, it is often more advanced and harder to treat. I am sharing my story because earlier screening could save lives. Women in their mid 20s, 30s and 40s deserve the chance of earlier detection. It’s time for the Scottish Government to act and introduce annual breast screening for younger women.

Poringland Pantry is a life line food service that saves and collects unsold food from supermarkets and re purposes and re distributes it to those in need and struggling. We have over 80 registered users from young families, to pensioners, from those living alone to those struggling to feed large families. Offer a wide range of fresh, store cupboard and frozen foods all stored and distributed from one of our central hubs, the one in question being Poringland Pantry: we are threatened with closure as the local Housing Association believe it to be a profit making business as some person that complained told them as much. This couldn’t be further from the truth and we have simple asked for them to fact check their evidence and come pay us a visit.