Grassroots Channel
The Grassroots Channel is here to provoke and inspire anyone who thinks they just might want to change the world around them. Brought to you by Podnosh in Birmingham, we share with you audio stories and ideas from people who’ve taken practical steps to build stronger neighbourhoods and happier communities.
If you want to comment on anything in the grassroots channel please email us at grassroots@podnosh.com. New. You can now add the Grassroots Channel and its dozens of programmes to your own website or blog.
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Leading the way for young people: A new podcast from the Grassroots Channel
Carl Sheward and Joshua Barwell are two Junior Volunteer playworkers at Pype Hayes Community Focus. Both 16-years-old, when they are not studying for AS-levels they are spending their free time getting those younger than them involved, doing fun days and activities.
For their effort and heart for the community at such a young age, the Junior [...]
Helping the community where we can: A new podcast from the Grassroots Channel
This is the story of Dolores Pinkney who runs the Dojo project in Handworth. She has been working tirelessly for her community since she moved to Birmingham with her family in the 1960s, and now she has been nominated by Kevin Duffy for Birmingham City Council’s Local Hearts Awards in the active citizen category.
She says [...]
Not just a pub landlord: A new podcast from the Grassroots Channel
Chris Birdsell isn’t your average pub landlord. Along with running the Varsity pub in Harborne, Chris is chairman of the local “pub watch” which alerts police to incidents on the High Street, he’s on the committee for the Harborne Traders Association, Harborne Village Centre Partnership and on the committee for Harborne Carnival. He’ll know who [...]
Making Britain a better place: a new podcast from the Grassroots Channel
Noorin Ahktar wants to change Britain. She goes out interviewing the people at the top – leaders of the council, councillors, public service providers and holds them to account in a way accessible to her community. Her aim is to make sure some communities know about the changes being made in public services – she [...]
A whole lot of courage: A new podcast for the Grassroots Channel
When Suzanne Coward’s daughter Sarah, who has learning difficulties, turned 23, she realised she could use direct payment money to set up a cafe, Stepping Stones. Situated in Sutton Coldfield at the United Reform church, the cafe offers a day experience for people with learning difficulties to hang out, socialise and feel enabled to do [...]
The reluctant activist: a new podcast from the Grassroots Channel
This is the story of Michael Tye, the man who helped set up Aston Vision Ministries Association in 1984. The organisation aims to reach people in the community, particularly asylum seekers, by helping them with language and social integration. For his relentless work engaging the community through Aston Vision, Michael was nominated by Eunice McGhie-Belgrave for [...]
Erma Lewis, recylcling wheelchairs – a new programme on the Grassroots Channel.
Six years ago Erma Lewis started the ‘Wheelchair recycling, we can do’ project which refurbishes old and disused wheelchairs for people on NHS waiting lists or for family events and one-offs. This project sprang out of an appeal she ran following storm damage on her one time home island of Jamaica.
As a former nurse, [...]
Communities through the ages: A new podcast from the Grassroots Channel
Starting community work in the 1960s, Barry Toom has had the chance to see how community work and attitudes towards it has changed through the decades. A tireless worker for the Bournbrook Community Safety Project, as well as the TARA neighbourhood forum, Barry Toon feels like a veteran in community work – and now his [...]
Faith and climate change: A new podcast from the Grassroots Channel
Four years ago, after running an Islam and the Environment Week, Maud Grainger decided looking at climate change with faith communities would be a great way to take action. The group Faith and Climate Change was set up by Maud Grainger with help from Keith Budden, who has nominated the group for Birmingham’s Local Hearts [...]
A lifetime devoted to the community: A new podcast from the Grassroots Channel
John Barron is 90 years old and has spent a lifetime working for his community. He has volunteered at St Mary’s Hospice in Sellypark since it opened, and also introduced the Annual Flag Day – a street collection day for the hospice – which he has been running for over 25 years and raised nearly [...]