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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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 [...]
Taking on the boys: A new podcast from the Grassroots Channel
Here’s the story of Matthew Ebo, the Handsworth minister whose work for the community until now, has gone unnoticed. Now Matthew has been shortlisted for the active citizen category of Birmingham’s Local Hearts award, nominated by his friend and co-worker, Steven Barratt.
A lot of his work centres around the National Black Boys Can Association, a [...]
Saving the streets: A new podcast from the Grassroots Channel
Jenni Rowley, isn’t your average 20-something woman. She spends her evenings out on the streets in Northfield, trying to prevent Anti Social Behaviour and crime in the area and getting young people involved in a number of projects. One of these projects is the Beyond Midnight Bus, which parks up in Northfield, kitted out with [...]
Heavily Involved in Northfield – a new podcast for the Grassroots Channel
Involve is Northfield’s Young Peoples Forum – it was set up in 2005 for 12-19-year-olds to meet monthly.
Involve are given money by local government, which they can then distribute to young people to help them run various activities or projects which they would not otherwise have been able to do. Through this they help [...]