Blue sky at last !!

Youth work ‘black holes’ in half of all council areas in England, study finds

Out of the red, but at what cost? Birmingham council asset sales have left city reeling, say residents

Winterbourne- spring almost here 😀

‘This is what fascism looks like’: terror in Minneapolis reminiscent of civil war

Positive signs of spring - witch hazel and snowdrops at Winterbourne today 😀

‘The Beethoven of our day’: Fans on what David Bowie meant to them 10 years after his death

Terrible decision

Shortsighted fire sale of assets by people who don’t understand the importance of community hubs

The banality of evil: how Epstein’s powerful friends normalised him

The reaction to the Panorama edit has been nothing short of hysterical. Yes the BBC has some impartiality problems. But its biggest isn't the one you think. New piece from me. open.substack.com/pub/goodalla...

Word of the Day is ‘catchfart’ (17th century): an obsequious individual who sucks up to the boss and always follows the political wind.

The party who claim to be patriots literally had a Reform leadership member caught red handed taking bribes from Russia. This article details the speeches Nathan Gill gave that he was paid to give. How are Reform getting away with this? www.theguardian.com/news/ng-inte...

⏰3 days left! Better Youth Spaces grants are helping youth services bring their ideas to life🏂 @projektsmcr are using funding for an electric tricycle, portable ramps, cafe upgrades & more - making skate sessions accessible to more young people. Apply👉 buff.ly/3ACaOz2

Sorry @theipaper.com but WHY is this guy talking to us about what will make the UK poorer? He was happy to grenade our economy twice… Brexit and then his batshit budget with Truss. He should be in political oblivion for the mess he made and the price we all have to pay for his party’s failures.

In the midst of a government shutdown, and in the face of fundamental challenges to the rule of law and to democratic accountability, the House of Representatives--the people's house, the heart of our democratic republic--hasn't cast a vote since Sep. 19. An extraordinary failure of responsibility.

Nice day out 🌞

Disgraceful coverage of the Maccabi Tel Aviv issue - Robinson’s rant was factually incorrect and hopelessly biased. The safety advisory group does NOT include local politicians and the ban was not motivated by political views. Stop making false narratives about Birmingham!! #r4today

Sanders: Today, October 18th 2025, there are more people out on the streets in more communities all over our country than we have ever seen in American history

#A_NewHope ✊

A good day for people power both home and away

‘Brummies united against racism’: poster campaign takes on the far right

To ‘ultra-crepidate’ (19th century) is to lecture others on subjects you know very little about.

This Friday 12th and Saturday 20th JWEvans silver factory is open for Birmingham Heritage Week so come and visit us 🙌https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c1jnny101rdo

Ouseburn - a bit like Digbeth but with fishing boats !

"The real promise is to create effective local systems that are powered by, and responsive to, communities themselves." The English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill is a crucial milestone on a long journey, writes @jesstud.bsky.social in the MJ.

Community centres are the real hearts of their neighbourhoods. They bring people together, support health and wellbeing, build local pride - and offer space for joy. Our report on how we celebrate, sustain and reimagine these vital spaces.

"The real promise is to create effective local systems that are powered by, and responsive to, communities themselves." The English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill is a crucial milestone on a long journey, writes @jesstud.bsky.social in the MJ.

“We'd rather spend our time creating a space for people to come together than looking at funding applications.” Our report uncovers the barriers preventing community centres from reaching their full potential – and how to overcome them. buff.ly/zRjuAJX

🚨 Applications are OPEN for Better Youth Spaces! A £30.5m capital grants programme by the UK Government, delivered by SIB. Grants of £5k–£100k are available for small-scale capital projects + refurbishments. For more info & how to apply 👉 www.sibgroup.org.uk/funds/better...

Would help if you’d remembered to take your TT bat home with you for tonight’s away game !! 🤪

This is really very good and well worth visiting if you’re in the Midlands. Very beautiful but grotesque in part - I am brushing up on m’Greek myths in readiness for my next visit. Short video with Lindsey Mendick in the Gatehouse sets context.

"Councils can play a role in strengthening social capital not by stepping in with solutions, but by stepping back and creating space for communities to lead." Ruby Frankland reflects on our fringe event with 3ni at this year's LGA conference.

No, MPs haven't legalised abortion up to birth. That lie was spread on X by many who should know better. The change is about saving a handful of vulnerable women from trauma and prison. Women about whom those people do not even think. New writing from me open.substack.com/pub/goodalla...

“I asked people what good work looks like in this century & what it would take to get there. I heard the same stories again & again.” @hilarycottam.bsky.social reminds us: narrow economic models of work no longer serve us. She offers a 21st century reimaging rooted in the ideas of everyday experts.

A short video of the work on show and Jeni Neale demonstrating. Enjoy x

@birminghamcan.bsky.social - Great launch. Good to meet up with so many collaborators and friends.

Fabulous night out watching Acosta Danza at Hippodrome - uplifting and life affirming

Bribery in plain sight.

Wisteria in all its fragrant glory 😀

BREAKING NEWS: New water aerobics class gets off to a great start.

One of my favourite community groups doing good stuff - Leaf creative arts. Be great if you could support their event.

An amble in Amble 😀

Bliss 😀

For all the lovely Birmingham people! Please share www.bvsc.org/monitoring-a...

Donald Trump is turning America into a mafia state - @jonathanfreedland.bsky.social www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...

Word of the day is ‘lickspittle’ (17th century): a person who fawns upon someone in power for personal gain.