So I’m already on my third hot chocolate of the day. With Mental Health Awareness Day ahead of us, it’s time to focus on the little things in life which keep us, and those around us, feeling in fine fettle.
For me, it’s the little highlights of my day that can make all the difference, walking the dogs, watching a classic comedy clip or long forgotten childhood TV show on YouTube or indulging in some serious WhatsApp banter with friends- all of it accompanied with a low calorie hot chocolate!
It’s about taking time out for yourself and making time for others too. Now more than ever it’s important to be keeping in touch with people and spreading positive vibes to those you know and love- you’d be surprised what a positive impact an unexpected text or phone call can have at the minute. We all need a bit of support now and then.
We’ve tried to put some of those happy moments in this weeks newsletter- whether it’s a feel good story, something to look forward to or a video to watch and reminisce over. So grab a drink, sit back and enjoy or why not share it with a friend? It might brighten their day a little too.
Until next week, in the words of Jerry Springer
Take care of yourself and each other,
Jon, Kevin and the #FUFighters
OBLIGATORY BAD JOKE
I have a fear of speed bumps,
but I’m slowly getting over it.
1990 IN 3.5 MINUTES- THE BEST THING ON THE INTERNET RIGHT NOW
Pretty much the best thing on the internet right now, The Hood Internet have stitched together samples of more than 60 songs from 1990 and mixed them into one 3½-minute song. Tracks featured include A Tribe Called Quest, AC/DC, Alice In Chains, Bell Biv DeVoe, Black Box, The Charlatans, D.N.A. featuring Suzanne Vega, Deee-Lite, Depeche Mode, EMF, En Vogue, Enigma, Eric B. & Rakim, The Farm, George Michael, Guns N’ Roses, Happy Mondays, INXS, Jane’s Addiction, Madonna, New Kids on the Block, Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds, Pixies, Primal Scream, Prince, Public Enemy, Roxette, Salt-n-Pepa, Sinéad O’Connor, Tony! Toni! Tone!, Whitney Houston and Wilson Phillips to name a few!
They’ll be working their way through the nineties, releasing a new year each Thursday, or if you’re more of an eighties baby, check out their YouTube channel, as they have video playlists from 1979 all the way through to 1989. Enjoy.
COVENTRY ON LOOKOUT FOR CULTURAL EXCHANGE AHEAD OF 2021 CELEBRATIONS
Coventry City of Culture Trust is calling for local arts organisations to put themselves forward to contribute to the Youthful Cities programme, which will see Coventry forge connections with four international cities to explore the theme of youthfulness- find out how you could get involved here.
MANAGING MENTAL HEALTH IN THE NEW NORMAL
There are limits to what we can do to control the spread of COVID-19 (coronavirus), but there’s a lot we can do to control our mental response to it. With Mental Health Day on the 10th October, Brendan Street, Professional Head of Emotional Wellbeing at Nuffield Health, explains why you may be feeling anxious and provides some advice for managing your mental wellbeing. Read it here.
NEW FUND OFFERS OPPORTUNITIES TO CITY’S HOMELESS CHARITIES
As Birmingham lives through a local lockdown and people are once again urged to stay at home, the city’s charities, hostels and soup kitchens continue to rally together in order to help those facing homelessness. To help alleviate the pressures being felt, Heart of England Community Foundation and Deutsche Bank have launched a new joint grant in order to help the city’s vital homeless charities- find out how to apply for one here.
HAVE BALCONY WILL GARDEN: FIVE TIPS TO CREATE YOUR OWN BALCONY OASIS
With all of us spending much more time at home, we’ve all discovered how having a little green space to call your own is a real benefit for the mind, body, and soul. So, to help those living in a flat or apartment, regulated property buyers, Good Move offer tips on how to create your very own balcony garden – read them here.
FOREST FUN FOR RAG ‘N’ BONE MAN IN SUMMER 2021
Neo-blues & soul singer Rag‘n’Bone Man, will be getting back to nature next summer with a series of forest concerts including a date at Cannock Chase Forest which goes on sale tomorrow – find out more and get your tickets here.
PANTO CANCELLED? OH NO IT ISN’T
Following on from the success of the summer’s CAR PARK PARTY which toured the UK comedy, theatre and live music shows, the organisers have partnered up with Birmingham Stage Company and Horrible Histories for Car Park Panto – the socially distanced celebration which will comes to the Ricoh Arena on the 15th December and Stoneleigh Park, Warwickshire 2nd and 3rd January 2021, with the show Horrible Christmas and we can’t wait. Find out what’s in store and how to get tickets here.
ESSENTIAL AUTUMN SKINCARE SENT FROM HEAVEN
It’s that time of the year that calls for cosy knits, woolly socks…and great skincare! As the temperatures change, so should the products you’re using daily; ensuring your complexion is protected and ready for the harsher weather to come. Click here to find out what Heaven Founder and Royal Facialist, Deborah Mitchell, reaches for at this time of the year.
HISTORY RE-VISITED THIS OCTOBER AT THE RSC
Juliet Gilkes Romero’s urgent and provocative new play, The Whip, will receive its online premiere this October as part of The Royal Shakespeare Company’s marking of Black History Month. The play explores the human cost of the multi-billion slavery compensation bill, which contained provision for the financial compensation of slave owners – rather than of slaves themselves – by the British taxpayer, for the loss of their “property” following the abolition of the slave trade in 1833- find out how you can see it here.
This year, after having the best part of six months away from education, it’s clear to see that protecting our children’s mental health is more important than ever before. National education brand, Tutor Doctor, has put together a list of ways for parents to encourage their child’s positive mental health.
NEW CHARITY LAUNCHES TO HELP CITY’S HOMELESS STAND TALL
With World Homeless Day taking place on Saturday, a brand-new start-up launches in Birmingham, aiming to get more people off the streets and into employment. Standing Tall will work with local businesses to match rough sleepers with stable jobs and provide tailored accommodation to help them into independent living- find out about how it will work here.
GHOSTBUSTERS AND COCKTAILS- WHAT MORE COULD YOU ASK FOR?
Millennium Point will show two iconic movies, offering film buffs the perfect night out, with fan-favourites Ghostbusters and Back to the Future coming to the big screen. Both screenings will include a host of drinks served throughout and movie trivia, in partnership with The Wine Events Company- get all the details of how to book your tickets here.
OPEN CASTING CALL FOR WEST MIDLAND’S ACTING TALENT
Want to be part of an online TV show breaking new ground in the West Midlands? Belgrade Film and Digital Ltd are looking for local actors to appear in SeaView – a six-part, supernatural drama set among the region’s urban, working class communities- find out who they’re looking for and how you can audition here.
BIRMINGHAM OPERA COMPANY TO PRESENT WAGNER’S RHINEGOLD SUMMER 2021
Well known for presenting work in their home city’s abandoned buildings, sometimes a factory, a nightclub, an ice rink, Birmingham Opera Company have launched their next bold mission; Wagner’s RhineGold and it’s a pretty unusual location- find out where here.
This Week’s Motivational Quote
“Life brings tears, smiles and memories. The tears dry, the smiles fade, but the memories last forever.’
– Mark Faisal
