M6toll supports Wellbeing and Sensory Garden for Girlguiding Staffordshire
Midland Expressway Ltd (operators of the M6toll) are supporting Girlguiding Staffordshire with a donation of £1,000 to support a wellbeing and sensory garden space designed to make a difference to the mental health and wellbeing of the young people camping as well as an educational opportunity to understand more about the environment. The project is Youth Led with all the works being completed by young women aged 14 – 25. They will be completing all construction works and planting works for the project as well as being involved in the development of the design.
The Wellbeing and Sensory Garden is being built during Girlguiding Staffordshire’s International Camp, Unity 2022, taking place from 13th to 19th August 2022. The camp is going to bring together girls from across Staffordshire and the UK aged 10+ for a week of camping, adventure and excitement. The Wellbeing and Sensory Garden is a legacy project which will be used as a relaxation zone at the campsite for anyone using the campsite from across Staffordshire, the Midlands and further afield.
Alice Hopton from Girlguiding Staffordshire said: “Thank you to Midland Expressway Ltd for your support in our Wellbeing and Sensory Garden Project. Your contribution of £1,000 will be used towards the material and tool costs to develop planting areas within the garden. These planting areas will be both conventional with raised beds and also to bring the STEM element to the garden where we are looking into hydroponics and other methods. The funding will enable our young members, who will be building the garden, to learn about how the environment works as one, the science behind growing things, the technology used to assist growth, the engineering to build the garden, how nature can be seen as art and naturally occurring mathematics“.
Jo Brett, MEL Social Squad member added: “As an organisation we feel it’s important to recognise Mental Health Awareness Week and everything it aims to highlight. Through our In the Community scheme we are always keen to support local charities that support Mental Health and Wellbeing and highlight its importance”.
Girlguiding Staffordshire has over 9,400 members from aged 5 upwards and are active in nearly every town and village in the county. They give girls and young women a space where they can be themselves, have fun, build brilliant friendships, gain valuable life skills and make a positive difference to their lives and their communities.
For more information about Girlguiding Staffordshire visit:
https://girlguidingstaffordshire.org.uk/
Midland Expressway Ltd’s (MEL) donation forms part of a wider initiative to Support Local Schools and Community Projects. MEL’s Social Squad is always on the lookout for local charities and community projects to support. To register your charity or community project with MEL for consideration to receive fundraising or practical (volunteering) support now or in the future visit www.m6toll.co.uk for further information or email d4c@m6toll.co.uk
Back to newsM6toll support local school appeal to rehome Ukrainian Family
Midland Expressway Ltd (operators of the M6toll) are supporting St Anne’s School in Streetly with a donation of £1,500 to help renovate a home for a Ukrainian family through the government sponsorship scheme. The M6toll will also be providing laptops for the children in the family to ensure they can keep on top of their education and keep in contact with loved ones.
Millions of people have been forced to leave their homes in Ukraine over the last few months due to Russia’s invasion. In many cases, people have fled with only a few personal possessions. Their plight has prompted an outpouring of generosity and kindness from around the world. St Anne’s School in Streetly have kindly offered out their old caretaker’s house to a family fleeing the war in Ukraine, setting them up with a place they can feel safe and settled.
Mrs Johnston; Headteacher at St Anne’s School said: “Our school and local community have been incredibly selfless, in helping us to achieve this outcome. We are very grateful to the M6toll for their incredibly generous support, this has enabled us to ensure that the property is in excellent condition to house this family as they come to terms with the recent and ongoing events in Ukraine. All of us at St. Anne’s will keep all of our donators in our prayers.”
Jo Brett, MEL Social Squad member added: “We are so pleased to be supporting St Anne’s School with this important appeal which will provide a family from Ukraine with a safe and secure place to call home during these heart-breaking times. It is great to see our local community coming together to make this possible.”
For more information about how you can support the people of Ukraine visit:
DEC Ukraine Humanitarian Appeal | Disasters Emergency Committee
Midland Expressway Ltd’s (MEL) donation forms part of a wider initiative to support local schools and community projects. MEL’s Social Squad is always on the lookout for local charities and community projects to support. To register your charity or community project with MEL for consideration to receive fundraising or practical (volunteering) support now or in the future visit www.m6toll.co.uk for further information or email d4c@m6toll.co.uk
You can read another article about Our Community Work Here.
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M6toll recognises Stress Awareness Month with support to local Mental Health Charity
Midland Expressway Ltd (operators of the M6toll) are supporting leading mental health charity Kaleidoscope Plus Group with a donation of £1,500 to support their Alfresco project which aims to buy new garden furniture for an outdoor space for their assisted living residents. The Alfresco project aims to provide a tranquil space for residents which will be beneficial to help them on the road to recovery.
The Kaleidoscope Plus Group’s goal is to champion mental health and wellbeing, driving real change and providing crucial mental health support services to the community, wherever they are needed. Established in 1973 in Sandwell, they have almost five decades of experience in providing mental health support to thousands of people across the UK. Their dedicated staff are constantly striving to support those who need their help with a range of mental health services. The Kaleidoscope Plus Group are constantly striving to provide a holistic approach to mental health services, ensuring support reaches those who need it most, no matter who or where they are.
Gary Wheway head of fundraising at Kaleidoscope Plus group said; “We would like to thank M6 Toll for their fantastic donation, and we look forward to using the funds to complete our Alfresco Project”.
Jo Brett, MEL Social Squad member added: “As an organisation we feel it’s important to recognise Stress Awareness Month and everything it aims to highlight. Through our In the Community scheme we wanted to support a local charity that supports Mental Health and Wellbeing and highlight its importance. The Kaleidoscope Plus Group are dedicated to ensuring no one falls through the gaps, supporting national mental health services with diverse, inclusive and high-quality support.”
For more information about The Kaleidoscope Plus Group visit:
https://www.kaleidoscopeplus.org.uk/
Midland Expressway Ltd’s (MEL) donation forms part of a wider initiative to support local schools and community projects. MEL’s Social Squad is always on the lookout for local charities and community projects to support. To register your charity or community project with MEL for consideration to receive fundraising or practical (volunteering) support now or in the future visit www.m6toll.co.uk for further information or email d4c@m6toll.co.uk
Discover more of our community work in Another Article Here.
Back to newsM6toll recognises International Women’s Day with support to local Women’s Aid Charity
Midland Expressway Ltd (operators of the M6toll) are supporting Birmingham & Solihull Women’s Aid with a donation of £1,000 to support their food bank by providing essential food parcels and items to support women and children affected by domestic violence and abuse.
For over 40 years Birmingham and Solihull Women’s Aid has provided frontline domestic violence and abuse support services to women and children in the Birmingham and Solihull area. The charity believes no woman or child should live in fear of violence or abuse and to do so is a violation of their human rights. BSWA works tirelessly toward a future for all women, in which inequality, violence and abuse are no longer tolerated. They acknowledge the impact prevention and early intervention initiatives have on the long-term safety of women and children. They believe that all of society has a role to play in bringing an end to domestic violence and abuse and feel we need to stop asking the question ‘Why doesn’t she leave’ and their work to challenge entrenched views about domestic abuse is at the forefront of their campaigning.
Anna Fawcett; Income Generation and Corporate Relationships Manager said: “We were so pleased to hear the M6toll Social Squad had chosen to support women and children who have experienced domestic abuse. Families we are supporting have already been through so much: financial hardship, the loss of their home, moving schools, leaving work and this is on top of the abuse they experienced from their perpetrator. Offering emergency food and essentials has become increasingly important as cuts to benefits and the cost of living crisis have impacted on women on lower incomes, and since the pandemic this has sadly got worse. We are offering more food than ever and having this donation will take the pressure off, and give us a fund to use for when donations are thin on the ground. The Social Squad have done a fantastic thing, and their support will make a huge difference to families going into temporary accommodation or starting out afresh in their own home.”
Jo Brett, MEL Social Squad member added: “As an organisation we feel it’s important to recognise International Womens Day and everything it stands for. Through our In the Community scheme we wanted to support a local charity that supports women and enhances their lives and opportunities available to them. BSWA works tirelessly toward a future for all women, in which inequality is no longer tolerated, which is why we are so glad we can support this fantastic charity.”
For more information about Birmingham & Solihull Women’s Aid visit:
Homepage – Birmingham Solihull Women’s Aid (bswaid.org)
Midland Expressway Ltd’s (MEL) donation forms part of a wider initiative to support local schools and community projects. MEL’s Social Squad is always on the lookout for local charities and community projects to support. To register your charity or community project with MEL for consideration to receive fundraising or practical (volunteering) support now or in the future visit www.m6toll.co.uk for further information or email d4c@m6toll.co.uk
Discover more of our community work in Another Article Here.
Back to newsM6toll supports local group with keeping Tamworth clean!
Midland Expressway Ltd (operators of the M6toll) are supporting Tamworth Cool Pickers with a donation of £500 which will assist the group with acquiring new litter picking equipment for their members along with much needed trolleys to dispose of collected litter. The funding will also help purchase planters, soil and plants to help brighten up areas within the community which need to some extra care.
Tamworth COOL Pickers (Clearing-up our own litter) is a volunteer group of local residents concerned about litter spoiling of their environment. Their aim is to keep Tamworth looking clean, tidy and litter free, whilst having fun, enjoying the fresh air and keeping fit. The group meet to litter pick monthly and convene for tea and cakes afterwards to discuss how they can improve things.
Lorraine Thompson a Volunteer for the group said: “First and foremost I would like to thank the M6toll for their generous funding to support our group. The money will aid efficiency in acquiring the obvious equipment so that new and existing members can use safety glasses, high viz jackets, bag hoops and specialised claw pickers. We are also keen to buy or manufacture planters and fill with plants to brighten up areas, hopefully these areas can be cherished in the future.”
Ian Harvey, MEL Social Squad member added: “We are so proud to be supporting this initiative which aims to improve and keep clean our local community. The volunteers are doing a fantastic job and I hope this funding will see the group go from strength to strength!”
For more information about joining the Tamworth COOL pickers visit: Tamworth COOL Pickers | Facebook
Midland Expressway Ltd’s (MEL) donation forms part of a wider initiative to Support Local Schools and Community Projects. MEL’s Social Squad is always on the lookout for local charities and community projects to support. To register your charity or community project with MEL for consideration to receive fundraising or practical (volunteering) support now or in the future visit www.m6toll.co.uk for further information or email d4c@m6toll.co.uk
Back to newsM6toll supports local initiative for Young People
Midland Expressway Ltd (operators of the M6toll) are supporting the Fun Club Hub in Lichfield with a donation of £1,500 to provide additional support for sports and dance coaches enabling new opportunities for young people in the local community.
The Fun Club Hub create and plan youth work opportunities and activities with young people to provide positive, affordable activities that aren’t delivered through clubs and schools. They offer informal activities around the transition to secondary school, offering a variety of issue-based subjects based on the group’s needs including the building of young people’s self-esteem and confidence. The aim is to develop and widen young people’s horizons and social commitments to develop a sense of responsibility for themselves and their community.
Liz Bacon joint manager with Kerry Maccabe-Crowley said: “Thank you so much to Midland Expressway Ltd for this funding which will support a dance and fitness instructor to provide our young people with the opportunity to learn new skills whilst also improving their fitness, self-esteem and confidence. These skills will then be used for our Mardi Gras theme and Jubilee Big Lunch this year. The last two years have been difficult for our young people and their wellbeing, this opportunity will be great fun and enable community projects to be organised.”
Sheena Hawkins, MEL Social Squad member added: “We are so proud to be supporting this initiative which aims to improve the opportunities available to young people in our Community. Improving self-esteem and confidence is so important especially after the challenges Covid has presented over the last few years. ”
For more information about The Fun Club Hub visit: Home | Fun Club Hub
Instagram funclubhub
facebook funclubhubcio
Twitter and tik tok
Midland Expressway Ltd’s (MEL) donation forms part of a wider initiative to Support Local Schools and Community Projects. MEL’s Social Squad is always on the lookout for local charities and community projects to support. To register your charity or community project with MEL for consideration to receive fundraising or practical (volunteering) support now or in the future visit www.m6toll.co.uk for further information or email d4c@m6toll.co.uk
Back to newsM6toll brings Christmas Magic to Birmingham Children’s Hospital December 2021
M6toll brings Christmas Magic to Birmingham Children’s Hospital
Midland Expressway Ltd (operators of the M6toll) are supporting Birmingham Children’s Hospital Charity with a donation of £1,200 to support its current ‘Magic Makers’ campaign, helping to turn the hospital into a winter wonderland, keeping young patients entertained and staff supported as they continue to deliver the magic.
Birmingham Children’s Hospital was established in 1862 and has offered the very best specialist care for sick children in Birmingham and the surrounding areas for more than 150 years, becoming a leading paediatric centre and home to the UK’s first rare diseases centre for children. Its charity’s mission is to raise the vital funds needed to make a real difference to all who use the hospital’s services and do more for its sick kids, offering them the best experience, facilities and environment possible.
Dearbhla Craddock, Corporate Partnership Officer at Birmingham Children’s Hospital Charity said: “Our frontline heroes work their magic every day but it’s up to us to add the sparkle and that’s why we’re so grateful to Midland Expressway Ltd for their incredible donation. By supporting our Magic Makers initiative they’re helping us to make our hospital feel as festive as possible and make this Christmas magic for our patients who are too poorly to be at home.”
Jo Brett, MEL Social Squad member added: “Birmingham Children’s Hospital Charity will always hold a special place in my heart due to the outstanding care they provided for my son when he was just 8 weeks old and needed a lifesaving operation. The staff showed my family so much compassion during a really difficult time, I am so pleased we are able to support this fantastic initiative to make Christmas special for both patients and staff. ”
For more information about Birmingham Children’s Hospital visit: Birmingham Children’s Hospital Charity (bch.org.uk)
Midland Expressway Ltd’s (MEL) donation forms part of a wider initiative to Support Local Schools and Community Projects. MEL’s Social Squad is always on the lookout for local charities and community projects to support. To register your charity or community project with MEL for consideration to receive fundraising or practical (volunteering) support now or in the future visit www.m6toll.co.uk for further information or email d4c@m6toll.co.uk
Back to newsM6toll joins ‘Santas Little Helpers’ in spreading some Christmas Magic
Midland Expressway Ltd (operators of the M6toll) are supporting a local charity in Tamworth with a donation of £1,500 to purchase Christmas gifts for less fortunate Children in the region.
‘Santa’s Little Helpers’ is a charity/community group in Tamworth which started by accident when another local charity ‘Simon’s Heroes’ arranged for three children, all with heart breaking stories, to visit Robert Bowker who was playing the role of Santa. Each child had a visit with Santa and Rob knew instantly he had to do something for local children in need and put a call out to the people of Tamworth to raise vital funds. In the last four years the team at Santa’s Little Helpers, Tamworth has helped 25 Children and their families to have a truly magical Christmas just when they needed it most and have given away over £11,800 to local charities and community groups.
This year once again the charity will be supporting local children and are determined to give a truly magical Christmas to each of them. Santa’s Little Helpers will also provide toys to local women’s refuges in both Tamworth & Lichfield and supply and support local food banks in the area.
Rob Bowker of Santa’s Little Helpers said; “Thank you to everyone at Midland Expressway Ltd for this very kind donation which will really make a difference to Children in Tamworth this Christmas, it will ensure they have the magical Christmas they deserve”.
Ian Harvey, MEL Social Committee member added: “Rob is Tamworth’s real-life Santa and I’m proud to call him a friend. I have seen him and his team of helpers work tirelessly over the years and the joy they have bought to children throughout Tamworth is amazing. As such it’s a pleasure to be the champion of Santas Little Helpers from the M6toll.”
For more information about Santa’s Little Helpers visit: Santa’s Little Helpers Tamworth – Home (santaslittlehelperstamworth.org)
Midland Expressway Ltd’s (MEL) donation forms part of a wider initiative to support local schools and community projects. MEL’s Social Squad is always on the lookout for local charities and community projects to support. To register your charity or community project with MEL for consideration to receive fundraising or practical (volunteering) support now or in the future visit www.m6toll.co.uk for further information or email d4c@m6toll.co.uk
Discover More of Our Community Work Here.
Back to newsM6toll provides £400m boost to regional economy, reveals new independent report
In a single year, the M6toll provides a £400m boost to the West Midlands economy through its role as a critical national corridor, according to a new independent report commissioned to look at the economic impact of the road.
The report titled ‘M6toll: a regional and national economic catalyst’ was carried out by leading strategic economics consultancy Vivid Economics and is the first economic impact assessment of a toll road conducted by the Vivid Economics team.
By utilising existing Government approved data, including figures from Highways England, the Department for Transport and the Land Registry, the study assessed the contribution of the M6toll to the regional economy and the wider national road network.
Based on its ability to increase capacity and connectivity, the study reports that the M6toll is responsible for a £400m boost to the West Midlands regional economy, driven by economic productivity gains and job creation.
As a hugely important part of the country’s strategic road network, the M6toll is a major catalyst for investment from expanding firms, with 1,200 firms locating to the West Midlands region and 500 jobs created as a result of the road’s connectivity and reliability.
The Vivid Economics study also calculates that the M6toll has helped boost wages by 1.4% – equivalent to approximately £280 million in additional total wages per year for the region.
Furthermore, assuming a median UK income of £29,000, the additional 5,000 jobs created by the M6toll has resulted in £140 million a year in additional salaries.
When assessing the M6toll’s contribution to national infrastructure, the study found that in providing a free flowing and reliable route, the M6toll encourages the switching of through traffic to the tolled solution – saving business and individual customers three million hours a year and taking traffic off congested local roads.
The study also highlights the importance of the M6toll as a critical artery for effective movements through the region, offering a reliable and congestion free route – moving up to 85% of the journeys travelling through the congested M6 corridor and helping free up capacity for local journeys – fulfilling a key purpose for which the road was built.
The M6toll is further commended for keeping the region and country moving with substantial journey time savings compared to alternative congested alternative routes. This includes an average journey time saving of 41%, and a 10-15 minute journey time saving compared to local A roads such as the A5 and A38.
James Patterson-Waterston, Director of Cities and Infrastructure at Vivid Economics said:
“Vivid Economics is pleased to have supported MEL in this important study to assess the socio-economic impacts of the M6toll in an independent and robust way.
“While we have followed national government guidelines and methodologies, the unique nature of the M6toll has also required that we undertake a deeper assessment of the role it plays in regional economic development.
The M6toll plays a critical economic role as both a national and regional asset. The road facilities national north-south freight across the UK, minimising the flow of HGV traffic through the crowded urban M6 corridor. Regionally, the road plays an important role in facilitating access to jobs and markets for residents.
Furthermore, our work has showed the positive benefits this increased connectivity has had on regional productivity, job creation and business performance, enhancing the impacts for local communities.”
Andy Cliffe, M6toll Chief Executive said: “The study was commissioned to provide a comprehensive, objective and transparent assessment of the socio-economic impact of the M6toll.
“By using nationally benchmarked methodologies, Vivid Economics has provided strong quantifiable evidence of this impact and we welcome its findings.
“Through job creation, business expansion and increased salaries the M6toll is a major economic driver for the West Midlands, providing a £400m boost to the regional economy and without any direct cost to the public purse.
“The report also acknowledges M6toll’s role in reducing congestion, taking HGV vehicles off local routes and encouraging more local leisure journeys, all of which form part of Midland Expressway Ltd’s (MEL) strategic vision for the road.
“While we welcome these findings, we will not use them as a reason to rest on our laurels or put the brakes on our ambitions. By delivering strategic initiatives such as our Road Ahead programme, we continue to move forward in providing a reliable and effective alternative route through the congested West Midlands and improving the UK’s connectivity.”
Since opening, the M6toll has delivered on its core objectives and initial five-year Highways England targets – serving as an effective alternative route through the congested West Midlands and improving the UK’s connectivity. The M6toll remains for businesses and individuals, locally and nationally, a fast, reliable and safe route to, through and around the Midlands.
The M6toll is responsible for 15-18 million journeys per year that otherwise would be on the M6 or other local roads. In particular, by moving such a high volume of long-distance traffic off the M6, the M6toll has freed up the M6 to provide this capacity for local people to access jobs and leisure opportunities within Birmingham and the wider region.
A big data study carried out in 2019 showed drivers on the M6toll reflect a similar demographic profile to those using the rest of the UK arterial road network. Viewed alongside market penetration data, the study demonstrated how the M6toll is the preferred route for up to 85% of car drivers travelling long distance through the midlands.
Midland Expressway Ltd (MEL), which operates the M6toll, is seeking to encourage more people to use the M6toll for local and regional journeys through the development of various initiatives, offers and saver products.
Discover more of our community work in Another Article Here.
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