Small Charity Week round up

Small Charity Week happens each year. It’s a national campaign to recognise the impact that small charities have. Small Charity Week defines small charities as having an annual income under £1million. In reality, we know that the vast majority of charities have incomes well below that threshold.

In Dudley, we wanted to celebrate the small charities that make a massive difference to our communities, so we’ve shared spotlights of range of them on our social media throughout the week.

We invited people to tell us more about the charities that were special to them, whether they were staff, volunteers or people supported by a particular charity, and the impact that charity has. Here’s a round up of the responses we received:

Black Country Foodbank

You’ve probably heard of our friends Black Country Foodbank.

Black Country Foodbank helps vulnerable individuals and families in crisis by providing emergency food and toiletry supplies, allowing people breathing space, whilst a longer-term solution is developed.

In addition to its 26 food banks, Black Country Foodbank delivers and commissions several other projects that help people learn vital skills such as cooking on a budget and how to grow their own food. The charity values partnership working and collaboration, with many different support agencies having a presence in its food banks, ensuring that people can get the right support when they need it most. Through the provision of micro grants, BCFB has supported lots of other community groups to purchase fresh food and food to help families throughout the school holidays and the Christmas period.

This charity has 300 volunteers and 26 foodbanks across the Black Country. Last year they distributed the equivalent of 527,640 meals and supported 44,453 people. They also handed out more than 1,700 recipe bags to support struggling families.

You can discover more about Black Country Foodbank’s work and impact here: https://buff.ly/A8a69Gl

Black Country Foodbank turns 20 next year! Well done everyone at Black Country Foodbank!

Dudley Centre for Inclusive Living (CIL)

Dudley CIL (Centre for Inclusive Living) is a very small charity run, led and managed by disabled volunteers. The charity works to improve people’s physical and mental wellbeing and their financial situations by helping disabled people and those with long-term health conditions to:

• Access benefits and care packages
• Have a strong voice
• Access foodbanks and other support
• Find accessible holidays
• Improve their quality of life

Dudley CIL is also set up the Dudley dignity charter and got people in positions of power to sign up to it. The charity also had the first ever dignity dog who acts as a comfort to people if they’re struggling mentally or physically and is always willing to offer cuddles and kisses!

Lunch on the Run (LOTR)

“Lunch on the Run is a fantastic service that gives young people the chance to learn new skills. My daughter loves it at LOTR, she feels that she is a valuable member of the team.”

“I enjoy coming to LOTR. It helps me learn new things.”

“I like serving customers and taking orders, it helps me to understand money.”

Just a few of the positive things that people have said about, Lunch on the Run! Over the past 33 years, Lunch on the Run has supported adults with learning disabilities and autism, offering work experience and training in a catering environment. Its bespoke training plans are developed to support individual needs and aspirations, aiming to build confidence and self-esteem while demonstrating the value everyone has in society.

Lunch on the Run helps people to fulfil their potential through its projects, including:

• Independence kitchen – encourages people to make meals to share with their loved-ones
• Crafty Corner – making friendships by crafting together
• Skills me up – a 12-week employability programme.

Lunch on the Run has moved from working in the kitchen of a Brierley Hill community centre, making and distributing sandwiches for local offices (hence the name!) to running a vibrant cafe in our DY1 building in Dudley town centre.

Bumble Hole Conservation Group

If you’d like to visit an urban oasis in the heart of the Black Country, Bumble Hole and Warrens Hall Local Nature Reserves are highly recommended. These nature reserves are also cared for by small charity Bumble Hole Conservation Group and its army of volunteers!

Bumble Hole Conservation Group is run solely by volunteers who work hard to conserve, develop, and enhance the flora, fauna and heritage of Bumble Hole and Warrens Hall Local Nature Reserves. The charity’s volunteers also manage the Visitor Centre open for refreshments on Monday, Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday from 10am til 2pm.

Whilst constantly trying to maintain pathways and tracks, and through regular litter picking, volunteers say that the nature reserves are a welcome relief from the hustle and bustle of life. Visiting can help focus the mind and give a sense of calm. The Visitor Centre always offers a warm welcome and there’s generally someone to chat to. Inside you can read about the heritage of the area.

The charity is currently looking for more volunteers to help run the Visitor Centre and serve refreshments there. If you’d to learn more, visit: https://buff.ly/28jj6eq

Diyya

Diyya is a small charity based in Lye that supports women and their families to fulfil their potential. Their work focuses on:

• improving physical and mental health
• developing skills and confidence
• fostering stronger relationships across different age groups and cultures
• empowering women to become independent
• building stronger family and community bonds

Our Group Development Team helped Diyya to set up in 2010 and the charity is committed to creating an inclusive and supportive environment where individuals can grow, connect, and thrive.

Diyya was founded by individuals who were born and raised in the very community it serves. Having experienced the challenges of this environment first-hand including poverty, limited opportunities and lack of access to essential services the founders developed a deep understanding of the community’s needs. This lived experience inspired a powerful mission: to bring about lasting change and improve the quality of life for all, with a particular focus on empowering women to become independent and self-sufficient.

Every activity they offer is shaped by thorough community consultation, ensuring that its services are relevant, needed, and capable of making a real, measurable impact.

Here is what a couple of people had to say about Diyya:

“Since joining Diyya I have seen a lot of difference in my health, I feel a lot more active, my mental health is better and I have managed my weight loss well thanks to Shazia and her coaching. she is brilliant at what she does and the results show for it themselves. I’m really happy with that now , Shazia has pushed me a lot to reach my goals. Thank you for your great coaching, it is appreciated.” ❤️

“I joined Diyya’s the community gardens activity after covid, I lost a close family member and my mental health started dropping. Since I’ve started my physical and mental health has improved and I feel much happier and healthier.”

Thank you Diyya for making a massive difference!

Halesowen Abbey Trust

Another small charity that cares so much for its green space is Halesowen Abbey Trust, which like many small charities is run entirely by volunteers.

Volunteers improve the local environment for the benefit of all. They have:

• opened up miles of Public Rights of Way
• published 8 walk leaflets which give the route and a little history along the way
• built steps in Hurst Green Park to make access better to improve people’s access to the natural environment.

10 years ago, the charity purchased the kitchen walled garden in Leasowes Grade 1 Park and has been restoring it ever since by:

• creating a wildflower meadow and pond to promote biodiversity
• planting a heritage orchard

The walled garden is free to access and is open on Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday between 10am and 12.30pm.

The charity says:

“A lot of visitors tell us how calming a visit to our walled garden is. One three generational family call it their ‘secret garden’ and visit regularly. It has helped people who feel isolated. Volunteers have made friends and their health has improved. It brings a smile to visitor and volunteer faces alike. We’ve worked tirelessly for almost 40 years for the benefit of the community and the flora and fauna around us. We’ve promoted the benefits of the natural environment on our doorstep never more so then when we had the pandemic – people discovered what was on their home turf. One couple who visit regularly said it was their place to come to recharge their batteries from the stresses of work. Volunteers, by becoming more active, have halted the onset of type 2 diabetes and it has been a life line for one of our volunteers who has learning difficulties. It has provided friendship and a safe environment for some of our older supporters who couldn’t physically help.”

Thank you to everyone involved in Halesowen Abbey Trust!

Disability in Action (DIA)

Next up fs one of the Mayor of Dudley’s chosen charities for 2025, Disability In Action, which addresses loneliness and improves wellbeing.

Operating from Queen’s Cross Network in Dudley, DIA is run by disabled volunteers who organise and fundraise to put on free activities for disabled people five days a week.

DIA’s activities programme encourages disabled people to participate in a vibrant range of activities, which impacts positively on their mental health and wellbeing.

The charity is also involved in Hello Dudley breakfast clubs which are based across the Dudley borough at five different locations, where people can drop in for a hot or cold drink and a chat. The aim of these clubs is to combat loneliness and improve mental health.

DIA told us that one of their participants

“loves coming to Queens Cross as he has made lots of new friends and he loves joining in all the activities.”

Another frequent attendee likes

“the freedom to have an active role to work to my potential to develop much needed skills.”

Well done Disability in Action!

Hawbush Community Gardens

Hawbush Community Gardens is a small charity our Group Development Team helped to set up in 2016. Like many, it’s run entirely by volunteers to provide inclusive and safe outdoor space for members of the community, especially those who might experience loneliness, mental health issues, physical health concerns, unemployment or discrimination in other places.

As well as renting out allotment space to local good causes like the Youth Justice Service, Dudley Stroke Association, Pens Meadow School and Moms Mindful Hub, the charity is a place for local families to grow together on an estate that faces significant disadvantage. This gives local people the opportunity to grow organic produce and take part in outdoor gardening projects.

Hawbush Community Gardens also works with people who have been supported by social prescribing projects (including our own Integrated Plus colleagues). This work includes providing drop in groups and craft groups with mental health support, helping people to overcome anxiety and develop confidence in a group setting.

The gardens are also home to Ekho Collective CIC, who organise a range of groups, activities and facilities like:

• cooking groups
• herbalist focussed groups
• a fully inclusive sensory garden
• a wooden roundhouse which houses events including local open mic nights
• festivals for the local community, the latest of which had over 300 visitors

Hawbush Community Gardens’ chair said

“We love seeing people’s mental health and confidence improve as they get involved in the outdoor activities, improving physical health, learning about new things and feeling love and belonging as they become part of a welcoming community of individuals. I love coming down to the gardens. As someone who often struggled to become part of a group, becoming part of the group that met at the gardens, and developed the woodland and for me now to become the Chair of Trustees is a massive step and one that I don’t take lightly. I am committed to ensuring that the gardens continues to be a place of welcome and peace for all those who need it.”

The charity is always looking for new ways to support the local community and to engage with new members of the community. Hawbush Community Gardens would love to hear feedback and ideas from the local community about what goes on at there. You can share your thoughts here: https://buff.ly/MtrsKot

The Arts of Change (AoC) Trust

Our next spotlight has provided counselling and therapy for all ages, including children, adults, individuals, couples and whole families since 2016.

Using a wide range of therapeutic modalities from creative arts to traditional talking therapies The Arts of Change Trust (AoC) offers a wider range of interventions for its ever growing and diverse communities including:

• Vulnerable adults with severe or chronic mental health issues, both employed and unemployed
• Children, young people and adults with neurodiverse abilities
• Non-violent resistance training – Couples working through difficulties in relating and intimacy
• Families using systemic processes to assist them to better understand and support their loved ones.

The charity firmly believes in treating everyone who seeks support with the utmost respect, treating each individual as a human being.

The AoC also provides supported child contact for separated parents and is part of a mental health consortium called MHCC (Mental Health Charities Collective). It also support Talking Therapies Plus, CAMHS and the NHS.

To date this small charity has raised over a million pounds to support all ages living or working in Dudley!

The AoC and its founder and Chief Executive Christian Dixon have won numerous awards, including:

• being named in The King’s 2024 Birthday Honours List for significant contributions to mental health over the past 20 years in Dudley and the Black Country –
• British Empire Medal (BEM) awarded to Christian, who attended Buckingham Palace in May 2025 to celebrate this enormous achievement.

Congratulations to Christian and to everyone at The AoC!

Discover U

Our friends at Discover U provide structured day support for adults (16 and up) with any level of learning difficulties or physical disabilities in its workshops, based in Wollaston and Stourbridge. The support this small charity provides is in a workplace environment to help people build on their employability, social, life and independence skills.

Leaving education and entering adult social care can be a very difficult and worrying time for many and Discover U aims to significantly reduce these feelings and create excitement for the future! Discover U focuses on getting to know everyone as an individual and tailoring its activities around them.

Celebrating its tenth anniversary in August, Discover U currently supports over 100 people each week, covering over 1200 hours of support. The charity provides a safe and friendly environment where real world experience can be gained and lifelong friendships made as well as a range of flexible volunteering and work experience opportunities to the local community.

One of the people Discover U supports has been a member since 2015. Over ten years, he has discovered a passion for making music and has moved into producing interviews for Discover U’s radio show. He has also progressed in areas he didn’t initially expect to, like painting, and by learning how to operate the till and understand pricing, he’s gained a better grasp of the value of money, which has been a significant confidence booster.

“Meeting new people at Discover U has really helped him come out of his shell. He’s more confident in social situations, loves sitting down with everyone for lunch, feels more comfortable being himself, and has learned to have more fun. This boost in confidence has been a game changer for him. Looking to the future, he is excited about the possibilities that lie ahead. He’s eager to continue taking new courses, which will further expand his skills and knowledge. What he is most excited about is the opportunity to help others, especially those with disabilities, drawing on his own experiences to make a positive impact.”

The lovely people at Discover U have also made our special awards for our Community Action and Volunteer Awards for the last few years!

Well done on the massive impact you have, Discover U!

Friends of Alfie Johnson

Friends of Alfie Johnson is a deeply personal charity set up to help disabled children and their families across Dudley, Sandwell and Wolverhampton.

Since 2014, the charity has been addressing a vital gap in support for families with children who have disabilities or complex needs. Many of these families face delays and frustration due to red tape and lengthy bureaucratic processes when trying to access the equipment and resources their children urgently require. Friends of Alfie Johnson provides swift, compassionate access to funding for specialist equipment, such as wheelchairs, communication aids, and sensory tools. This ensures that families get the support they need without unnecessary obstacles and improve quality of life for children across our community.

Friends of Alfie has helped hundreds of families often within days or weeks rather than months, making a real and immediate difference to their everyday lives. The focus on cutting through bureaucracy means its support is accessible, timely, and truly centred around the needs of the child and family.

The impact of Friends of Alfie Johnson has been life-changing for many families across the Black Country and wider West Midlands. By funding specialist equipment that isn’t always available through standard channels, the charity has helped children gain mobility, communicate more easily, and engage more fully with the world around them.

Its work has enabled families to feel supported rather than sidelined. From adapted trikes that allow children to enjoy outdoor play, to communication devices that help non-verbal children express themselves, every grant we approve is a step toward independence, inclusion, and dignity.

The charity continues in the name of Alfie Johnson, a remarkable little boy whose strength and spirit continue to inspire everything it does. Friends of Alfie Johnson is a volunteer-led organisation that truly understands the daily challenges families face because the founders of the charity have lived them too.

In November 2023, Alfie sadly passed away following a short illness. He was surrounded by love at Acorns Children’s Hospice, where he and his family received the most compassionate care. In his memory, Friends of Alfie Johnson continues this work with even greater purpose supporting other families in need.

In the charity’s own words:

“Each piece of equipment we fund is more than just a tool, it’s a symbol of freedom, dignity, and hope. And every family we help is part of Alfie’s legacy. That’s what makes this charity so deeply personal, and so special. One mum told us, We were at a loss. Our son needed a specialised buggy that wasn’t available through the NHS, and we didn’t know where to turn. Friends of Alfie Johnson stepped in with such kindness and speed, within weeks, we had what we needed. It’s changed our lives. We feel seen, supported, and no longer alone. Stories like this are at the heart of why we exist. Whether it’s helping a child ride a bike for the first time, or giving a family the tools to enjoy a day out together, we’re proud to have made a difference to hundreds of families not with fanfare, but with real, practical help that changes lives.”

Well done Friends of Alfie Johnson on everything you’ve achieved!

Jasmine Road Community Gardens

Jasmine Road Community Gardens based in Kates Hill is our next spotlight.

This charity, which is run entirely by a small and dedicated group of volunteers, is so much more than a growing space. Its Plot to plate project teaches people of all ages how to grow their own fruit and vegetables and then how to turn produce into tasty meals through its monthly family cooking sessions.

Through its work, the charity:

• Offers a safe community space to bring all local people together
• Addresses social isolation
• Helps to alleviate food poverty

Jasmine Road Community Gardens also has a team of therapy animals including chickens, ducks, rabbits, guinea pigs, ferrets, cats and pigs who help with sessions for adults and children with SEND needs.

The site has a forest school area where the charity runs sessions for local community groups, as well as a wellbeing woodland for smaller groups. On top of that, the charity runs a community cafe and a hub complete with a small foodbank / community fridge.

The gardens are also a place where the community and local community groups can connect, grow together and enjoy community events, like the upcoming Family Pride Event in July where the charity will be collaborating with a range of other groups.

The charity said:

“About 4 years ago we had an individual referred to us who was struggling to leave the house due to mental health issues. He started to come up once or twice a week and then gradually more and more. He took an interest in how the gardens ran and is now one of our trustees. He has gone on to do an apprenticeship to get him back into work.

“He told us that Jasmine saved him as without it he would probably still be sat at home not having any interest in anything. That to us means the world as that is exactly what we are here for – to help people find their purpose again.”

Thank you Jasmine Road Community Gardens!

Apni Zaroorat Community Network (AZCN)

Our next spotlight celebrates Apni Zaroorat Community Network, a charity that has been running since 2008 to improve the quality of life of women, young people and their families by reducing isolation, encouraging active participation and providing information and support.

Working in partnership with others, the charity builds skills, confidence and wellness, as well as encouraging social action and active citizenship.

AZCN brings together a women’s group that promotes skills and wellbeing. They do a variety of activities, including offsite trips, self-care workshops, textiles and healthy cooking sessions.

It also runs an inclusive Saturday youth club which integrates young people with all needs and abilities, including SEND, which promotes connection and integration. The youth club nurtures young people to learn new skills, develop confidence as well as guiding them through life and celebrating diversity.

There’s school holiday provision too, with activities ranging from arts and crafts, golf, cinema, bowling and community evets to promote diversity amongst all cultures and have offered HOT meals and grab bags for children and young people in Dudley.

The charity often runs community events too. These give families the opportunity to enjoy themselves in a safe environment while promoting community cohesion.

AZCN has had a positive impact on people who can integrate in society. It has reduced people’s sense of loneliness and increased connection, which has improved mental health as a result.

The charity has won numerous awards, including the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service and the Outstanding Community Project Award for dedication both in 2015. Last year, AZCN was honoured as the Inspirational Youth Awards Project of the Year and received the Cultural Award at our Community Action Awards.

“Asima [from AZCN] is always going out of her way to help myself and others like me who cannot go out and about. She arranges trips at low cost so everyone can enjoy days out. She arranges events so that children have a safe place to go to.”

Keep up the great work AZCN!

Dudley Stroke Association (DSA)

In the UK, the typical support for stroke patients is a review every 6 months. In Dudley borough, Dudley Stroke Association contacts strokes patients 4 times in the first year of their recovery and conducts reviews at 6 weeks, 6 months and 12 months.

DSA has been running for 38 years, providing advice, support and information for Dudley residents who have had a stroke and their families.

The charity offers a range of support groups and activities to aid recovery, such as a community allotment at Hawbush Community Gardens, wellbeing walks and bowls as part of its ‘Nurture through nature’ programme.

DSA visits Russells Hall Hospital’s stroke ward twice a week to engage with stroke survivors and their families.

With stroke numbers rising, DSA has increased its preventative awareness activities by attending local events and visiting local schools to give stroke awareness and prevention sessions.

DSA said

“We’ve got a fantastic team, who are dedicated and supportive to our community. We’ve introduced a number of new activities over the last 2 years, to offer lots of variety to support stroke recovery.”

Thank you Dudley Stroke Association!

Dudley Lions Club

Dudley Lions is a small club of ordinary people doing amazing things! Since 1986, its volunteers have been campaigning and engaging communities in all sorts of ways.

Their Message in a Bottle Scheme is a simple, potentially life-saving initiative that helps emergency services when they attend someone’s home. The message tells services what medication and conditions a person has.

The charity also combats fuel poverty through its Heat Tin Project. This is a simple fundraising campaign with proceeds supplying people with items to help them keep warm.

Dudley Lions volunteers support the local community and other good causes through things like local litterpicks and Christmas and Easter donations of selection boxes / Easter eggs to patients at Russells Hall Hospital. On top of this, volunteers fundraise for causes like the Poppy Appeal and Cancer Research.

The Lions’ Recycle for Sight initiative works with opticians, collecting unwanted spectacles to recycle and distribute across developing countries.

And while doing all of this, the Lions offer social connection to the club’s volunteers, putting the ‘fun’ into fundraising and meeting up for regular social events.

Dudley Lions said

“We are a small club that has a membership of ordinary people who do amazing things. We are always looking at ways we can help those in our local communities and those less fortunate than ourselves.”

We’re grateful to Dudley Lions for everything they do to support the community and for their continued sponsorship of one of our annual Community Awards.

The charity is always on the lookout for more volunteers to get involved in its initiatives. If you’re interested, visit: https://buff.ly/vKtL5jL

Black Country Mental Health

Our final spotlight goes to Black Country Mental Health after Jennie got in touch with us to share her deeply personal and powerful story of the support she receives from the charity. Here is her story:

“Black Country Mental Health has been an invaluable resource in my recovery journey, particularly through my involvement with the women’s trauma group that Black Country Mental health runs weekly. This specialised group for female trauma survivors has provided me with a warm and empathetic environment where I feel truly understood and supported by other survivors who share similar experiences to myself such as rape, sexual assault or life threatening abuse.

“The group has served as a safe space for me to openly discuss my challenges and fears without judgment, which has been instrumental in fostering my growth and healing.

“Sandra, the group leader is knowledgeable and compassionate, guiding discussions with sensitivity. The camaraderie and collective strength of the women in the group have been a significant source of encouragement, allowing me to realize that I am not alone in my struggles. Through weekly meetings, sharing of personal stories we have all worked together to build trust and resilience. This group has empowered me to confront and move forward from my past, and has played a critical role in my ongoing journey towards recovery in that I have not felt alone in my struggles

“Black Country Mental Health is a beacon of support for individuals struggling with mental health issues, offering a multi-faceted approach that includes group therapy, one-to-one support, gardening initiatives, and peer support. These various programs are designed to cater to the diverse needs of users, fostering an environment of understanding, growth, and healing.

“One of the most crucial aspects of the charity’s work is the creation of safe spaces where individuals feel less alone in their struggles. The stigma surrounding mental health often leads to isolation and loneliness, exacerbating the challenges faced by those affected. By offering group therapy sessions, the charity brings together people who share similar experiences, allowing them to connect on a profound level and realise that they are not alone in their journey. This collective support serves as a powerful antidote to feelings of alienation, providing comfort and reducing the sense of isolation that can be so detrimental to one’s mental well-being and in my own case has been invaluable.

“The Black Country Mental Health charity stands out among its peers due to its unique approach to support, which is characterized by a profound personal touch. This organization understands that each individual’s mental health journey is distinct, and thus, they strive to offer tailored care that resonates with the unique challenges faced by their users. The charity’s team of dedicated professionals and volunteers work tirelessly to ensure that every person who walks through their doors feels seen, heard, and valued. This personalized attention is evident in the multitude of services they provide.

“In my own case, the difference in treatment was palpable compared to my GP and other services. I had felt like just another statistic but at Black Country Mental Health, I was treated as an individual with a story that deserved to be heard. This shift in perspective was instrumental in my healing process, as it allowed me to confront my pain with others who had been through similar. The group sessions are to me what makes the charity stand out, the fact you can sit with others that understand and be allowed to express the emotions, be it pain or anger with others without being medicalised.

“Sandra, Emma and the staff are caring and patient and go above and beyond. This is special.”

Thank you Jennie for sharing your story and thank you to Black Country Mental Health for the massive difference you are making across our communities.