Lucy Kenny Appointed B:CAN Vice-Chair
We are delighted to announce that Lucy Kenny, CEO of Moseley Community Development Trust, has been appointed Vice Chair of the Birmingham Community Action Network (B:CAN), working alongside Afzal Hussain, Chair of B:CAN. Since its official launch in May 2025, B:CAN has experienced rapid growth, bringing together a diverse and dynamic network of community organisations, leaders and partners committed to strengthening Birmingham’s voluntary and community sector. Over the past year, the network has created new opportunities for collaboration, shared learning and collective action, building real momentum across the city. Lucy is a Birmingham-based community leader with a strong and longstanding commitment to local development and social justice. She brings a wealth of experience, insight and collaborative leadership to the network at a pivotal moment in its development. Lucy and Moseley Community Development Trust (MCDT) are founding members of B:CAN, having played an active role in shaping the network from its earliest stages. This longstanding involvement reflects a shared commitment to collaboration, community-led change and strengthening the voice of the sector across Birmingham. Afzal Hussain, Chair of B:CAN, said: “I am delighted to welcome Lucy’s appointment as Vice Chair of B:CAN. She brings a powerful combination of strategic leadership and deep-rooted community commitment, and as a founding member of the network, she understands both our journey and our ambition. I am looking forward to working alongside Lucy and fellow members as we continue to grow B:CAN’s reach and impact across Birmingham.” Commenting on her appointment, Lucy said: “I’m thrilled to be taking on this role alongside Afzal and the wider B:CAN network. I am deeply passionate about Birmingham, its communities and the role that community anchor organisations, like our B:CAN members, can play in supporting local growth and creating opportunities for their residents. “Being able to champion the vital role of anchor organisations at a city level and support the next phase of development for the network is a real honour.”
Position Filled – (We’re Hiring)
Part-time Cleaner Job Description Job Title: Part-Time CleanerLocation: Moseley, Birmingham (Moseley Hive and Moseley Exchange)Salary: £12.60 (MCDT is a Real Living Wage Employer)Hours: 16 hours per week (fixed hours; some flexibility required)Start date: ASAPContract: PermanentReports to: Operations & Facilities Manager About Moseley Community Development Trust Moseley Community Development Trust (MCDT) is an independent charity dedicated to improving the neighbourhood through social, economic and environmental initiatives. We are a community-led organisation that develops practical solutions to local issues, supporting residents, businesses and charities. Our core values: We manage two key community buildings — Moseley Hive and Moseley Exchange — which host a wide range of activities, events, local organisations and businesses. Role Overview We are seeking a reliable, proactive and detail-focused Cleaner to help maintain a high standard of cleanliness across our two community buildings. The Cleaner plays a vital role in ensuring that our spaces are safe, welcoming and well-presented for staff, tenants, volunteers and visitors. This role is ideal for someone who takes pride in their work and understands the importance of maintaining clean and inclusive community spaces. Our cleaning team is a vital part of our services and you may be in contact with our community, service users and tenants. Our ideal candidate will be someone who enjoys being part of a team and interacting with others. Key Responsibilities Person Specification Essential Desirable Additional Information The other 8 hours can be more flexible and will be agreed with the selected candidate. How to Apply Please send to recruitment@moseleyexchange.com by 9:00am on the 16th March. AI useAI can be a useful tool but over relying on AI may impact your application. We would like to get to know the real you so please make sure it is honest and in your own voice. Successful applicants will be invited to attend an interview in the week commencing the 23rd March. Exact dates to be confirmed. If you have any questions or would like to speak to someone about the role please get in touch at recruitment@moseleyexchange.com.
Four Years On: Ukrainians in the UK – Building Lives in Limbo
On 24 February 2022, Russia’s full‑scale invasion of Ukraine forced millions to leave their homes. In the intervening years over two hundred thousand people have found safety and hope in the United Kingdom. Now, as the war in Ukraine enters its fourth year, the experiences of Ukrainians living here tell a story of resilience, adaptation, achievement—and the lingering uncertainty of lives in transition. How Many Ukrainians Have Come to the UK? Since March 2022, when the UK introduced humanitarian visa routes for people fleeing the war, more than 218,000 Ukrainians have arrived through the Homes for Ukraine Sponsorship Scheme and the Ukraine Family Scheme. While not everyone has stayed permanently—some have returned to Ukraine or moved elsewhere—it’s estimated that around 217,000 Ukrainians, mostly women and children, were living in the UK by mid‑2024. Ukrainians working in the UK Finding work has been both a necessity for Ukrainian people in the UK, and a vital step toward feeling settled. Early surveys showed that employment among Ukrainians grew quickly: by mid‑2022, nearly half of adults arriving were already in work, and by 2024, about two‑thirds of Ukrainian adults in the UK were employed or self‑employed. Many Ukrainians in the UK bring training, education and high-level skills, yet most are working in different sectors than they did in Ukraine. About two‑thirds of those employed in the UK are working outside their previous fields. Supporting Ukrainians as they build their lives in the UK Behind the numbers and statistics are personal stories of adaptation, achievement, and connection. Families and individuals are rebuilding careers, nurturing cultural roots, and contributing to local communities. Many Ukrainian Children have only ever known a UK education; their lives are deeply rooted here. These stories highlight not only resilience, but also the power of community and hospitality. There are still great levels of uncertainty for Ukrainians living in the UK, Humanitarian visa routes do not currently lead to permanent settlement or count toward long-term residency, leaving many Ukrainians unsure about their future. Extensions provide temporary relief, but long-term security is still out of reach. Many highly qualified Ukrainians work in roles below their skill level, due to challenges with qualification recognition and language barriers. This underemployment affects not only finances but also long-term career prospects. Finding stable, affordable housing has often lagged behind employment progress. Temporary status and rising living costs make each step toward independence more complicated. Living far from home, while loved ones remain in war zone, carries a profound emotional toll. Families and individuals are navigating uncertainty, separation, and the ongoing stress of war from afar. As the fourth anniversary of the war passes, the Ukrainian community in the UK stands at a crossroads: integrated yet unsettled, skilled yet under‑utilized, contributing yet constrained by immigration policies. Their journey is a testament to the impact of war, the strength of human resilience, and the warmth of shared support. Moseley For Ukraine Moseley for Ukraine was formed in winter 2022, when local volunteers came together to support Ukraine following the full-scale invasion. Initially, the group raised funds and essential supplies for Ukraine, then went on to connect Ukrainian arrivals with UK hosts through the Homes for Ukraine programme, helping families settle and adapt in Moseley and across Birmingham. Today, Moseley for Ukraine is a well-known support hub for Ukrainians in Birmingham, offering information, weekly drop-in sessions, and community events focused on wellbeing, employment, housing, language learning, and integration. As part of Moseley Community Development Trust, led by Ukrainian women who arrived through the Homes for Ukraine scheme, the project continues to help Ukrainians rebuild their lives and feel at home in the UK. Ultimately, the story of Ukrainians in the UK is one of determination, courage, and community—yet also of unfinished chapters. In the years ahead, security, recognition, and the right to truly belong remain at the heart of their journey. moseleyforukraine.org