Two day trip to the West Midlands to visit projects funded by both IET and Enovert Community Trust . First stop Two Gates Ragged School Chapel where a grant of £15k has contributed to the provision of a new boiler. 50+ local people attend coffee mornings at the chapel regularly. #thelcf

Next stop was to see the new stair lift at Providence Methodist Church, funded by a £7k grant from IET. The building is on three levels so is challenging for its congregation and the lift means it’s access all areas for this authentic building. #thelcf

A grant of £14,415 funded the refurbishment and reinstallation of the iconic Lye Clock on Lye High Street. The refurb will ensure that the clock stands for the pleasure and use of future generations. #thelcf

A grant of £3938 funded interpretation boards, wildflower seeds and tools for the local Butterfly Conservation group to build on its ScarletTigerProject on Roman Road/Sandy Lane. Didn’t see butterflies but the birds were out in abundance! #thelcf

Next stop was Windmill Community Church where a £10k grant contributed to an extension at the church. Bustling with activity seven days a week, this building has gone from being derelict to being a thriving hub. #thelcf

IET has supported two projects Express & Star bowls club to provide a bespoke loo and an irrigation system. Enovert Community Trust has also funded an upgrade to the floodlights, so a team effort for this fantastic community club. #thelcf

One of my favourite projects ever - Tettenhall Transport Museum. Located in a former Great Western Railway good shed, this place is a treasure trove which now has new windows thanks to a grant of £12k from IET. #thelcf

A simple project can make the world of difference - £4523 in this case to provide railings to increase safety for the toddler play area at Abbey Street Park in Lower Gornal, #thelcf

Arise Church in Kingswinford benefitted from new windows and doors thanks in part to a £10k grant from IET through #thelcf. Very smart they look too ☺️

Anyone for a shed? IET funded this one to protect all the expensive kit owned by Swindon CC, Staffs to maintain its pitches. Directly adjacent are the club’s new nets, funded by Enovert Community Trust replacing the previous nets funded by Ibstock Enovert Trust which had reached life end. #thelcf

Last but by no means least of the day’s visits was the official opening of Stourbridge Glass Museum. An early grant of £15k funded landscaping works of what will now be a major visitor attraction to the area. Some exquisite pieces of glass on show and amazing demos! #thelcf

Another fantastic registration on the map today: ow.ly/LuiJ50IZU5U The Royal West of England Academy (RWA) are now even more #Inclusive, building on their ethos of world-class art in exceptional spaces, for everyone. #Accessibility #InclOOsion #ChangingPlacesToilets

Trip to Bristol to visit some projects! 1st stop Bannerman Road Community Academy where pupils helped design road calming measures to create a fantastic outdoor space rechristened Frog Marsh @frogmarsheaston #thelcf

Next stop Friends of Eastville Park…what these guys Eastville Park have achieved with a couple of modest grants is outstanding - thanks to considerable volunteering and a huge amount of determination preserving a Nissan Hut for the community for generations to come #thelcf

This community had been without a play area for several years until both IET and Enovert Community Trust contributed funds to provide a brand new one. A local mum told me how she was thrilled to have this on her doorstep and that it was packed after school. #thelcf

An amazing community resource at Barley Close Primary School with a fantastic swimming pool, the new roof for which was funded by Ibstock Enovert Trust and Enovert Community Trust #thelcf

Little trip to Bristol to visit some projects. First stop the incredibly important new Changing Places facility RWA Bristol IET contributed £14k towards this vital amenity which enables those with special needs to access this wonderful gallery. #thelcf

The new climbing frame at St Andrew’s Park is a fantastic piece of kit and continues the many improvements delivered by the Friends Group. IET contributed £15k to this project for the basketball hoop, with Enovert Community Trust chipping in £50k for the climbing frame #thelcf

Here’s my payslip as a first year doctor in 2005, next to a first year doctor colleague’s in 2023. 18 years later, their take home salary is less than mine was. I lived for free in hospital accommodation and had a fraction of their student loan. #JuniorDoctorsStrike