Accessibility Carers Support Charity Events

Community Support Takes Centre Stage as Lichfield Radio Goes Live from Holy Cross

September 29, 2026
Scott Milligan
The HANGRY Lunchtime Show hit the road for a special outside broadcast as organisations from across the Lichfield district came together to showcase the support, advice and activities available within the community

Lichfield Radio took the HANGRY Lunchtime out of the studio on Tuesday, September 29, broadcasting live from a Community Support Hub at the Holy Cross Community Room in Lichfield.

The inaugural event was organised by Janis Allerton from Home Instead Lichfield and brought together a remarkable range of charities, community groups, health services and local organisations, giving visitors the opportunity to discover just how much help is available on their doorstep.

From midday until 2pm, I presented the show live from the venue, interviewing representatives from many of the organisations attending. Janis also took to the microphone, roaming the room and conducting interviews of her own as visitors had the chance to meet the people behind the services. (and did a brilliant job!)

The live broadcast provided an opportunity to hear directly from some of the people behind those services and discover the very different ways they are supporting local residents.

Listen Back

Among those taking part were as follows:-

Vincent Hollyoak from the Heart of the Midlands MS Group spoke about supporting people living with multiple sclerosis and the importance of ensuring a diagnosis does not lead to someone becoming isolated.

People tend to hear the words MS and they just look at a downward trend. It doesn’t have to be like that. We do have positive lives

Vincent, who lives with MS himself, added: “I get myself out and about. I do everything I can for the MS groups. It hasn’t stopped me from doing what I’ve come to love doing.”The Heart of the Midlands MS Group supports people across a wide area including Lichfield, Tamworth, Burton, Swadlincote and Uttoxeter, helping with some of the practical challenges that can accompany MS as well as providing opportunities to meet others who understand the condition.

Another organisation taking its services directly to people is See to it Opticians, an independent service providing eye care in people’s own homes. Rebecca and David explained how home visits can be particularly valuable for people who struggle to visit a traditional optician because of mobility issues, dementia or other health conditions.

Rebecca said: “A lot of people are really grateful that I’ve been able to help them, so they can see the television again or read their favourite book again.

I find it very rewarding, more so than working in a store.

She recalled one patient whose deteriorating eyesight had led to trips and falls at home before she was eventually able to have cataract treatment. She’s like, ‘I can watch the telly again,'” Rebecca said. See to it also offers low-vision assessments in the home, providing tailored equipment and practical advice to help people make the most of their vision. The team can be contacted on 01543 703713, by emailing rebecca@seetoit.co.uk or visiting seetoit.co.uk.

Technology was another important theme at the event, with Adam Stamps representing The Mobile Help Hub, which helps people gain confidence using mobile phones, tablets and computers. The service provides practical support with everything from everyday technology problems and NHS apps to accessibility settings, avoiding scams and understanding mobile phone contracts. Adam has previously summed up the reason for creating the service simply: “This service was established to fight digital exclusion and anxiety in this current age.” The Mobile Help Hub runs regular sessions at The Hub at St Mary’s in Lichfield as well as providing support in retirement complexes, to community groups and through individual sessions.

Citizens Advice South East Staffordshire was also on hand to highlight its free confidential advice covering issues including energy, debt, benefits, money and employment. The service can be contacted on 0808 278 7977 or at casestaffs.org.uk.

Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service promoted its free Home Fire Safety Visits, which can include advice and free safety equipment where required. Residents can contact the service on 0800 0241 998, email direct@staffordshirefire.gov.uk or visit staffordshirefire.gov.uk.

Health and wellbeing featured strongly throughout the event. Reed Wellbeing was representing the NHS Type 2 Diabetes Path to Remission Programme, which can be accessed through GP referral, while Active Lichfield promoted activities including its gentle and social Walking in Water sessions at Friary Grange Leisure Centre and Burntwood Leisure Centre.

Specialist Nordic Walking was also represented, with sessions adapted by an occupational therapist for people living with long-term conditions including Parkinson’s disease, stroke, multiple sclerosis and arthritis, as well as supporting mental health and wellbeing.

Gartmore Riding School showcased its Calm Connections with Ponies and Horses sessions, offering gentle one-to-one and group experiences for people living with dementia, Parkinson’s or mental health conditions, with carers warmly welcomed too. The sessions allow people to engage at their own pace, whether that means meeting and observing the horses, grooming a pony, taking a calm walk alongside one or simply enjoying the peaceful surroundings.

Alzheimer’s Society highlighted Singing for the Brain Lichfield, a stimulating group for people living with dementia and their carers which, fittingly, also meets at the Holy Cross Community Room.

Stowe Mount Care Home, based at Scotch Orchard in Lichfield, attended to share information about its residential and dementia care, while Pudding & Pie Staffordshire showcased its food and nutrition classes. Pudding & Pie’s work includes taking cooking activities into settings such as nurseries, schools and care homes, where the simple act of preparing food can help encourage dexterity, conversation and memories.

Wills & Estates by Broghan was also present, offering information about wills, Lasting Powers of Attorney, trusts, end-of-life planning and probate, while Lichfield Talking News, Grace Cares, Dementia Caring, Staffordshire Together for Carers and other organisations added to the breadth of support represented.

For Janis, bringing so many organisations together was not simply about allowing each to promote its own service. The Community Support Hub also provided an opportunity for the organisations themselves to make connections, learn more about each other’s work and potentially point people towards additional help elsewhere in the community.

That spirit was evident throughout the two-hour outside broadcast, with music, interviews and plenty of conversation providing the soundtrack to a room filled with people whose work, in very different ways, is about helping others.

And perhaps that was the most important message to emerge from the Community Support Hub. Whether someone needs help caring for a loved one, managing a health condition, staying active, using technology, protecting their home, planning for the future or simply finding somewhere to meet people who understand, there is an extraordinary amount of support available locally.

Sometimes the hardest part is simply knowing it’s there.

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