​Earlier this week, Lyndon resident Mr Tudor spoke eloquently of his concerns about the gradual closure and relocation of mental health services in Solihull, including from the Lyndon Clinic on Winchcombe Road.
Here is the full text of Mr Tudor's statement:
“As a carer for someone with Emotional Unstable Personality Disorder as well as someone with Anxiety, I am deeply concerned about the closure and relocation of Solihull's Mental Health Services.
“Solihull’s only acute psychiatric unit (Bruce Burns Unit) has closed its doors to all patients just before Christmas in 2017, with inpatient wards in the main hospital following.
“Now, 3 years later, we are losing our Duty System based at the Lyndon Resource Centre. 
“Patients requiring help will need to firstly telephone the team.  Then, providing there is a triage nurse available to take your call, you will be assessed.  If the triage nurse feels the patient would benefit in being seen, the patient will need to travel over to Marston Green.  Providing the patient has someone with transport to drive them, that would help reduce the stress a little.  If not, then it's a £7 taxi each way (from Lyndon) or a minimum of 2 buses, depending on if they live on the 72 bus route.  If there is not a triage nurse available to speak to the patient, the patient will be placed on a waiting list for a call back from a triage nurse.
“I also have been advised that the Psychiatric Liaison Service, formerly known as Rapid Assessment Interface and Discharge (RAID for short), that operates an emergency mental health service at Solihull Hospital, is to close, making the nearest centre at Heartlands Hospital.  Solihull will only have an Outpatient Department based at The Lyndon Resource Centre, which I have heard is also earmarked to move in the future.
“All of this will have detrimental effect on Silhillians.  It will also be a drain on other districts if Solihull services are lost creating a backlog of patients to squeeze in and could well be a case of discuss, diagnose and pass on.
“I call upon this Council and Cllr Grinsell, Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care and Health, to save the Mental Health Services in Solihull.
“We have lost many services across Solihull, let's not lose our much-needed Mental Health Services”.

All around the world, fair-minded people are making their voices heard.
They are fed up of racism and intolerance, fed up of governments and leaders who refuse to act.
The time has come for positive change.
The time has come to finally accept that Black Lives Matter.

On this day of Eid ul Fitr, I would like to thank all Muslims who are following government advice to stay at home so as not to spread the COVID-19 coronavirus.

For the last 30 days, Muslims in Solihull and all over the world have been fasting, from dawn till dusk, during the Islamic month of Ramadan.  Fasting for 30 days is tough on the body at the best of times, especially on these long summer days in the UK, when fasting typically starts at 3:30am and ends at 9pm.

Another important element of Ramadan, and Eid, is spending time with friends and family.  Eid is a time when Muslims throw open their doors to family and friends, whatever their religious beliefs, to celebrate a joyous occasion.

This year, however, due to the lockdown, Muslims all across the land are quietly celebrating Eid at home.  None of the usual early morning mass gatherings for Eid prayers as everyone observes the lockdown.  Whilst this will be particularly tough on Muslim families, who are used to gathering together for such occasions, we all understand the need to protect our loved ones, and the wider community, against coronavirus.

As you all stay at home and celebrate in your own small way, I wish you a happy Eid and I look forward to when we can all meet again.  In the meantime, please stay at home and keep safe.

Eid Mubarak!

Councillor Ade Adeyemo.

For the next 30 days, Muslims here in Solihull and all over the world will fast from dawn till dusk.  Fasting during the holy month of Ramadan is one of the five Pillars of Islam.  It is a time for prayer, a time for reflection and a time to think about those who are less fortunate than we are.

Fasting for me in summer is always difficult, due to the very long hours of daylight.  This year's Ramadan also coincides with the coronavirus lockdown so we will all have to practice socially-distanced Iftar at the end of each day.

I hope that you will also spare a thought for our Key Workers and those in the NHS who will continue their brilliant work whilst fasting for 30 days.

Whatever you are doing, I wish you all the best.  Keep safe, keep well and keep washing your hands.

Ramadan Kareem!  Ramadan Mubarak!

Ade Adeyemo, Councillor for Lyndon Ward
Leader of the Liberal Democrat Group on Solihull Council

Councillor Glenis Slater has stepped down as Liberal Democrat Group Leader in Solihull and is replaced by Councillor Ade Adeyemo.
 
After two years as leader of the Liberal Democrats on Solihull Council, Councillor Glenis Slater has announced that she will be stepping back to the backbenches with Councillor Ade Adeyemo taking the reigns as Group Leader.
 
In her tenure Councillor Slater has overseen the group’s expansion from four Councillors to six, and has mentored three Councillors new to the role.
 
Councillor Slater has made the decision to step down to further dedicate her time to the residents of Elmdon, whom she has represented with care and compassion for the past twelve years.
 
Replacing her will be Councillor Ade Adeyemo, who has represented Lyndon Ward since 2016. Cllr Laura McCarthy will be supporting as Deputy Leader.
 
Outgoing Group Leader Glenis Slater said, “It has been a pleasure to serve as Group Leader since 2018, but I feel that now is the right time for a fresh face to take over. I’m looking forward to being able to use this extra time to help even more residents in Elmdon. Cllr Adeyemo is intelligent, passionate, caring and hardworking and will be a fantastic Group Leader for the Liberal Democrats in Solihull.”
 
New Liberal Democrat Group Leader, Ade Adeyemo added, “I would like to thank Glenis for her service as Group Leader for the last two years. She has served the Liberal Democrats in Council with the same dedication and compassion that she shows her residents in Elmdon, and has been a fantastic mentor. She leaves behind very big boots to fill, but I am looking forward to the challenge.”