Registered Charity No.50894
It all began with a single act of kindness. In the mid-1970s, mother and former teacher Paulette Bentham from Cheslyn Hay, noticed how some of her older neighbours were struggling with simple daily tasks — shopping, collecting prescriptions, getting out and about. Together with a few like-minded friends, she began offering help where it was needed most. What started as a handful of good deeds quickly grew into something much bigger. Word spread through the village, and soon more volunteers joined Paulette’s little team. The Landywood and District Voluntary Help Centre (LDVHC) was born — not from grand plans or official meetings, but from the simple desire to make life a little easier for others.
At first, the group worked from small, borrowed premises in Cheslyn Hay, but as demand for their services grew, so did the need for space. In 1984, after several moves, the County Council generously offered the group a permanent home: 154 Walsall Road, Great Wyrley. From that moment on, the centre had a settled base. The move transformed what the volunteers could offer. Beyond transport to doctors’ appointments and hospital visits, they began running social activities: coffee mornings, Friday Lite Bites, bingo sessions, and even a group for adults with additional needs. The centre became a hive of warmth and companionship — a second home for many in the community.
During these years, two remarkable women became the backbone of the centre’s success: Miriam Whitehouse, who would later become the Centre’s lifetime Honorary President, and the late Chris Myatt, the much-loved Chairman and Secretary. With their tireless dedication, fundraising spirit, and unwavering belief in community, they helped the centre to grow stronger year by year. Their efforts even led to the purchase of both a minibus and a wheelchair-accessible car, ensuring that no one was left behind due to mobility issues. The Centre’s work did not go unnoticed. Their dedication earned them one of the highest recognitions possible — the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service — a testament to the love, energy, and commitment of everyone involved.
Over the decades, the Centre evolved with the times. In earlier years, they worked alongside the Red Cross, hiring out wheelchairs and other mobility equipment from their base. Even when the Red Cross later reorganised and withdrew its concession, the LDVHC adapted, acquiring its own minibus to transport clients to activities and outings. By 2018, the Centre was on its third minibus, regularly running trips to local pubs, garden centres, and even seaside outings. These excursions weren’t just days out — they were lifelines of joy and companionship for many who might otherwise have been isolated. But no story of community resilience is without its challenges. In 2023, construction began next door to the centre on a new care home, and with it came unexpected trouble. On January 8th, 2024, the community was devastated to discover that their beloved minibus — a symbol of independence and care — had been stolen. For many groups, such a blow might have spelled the end. But not for LDVHC.
The community rallied together in an extraordinary show of solidarity. Donations poured in from individuals, local businesses, and organisations. Thanks to their generosity — and with help from the insurance company — the Centre was able to purchase a brand new 17-seater accessible minibus, fully equipped to continue their mission. It was a shining example of how compassion can turn misfortune into renewal.
Just as things seemed to settle, another test arrived. In August 2025, five long-serving Trustees suddenly resigned, leaving the Management Committee struggling to function. Once again, adversity struck — but once again, resilience answered. The two remaining Trustees refused to let the work of nearly fifty years fade away. They immediately reached out to former Trustees and volunteers, forming a new Management Committee with fresh energy and determination. What could have been a crisis became a rebirth.
Today, that same spirit of optimism and community that first inspired Paulette in the 1970s is alive and well at LDVHC. The Centre feels reinvigorated, with new volunteers joining, new clients arriving, and a shared sense of purpose uniting everyone involved. As they look to the future, the people of the Landywood and District Voluntary Help Centre carry with them the legacy of all those who came before — Paulette Bentham’s vision, Miriam Whitehouse’s leadership, and Chris Myatt’s “can-do” optimism that helped sustain the Centre for over forty years.
The centre is always looking for more help. If you want to help a worthwhile charity and have the right skills to get involved; be it a health and safety certificate to help prepare food in our kitchen or a D1 licence to drive our mini bus, or any offer skill that you think could help support and develop the on going success of the centre. Please get in touch 01922 418381 or landywood25@gmail.com
Through every challenge and triumph, one truth has remained constant:
You can’t keep a good charity down.
Services to the community
Helping people get out & about & socialise with other people in the community.
Landywood District Voluntary Help Centre
154 Walsall Road, Great Wyrley,
Walsall, WS6 6NQ
Tel: 01922 418381
landywood25@gmail.com
Office opening hours
Monday 10am – 12 noon,
Thursday 10am – 12 noon
PLEASE BE AWARE THAT SATNAVS USING THE POSTCODE ARE SENDING USERS TO LOVE LANE, BUT WE ARE LOCATED ON A34 WALSALL ROAD.
Our weekly Events
Please be considerate of others, if you think you have Covid please do a test before you come to the Centre to ensure that you are safe to attend.
If you need transport we will try to arrange this, please call us to see if we can help you. 01922 418381
Caretaker’s Charity Shop
Monday: 7.30pm to 9.00pm
Thursday: 10am to 12 noon
Fridays: 11:00am to 1:30pm
Our Caretakers Charity Shop is open during all sessions below and we gratefully accept all donations that are in good condition. Check our facebook page for any special offers.
Monday Evenings 7:30pm-9:00pm
We run Social activities, including Prize Bingo
Rainbow Club – Wednesday Evenings for Neurodiverse Adults 7:00pm-9:00pm
The Rainbow Club is part of Landywood District Voluntary Help Centre, which caters for adults with additional needs. On Wednesday evenings, we run sessions for neurodiverse adults (unfortunately there is currently a waiting list for these sessions). Our aim as a group is to access social activities in the local and wider community e.g. meals out, visits to Cannock Chase (weather permitting), BBQs etc, as well as in house activities Bingo, Country & Western Nights, Arts & Crafts, Themed Nights, to name but a few. Please contact Lynn Clarke 01922 415794
Thursday Coffee Mornings 10am-12noon
On Thursday mornings we hold a coffee morning to come along for a cuppa and chat will like minded people.
Friday Light Bites
On fridays we run light bites lunches from 11:00am to 1:30pm. Occasionally we organise trips to local pubs, to support local businesses. Also trips to garden centres in the area and we transport to and from our social activities.
We will also try to cover hospital appointments etc, if you are struggling for transport. For this and our other services please call 01922 418381 or landywood25@gmail.com