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Focus on West MidlandsArea Secretary Gerrie Bruce explains how the activities of the 16 Societies in the West Midlands Area impact on their local communitiesBounded by the great river systems of the Severn, Trent and Avon, by the Welsh mountains, the Peak District and the Cotswolds, the West Midlands – rich in history, industry and invention –sits at the heart of the country and lies at the very centre of our heritage narrative. From the buried treasure of the Staffordshire Hoard to the foundations of the Industrial Revolution and the English enlightenment; from the fortresses of baronial warlords to the world of Shakespeare and the emergence of Birmingham as ‘the workshop of the world’, our story can be traced in some of the fi nest landscapes, buildings, museums and collections in Europe. West Midlands Area values its heritage and seeks to continue the region’s record of community support by promoting DFAS volunteering groups. Young Arts connects young people with art, design, music and dance, while bestowing a sense of achievement and Above: Volunteers from Birmingham Evening DFAS at Winterbourne Housevaluable life skills. In 2015, Area Societies funded Young Arts projects totalling £18,668, with the number of children involved approximately 3,624. The scope of projects is varied; Royal Leamington Spa DFAS, with help from Jaguar Landrover, sponsored young children to design and manufacture a metal sundial, while Sutton Coldfi eld DFAS funded an artist to make papier-mâché sculptures based on British monarchy. Rugby DFAS supported a pottery workshop and Wrekin DFAS 56 NADFAS REVIEW / SUMMER 2016 www.nadfas.org.uk