Community Plaza Opens in Bordesley Green: A Beacon of Hope Against Crime and Inequality Bordesley Green, Birmingham — 5 September A powerful new chapter has begun in Bordesley Green with the official launch of Community Plaza, a community centre designed to tackle inequality, reduce crime, and bring people together — and the first to open under the Community Plaza™ national franchise and licence model. The launch night attracted over 250 local residents, families, and community leaders, creating an atmosphere filled with optimism, unity, and purpose. Among the distinguished guests were West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner Simon Foster, who also…

Wolverhampton residents wanting to give their homes some love and attention can now do it without splashing out on expensive new tools. Leader of the council, Councillor Stephen Simkins launched Wolverhampton Tool Library today with partners All Saints Action Network (ASAN) at their All Saints Road base. Residents will be able to borrow anything from power drills and screwdrivers to larger items like carpet cleaners and electrical saws, as well as garden tools to make their homes look great inside and out. There will be a nominal subscription fee to join the Wolverhampton Tool Library, but users can access up…

Thousands of school children across Walsall were treated to an unforgettable week of live music in July as part of a borough-wide tour led by Walsall Music Education Service. Over one week, the service visited 15 primary schools and between 3-4000 pupils delivering 45-minute live music performances to packed halls of enthusiastic pupils. The aim was to introduce children to the joy of live music, encourage musical curiosity, and raise awareness of the wide range of opportunities available through the local music service. Professional musicians from the team taught about rhythm and beat through covers of popular songs such as…

The Mayor’s visit is part of the church’s efforts to improve its community facilities, making them more accessible and ensuring the venue can continue to host local activities like cultural weddings and weekly services. The church, which has been a long-standing place of connection for the local community, is currently awaiting approval for external grant funding to begin the much-needed work “ It was a real pleasure to visit the Orthodox Church of the Nativity of the Mother of God here in Walsall. This church is not only a place of worship, but a cornerstone of the local community, a…

The City of Wolverhampton Council has joined forces with SignLive to improve access to services for D/deaf and hard of hearing residents. The innovative service enables users of British Sign Language (BSL) to communicate directly with council staff through on demand video relay interpretation. SignLive, soon to be known as Convo, connects residents with qualified BSL interpreters who facilitate real time conversations between users and council staff. The service is available via a free app, through which residents can make a 3 way video call with a BSL interpreter and council worker. People will also be able to scan Convo…

Volunteers from Taylor Woodrow and West Midlands Combined Authority spent four hours on August 19 carrying out a variety of tasks to improve the appearance and accessibility of the park. The work included managing wildflower meadows to encourage biodiversity, creating new habitats for local wildlife, painting A-frame chicane barriers, revitalising the park’s ladder board, clearing overhanging trees along pathways, and repairing steps to make access easier for visitors. The project was further supported by Crown Paints, who donated materials, with help from staff at their Decorating Centre in Walsall. “ This project shows the real difference that volunteers and community…

The fly-tip, on Bescot Drive, Walsall, was reported to the council on Thursday 31 July 2025, consisted of garden waste and wooden pallets, obstructing the public right of way. A day after the report was received, the council’s fly-tipping taskforce swiftly investigated the area, cordoning it off as part of its ‘EnviroCrime’ initiative. This sees fly-tip sites treated as crime scenes, underscoring Walsall Council’s zero-tolerance approach to fly-tipping and ensuring offenders are aware that an investigation is underway. By treating these sites as active crime scenes, the council aims to deter future fly-tipping incidents. “ Everyone deserves to walk through…

Over 100 parcels have been delivered to Walsall Family Hubs this summer that will benefit Walsall. Opus People Solutions and Walsall Council staff with the donation of food parcels at the North Family Hub. Photo credit: Opus People Solutions The parcels containing food and essentials have been arranged by Opus People Solutions, the Managed Service Provider for temporary recruitment for Walsall Council. The Qualified Social Work team at Opus launched a food donation initiative as part of wider efforts to support children, families and individuals in Walsall who may be experiencing hardship. In recent weeks, the Opus team, colleagues across…

There is just over one month to go until Diwali, the festival of lights, will be celebrated in a free City of Wolverhampton event at Phoenix Park on Saturday 11 October, 2025. The celebration is hosted by the Shree Krishan Mandir and will take place between 4pm and 8.30pm at the venue off Dudley Road in Blakenhall. Following the switching on of the lights at 8pm, there will be a spectacular fireworks display. Councillor Chris Burden, Cabinet Member for City Development, Jobs, and Skills said: “This is a great free event for all the family to celebrate Diwali, featuring entertainment…

Bilston residents, business owners and visitors are being invited to help shape the future of their community as part of the Plan for Neighbourhoods programme. The Plan for Neighbourhoods Board in Bilston has launched a major consultation to gather views on what matters most to people who live, work and spend time in Bilston. The feedback will inform a community led Regeneration and Investment Plan, which will set out priorities for the next 10 years. The consultation is part of a government initiative supporting 75 areas across the UK to co-design long term regeneration strategies with local communities. Councillor Stephen…