Sandwell Council has published its Annual Housing Report for Tenants and Leaseholders 2025 and Annual Complaints Report. These give residents a clear update on progress and improvements made over the past year. Following the Regulator of Social Housing’s C3 judgement in October 2024, the council has taken decisive action to raise standards. The Housing Report highlights: Stock condition surveys being carried out on all Sandwell homes A new contract in place to deal with the outstanding backlog of home repairs A new housing management system to track repairs more effectively £46.7million invested in modernising homes 8,891 home checks completed to…
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A Wolverhampton charity is launching a new scheme to help residents in the city learn skills which could change their lives, while restoring unwanted bicycles. Hope Community Project has created Heath Town Spokes and Skills – a 6 week programme focusing primarily on bike mechanics and maintenance, which will restore bikes donated through the council’s Too Good to Chuck scheme. But it will go far beyond that by empowering people to build skills, confidence, friendships and potentially even gain employment. It’ll also strengthen communities, as it brings people together. It is the latest scheme under the council’s City Homemakers banner…
Adult carers in Wolverhampton are being encouraged to complete a national survey if they are contacted to do so. The Personal Social Services Survey of Adult Carers in England takes place every 2 years, with the latest getting underway this month. It will select a random sample of people who are, or were, a carer for someone aged 18 or over during the last 12 months. The Department of Health and Social Care survey seeks to find out whether services received by carers aged 18 and over are helping them in their caring role and their life outside of caring,…
Free digital sessions helping people get to grips with technology will be hosted by the council and partners during Get Online Week (20 to 26 October). Whether it is simply learning how to send an email or tips on safe online shopping – there will be something for everyone. Get Online Week is an annual campaign led by the Good Things Foundation charity aimed at bridging the digital divide. City of Wolverhampton Council’s trusted partner network for Digital Wolves will be hosting activities online and in person throughout the week. Cabinet Member for Governance and Digital at City of Wolverhampton…
BIRMINGHAM, UK — A Birmingham community organisation has unveiled a new discount card designed to help residents save money while strengthening local businesses across the West Midlands. Desire Community Hub (DCH), based in Balsall Heath, has launched the Community Saver Card, which offers exclusive discounts and special offers from a wide network of participating local traders. DCH has become a vital part of the local landscape since opening its doors more than three years ago. The hub provides free IT and English courses, sewing workshops, coaching sessions, and regular coffee mornings. Its wider mission focuses on youth engagement, knife crime…
A new Sandwell Story display has been installed at the Midland Metropolitan University Hospital (MMUH) Winter Gardens as part of the hospital’s first anniversary celebrations. Sharing portraits of local families from across Sandwell’s six towns, the display helps tell Sandwell’s story of the communities that the UK’s newest hospital is part of. “We are delighted to see these portraits displayed at Midland Metropolitan University Hospital, after it opened its doors for communities across the borough a year ago,” said Councillor Kerrie Carmichael, Leader of Sandwell Council. She added: “They are a striking reminder of the families who are living, working…
City of Wolverhampton Council has announced a new parking offer to support the city centre’s night time businesses. From today (Wednesday 15 October) free car parking will be on offer on Broad Street car park between 5pm and 5am during the busy autumn and festive period. Broad Street car park is the city centre’s most widely used night time economy car park – vital to both visitors and workers. From Monday, 5 January new flat rate of £2 from 5pm to 5am will be introduced – still a big reduction on current rates. The evening and night time economy across…
Maintaining good posture is a daily struggle for many of us. Whether you’re working on your feet or at a desk, it’s all too easy to slump into bad habits. You probably know that sitting and standing poorly is bad for your back, but do you know about the trouble it could be causing for the rest of your body? Below, we look at some of the most common side-effects of bad posture – some of which might even surprise you. Pain This may be the most obvious consequence of bad posture, but sometimes it can be difficult to connect…
The City of Wolverhampton Council’s Public Health team has been shortlisted for a prestigious national award, recognising its commitment to practitioner registration and developing a highly skilled workforce dedicated to improving health and reducing inequalities. The UK Public Health Register (UKPHR) Employer of the Year Award celebrates employers which, through practical support for practitioner registration, contribute directly to the implementation of policies and strategies that improve public health and wellbeing. Councillor Obaida Ahmed, Cabinet Member for Health, Wellbeing and Community, said: “We are incredibly proud that our Public Health team has been recognised at a national level. This shortlisting not…
Ingredients 50g butter, softened 2kg turkey crown on the bone 1 tsp Chinese five spice or a pinch of ground cloves For the glaze 4 tbsp honey 1 tbsp Dijon mustard 1 tbsp red wine vinegar Method Heat oven to 190C/170C fan/gas 5. Smear the butter all over the turkey crown and season all over with salt and half the five spice. Put in a roasting tin, skin-side up, and roast for 30 mins. While the crown is roasting, mix all the glaze ingredients in a bowl with the rest of the five spice. Remove the crown from the…