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…

Nearly every business has to go to the bank for funding assistance at some point, so I thought it would be helpful to outline some of the key ways to help yourself in getting the bank manager to say “yes”. Banks are the major source of finance for small business in the UK. When applying for finance from your bank it helps if you follow procedures. Firstly, always have a business plan. The main areas to be covered in a business plan are the management team background with details of qualifications and experience, the type of business and previous trading…

The funding, across the next four years, will be used deliver more visible patrols and stronger enforcement action through new CCTV, extra staff and improved partnership working. This delivers on a commitment made by the Leader of Walsall Council, Councillor Mike Bird, to put the force back into enforcement. “ In my Leader’s Report, I made a promise that enforcement action will ramp up in this borough. “I am sick of fly-tipping and other aspects of anti-social behaviour in Walsall, and this investment proves we are not prepared to put up with it any longer. “It is my priority to…

The council has been making use of a specialist machine to help repair hundreds more potholes across the city. The Velocity Patcher provides a quick and effective way of protecting roads from water and frost – the main causes of surface defects. Each repair can be completed in a matter of minutes. It sees a blend of bitumen and chippings passed through a hose at high speed to fill potholes and seal them in. A further 559 potholes have been repaired on Wolverhampton’s roads using the Velocity Patcher during a trial period – and the council will keep future use…