To some extend the habit of smoking is a product of socialization. Socialization is simply the tendency to repeat patterns of behaviour one sees other persons in the society exhibit. Socialisation is one major way children and young people learn social skills. Children and teenagers learn skills necessary to live and work in the society by a socialisation process. Unfortunately also bad habits and bad ways of thinking are learned the same way. If one lives or works together with other smoking individuals, one will more or less automatic adopt these individuals’ smoking habits. If one then tries to break…

The Police and Crime Commissioner Simon Foster is calling on small businesses in Birmingham to help tackle domestic and sexual abuse. PCC Simon Foster is working with companies to make sure they know how to signpost potential victims to support services and how to respond if they suspect a member of their staff is being harmed at home. The PCC also wants businesses to ensure they provide the right physical or online spaces in which to have confidential conversations with staff they might be concerned are at risk of harm. Tackling violence against women and girls is one of the…

Public spaces across Birmingham are being given a new lease of life thanks to a collaboration between the National Trust, Birmingham City Council and local communities. During March, four new ‘Pocket Parks’ are being created from underused spaces in Nechells, Balsall Heath, Tyseley and Hay Mills to provide places for residents to play, meet, cultivate plants or simply sit to enjoy nature and the outdoors. Funded by the UK Shared Prosperity Fund, the initiative which began in 2023 has already transformed several underused outdoor areas into vibrant “Pocket Parks” – small but impactful green spaces designed and planted with the…

The introduction of an additional 48 hours per week of community patrols has been welcomed by those working and shopping in Walsall town centre. Walsall Council has funded additional patrols during peak times, following feedback from residents and traders about community safety in the town centre. Community support officers from RG8 are on hand to help reassure members of the public and help deter anti-social behaviour in and around the town centre. The increase in patrols has already been well-received by local traders and residents. Solomon and Jade are regularly patrolling the town centre and shared their insights of how…

Walsall Council has secured a grant of £249,020 to create a digital archive celebrating the borough’s rich history and diverse communities. The funding from The National Lottery Heritage Fund will be used to deliver the ‘Walsall Archive for All’ (WAFA) project, which will preserve Walsall’s heritage and ensure it is accessible to all. Inspired by the work of local transport photographer and historian Jack Haddock, the WAFA project will include thousands of historic images, audio recordings, and personal accounts, bringing untold heritage stories to life. Volunteers and community members will play a vital role in curating these materials, ensuring that…

Two Black Country councils are at the forefront of a nationwide children’s social care reform. Walsall and Wolverhampton Councils are two of 10 areas in England piloting the new ‘Families First for Children’ programme, designed to keep more children in safe and loving homes. Both councils will work with central government to test and develop a new approach to children’s social care, which in the future, will be rolled out nationwide. The Department for Education (DfE) selected Wolverhampton to pilot the programme in 2023, and Walsall followed in the second wave of funding announced in April 2024. In January 2025,…

The Mayor of Walsall, Councillor Anthony Harris, speaking at the 2025 Commonwealth Day  The event, hosted by the Mayor of Walsall, Councillor Anthony Harris, took place at the Council House Forecourt on Lichfield Street, Walsall. Dignitaries including the Deputy Lieutenant for the West Midlands, Kevin Davis, we’re also present for the occasion. Students from Castlefort Junior and Mixed Infants School, along with Walsall Wood School, took part in reciting the Commonwealth Affirmation. Aidan from Walsall Wood School and Silas from Castlefort Junior and Mixed Infants School were honoured to raise the Commonwealth Flag on behalf of Walsall. “ We are…

Walsall residents looking to quit smoking now have access to a ‘swap to stop’ offer, incorporating e-cigarettes (also known as vapes) as an extra tool to aid their journey. The new offer builds upon Be Well Walsall’s service (funded by Walsall Council’s Public Health team) to help Walsall residents manage their health and wellbeing, which includes stop smoking support. Their free stop smoking service currently provides up to 12 weeks of expert support and vapes will complement this existing offer. There are a number of ways people can be helped to stop smoking, tailored to their needs. Evidence…

Average repair bill reaches new high – one million drivers faced bills over £300 New data reveals worrying news for drivers as the cost of pothole damage is once more on the increase. After welcome falls over the last two years, the last twelve months have seen the nation’s drivers face a total bill of £1.7bn in repairing damage to their cars caused by potholes.1 The level of damage is monitored annually by Kwik Fit, the UK’s leading automotive service and repair company, for its PIT Report (Pothole Impact Tracker). Its latest research has found that the average repair bill…

Left to right: Councillor Wazma Qais – Cabinet Member for Communities, Joe Butler – Solihull Moors Foundation, Khaled Ayad – Robocode and Councillor Karen Grinsell – Cabinet Member for Children’s Services and Deputy Leader Solihull Council are pleased to confirm that the HAF (Holiday Activities and Food) programme will continue this year, with the Easter holiday programme kicking off in mid-April. The announcement comes following the Department for Education providing confirmation of funding for the year ahead. The HAF programme provides funded places for families eligible for free school meal benefits with a free nutritious lunch. The programme consists…