Walsall Council is supporting the Men’s Wellbeing Alliance as it marks Men’s Health Week (15-21 June 2026), with a borough-wide call for men to access support early and for local communities to play an active role in improving men’s health and wellbeing. The Men’s Wellbeing Alliance, a growing grassroots collaboration between community groups and organisations across Walsall, is leading the way in building a more connected, accessible and preventative approach to men’s wellbeing. Working alongside the Alliance, the Council is helping to strengthen partnerships, amplify local support and ensure services are reaching men where they are, before issues reach crisis…

Walsall Council Public Health is encouraging women and people with a cervix aged 25 to 64 to check if they are due to attend their cervical screening appointment this Cervical Screening Awareness Week (15–21 June 2026). Cervical screening saves lives by detecting changes early, before cancer can develop. Cervical screening is a test for human papillomavirus (HPV), a common virus that can sometimes cause cancer. It is one of the most preventable cancers and attending screening when invited is the best way to protect health. Around 3,300 women are diagnosed with cervical cancer in the UK each year, but most…

Walsall Council has been named Large Employer of the Year at the 2026 Juniper Training Apprenticeship Awards, recognising its support for apprentices and investment in skills development across the organisation. The award recognises employers that demonstrate a strong commitment to apprenticeships, providing opportunities for learning, career development and progression. It highlights the council’s work to create pathways into employment and support staff to develop new skills through apprenticeship programmes. “ We are incredibly proud to receive this award and to be recognised for our commitment to apprenticeships and workforce development. Apprenticeships play a vital role in creating opportunities for local…

In a world where second chances are often hard to come by, Jamil Ahmed is proving that real change is possible. Once known for living the dangerous life of a gangster, James has turned his back on crime and dedicated his life to helping some of the most vulnerable people in his community. Today, instead of fear and violence, his name is becoming associated with compassion, generosity, and hope across the Sparkhill area and surrounding communities. Every single week, Jamil and his team distribute tonnes of food to homeless people, struggling families, and individuals facing hardship. From hot meals to…

Councillor Ray Nock has been formally confirmed as the new Leader of the Council at Sandwell’s annual meeting. Leader of the Council, Councillor Ray Nock, said: “I was born in Sandwell, and have lived and worked here all my life, so it is an honour and privilege to be elected the new Leader of Sandwell Council. “There is a lot to be proud of in Sandwell, and alongside my new Cabinet we’re totally committed to making our borough an even better place to live and work. “We are going to be working hard for all our residents and to…

Walsall Council’s Public Health team has been named Team of the Year for Walsall at the Black Country Integrated Care Board Cancer Workforce Awards, held on 13 May 2026. Colleagues from Walsall Public Health at Walsall Healthcare NHS Trust winning their awards at the Black Country Cancer Workforce Awards. Colleagues from Walsall Council and the NHS were recognised at awards, which celebrate the collective efforts of partners across health, local authority and the voluntary and community sector to improve cancer prevention, screening and early diagnosis for residents. The Public Health team was recognised for its strong commitment, expertise and…

Bloxwich Launchpad, a new digital skills and business support hub in the heart of Bloxwich, Walsall, has been shortlisted in three categories of this year’s Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) regional awards. Following its formal opening in October 2025, Bloxwich Launchpad has been shortlisted in the Community Benefit, Public Sector and Refurbishment/Revitalisation categories of the West Midlands RICS awards recognised for its positive community impact, creative reuse of an existing space and the partnership work between public and private sectors to deliver the new service. “ I’m incredibly proud that Bloxwich Launchpad has been shortlisted in the RICS…

Three female entrepreneurs have launched the UK’s first of a kind clinic dedicated to weight loss will officially open its doors this month, setting a new benchmark for personalised care, an important step forward for the future of integrated health. Reports suggest that more than 1.6 million people in the UK are now using GLP-1 weight loss drugs like Wegovy and Mounjaro. The latest from the BBC shares that a pill format of weight loss drugs could be used to help people coming off weight-loss jabs to avoid regaining weight – a known risk when coming off GLP-1 injections. This…

Councillor Margaret Sutton (Great Barr, Tamebridge and Yew Tree ward) is the new Mayor of the Borough following a ceremony in the Council Chamber at Sandwell Council House on Tuesday (26 May). The Mayoress is Mrs Zoe Gallagher. The Deputy Mayor was named as Councillor Nathan Williams (Cradley Heath and Old Hill). At the ceremony, votes of thanks were passed to the outgoing Mayor and Deputy Mayor Steve Melia and Councillor Elaine Giles. Councillor Sutton confirmed that the charities she will be raising money for are the Midlands Air Ambulance and Sandwell Victim Support. Midlands Air Ambulance Midlands Air Ambulance…

About the Book What if the next great fantasy universe didn’t come from Norse legend or Celtic myth, but from the rich storytelling tradition of rural India? Gurd Chahal’s debut book ‘Cha’nir and the Light of Nam’ has hit #1 on Amazon, making history for UK South Asian literature. The eBook is available now, with the Paperback releasing on Monday 25th May ’26 and the Hardback on Tuesday 2nd June ’26. Inspired by Indian philosophies, mythology, and folklore, ‘Cha’nir and the Light of Nam’ is a sweeping tale of warrior gods, dark warlords and the eternal conflict between good and…