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 and using the facility and how important having an excellent hospital is to making Sandwell a home for everyone living here.”
The display’s portraits – by photographer Emile Holba – celebrate the impact of Sandwell Council’s Sandwell Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) programme.
The HAF programme provides healthy meals and enriching activities to children from low-income families, benefitting their health, wellbeing, and learning. Funding has been confirmed for another three years for this programme by the Department for Education, UK Government, 2025.
As the first anniversary is marked at the hospital, Sandwell and West Birmingham NHS Trust Chief Executive Diane Wake commented: “We chose to host our Annual General Meeting at the Midland Met -marking one year in operation, and hearing stories from our community which underline our ambition to be #MoreThanAHospital.
“The Sandwell Story exhibition is a compelling look at the lives of Sandwell citizens. It is very interesting to see our population on display in the hospital that was built for them. There has been quite a buzz around the exhibition today and I know my colleagues have been genuinely interested in this exciting display.”
As celebrations take place across the week at the hospital, the longer-term benefit of the HAF programme will continue across Sandwell.
“It’s fantastic that this programme has had confirmation of funding for the next three years,” explained Councillor Jalal Uddin, Cabinet Member for Children and Families, Sandwell Council.
He added: “Providing great holiday activities and food for children ensures that they can develop and grow as well as having safe spaces and support during the holidays. This also ensures children aren’t disadvantaged due to families not being able to afford activities or in some cases food that they usually access through free school meals for example.”
Councillor Jackie Taylor, Sandwell Council’s Cabinet Member for Adult Services, Health and Wellbeing, said: “The council closely works with Midland Met University Hospital and other NHS partners day in, day out to help ensure people receive the right health and care services at the right time.
“Having a brand-new hospital on our doorstep has brought opportunities for increased co-operation between health, social care and other services, as well as bringing significant regeneration benefits for Sandwell. We will continue to work together to transform services and improve health and care for Sandwell residents.
“We know how important activities and food are for children’s development, so it’s wonderful to see Sandwell’s Holiday Activities and Food programme celebrated with the display at Midland Met as part of the hospital’s first anniversary.”
The Sandwell Holiday Activities team had a stall at the anniversary event to speak with local families who might benefit from the HAF programme over the school holidays.
The display is another collaboration from the Sandwell Story, an active partnership across Sandwell that launched earlier this year, that works to promote and celebrate Sandwell, tackle the area’s challenges together and raise aspirations and improve outcomes for people living in the area. Find out more at SandwellStory.com