The Sound Doctor’s stop smoking online course is divided into three modules. Each one contains several films and audio clips to help support residents in their journey to quit smoking, complementing the evidence-based programmes delivered by Be Well Walsall and Quit with Bella. The online course resources include easy to follow videos featuring expert advice on topics such as the benefits of stopping smoking, motivational support for anyone thinking about quitting, what to do to prepare to quit, nicotine replacement products to help you quit, and what to do if you re-lapse or go back to smoking. It is completely…

Birmingham, UK – Desire Community Hub (DCH), a well-established community organisation based in Balsall Heath, has proudly opened a brand-new community centre on Warwick Street, Digbeth. Founded over three years ago on Runcorn Road, DCH has built a strong reputation for supporting the local community through a wide range of projects, including mental health support, sewing and computer classes, fitness sessions, and Quran studies. The organisation also works closely with young people to tackle issues such as knife and gun crime, while hosting regular events, community trips, and educational workshops. The new Digbeth branch aims to extend these efforts, with…

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…

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…

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…

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 City of Wolverhampton Council’s Reach Leaving Care team is appealing to driving instructors to help put local care leavers on the road to a bright future. Launching during National Care Leavers Month in November, its new pilot programme, Keys to Success, is designed to give care leavers aged 17 to 25 in Wolverhampton the skills, confidence and independence that come with learning to drive. And as part of this, they are appealing for help and support from driving instructors who can provide driving lessons, free taster sessions, discounted rates or flexible packages, and a commitment to safe, approved, and…

Walsall Council’s business growth team recently supported Polish Bakery Mazowsze Ltd to access a £70k UKSPF ‘SME Competitiveness grant’, delivered through Business Growth West Midlands. The grant has helped towards the cost of a large batch processor to make sourdough. On a recent visit to their factory, based near Junction 10 of the M6 in Walsall, Deputy Leader of the council Councillor Adrian Andrew was given a tour of the site, and discussed how the council can continue to support the business to grow. “ It’s fantastic to see another brilliant Walsall-based business expanding their operations and thriving with help…

Parents and carers who are applying for secondary school places are being offered some top tips to help guide them through the process. Applications are now being taken for places for students who are due to start Year 7 in 2026, and parents and carers are encouraged to complete theirs online at School admissions as soon as possible. Here are some top tips to guide people through the process: Don’t forget the deadline – applications must be submitted by midnight on Friday 31 October, 2025; ensuring applications are made by then can increase your chance of securing a place at…

Smokers in Wolverhampton are being encouraged to try and stub it out this Stoptober – and quit smoking for good. The annual Stoptober campaign is calling on smokers in the city to join the millions of people across England who have made a quit attempt since Stoptober launched in 2012. This year’s 28 day campaign begins on Wednesday (1 October, 2025), with research showing that people who can stop smoking for 4 weeks are 5 times more likely to stay smoke free for good. Councillor Obaida Ahmed, the City of Wolverhampton Council’s Cabinet Member for Health, Wellbeing and Community, said:…