440 families in Walsall have already signed up to the council’s newly launched Summer Adventure Passport. Summer adventure passport The passport is a free activity booklet packed full of fun, educational challenges aimed at families with children aged 0-5. Since 11 July, parents have been able to collect their passport from libraries and Family Hubs across Walsall, collecting stamps for each activity they complete together. The passport is an active step forward in the council’s vision to create a child-friendly borough by 2040, and ensure all children and young people are happy, healthy and are given the opportunities to thrive.…

Losing weight is challenging. But as anyone who has ever successfully lost weight knows, it’s avoiding weight re-gain that’s the real challenge. This is true no matter what method you follow to lose weight. For example, studies show that people who follow very low calorie diets (between 800-1,200 calories per day) regain between 26% and 121% of their lost weight five years after treatment. People who follow behavioural weight management programmes (such as WW, formerly Weight Watchers) regain between 30-35% of their lost weight after one year. Even people who use weight loss medications, such as Wegovy, are…

As the summer holidays arrive, the City of Wolverhampton Council is encouraging residents to prioritise their health and wellbeing while travelling, whether they are heading abroad or enjoying a break closer to home. Travel can expose people to unfamiliar environments, climates and health risks, so simple preparations can make a significant difference. The council is advising travellers to ensure they and their families are in good health before departure, to pack necessary medications and first aid supplies, and to check the latest travel guidance for the area they are visiting, including local risks, weather conditions, and any recommended precautions. For…

You would need to do a self-inventory – As we all have our own ideas on what business we have in mind you’d need to be careful not to rush into it. You have to think about whether this business is for you? As starting up a business will take time and money. You’ll need to know how to cope with stress and you will need to be patient. • You need to plan – Writing down notes and knowing what sort of business you would like to open is a start, you have to be passionate about it. •…

A growing number of community based physical activity sessions are now available across Wolverhampton as part of the city’s Active Ageing Programme, designed to promote healthier, happier lives for older residents. The initiative, delivered by the City of Wolverhampton Council with the support of the NHS Black Country Integrated Care Board’s Health Inequalities Fund, offers a range of tailored activities that support mobility, strength and wellbeing among older adults. Sessions currently on offer include a Grandparents and Tots stay and play session at WV Active Bilston–Bert Williams on Tuesdays from 10am to 11am (£3), and a multi sports class for…

The Wednesfield junior parkrun will commemorate a significant milestone next month when it celebrates its 10th anniversary. Established in 2015 by Liz Lister and Martha Cummings, both of whom worked for the City of Wolverhampton Council and were members of Wolves and Bilston Athletics Club, it welcomes scores of children and young people to Wednesfield’s King George V Playing Fields every Sunday morning. The Wednesfield junior parkrun gives 4 to 14 year olds the chance to run, jog or walk around a 2km circuit, with parents invited to join in if they wish. It takes place thanks to the efforts…

Youngsters taking part in the Yo! Active summer programme join, left to right, Lisa Johnson, Service Manager for WV Active, Councillor Obaida Ahmed, Cabinet Member for Health, Wellbeing and Community, and Grace Whiston, Community Activation Officer, Wolves Foundation, for one of the activities at WV Active Bilston-Bert Williams Children and young people across Wolverhampton are being encouraged to sign up for a summer packed full of fun, free activities with Yo! Active over the next few weeks. Yo! Active is delivered by WV Active and Wolves Foundation and offers a wide range of free activities all year round to…

Visiting housing tenants and asking them how they are has been the focus of an intensive week of activity by Birmingham City Council. Housing officers have visited around 2,000 council tenants in just one week to check in with people, to get to know them face-to-face and to ensure they are receiving the support they need. Officers visiting properties have been able to refer tenants for financial advice, identify potential savings on energy costs, determine if properties or gardens require any repair work, and identify tenants interested in being involved on local tenant boards. The visits are an opportunity for…

A city landlord who threatened to unlawfully evict a tenant with a young family has given an undertaking to the courts to stop business activities for 3 years following investigations by City of Wolverhampton Council. In the first case of its kind in the city, Aunberin Kawal Saddique, sole trader and director of Emerald Lettings and Developments Limited, gave an undertaking to the courts to cease engaging in the letting and rental management services of private residential properties until 17 July, 2028. The undertaking means that Saddique, who manages 36 properties across the city, has agreed to not let housing…

Encouraging residents to be responsible dog owners are (from left) dachshund Stan with his owner Richard Bracey and Councillor Bhupinder Gakhal, cabinet member for resident services at City of Wolverhampton Council Dog owners are being encouraged to follow a simple phrase when taking their pets out in public to help keep the city safe and clean for everyone. ‘Collar, tag, microchip, bag’ is the expression that City of Wolverhampton Council is asking everyone with a dog to keep in mind when they take their pooches out and about. The aim is to remind dog owners of their legal responsibilities…