People are being encouraged to share their views as the City of Wolverhampton Council recommissions local specialist domestic abuse support services. The council wants to hear from local residents, people affected by domestic abuse, and professionals from across Wolverhampton to help shape priorities and intentions for the new services to ensure they are effective, accessible and respond to local need. Domestic abuse specialist support services provide victims of domestic abuse with practical help, advice, and guidance. In Wolverhampton, support is available to women, men, and children who are either living in the community or in accommodation such as a refuge.…

More than 160 passionate and ambitious leaders, residents, and partners from across the borough came together at the first We Are Walsall 2040 conference. They celebrated shared successes and explored new ways to collaborate, working towards making Walsall the most improved borough in the region by 2040 and a vibrant, thriving community people are proud to call home. The event, held on Tuesday 24 June 2025 at the University of Wolverhampton’s Walsall Campus, also marked the launch of the first We Are Walsall 2040 biannual report, showcasing the significant progress made in the 18 months since the strategy’s inception. Sacha…

Walsall Council’s libraries across the borough are preparing to launch this year’s Summer Reading Challenge on Saturday 5 July 2025 to encourage children to maintain their reading habits during the school holidays. The challenge will run until Saturday 13th September 2025 under the exciting theme, ‘Story Garden – Adventures in Nature and the Great Outdoors’, which is designed to inspire children aged 4-11 to discover connections between storytelling and the natural world. “ This initiative is a great way to help children maintain a culture of reading over the school holidays, and I’m looking forward to seeing more children than…

Birmingham City Council is backing the UK-wide campaign for Anti-Social Behaviour (ASB) Awareness Week 2025, taking place from 30 June to 6 July. The campaign aims to raise awareness of the impact of ASB, support victims, and promote stronger, safer neighbourhoods for all. The week, led by community safety organisation Resolve, is supported by the UK Government, Local Government Association, police and fire services, housing providers, and community partners across the country. As part of the city’s contribution to this year’s campaign, Birmingham City Council is launching a series of actions under the theme #MakingCommunitiesSafer, with a strong focus on:…

We’re delighted to announce that our colleague Bart Shirm has won the regional RTPI Young Planner of the Year Awards for Planning Excellence 2025! The Royal Town Planning Institute’s award recognises the brightest and most outstanding planners who can demonstrate significant career achievements. Bart clearly showed this through his work to secure funding for the Tipton Town Centre Regeneration project and unlocking housing delivery on brownfield sites. Bart spoke about his career at the council: “I’m honoured to have been named RTPI Young Planner of the Year for the West Midlands. Since moving from the private sector into my role…

Mel Chevannes and Lord Lieutenant Derrick Anderson CBE shaking hands in front of Mel’s bust at Wolverhampton Art Gallery Dignitaries and members of the public joined together as the City of Wolverhampton Council celebrated Windrush Day with a flag raising and the unveiling of a bronze bust in honour of the city’s first African-Caribbean councillor, Mel Chevannes, on Sunday (22 June). Windrush Day is celebrated annually and honours the contributions made by the Windrush generation and their descendants to British society. Dignitaries and residents gathered outside the Civic Centre for the flag raising ceremony as speeches were made by…

Where I Am was a year-long project delivered by The MindKind Projects with funding from Walsall Council Public Health. The Where I Am project was a year-long programme between May 2024 and April 2025, delivered by The MindKind Projects and funded by Walsall Council Public Health. The project delivered a variety of activities, including six borough-wide engagement events which attracted over 700 attendees, to raise awareness around men’s health and provide safe, informal spaces for open dialogue, making connections and gathering feedback. A strategic development group was formed to enhance men’s mental health and wellbeing across the borough. Collaborating with…

Automotive industry charity, Ben, has announced changes to its senior leadership team as part of its new strategic direction. Martin Smith has been appointed as Director of Finance, Governance & Impact. Martin will lead the Finance, Technology, and Data & Insights teams and oversee Charitable Impact on an interim basis, working closely with Rachel Clift, CEO, to support the operational delivery of Ben’s frontline Support & Specialist Services. Martin has over 20 years of experience in the charity sector, primarily as a Finance Director for benevolent fund charities. Ben is also announcing that Matt Wigginton, part of Ben’s former executive…

Loneliness impacts people of all ages. The week serves as a timely reminder to connect with family, friends, neighbours and the wider community, particularly those who may be feeling isolated or alone. “ The theme of this year’s Loneliness Awareness Week focuses on tackling loneliness by creating supportive communities where people can have open, honest conversations. Loneliness can affect anyone, at any age or stage in life. We want to ensure that no one in Walsall feels they have to face things alone. This week is a reminder that help is always available and that a simple conversation can make…

The London EV Show returns for its much-anticipated fifth annual edition, taking place from 12–13 November 2025 at ExCeL London. Building on the momentum of its previous successes, the 2025 edition is set to be the largest and most comprehensive yet, firmly positioning the show as the UK’s leading event for electric vehicle innovation and sustainable transport solutions. The 2024 edition significantly advanced conversations around e-mobility and environmental responsibility, attracting influential voices such as Lilian Greenwood MP, Minister for the Future of Roads, and Mete Coban, Deputy Mayor of London for Environment and Energy. Both reiterated London’s commitment to becoming…