As the new year begins, Walsall residents are being encouraged to make 2026 the year they quit smoking and take control of their health, with access to a range of local services in the community, digitally and through specialist services. Between November 2024 and November 2025, 1,068 residents set a quit date, with a 60% quit rate at four weeks (which is above the national average of 53.6%). This highlights the growing demand for local stop smoking support across Walsall. Quitting smoking is one of the most impactful steps someone can take for their health, for their loved ones and…

High cholesterol is a prevalent health concern, affecting millions worldwide. While medication can be a crucial part of management for some, lifestyle modifications offer a powerful, often complementary, approach to lowering cholesterol levels and improving overall cardiovascular health. This article delves into practical strategies for achieving healthier cholesterol levels through dietary changes, exercise, and stress management. **Understanding Cholesterol: A Brief Overview** Cholesterol, a waxy substance found in all body cells, is essential for various bodily functions. However, high levels of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, often referred to as “bad” cholesterol, can accumulate in artery walls, forming plaque. This buildup, known…

The Sandwell community came together for a charity penalty shootout aimed at raising awareness of youth mental health and encouraging local engagement through sport and wellbeing. The event took place on Sunday 26 October 2025 at York Road Sports and Social Club in Sandwell, drawing families and football fans from across Sandwell and Oldbury for a day filled with laughter, friendly competition, and community spirit. It was organised by Wellness Education, the non-profit arm of Active Clinics — a Birmingham-based wellness and aesthetics clinic founded by Sandwell resident Tammy Takkar. Active Clinics specialises in advanced, non-surgical treatments for recovery, performance,…

Maintaining good posture is a daily struggle for many of us. Whether you’re working on your feet or at a desk, it’s all too easy to slump into bad habits.  You probably know that sitting and standing poorly is bad for your back, but do you know about the trouble it could be causing for the rest of your body?  Below, we look at some of the most common side-effects of bad posture – some of which might even surprise you.  Pain  This may be the most obvious consequence of bad posture, but sometimes it can be difficult to connect…

Twelve primary school pupils from across Walsall have been announced as the winners of a borough-wide competition to design banners promoting litter picking and tackling environmental waste. The competition, open to Key Stage 2 pupils, asked children to create artwork for Walsall Council’s Community Litter Watch Facebook page, aiming to raise awareness of litter issues and encourage residents to take pride in their communities. The winning entries will be featured as the page banner image—one each month for the next 12 months—highlighting the importance of community action to keep Walsall clean and green. Winning pupils were invited to a special…

The hunt is on for Wolverhampton’s top sporting talent who will be recognised at an annual awards ceremony. Wolverhampton City Sports Advisory Council is inviting people to nominate individuals, teams, clubs and leagues based in the city for an award. Interested parties should email vicechair.wsac@gmail.com by next Monday 18 August with their details and the name of the award they wish to make a nomination for. The correct nomination form will then be emailed out for completion, including citation. Nomination forms must be returned by Sunday 7 September to the email address found on the nomination form. Shortlisted candidates will…

Depression and anxiety are significant mental health concerns that disproportionately affect women. Biological, social, and psychological factors contribute to this gender disparity. Hormonal fluctuations, such as those associated with menstruation, pregnancy, postpartum periods, and menopause, play a crucial role in women’s mental health. For instance, postpartum depression affects around 10-20% of new mothers, underscoring the link between hormonal changes and depression. Social factors like gender-based violence, discrimination, and the pressures of balancing multiple roles—such as caregiving, career, and societal expectations—can increase women’s vulnerability to anxiety and depression. Women are often expected to fulfill traditional gender roles while also excelling in…

Adults living with obesity who wish to manage their weight can access free support through a new service provided by the City of Wolverhampton Council. Lifestyles service Live Well Wolverhampton offers a free weight management programme for adults with a Body Mass Index (BMI) of 30+, or 27.5+ for those of Black African, African Caribbean and Asian origin. To check your BMI, visit NHS. The service provides confidential information, advice, guidance, self-help tools and lifestyle interventions including face-to-face sessions with Slimming World or Gro Health over a period of 12 weeks to enable and maintain positive lifestyle choices. Gro Health…

Three new youth clubs have been launched in Smith’s Wood at a celebration event on Tuesday 17 June. The youth clubs provide new opportunities for young people in the area, and include the Solihull Youth Bus, part of a new mobile youth outreach programme. Jointly funded by Solihull Council and the Violence Reduction Partnership (VRP), the youth clubs aim to provide support and guidance to improve the lives of young people in the area aged 8-17. The youth clubs are run by three local organisations with experience in providing youth support across Solihull, led by Urban Heard and supported by…

With the launch of new air quality webpages and the installation of air quality sensors across the borough, as well as our Engines Off anti-idling campaign with schools, 2025 has been a big year for air quality in Solihull. Council staff hosted an information stall at the Core, taking place to mark Clean Air Day. The annual campaign is focused on raising awareness of the impact of air quality on people’s health and wellbeing. Cllr Mackiewicz said: “We’re working with the West Midlands Combined Authority, Birmingham Airport and many more businesses to play our part in improving air quality across…