This Neurodiversity Celebration Week, automotive industry charity, Ben, has launched a range of new support options and resources focused on neurodiversity, to meet growing demand and raise awareness about this important topic across the sector. Neurodivergence is when a person’s brain processes, learns, and/or behaves differently from what is ‘typical’ and neurotypical describes how the average person’s brain works. From Ben’s latest insights, those in the automotive industry who have reported having neurodiverse conditions such as autism, ADHD, or dyslexia are more likely to experience mental, physical, financial, and social issues. In 2024, 73% of neurodivergent individuals in the industry…

The Mayor of Walsall, Councillor Anthony Harris, writes a message for the memory tree at Willenhall CHART Centre’s COVID-19 memorial event. Nine events were held to enable residents honour loved ones lost to COVID-19, share memories and thank key workers and volunteers. The Mayor of Walsall, Councillor Anthony Harris, joined Willenhall CHART Centre to light a candle and write a message on a leaf for the memory tree. Rev. Rosanne Wilshire from St Stephen’s Church gave a blessing. At Moxley Peoples Centre, a group that formed about a year into the pandemic to help people navigate grief, social isolation…

Held at St Michael and All Angels Church and attended by the Lord-Lieutenant of the West Midlands, Dr Derrick Anderson CBE and the Mayor of Walsall, Councillor Anthony Harris, the service offered time and space for remembrance, reflection and gratitude. Reverend Alison Morris, Vicar at St Michael’s, led the service which featured readings by Nasar Iqbal (Black Country Innovate) and Pastor Monica Anderson (Walsall Faith Forum), performances from Trudia Ward, Huntley Mitchel and Pelsall Ladies Choir, as well as reflections from several faith and community leaders and representatives, creating an inclusive environment of reflection for all. Dr A Kuravi, Clinical…

Councillor Jasbir Jaspal, the City of Wolverhampton Council’s Cabinet Member for Adults and Wellbeing (centre) with, left to right, Emma Thornberry, Principal Educational Psychologist Amanda Evans, PSHE advisory Coordinator, Elaine Perry, Senior Educational Psychologist, Louise Sharrod, Principal Public Health Specialist, Omowonuola Alunko, Health Improvement Officer, and Sunita Pallan-Jhalli, Specialist Public Health Officer, at the launch of the new toolkit Two new initiatives have been launched by the City of Wolverhampton Council to help support the emotional health and wellbeing of children and young people. A new Emotional Health and Wellbeing Toolkit will provide valuable resources for teachers and education…

Richard Parker (left), Mayor of the West Midlands with Abdikadir and Ruqia Ali, their two-month-old son Zakariya and Cllr Jayne Francis, Birmingham City Council’s cabinet member for housing and homelessness Thousands of families faced with a potential health hazard from living in mouldy homes are breathing easier following a £15m programme to upgrade some of the region’s dampest social housing. The money, given to local councils by the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA), has been used to install damp busting measures in more than 4,400 homes across the region. Around 8,000 individual improvements have been carried out with some homes…

Infant at the Centre photograph – members of the event planning team are l-r: Jackie Alexander, The Black Country Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust, Natalie Colclough, The Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust, Denise Williams, Children’s Services Manager, City of Wolverhampton Council, and Natasha Stubbs, The Black Country Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust A group of early years practitioners recently came together to share learning and best practice emphasising the importance of infant mental health and good parent-infant relationships during a child’s first 1,001 days. The first 1,001 days, from conception until the age of two, are a critical time in a baby’s development.…

Councils across the Black Country are encouraging older drivers to sign up to free road safety courses being held across the region in 2025. The next course for drivers aged 60 and over in Walsall will take place at Walsall Arena and Arts Centre, Bloxwich, on Tuesday 11 March 2025. An additional course will be held at The Wheelhouse, Wolverhampton Cricket Club, on Wednesday 14 May 2025, for drivers who cannot attend the first date. “ For many mature drivers, being able to drive provides real independence. These sessions are offered in partnership with our neighbouring Black Country authorities, West…

Every one of us has been troubled by Constipation at some point in our lives. The Digestive system is a wonderful Intertwined Network of Tubes, Cavities, Pouches and a Pipeline which secretes Juices and Chemicals to help break down all that you consume throughout the day. To be released in the form of a Bowel Movement or Stool as it is most appropriately referred to. But what happens, when you realise that Things aren’t working in the Digestive Department the way they should be? You begin to open your Bowels with difficulty, often having to Strain and pass Hard Stools…

Today marks the start of Safer Sleep Week – an annual campaign raising awareness about the importance of safer sleep practices to reduce the risk of sleep related infant deaths. Safer Sleep Week is The Lullaby Trust’s national awareness campaign to share knowledge of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) and simple advice that reduces the risk of it occurring. Sadly, around 4 babies a week in the UK die from SIDS, also known as cot death. In Wolverhampton, we want all parents and caregivers to be aware of safer sleep advice. This year, the week long campaign runs from Monday…

Fasting during Ramadan offers various spiritual, physical, and psychological benefits: 1. Spiritual Benefits: Increased God-consciousness (Taqwa): Fasting encourages self-discipline and strengthens a person’s relationship with God, promoting a higher level of devotion and mindfulness. Purification of the Soul: Ramadan is seen as a time for spiritual cleansing. By abstaining from food, drink, and bad habits, a person can purify their heart and mind, focusing more on good deeds and prayers. Gratitude and Humility: Experiencing hunger and thirst fosters gratitude for what one has and promotes humility by understanding the struggles of the less fortunate. Increased Charity and Good Deeds: Fasting…