Public spaces across Birmingham are being given a new lease of life thanks to a collaboration between the National Trust, Birmingham City Council and local communities. During March, four new ‘Pocket Parks’ are being created from underused spaces in Nechells, Balsall Heath, Tyseley and Hay Mills to provide places for residents to play, meet, cultivate plants or simply sit to enjoy nature and the outdoors. Funded by the UK Shared Prosperity Fund, the initiative which began in 2023 has already transformed several underused outdoor areas into vibrant “Pocket Parks” – small but impactful green spaces designed and planted with the…

Walsall residents looking to quit smoking now have access to a ‘swap to stop’ offer, incorporating e-cigarettes (also known as vapes) as an extra tool to aid their journey. The new offer builds upon Be Well Walsall’s service (funded by Walsall Council’s Public Health team) to help Walsall residents manage their health and wellbeing, which includes stop smoking support. Their free stop smoking service currently provides up to 12 weeks of expert support and vapes will complement this existing offer. There are a number of ways people can be helped to stop smoking, tailored to their needs. Evidence…

Families are being urged to take some simple steps to make sure they safely enjoy visits to farms and petting zoos this Spring. To avoid illness and enjoy a fun day out the UK Health Security Agency advises people to: always wash hands thoroughly with soap and warm running water immediately after contact with animals (including touching pens or fencing) and before eating or drinking – remember, hand gels and wipes do not kill these types of germs. if a dummy drops on the ground, it will need sterilising. when leaving a farm, boots, shoes and pushchair wheels should…

These events are part of a five-year project called Better Research for Better Health, creating a Health Determinants Research Collaboration in Sandwell, which is funded by the National Institute for Health Research. The aim is to improve how the council gathers and uses information to make decisions about local services. By listening to residents, the council can make sure that services truly meet the needs of the community and provide good value for money. The council wants to hear from people about what matters most to them when it comes to health and wellbeing. The roadshows will also give residents…

Councillor Qaiser Azeem, Cabinet Member for Transport and Green City at City of Wolverhampton Council in North Street A plan to develop a network of walking, wheeling and cycling routes to improve air quality, cut traffic and encourage active lifestyles is set to be backed by City of Wolverhampton Council leaders. The council’s cabinet will be asked to support the Black Country Walking, Wheeling and Cycling Plan at its meeting on 19 March. The collaborative blueprint involves all 4 Black Country councils and is for an interconnected network of active travel routes across the region. It will make walking,…

Residents are invited to find out more about Walsall’s social prescribing service at an open day taking place this March. The Making Connections Walsall Service (MCW), led by a partnership of community organisations including Walsall Council, will hold the open day on Wednesday 19 March from 10am to 2pm at the Manor Farm Community Association Shop in the Saddlers Shopping Centre. Making Connections Walsall is a friendly service for residents of all ages in Walsall. It addresses loneliness and social isolation and empowers residents to take responsibility for their health and wellbeing. Between February 2024 and February 2025, the service…

Walsall Council is highlighting the importance of healthy eating and hydration during Nutrition and Hydration Week (17-23 March) and encouraging residents to take advantage of the support offered by Be Well Walsall. The annual campaign which has been running since March 2012 focuses on the simple steps everyone can take to improve their overall health and wellbeing through better nutrition and hydration. Maintaining a balanced diet and staying hydrated is crucial for physical and mental health. It is also one of the council’s Eight Steps to Wellbeing to help residents learn what is important to keep them healthy, independent and…

People are being urged to be aware of the symptoms of tuberculosis (TB) as Wolverhampton prepares to mark World TB Day on Monday 24 March, 2025. TB is an infectious illness spread through inhaling small droplets from the coughs or sneezes of an infected person and can cause serious health problems – particularly if it is not caught early. It is preventable and curable but still kills 2 people around the globe every minute. World TB Day aims to raise public awareness about the devastating health, social and economic consequences of tuberculosis, and to step up efforts to end the…

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…