Mindful eating is an approach to food where you pay full attention to eating. Research has shown that eating mindfully can improve digestion, help regulate appetite and helps us enjoy our food much more. Here we share some simple ways to incorporate mindful eating into your daily routine: Preparing your food For many people, cooking can feel like a chore but it doesn’t have to be a rushed experience or something we do on autopilot. Whether you’re chopping, slicing, or marinating, the art of being mindful when you are cooking is an ideal opportunity to focus your attention on textures,…

Top employers in the UK automotive sector are investing in a major skills drive to grow apprenticeship numbers by almost a sixth in 2025, according to a new survey by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT), as manufacturers embark on a ‘green growth decade’. With the UK celebrating National Apprenticeship Week 2025 (10-16 February), there are few more exciting places for apprentices to be than automotive, as the sector innovates to deliver a new generation of zero emission vehicles. More than £20 billion of investment has been committed to Britain’s EV transition in the past two years alone1 –…

In 2021, there were 26,415 unpaid carers in Walsall, representing 10% of the borough’s population. Local authorities have a duty to identify and support young carers, of which there are currently 276 in Walsall between the ages of 8 and 21. The voices of carers have been instrumental in developing the strategy, sharing their experiences of what caring is like for them, and what support they feel they would benefit from. Six priorities have been identified within the strategy, for both adult and young carers. These include recognising the positive role carers have on society, ensuring their health and wellbeing…

Image from www.sandwell.gov.uk The Restoration of the historic community buildings was completed by the people for the people. The award is sponsored by Hortons’ Estate Limited. The 2024 award recognises the restoration of the High Street’s striking Grade II Town Hall and Library. The Town Hall was designed by Alexander and Henman, opening in 1874 –5, with the Central Library by Weller and Proud, added in 1907. The Central Library was a gift to the people of West Bromwich from the astonishingly generous Scottish-American philanthropist and industrialist, Andrew Carnegie, who endowed 660 libraries in the United Kingdom alone. The Victorian…

Birmingham’s annual settlement to fund public health services has been announced to be £108 million in 2025/26. This confirms an increase to the existing annual public health grant of 3%. The government funding, announced on 7th February, will be used to continue driving vital services such as smoking cessation, addiction recovery, health visitors, school nurses, sexual health clinics, and public health support for local NHS services. It supports the government’s 10-year plan to shift the focus from treatment to local prevention programmes tailored to communities, which it hopes will reduce pressures on the NHS. This, in turn, supports Birmingham City…

Amrik Sangha, a Health Improvement Officer with the City of Wolverhampton Council, with one of the vape kits that are available to people who want to Swap to Stop smoking Smokers in Wolverhampton are coming forward to take advantage of help and support as they look to ‘Swap to Stop’. The Government aims for the country to become ‘smokefree’ by 2030, and is offering a million free ‘Swap to Stop’ vaping kits which, combined with behavioural support, are designed to help them quit smoking. The City of Wolverhampton Council has made these available at a range of community venues,…

26 new apprenticeship vacancies are now open to join Bentley Motors in 2025 Successful applicants will play a role in Bentley’s transition to electrification to support the company’s Beyond100+ strategy Strong emphasis on Manufacturing and Research & Development roles Bentley received Top Employer status for 2025 for its commitment to developing an innovative and inclusive workplace Further information available at careers.bentleymotors.com Bentley Motors have announced the opening of vacancies for its latest apprenticeship programme, offering a unique opportunity for the next generation of talent to join the company as it transitions to full electrification. The 2025 apprenticeship intake will offer…

In September 2019, the council declared a climate emergency, later committing to a Net Zero target of 2041. The Walsall Net Zero 2041 Strategy sets out the priorities and actions needed to achieve net zero into six themes. These are: Energy: Focusing on reducing energy consumption, increasing efficiency, and transitioning to renewable energy sources. Circular and Green Economy: Promoting sustainable production and consumption, reducing waste, and supporting green skills and business opportunities. Homes, Workplaces, and Public Buildings: Improving energy efficiency in buildings, retrofitting existing buildings, and ensuring new buildings are net zero ready. Transport and Travel: Reducing emissions…

The International Day of Zero Tolerance for Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) takes place every year on 6 February and is a day dedicated to raising awareness of and taking action against this harmful practice that affects millions of women and girls globally. FGM is when the female genitals are deliberately cut, altered or removed for non-medical reasons. It’s also known as female circumcision or cutting, but has many other names including sunna, gudniin, halalays, tahur, megrez or khitan. The consequences of FGM are severe and can have lifelong physical, psychological and social implications. It’s important to remember that FGM is…

Early diagnosis of HIV means that those living with it can access treatment which allows them to live as long as anyone else. Effective treatment can also stop people passing on HIV, when the amount of virus in the blood is reduced to undetectable levels. Currently, there are 387 people in Walsall living with HIV. Walsall has a lower HIV testing rate and a higher proportion of people diagnosed late than the national average.  HIV Testing Week takes place every February to promote regular testing in England. The campaign also encourages people to be part of the generation that ends…