Walsall Council’s Public Health team has been named Team of the Year for Walsall at the Black Country Integrated Care Board Cancer Workforce Awards, held on 13 May 2026. Colleagues from Walsall Public Health at Walsall Healthcare NHS Trust winning their awards at the Black Country Cancer Workforce Awards. Colleagues from Walsall Council and the NHS were recognised at awards, which celebrate the collective efforts of partners across health, local authority and the voluntary and community sector to improve cancer prevention, screening and early diagnosis for residents. The Public Health team was recognised for its strong commitment, expertise and…

In Sandwell – and across the UK – hundreds of foster carers open their homes to provide love, stability and care to children and young people in need of safety, stability and love. But many more foster carers are urgently needed to ensure every child can be matched with the right home for their individual needs. That’s why, from this week until 24 May, Sandwell Children’s Trust is backing the nationwide Foster Care Fortnight campaign, as Emma Taylor, Chief Executive of Sandwell Children’s Trust, explains: “Foster Care Fortnight is really important because it shines a light on the…

The City of Wolverhampton Council will be marking Mental Health Awareness Week, beginning on Monday (11 May, 2026) and is encouraging people to talk openly about mental health, challenge stigma, and take positive steps to look after their wellbeing. Led by the Mental Health Foundation, the theme of this year’s campaign is ‘Action’, recognising that, while awareness is important, real change happens when people take simple, practical steps – for themselves, for others, and for their communities. John Denley, Wolverhampton’s Director of Public Health, said: “Around 1 in 5 adults in the UK experience mental health problems like anxiety or…

Frontline workers, community groups and volunteers across Walsall are encouraged to take up free online training to support everyday conversations with residents about food, nutrition and managing healthier choices. The sessions are aimed at people who regularly speak to individuals, families or communities about food, health, wellbeing or financial resilience. They are delivered by Food for Life, run by the Soil Association, in partnership with Walsall Council Public Health. The training provides practical, evidence‑based information to support discussions around healthier and more affordable food choices. It introduces simple nutrition messages that can be used in everyday interactions and includes…

Residents who would like help and support on a range of money, health and safety matters can attend an open event in Bantock Park. Help at the Hub will see a wide variety of city organisations offer free advice and information. The event will take place on Friday, 17 April between 12pm (midday) and 3pm at The Coach House, Bantock Park, Finchfield Road, WV3 9LQ. The event has been organised by the council’s Public Protection Scams Team who will be handing out free scams awareness and prevention packs. Residents can speak with officers from Act on Energy, Admiral…

Staff involved in the campaign together with the Cabinet Member for Adult Services Health and Wellbeing, Councillor Jackie Taylor and Dr Frances Howie, Director of Public Health holding campaign materials. Sandwell Council has been shortlisted for Campaign of the Year at the 2026 Local Government Chronicle (LGC) Awards for its impactful men’s mental health campaign, You ok, mate? This national recognition reflects Sandwell’s commitment to being a caring, community‑focused council that puts residents’ wellbeing at the heart of everything it does. It also comes at a time when the council is being recognised more widely for its improvement and transformation…

Residents are being thanked by Sandwell Council after recycling a record amount of quality paper, card and food waste since the borough’s new waste and recycling service launched last September. In just a few months, residents have increased the amount of paper and card recycled, while cutting non-recycling grey bin (residual) waste by around 16% compared with earlier in the year – a major step forward for recycling in Sandwell. The improvements mean the council can now collect higher-quality recycling, ensuring materials are reused rather than wasted. Paper and card collected separately can be turned into new cardboard…

The City of Wolverhampton Council is urging parents, carers, education staff, and professionals across the city to take part in the Department for Education’s ‘national conversation’ on special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) reforms. The Government will publish the Schools White Paper later this year, setting out plans to improve SEND support and ensure every child and young person can thrive. Ahead of this, it is running a series of events across England and online, open to everyone with a stake in building a better SEND system. It is not a formal consultation, rather an open conversation designed to explore…

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…

The impact that Technology Enabled Care (TEC) is having on people in Wolverhampton with care and support needs is demonstrated by one resident who says it has enabled her to get her life back. The City of Wolverhampton Council launched its new TEC service earlier this autumn, following a highly successful pilot programme. It will help residents access innovative technology tailored to their eligible care needs, such as sensor devices and voice activated wireless technologies including fall detectors, smart speakers, video doorbells, and remote monitoring sensors – enabling people to live the independent lives they want. One of those benefiting…