Children and young people can now visit registered safe spaces in Walsall if they are worried, upset or need help whilst out and about. Walsall Council and West Midlands Police have launched a new, safe spaces initiative following calls from young people to make the town feel and be a safer place. 14 venues taking part in the scheme have received specialist training, ensuring staff are prepared to offer practical help and immediate support to young people whenever it’s needed. “ We’re proud to deliver on a commitment to our young people by launching this scheme. This is something young…

The popular Yo! Active programme, which provides free access to physical activity opportunities for children and young people across the city, is to be extended. The City of Wolverhampton Council has gone out to tender for a provider to deliver and manage the programme – in conjunction with the local authority – from April 2026, and to ensure its continued success in breaking down financial barriers to sport and exercise. Launched last year by the council, WV Active and Wolves Foundation, Yo! Active is a public health initiative that offers a wide range of free physical activity sessions across WV…

A Wolverhampton charity is launching a new scheme to help residents in the city learn skills which could change their lives, while restoring unwanted bicycles. Hope Community Project has created Heath Town Spokes and Skills – a 6 week programme focusing primarily on bike mechanics and maintenance, which will restore bikes donated through the council’s Too Good to Chuck scheme. But it will go far beyond that by empowering people to build skills, confidence, friendships and potentially even gain employment. It’ll also strengthen communities, as it brings people together. It is the latest scheme under the council’s City Homemakers banner…

On Tuesday 23 September 2025, from 11.45am to 12.30pm, Walsall College will host a pre-launch event. At the event, the upcoming launch of a series of podcasts will be discussed over the coming weeks. Attendees will get a sneak peek into the stories, voices, and ideas that will be shared from across the borough. “ This new podcast is a wonderful way of showcasing the pride, passion and ambition of our community. We Are Walsall 2040 is not just a vision but a movement that belongs to everyone. Through this podcast, we will continue to listen, learn and celebrate the…

Approximately £1.4 million of illegal vapes and counterfeit goods have been uncovered by Walsall Trading Standards officers following a joint operation with specialist sniffer dogs. The enforcement activity, part of the national Operation CeCe crackdown on illicit tobacco and vapes, took place on Thursday July 25, 2025. Officers initially visited two retail premises in the borough, where sniffer dogs located illegal cigarettes, tobacco and vapes—even from a sophisticated concealment and a hidden ceiling compartment. The team then moved on to a self-storage yard in Walsall, where sniffer dogs Griff and Cooper alerted officers to four suspicious containers. Two were found…

Six new sites for the location of speed cameras across Birmingham have been announced by the city council, which will be installed by the end of the year. The average speed enforcement cameras will be funded through the Clean Air Zone net surplus revenues and the locations agreed following joint working with West Midlands Police. Routes have been selected and prioritised based on the number and severity of road traffic collisions along the route and/or where compliance with speed limits is poor which leads to an increased risk of road harm. All the routes chosen have the full endorsement of…

Bookings have gone live for Walsall Council’s successful Holiday Activity and Food (HAF) programme. Eligible families can book activities for the summer programme that will take place for four weeks this summer: Monday 28 July – Friday 1 August Monday 4 August – Friday 8 August Monday 11 August – Friday 15 August Monday 18 August – Friday 22 August The council works with over 75 providers in the borough to offer children and young people aged 5 to 16 years old, fun, local activities, while providing the opportunity for learning and developing new skills. The programme enables children…

The campaign is delivered by leading fostering charity, The Fostering Network, and aims to celebrate the role of foster carers, and the positive contributions they make to society. The theme of this year’s campaign is “The Power of Relationships,” highlighting the strong and trusting relationships that run through each fostering story, whether that’s a between a carer and child or young person, the support from social workers, or friendships that have been built within fostering communities. Throughout the fortnight, the council’s fostering service will be hosting a celebration event to thank Walsall foster carers and will be hosting drop-in sessions…

Families in Wolverhampton are being invited to pick up free toothbrushes and toothpaste from locations around the city. They are being provided as part of a drive by the City of Wolverhampton Council and The Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust to improve oral hygiene, particularly among youngsters. It’s been made possible by funding from the government’s Household Support Fund. Free toothbrushes and toothpaste are available from Graiseley Strengthening Families Hub, Pool Street, Blakenhall, from WV Active Bilston-Bert Williams, WV Active Central and WV Active Aldersley, and from Central, Wednesfield and Warstones libraries – simply call in during each location’s usual opening…

(left-right) Lola, Skye, Trinity, Alex and Bailey with the Mayor of Solihull A group of young people have put their creative skills into play to raise awareness of neglect. With the support of qualified youth workers from Solihull Council, Meriden Adventure Playground, Solihull Safeguarding Children Partnership (SSCP), and a support worker from Solihull’s children in care council – OVOS (Our Voice Our Service), the group has written, recorded, filmed and edited a video to help show what life can be like for a young person experiencing neglect. The video was launched earlier this week to an audience including the Mayor…