Community News

The Avengers have re-assembled and they’ve brought some friends with them in honour of teenager super-fan Josh, who is battling leukaemia.

17-year-old Josh was diagnosed with stage four glioblastoma at the age of 15 – the same aggressive form of cancer that recently took Senator John McCain.

Chris Evans (Captain America), Chris Pratt (Star Lord), Tom Holland (Spider-Man), Ryan Reynolds (Deadpool) and Hugh Jackman (Wolverine) are amongst those who have reached out to Josh on social media after his mother started a campaign to “try to get as many celebrities to message him while he is still with us" - and the response has already been overwhelming.

Ryan Reynolds kicked things off, introducing himself as “Uncle Deadpool” and delivering a heartfelt message in which he says “you have more courage and more strength in your pinkie finger than any superhero does in their entire body.” He then added: "We love you, I love you, we're thinking about you, Deadpool is thinking about you - maximum effort and hang in there, buddy. Josh’s mother shared the video on Twitter with the caption “Such a special man with a huge heart. Thank you, Ryan Reynolds – Josh loves you so much for brightening up his days.”

Hugh Jackman followed suite and sent Josh a video saying “I just want you to know that I’m thinking about you and your family and friends. I’m sending you lots of positive thoughts. Keep fighting, man.” Josh’s mother took to twitter to thank Jackman for “putting a smile on my brave son’s face.”

Captain America himself, Chris Evans was up next and took to twitter in a comical video in which he acknowledges that Josh is “probably a bigger fan of Deadpool than of Captain America” but accepted defeat by saying “I’ll give it you; he’s funny. He gets to make the jokes! I don’t get to make the jokes.”

British actor, Tom Holland – who plays Spider-Man – sent his best wishes and told Josh that “I just wanted to let you know that I’m thinking about you, everyone at Marvel are thinking about you and we send you all our love.”

Guardians of the Galaxy star Chris Pratt, a well-known Christian who is open about his religious beliefs, reached out to Josh and said “I’m thinking about you, I love you and I’m praying for you and your mom” and stating that, while he plays a superhero in the movies, the real heroes are “young people like you who have to face challenges and do so with the bravery you do.”

God of Thunder, Thor (Chris Hemsworth) is one of the latest celebrities to offer his support to Josh and his mother, in a video in which he calls Josh a “legend” and offers all of his love and support, saying that everyone in the world is sending their love.

The outpouring of love and support for Josh has been amazing and his mother is hoping that other superhero actors and various other celebrities join the campaign, as many of those who have already sent messages have encouraged others to do the same, with Robert Downey Jr, Samuel L Jackson and Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson amongst those who have been asked to show their support.

If you want to follow Josh’s journey and send him your own best wishes, follow @josh_braveheart on Twitter.

Sandwell residents are being reminded not to lose their right to vote - by completing their annual canvass form and returning it to the council.

Letters were sent every household in Sandwell in early August to check who lives there and who is eligible to vote. Anyone who hasn't responded needs to do so as soon as possible.

Reminders will soon go out to people who have yet to respond to the form.

By responding, either to confirm the details are correct or to make changes, residents can ensure they can vote in future elections. It also means the council can remove people who have moved away from the electoral register.

Being on the electoral register also has other advantages - if you're not registered to vote it can affect your credit rating.

Sandwell Council's Chief Executive and Electoral Registration Officer, Jan Britton, said: "We’ve already had responses from more than half of all households in Sandwell, so for those who haven’t responded yet, it’s important you do that as soon as possible.

“We need to make sure we have the right details on the electoral register for every address in Sandwell to make sure you are able to vote in future.

"All households must respond - even if they have no changes. You can do this online, by text or through an automated phoneline and only takes a couple of minutes.”

People who have moved address recently are particularly encouraged to keep an eye out for the form and check the details.

Research by the independent Electoral Commission indicates that recent home movers are far less likely to be registered than those that have lived at the same address for a long time.

Across Great Britain, 94% of people who have been at their property for more than sixteen years will be registered, compared to 40% of people who have lived at an address for less than one year.

Iona Atkins (16) from Shirley, Solihull was diagnosed with a brain tumour at the age of five and despite the challenges of living with the disease she achieved top grades for her GCSEs.

 Iona, a student at Langley Secondary School received grades C and above in English Literature, English Language, Mathematics, Science (Dual Award), History and Drama.

Iona said: “I am so happy with the results that I received, I tried my best and was just hoping to pass, so I am really pleased with the grades that I got.”

Since childhood Iona has had a cholesteatoma - an abnormal collection of skin cells deep in her ears which causes difficulties with her hearing.

In 2007, an ear check-up revealed a shadow on Iona’s brain and following a subsequent MRI scan Iona was diagnosed with a brain tumour known as a craniopharyngioma.

Iona underwent surgery and radiotherapy to treat the tumour and at present the tumour is stable.

Iona said: “Having a brain tumour has impacted my life in positive and negative ways.

“I see the world in a completely different way now and appreciate so much more. However, on a daily basis I face challenges. As a result of my brain tumour I struggle to manage my body temperature and I also suffer from diabetes insipidus which makes it difficult for me to control my fluid balance.

 “I find it hard to concentrate and often get tired, particularly when writing for long periods.

This Summer Iona took her GCSEs and just two weeks before her exams Iona had surgery to treat a recurrence of the cholesteatoma.

Iona said: “I focused my revision on what I needed to learn and made sure that my revision was varied, I even watched revision videos on You Tube. I revised little and often and made sure I took breaks to relax. I think it’s important that you don’t push yourself too hard and that you aren’t too tough on yourself. I was especially happy with my results as I had had surgery just two weeks before my exams.”

Iona is now looking forward to enrolling at Solihull College to begin a BTEC in Childcare this September.

Iona said: "I am really excited to start my course. I would like to be a Learning Support Assistant. I have had a lot of challenges growing up and I have incredible help and support and so I would like to do this for others.”

Iona’s mum Ann said: “I am immensely proud of Iona, she has been through so much and even though she still faces many challenges her positivity and approach to life is inspiring . We are so lucky that Iona has reached this milestone in her life as for many parents the outcome has been devastating. That is why as a family we will continue to fundraise for The Brain Tumour Charity so outcomes for children are better.”

Emma Wood, Young Adults Service Manager for The Brain Tumour Charity, said: “All of us at the charity are really pleased for Iona and want to say a huge congratulations for achieving such brilliant results. Being diagnosed with a brain tumour is a life-changing experience and Iona’s determination and commitment to succeed despite the challenges she has faced are truly inspiring and she should be incredibly proud of herself.

“We wish Iona the very best as she starts her Childcare Course next month, we are certain that she will fulfil her dreams.”

Public Health England is calling for adults in West Midlands to take a free, online Heart Age Test, which will provide an immediate estimation of their ‘heart age’. If someone’s heart age is higher than their actual age, they are at an increased risk of having a heart attack or stroke.

Cardiovascular disease (CVD), with stroke and heart attack being the most common examples, is the leading cause of death for men and the second leading cause of death for women.

In the West Midlands region, there are around 6,031 deaths from heart disease and 3,266 deaths from stroke each year. It is estimated that around a quarter of these deaths are in people under the age of 75 and 80% of those are preventable if people made lifestyle and behaviour changes to improve their heart health. Knowing their heart age helps people to find out whether they are at risk and consider what they can do to reduce this risk.

High cholesterol and high blood pressure can both increase someone’s heart age, making them up to three times more likely to develop heart disease or have a stroke. In England, one in four adults have high blood pressure yet a further 5.6 million are living with the condition undiagnosed, placing millions of lives at risk of premature death and ill health.

The Heart Age Test asks a number of simple physical and lifestyle questions and provides an immediate estimation of someone’s heart age, as well as a prediction of  the risk of having a heart attack or stroke by a certain age. It also gives suggestions on lifestyle changes to help people reduce their heart age such as losing weight, quitting smoking, exercising regularly and cutting back on alcohol.

The Heart Age Test has been completed more than 1.9 million times across England. Completed tests in the West Midlands show that 78% of people in the region have a heart age higher than their actual age. Worryingly, 36% have a heart age over five years and 16% at least 10 years over their actual age.

Dr Lola Abudu, Director of Health and Wellbeing for Public Health England (PHE) in the West Midlands, said: “The Heart Age Test is an online tool that gives a good indication if you are at increased risk of heart disease or stroke by asking a few simple questions. The higher your ‘heart age’ compared to your actual age, the higher the risk of you suffering a heart attack or stroke – proof that remedial action needs to be taken. You can lower your heart age by making important lifestyle changes such as losing weight, stopping smoking, eating healthier, reducing alcohol intake, and getting more exercise.

“Even if an adult’s heart age is close to their actual age, there are still things you can do to live a healthier life for longer. All adults aged 40 to 74 in England are encouraged to have their free NHS Health Check, to access specialist, personalised advice. There are also a number of useful videos and resources available by going to the NHS website www.nhs.uk and searching for NHS Health Check.”

Dave Lancaster (45) from Warwick weighed more than 34 stone (216kg) and was on medication for a long list of health problems including type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol and sleep apnoea before he decided to lose weight with the help of Slimming World in April 2016. Dave’s starting heart age was 55, but after losing more than 20 stone (127kg), he no longer needs to take any medication, his blood sugar reading has dropped from 94 to 25 – meaning he displays no type 2 diabetes symptoms, his blood pressure is in the range of a man 20 years younger, and his new heart age is just one year older than him.

Dave Lancaster from Warwick said: “I’d been overweight for as long as I could remember. I tried all sorts of things to lose weight, and I even lost 10st on a meal replacement diet – but I learned nothing about healthy eating. When I went back to my usual sausage and egg muffin breakfast, rounds of sandwiches and crisps for lunch, and takeaways polished off with two or three bottles of wine at the end of the day, I quickly regained the weight.

“At my biggest, my health really started to suffer. I had type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, joint pain, high cholesterol, the beginnings of gout and sleep apnoea. I found it difficult to walk to the end of my road, so I rarely went out. As I got bigger and bigger, it felt as though my world was gradually shrinking. I knew I needed help, and finally, in April 2016, I decided to give Slimming World a try and joined my local group – run by my former neighbour, Angie. As I walked through the door she recognised me straight away, despite us having not seen each other for years.

“Since losing weight, my health has improved dramatically. I no longer need to take medication, my blood sugar reading has dropped from 94 to 25, meaning that I no longer have Type 2 diabetes, I have a resting heart rate of 40bpm, my blood pressure has dropped from 140/77 to 116/68 and I no longer have high cholesterol. I don’t need glasses now, either – an unexpectedly positive side effect of my reduced blood sugar levels.”

TV Doctor and GP, Dr Hilary Jones, who is supporting the campaign, said: “With 50 preventable deaths every day of people under the age of 75, this is serious. It’s vital that people know their heart health and take steps to reduce their risk of stroke and heart attack. As well as obesity, poor diet and a lack of exercise, high blood pressure is a significant risk factor for cardiovascular disease, but these are all things that people can change, and they can change them now.”

Slimming World is also supporting the campaign to raise awareness of how losing weight can help to improve heart health and reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease, and is offering an exclusive discount for new members who take the Heart Age Test.*

Public Health England’s Heart Age campaign will run until 30 September. Adults should search for ‘heart age’ to take the free online test.

With evenings drawing in, kids going back to school and the barbeques being packed away, autumn is slowly creeping up on us and summer is nearly over!

For many of us, getting ready for autumn means looking forward to curling up with a cosy blanket and a steaming mug of tea. But before you head indoors you should do a little bit of outdoors housekeeping to prevent overgrowth and to make it easier to resume gardening again come the spring.

Not sure where to start? Don’t fret, as outdoor cleaning specialist, Jeyes has put together some useful tips on how to get yourself and your garden autumn ready this year. From trimming to pruning, mowing to cleaning – prep your garden for the season ahead.

Tidy up from the ground up!

You may have returned from holidays to find long grass, bedraggled plants, an overgrown lawn and lots of unattractive moss or weed, thanks to the mixed weather we’ve had this summer. While grass will grow more slowly over the autumn and winter months, it won’t stop completely. So be on the lookout for a dry day to tick this one off the list before the frost sets in and it’s too late.

If you haven't already, make sure any all weeds are cleared and if there is fallen fruit around a tree, or dead heads and leaves from plants or vegetables, now is the time to remove this. By doing this you make sure your garden is disease free and the sunlight is getting through to the grass and plants below.

Hose down the patio and decking

The glorious spells of sunshine this past summer meant a lot of time has been spent on that patio with your family and friends. Now is a good time to make sure you get rid of the left-over debris, algae and mould that could have appeared. Jeyes 4 in 1 Decking Power helps to remove and prevent re-growth of mould, algae and mildew on all wooden outdoor surfaces from decking to fences and could be a useful product to use when hosing down your outdoor area. What’s more, cleaning your garden patio and decking at this time of the year, will make sure neither deteriorate over winter.

Store away garden furniture

It might sound obvious, but some of us can neglect this step until it’s too late. Left outside, your sun umbrellas can get discoloured and barbeques rusted. If you don’t have enough space to store them, it may be a good idea to invest in some protective covers to save your precious products.

Cleaning the barbeque

Working hard this summer? Your barbeque undoubtedly had its work cut out this summer too! So, whether or not you plan to have another barbeque this winter, its probably a good idea to give it a nice clean before you pack it away. Remember to take the necessary safety precautions like disconnecting the gas canisters before you start on this as well.

Jeyes Smart Brush Barbecue Cleaner has a fast acting powerfully concentrated gel formula which cleans your barbecue in just 10 minutes. This barbecue cleaner with a brush applicator gets to work quickly helping to remove 99.99% of barbecue germs and will be an invaluable item to have in your cleaning basket!

It’s all about maintenance

Fallen leaves and increased rain during autumn can be a recipe for clogged gutters and drains, so make a point of removing any built-up debris now to avoid the hassle later.

Worms can do their good to your garden, however during September you may notice the little piles of earth they leave behind, left alone these could make a real mess so use a stiff broom on a dry day and make sure you get rid of them quickly.

Once you have ticked these jobs off your checklist, you can happily sit back, curl up and relax, knowing that your garden is sparkly clean and ready for the seasons ahead!

There’s a lot to think about when your child goes off to university and it can certainly be an emotional and overwhelming time. With a recent report showing that 1 in 4 students are a victim of theft during their time at university - it’s more important than ever to pay attention to safety and security.

Here, Dr Steffan George, Managing Director of the Master Locksmiths Association – the leading trade association for the locksmithing profession – gives advice on what you can do to ensure your child and their belongings are as safe and secure as possible in their student accommodation.

“It’s well known that most students have high value items such as laptops, tablets and gaming equipment and perhaps aren’t always the most concerned about security measures. This, in addition to the fact that most student houses are occupied by at least four people, means students are one of the most at-risk groups in the country when it comes to crime. But by being security aware and making a few small changes, students and parents can do a lot to reduce the risks.  If in doubt, ask the landlord to arrange for a professional locksmith to visit the property. The MLA is recognised by the Police as the authoritative body for locksmithing and all of our members undergo strict vetting and inspections, so you can be confident they work to a high standard and offer value for money. Many MLA locksmiths will also be able to perform a complete security assessment free of charge.”

Being security aware and taking a number of simple proactive measures, can also help to minimise the risk of burglary and break-ins:

1. Ensure the building has appropriate security

2. Find out who has access

3. Think like a burglar

4. Consider insurance requirements.

5. Mark belongings.

6. Make sure your child is aware of tailgating

Every day holidaymakers in London take up more than an estimated 7,000m3 with their bags. Using up valuable tube space at rush hour, getting in the way on escalators and, in the shape of pesky backpacks, being swung around from their owners' behinds.

The research from Stasher, the world's first sharing economy solution to luggage storage, reveals this is enough baggage to fill three Olympic-sized swimming pools, or more than 44,600 bath tubs to the brim… every single day.

With a growing number of venues, landmarks and events introducing a no-bag policy, Stasher is helping travellers enjoy a hands-free holiday with StashPoints on more than 600 locations across 70 cities globally.

Jacob Wedderburn-Day, co-founder and CEO, Stasher, commented:

“When you're on holiday you want to be able to maximise your time, and more importantly, your fun! Being weighed down by heavy bags quite literally gets in the way of that. These estimates only take into account the day-to-day baggage we carry around with us on our travels; it doesn't include the suitcases that are dragged through the street to and from accommodations which takes up an estimated staggering 1,200,000m3 annually.

“This is why we set up Stasher, inspired by the growing number of people using the likes of Airbnb. When you have to check out of your apartment early in the day but don't fly home until later that day, you can find and book your closest StashPoint quickly and easily and enjoy every last moment of your holiday free of the baggage burden.”

The first sharing economy solution to luggage storage, Stasher is the newest and most convenient way to store your luggage quickly and affordably – drop your bags and enjoy the city. The ideal solution to dragging suitcases, backpacks or more around a city, allowing travellers to enjoy their time there hands-free.

When it comes to losing a pet, owners find it difficult to discuss their loss with fellow workers or their boss.

A survey of 1000 workers carried out for Cats Protection, in the run-up to Grief Awareness Day (30 August), found that:

• 73% of pet owners feel it can be as difficult and upsetting grieving for a pet as it is grieving for the loss of a person.
• 58% felt uncomfortable/afraid to ask their boss to take time off work
• 55% hid their grief out of fear of being ridiculed
• 60% believe people should be given time off work following the death of a pet

Businesswoman Deborah Meaden is lending her support to the Paws to Listen service.  Known to millions as an investor on Dragons’ Den and now a hugely successful serial investor in a wide range of companies, Deborah has two cats called Storm and Blade and understands the intense grief that comes from losing a pet.  She said:  “I know how hard it is when a pet dies. The loss you feel can be deeply traumatic and I have found it difficult to function for a couple of days afterwards because I’ve been so upset. I think Paws to Listen is a much needed service for people who want to talk to someone about how they feel.”

Deborah is also urging businesses to take pet bereavement more seriously.  She said: “I don’t think firms fully appreciate how devastated someone can feel after they’ve lost their pet.  I would like to see companies begin to recognise that for many, their grief can be just as strong as it is losing a relative or friend. I hope businesses start allowing their workforce time to deal with the emotional impact that it can have, rather than dismissing it as ‘just a pet’ and to highlight services like Paws to Listen as a way of supporting their staff during a difficult time.”

“It would be wonderful on Grief Awareness Day to start a meaningful debate on this issue and for more people to recognise the pain that so many owners feel when they’ve lost an animal. This survey highlights that many people are still afraid to discuss this very painful issue at work.  We must become better at listening and empathising more, especially as we are known as a country that loves animals.”

Cats Protection launched Paws to Listen in 2016 to help support those whose cat is missing, had to be rehomed, nearing the end of their life or they have recently passed away. A 2016 survey² showed that 75 per cent of cat owners believed that the public underestimated the effect the death of a cat has on its owner.

Bob Parsons has had many years of experience in teaching and mentoring and is now one of the Paws to Listen volunteers.  He recognises how difficult it can be to discuss the loss of a pet.  He said: “Callers that I have spoken with have invariably indicated that they felt closer to their pet, they had felt needed and loved, and most had felt they couldn’t talk to friends, family or colleagues about their loss.

“Our service is designed to help owners move forward and find the best way to remember their pet.”

Manned by trained volunteers, who can offer emotional and practical help in coping with the loss of a cat, the service also has a range of resources and information to help including understanding euthanasia and how to help children deal with the death of a much-loved pet.

As well as the support line and information guides, Cats Protection also offers a memory wall on its website, where owners can pay tribute to their pets, and a page where people can offer support to other upset cat owners.

MAXIMUS UK announced today that its philanthropic Foundation presented Just Straight Talk with a grant of £2,500 to remove the barriers vulnerable people face so that they can focus on building a better life.

Established in 2012, Just Straight Talk is a community project committed to empowering, supporting and mentoring vulnerable people in turning their lives around. Whether through emotional support for a range of needs and barriers to navigating through complex situations, they help vulnerable people in the community to take charge of their lives by building their confidence and providing the practical tools, help and motivation they need to succeed.

Kate Beale, Managing Director for the charity, received the donation from Kirsten Ross, representative for the MAXIMUS Foundation UK, and Kevin Westwood from MAXIMUS who nominated the charity for the grant. The grant will contribute towards removing the day-to-day barriers vulnerable people face, so that they can focus on building the life they’ve always wanted.

Rob Winter, Chairman, MAXIMUS Foundation UK said:

“We’re incredibly proud to be supporting Just Straight Talk. Uplifting, equipping and empowering people to transform their lives is the foundation on which MAXIMUS UK is built. We understand exactly how valuable Just Straight Talk is for vulnerable people in the local community, and we are delighted to be contributing to the inspiring work they do.”

Kate Beale, Managing Director at Just Straight Talk said:

“We are incredibly grateful to MAXIMUS Foundation UK for this very generous grant. Every penny will go towards supporting the hundreds of people we work with. Whether that means ensuring there is enough food in the cupboard, helping someone pay their rent arrears or purchasing something to improve the quality of life for someone with a medical condition. Everything we do will help our service users move forward, reach their goals and build a better life.”

As the philanthropic arm of MAXIMUS UK, the Foundation was established in 2015 with a remit of providing meaningful financial assistance in the form of grants to local charities and non-profit organisations that support disadvantaged groups - particularly those contributing to personal growth and self-sufficiency in areas of health, employment and community development.

The MAXIMUS Foundation UK has donated almost £200,000 in grants to charities and community groups over the last three years. They continue to encourage MAXIMUS UK employees to nominate charities and causes close to their hearts for grant donations.

The City of Wolverhampton Council’s Trading Standards team has seized over 2,000 illegal ‘Squishies’ due to alarming health and safety risks to young children.

Wolverhampton Trading Standards carried out a test purchase on the popular toys to ensure the products were legitimate and safe for children to play with.

The items were sent to Hampshire Scientific Services to initially test for phthalates, previously found in ‘fruit-head’ dolls in 2016.

However, following the test purchases, the Squishies failed several health and safety regulations and confirmed to be fake replicates of the popular toys.

Test results also found dangerous faults in the packaging, labelling and lack of warning labels required by law.

The Toy Safety regulations require all new toys to be marked with sufficient model numbers, include manufacturers details, CE markings, test certificates and appropriate warning messages for parents.

The forged toys, imported from China, arrived in loose packaging with manufacturing details, test certificates and CE markings all proved to be fake.

CE marking is a certification mark that indicates conformity with health, safety, and environmental protection standards for products sold within the EU.

A number of Squishes also breach the Trade Mark legislation for resembling registered Trade Marks such as Hello Kitty and Emojis that have not been produced with consent from legitimate Trade Mark holders.

Many Squishies are scented and young children could confuse them with food and risk trying to eat, suck or swallow the products which could cause serious injury and in extreme cases, death.

Councillor Steve Evans, Cabinet Member for City Environment at City of Wolverhampton Council said: “It’s important we carry out these test purchases, especially on new products where often fake goods are replicated putting customers at risk.

“Our local traders have also been affected and left out of pocket due trusting suppliers not complying with the law.

“We are working with other local authorities to act against the distributors of these products, to ensure children are protected from the risks posed by these dangerous toys.”

The City of Wolverhampton Council’s Trading Standards team has visited its markets and local traders to alert them of the dangers of the bogus toys and prevent them from continuing to sell the products.

As Dippy on Tour enters its final days at Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery (BMAG), visitors are encouraged to see the record-breaking exhibition before it finishes on Sunday 9^th September.

So far over 215,000 people have visited Dippy on Tour: A Natural History Adventure in Birmingham, which makes its BMAG’s most successful temporary exhibition to date.

The exhibition has been brought about by the Natural History Museum, in partnership with the Garfield Weston Foundation and supported by Dell EMC and Williams & Hill.

There have been excited children and adults, special chocolate dino creations and even a marriage proposal in front of the Natural History Museum’s popular skeleton cast Dippy the Diplodocus. As the exhibition draws to a close BMAG Museum Manager Gurminder Kenth is encouraging visitors not to miss the chance to see Dippy and to learn more about the natural world around them.

Gurminder Kenth said: “We’ve been overwhelmed by the reaction to Dippy being on display in Birmingham. It has opened up conversations about our natural world, encouraged visitors to get out and explore wildlife, and hopefully inspired the scientists of the future.

“There’s not long left, and this is the only chance to see Dippy in the Midlands, so we want to make sure no one misses out. Dinosaurs continue to captivate people of all ages, and in an ever-increasingly technological world, this exhibition has shown how nature can continue to engage and fascinate us all. Let’s give Dippy a great Birmingham send off!”

Booking tickets is recommended to guarantee entry, but walk up spaces are also available. Visitors without pre-booked tickets are advised they may need to wait during busier times.

There will also be celebrations to send Dippy off in style before he travels to the Ulster Museum in Belfast.

On Dippy’s last day in Birmingham, Sunday 9^th September, there will be a colourful farewell celebration. Visitors on the day are encouraged to dress up as dinosaurs or birds, or in themed clothing, to show Dippy how much he will be missed. While there is no obligation to dress up, there will be prizes for the best dressed and fun celebrations throughout the day.

Dippy has delighted visitors since he arrived in London in 1905. The full skeleton in its displayed pose is an impressive 21.3 metres long, 4.3 metres wide and 4.17 metres high.

In Birmingham Dippy is accompanied by an engaging exhibition which has seen the city’s extensive bird collection back on display in the museum for the first time in 20 years, to showcase the evolution of dinosaurs to the birds we know today.

The fun doesn’t have to stop once visitors have seen Dippy, there is the Dino Dig Excavation activity where budding palaeontologists can uncover a dinosaur skeleton, the free family room with Dippy themed activities, and even the Dino Kids’ Menu in the Edwardian Tearooms with turkey dinosaurs!

Private Health Care provider, Cygnet Health Care, has been shortlisted for an award for its partnership working with the University of Wolverhampton’s Apprenticeship Hub.

Cygnet Health Care, a leading independent provider of specialist mental health care services, is one of the first providers to introduce Nursing Associate Foundation Apprenticeships into the independent sector, as a way of addressing the national shortage of registered nurses.

The partnership has been shortlisted for the Personnel Today Awards 2018 in the category of Apprenticeship Employer of the Year alongside companies such as Barclays and Direct Line Group.

Michele Roberts, Head of the Apprenticeship Hub at the University, said: “It’s wonderful that the partnership with Cygnet Health Care has been recognised at national level.

“The Nursing Associate Apprenticeship programme has benefited from the pilot programme the University operated with a number of partner organisations last year.  We have worked extensively with employers in building a programme that meets their requirements, NMC requirements as well as ensuring the appropriate support mechanisms are in place for our Apprentices along the way.”

Mandy Blanchard, Head of Learning & Development at Cygnet, said: “The bespoke programme takes the form of an apprenticeship, where the participants work in our hospitals, for a minimum of 30 hours a week and spend one day a week studying and being supported by lecturers from the University of Wolverhampton.

“We are pleased to be helping address the national nurse shortage through this unique apprenticeship programme and it’s great that this has been acknowledged with an award shortlisting.

“We’re so excited to be helping some of our most dedicated and motivated support workers in their own career development as well as providing the individuals in our care with a fantastic team of highly-trained and passionate professionals.”

Twenty-one Cygnet employees who work for the organisation as support workers are studying to become nursing associates through the new Nursing Associate Foundation Degree Apprenticeship, which was launched by the Faculty of Education, Health and Wellbeing at the University’s Walsall Campus in March this year.

The role of a nursing associate aims to bridge the gap between healthcare support workers and registered nurses, enabling nurses to spend more time on clinical duties and take more of a lead in decisions about patient care. Nursing associates are an important part of Cygnet’s strategy to simultaneously provide greater career development opportunities for their support workers, while also further improving the support they provide for the individuals in their care.

Upon completion of the two-year Nursing Associate course, the programme participants will continue to study and work for a further two years to become registered nurses.

The Cygnet programme follows a successful trial run by Health Education England in the NHS, where pilot schemes have resulted in a commitment to train a further 12,500 Nurse Associates over the next two years.

The University offers Higher and Degree Apprenticeships in Chartered Management (CMDA), Higher Apprenticeship in Construction Management with pathways for Civil Engineering, Built Environment and Architecture, Chartered Surveying, Manufacturing Engineering, Product Design & Development Engineer, Chartered Legal Executive and Healthcare Science Practitioner Degree Apprenticeships.

Future Higher and Degree Apprenticeships will include Digital Technologies, Policing, Social Work, Nursing and Paramedic Degree Apprenticeships.

With just over a week to go until this year's Carver Wolverhampton Half Marathon Events, people are being encouraged to enrol and enjoy the benefits of physical activity.

There is still time to register to take part in the Carver Half Marathon, Banks's 10km Run, Cousins Furniture Cycle Events, Callprint Walk In The Park or the Paycare Mini Marathon on Sunday 2 September, 2018.

Each event starts and finishes at West Park, and all proceeds will go to Give Us A Break Wolverhampton, Compton Care, Wolverhampton and Bilston Athletics Club and the Mayor of Wolverhampton Councillor Phil Page's chosen charities, Wolverhampton MS Therapy Centre, Kingswood Trust, Good Shepherd in Need and Inspire You.

Online registration closes tomorrow (Saturday), though people can register in person from Tuesday to Friday at Carver’s Building Supplies and at West Park on Saturday 1 September from 9.30am-5pm.

Councillor Hazel Malcolm, the City of Wolverhampton Council's Cabinet Member for Public Health and Wellbeing, said: "This year’s Carver Wolverhampton Half Marathon Events are an excellent opportunity for individuals and families to enjoy physical activity and raise vital funds for good causes.

“The events appeal to so many different people, with something for everyone, whether you are young or old, sporty or not. As well as running, you can also hop on your bike or enjoy a walk around West Park.”

Being physically active is good for both physical and mental health. It can help to prevent and manage a number of chronic conditions and diseases, including some cancers, heart disease, type 2 diabetes and depression, and also helps people to be more socially connected.

However, data suggests that a third of people in Wolverhampton do less than 30 minutes of physical activity per week. The NHS recommends people are active for at least two-and-a-half hours per week.

Councillor Malcolm added: "There are many ways in which we can be more physically active in our everyday lives, such as walking, gardening, dancing, swimming and cycling. The Carver Wolverhampton Half Marathon Events provide a variety of running, walking and cycling activities to appeal to a range of ages and abilities, and I’d encourage people to sign up today."

Marking Spanish tradition, culture and culinary excellence, the world-renowned Valencian rice dish, paella, will be celebrated on 20 September at World Paella Day.

Spearheaded by the Spanish city of Valencia, the birthplace of paella, the city will be encouraging cooks from around the world to try their hand at creating the iconic Spanish dish.

On 20 September, the Valencians who normally play passionate custodians over the traditional recipe will end the age-old debate and share their secrets; with the ambition of celebrating the dish around the world and establishing it as an international emblem of Valencia.

Over the years, paella recipes have evoked controversy on an international scale, such as the use of chorizo by British chef Jamie Oliver, a baked recipe cooked in a glass dish by actor Rob Schneider or the rice, chicken, squid, chorizo ​​and clam version by chef Gordon Ramsey. World Paella Day on 20 September will put these differences aside and will encourage the world to try their hand at creating the Valencian paella, revealing the traditional recipe that famously unites family and friends in Spain and around the world.

World Paella Day will include a series of activities throughout September 2018 including the International Paella Contest of Sueca (Valencia) on 16 September, a series of 'rice days' and workshops in Valencia and the 'Festival of the Rice Harvest' in Albufera Natural Park.  In the UK, the Spanish Tourist Office in London is also arranging a series of events to mark World Paella Day (details will be uploaded in due course on http://socialnewsroom.spain.info/).

Word Paella Day is an initiative spearheaded by Valencia City Council, the Valencia Tourism Foundation, Valencia Tourism Agency, the Hotel Catering Business Federation of Valencia, Wikipaella, the D.Orix Rice of Valencia, the International Contest of Paellas of Sueca and paella organisation, Paella Today.

The Prodigy have announced a UK and European tour this November and December to tie in with their seventh studio album 'No Tourists' which is released 2^nd November 2018. The twenty-date tour will see the band play the opening night of their tour in Glasgow to co-incide with the albums release date. All tickets will be on General sale on Friday August 31^st at 09:30 (BST).

Always uncompromising, The Prodigy’s influence can be seen across generations, turning metal kids onto raving and ravers into metalheads.  The band put out genre destroying record after genre defying record and from the very start, The Prodigy were renegade revolutionaries. Put simply, The Prodigy are no tourists and never were.

The band have clocked up a staggering 6 number 1 albums, sold 30 million records, played to many millions around the world, and won multiple honours (two Brits, two Kerrang! awards, five MTV awards, two Grammy nominations). Though much has changed in the musical and social landscape, what remains a constant is The Prodigy’s resolute focus to always do things their own unique way and in 2018 the urgency and irrepressible spirit of The Prodigy has never been more needed.

Three graduates from the University of Wolverhampton benefited from hands-on experience of working with a creative touring company recently.

Jon Rogers, Kayleigh Talbot and Sabrina Nabi, School of Performing Arts Drama degree graduates, worked with four core artists in residence from the Black Country Touring Company, supported by the Black Country Living Museum, on a six week paid internship which provided them with opportunities to develop their skills, expand their CVs and create valuable networking contacts.

Black Country Touring is both a producing company and a touring network working across the whole of the Black Country. The company has a reputation for creating high quality work for non-traditional spaces drawing on the stories of local communities.

The Drama graduates led the research phase of the project and the company created new multi-artform performances, in three separate spaces at the Black Country Living Museum, in response to the research about the historical shops in the museum.

The production company created vivid experiences for audiences throughout August using different performance styles in each of the locations. The performances were designed to reflect the spaces and their history, and also individual connections to the Black Country today.

The performances drew on a range of performance styles and techniques to create educational entertainment that respond to Black Country heritage and engages both past and present identification with the region.

Claire Hampton, Course Leader and Senior Lecturer in Drama at the University, said:  “The School of Performing Arts prides itself on high rates of employability and this was an ideal project to retain and nurture talented graduates here in the Black Country. As graduates, the students displayed the necessary skills and provided professionalism, initiative, creativity and confidence in a high-profile, successful project.”

Jon Rogers, 31 from Wednesbury, said: “I really enjoy the research side of creating a new piece and it’s very satisfying to sit back and watch something I have created. This was my first time working with Black Country Touring and it was great to work with other researchers  to compile stories and memories sourced from people visiting the Black Country Museum.”