Young people from as far afield as Brazil, China and Australia enjoyed the chance to debate issues in Sandwell Council’s chamber.

A group of 38 young people on a cultural exchange, organised by the Lions Club International Youth Centre, spent an afternoon at the council house and met councillors as well as the mayor, Councillor Ahmadul Haque MBE.

Sandwell Lions Club arranged the visit which also included a trip to the Balajhi Hindu Temple, Sandwell Valley Country Park, and ended with fish and chips and a skittles competition at Thimblemill Library.

Sandwell mayor, Councillor Ahmadul Haque, said: “It was a pleasure to host part of the group’s trip to Sandwell and show them around the council chamber. They enjoyed a lively debating session in the council chamber covering lots of topics including should people who don't vote be fined.”

Sandwell Lions Club president Melissa Murphy said: “It was a great opportunity to welcome our young visitors from all over the world to Sandwell. We think we may have set a record for the number of nationalities in a library at any one time.”

The World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), Hilton and the WYSE Travel Confederation will join forces ahead of International Youth Day at the Youth General Assembly at the United Nations Headquarters to highlight tourism’s capacity to empower youth.

The New York event is part of the International Year of Sustainable Tourism for Development 2017 framework, and will focus on the tourism industry’s potential to create jobs, provide entrepreneurship opportunities, and deliver a more responsible tourism sector for today’s Youth.

Young people represent around 23% of the 1,235 million tourists travelling internationally each year. The event will discuss the contribution of this influential to world peace and a better future through sustainable tourism.

“Youth can be a powerful catalyst to advance the contribution of tourism to the Sustainable Development Goals, particularly Goal 8 on economic growth and jobs, and Goal 12 on sustainable consumption and production as they can lead a transformation into a more responsible way of travelling” said Sandra Carvao, Chief Communications at UNWTO. Hilton and the International Youth Foundation plan to preview the latest Global Youth Wellbeing Index, revealing that young people are “plugged in,” and yet disconnected from vital skills, economic opportunities, local communities and governments. Reconnecting Youth is an urgent need at this moment in history when half of the world’s population is under 30.

“Our future depends on resilient and thriving societies, and this starts with young people. To help better understand the challenges facing Young people, Hilton collaborated with the International Youth Foundation to commission the Global Youth Wellbeing Index,” said Daniella Foster, Senior Director of Global Corporate Responsibility, Hilton. “To better equip today’s Youth for the workforce, Hilton has committed to opening our doors to one million young people by 2019. As of today, we are more than half way there.”

The Global Report on the Power of Youth Travel by UNWTO and the WYSE Travel Confederation shows that youth and student travel markets are increasingly important and resilient. It also concludes that youth travel spend more on local communities and thus represent a growing opportunity for socio-economic development.

The event will also highlight the role of tourism in the accomplishment of the SDGs, in particular for Youth, through job creation, entrepreneurship and social inclusion. It will also look into the future of tourism jobs and skills development.

The UK’s leading plumber accreditation body is warning householders in Gloucestershire that the humble hosepipe could be a danger to their drinking water – as well as exposing them to the risk of developing Legionnaires’ disease.

Many homeowners don’t realise how ill they can become if the water in the hosepipe “backflows” into their drinking water supply, or becomes contaminated by the potentially lethal bacteria which causes Legionnaires’ disease.

WaterSafe has now teamed up with renowned health expert Dr Susanne Lee, Director of Leegionella Ltd, to develop its top do’s and don’ts to help keep customers and their hosepipes healthy and safe.

Its hosepipe tips are:

• DO fit an approved double check valve to hosepipes to prevent any water, or contaminants from the garden, ponds or paddling pools, flowing back into your mains drinking water supply
• DON’T place hosepipes in drains, garden ponds, buckets or watering cans where they can be submerged as contaminated water could be siphoned back into your homes’ drinking water pipework
• DO turn off your hosepipe at the tap and ideally fully disconnect it when not in use
• DO fit a self-closing flow control, such as a trigger spray gun, to prevent it being used when unattended
• DO keep your hose somewhere cool and out of the sun
• DO gently run the water out of the hose before you use it – without any form of spray attachment on the end
• DON’T use a hosepipe that has been sitting around and full of warm water to fill a hot tub. The warm water within the tub will allow any bacteria – including Legionella – to quickly grow.

Legionnaires’ disease is a rare form of pneumonia caused by the Legionella bacteria. It is usually contracted from inhaling very small aerosols which come from sprays formed when turning on a shower, tap, flushing a toilet, or using a spa pool, hot tub or other activities which cause a spray of water – such as a hosepipe.

Julie Spinks, Director of WaterSafe, said: “Sadly many homeowners may not realise how ill you can get if the water in your hosepipe “backflows” into your drinking water supply, or becomes contaminated by potentially lethal bacteria, such as Legionella, that can thrive in warm, stagnant water.

“These simple steps will help protect against this happening but if in any doubt, always seek advice from a WaterSafe-approved plumber who will be able to ensure you have the right safety measures in place.”

Shirley Cramer CBE, Chief Executive of the Royal Society for Public Health said: “Getting the message out about hosepipe safety is of great importance for the public’s health. Quick and easy measures can ensure drinking water is kept clear of contaminants to keep families safe.

“The RSPH welcomes WaterSafe’s release of their top hosepipe DO’S and DON’T’S – sensible and practical advice that will help prevent those who follow it from potentially contracting serious diseases such as Legionnaires’.”

WaterSafe is encouraging everyone to share its hosepipe safety campaign on social media with the hashtag #HosepipeSafety. WaterSafe can also be found on Twitter: @WatersafeUK and Facebook: /WaterSafeRegister

From the 1 September 2017, the Barclaycard Arena in Birmingham will become ‘Arena Birmingham’ in a move to a brand that reflects the venue’s location.

Arena Birmingham will be in situ for the new event season, with the Nooran Sisters (9 Sept), John Legend (20 Sept) and The Australian Pink Floyd Show (30 Sept) scheduled to be amongst the first to perform under the new brand name.

Barclaycard, the multinational credit card and payment service provider, announced in 2016 that as part of a review of their sponsorship strategy across both Barclaycard and the broader Barclays Group, it planned to move away from long-term naming rights with the venue.

Managing Director for the NEC Group Arenas, Phil Mead said: “The Barclaycard Arena has been a resounding success since it launched with Michael Bublé in 2014 following a £26 million redevelopment. The award-winning venue has attracted world-class entertainment from Drake to Iron Maiden and Céline Dion, and has secured high profile international sports events from the Davis Cup in 2016, to the IAAF World Indoor Athletics Championships in 2018.

“Much of what we have achieved is down to the support of Barclaycard who have been an excellent partner since 2012, but we are now entering another exciting era with Arena Birmingham, as it’s transformed into a destination in its own right within the city.  The construction of the LEGOLAND® Discovery Centre Birmingham is already underway, we are a principle venue of the Birmingham Commonwealth Games 2022 bid, and will be hosting a roster of great events throughout the rest of 2017/18.”

The Arena has become one of the busiest large scale indoor sporting and entertainment venues in Europe, staging everything from sports events to concerts, entertainment spectaculars, business conferences and exhibitions, benefitting from its position at the heart of the UK.  Alongside its sister venue, Genting Arena, the NEC Group Arenas provide the ultimate arena customer experience, attracting over 1.5 million visitors annually.

The British Red Cross are looking for people to pull on their trainers, strap on their Fitbit, and make their miles count this September.

Miles for Refugees is a unique challenge. Participants chose a distance from 22 to 2,700 miles and then, throughout September, walk, swim, cycle or run to reach their target.

Red Cross events team manager, Kerry Thomas, says "Miles for Refugees is an event for everyone. Whether you are a marathon runner, a long-distance cyclist, someone who walks the dog each morning, or are trying to motivate yourself to go swimming more regularly, you can sign up and challenge yourself.”

Entry to the event costs £10 with a sponsorship target of £100.

All money raised from Miles for Refugees will support the Red Cross’ Family Reunion work. Each year, thousands of refugees are denied their right to a family life because of the complex nature of refugee family reunion. Trained Red Cross caseworkers guide refugees through the process; and can help with travel logistics and costs, ensuring that families are reunited quickly and safely.

Alex Fraser, UK Director of Red Cross refugee services said:

“At its heart, family reunion is about keeping loved ones together. But it is also a safe and legal route to protection that refugees can pursue in order to bring loved ones to the UK. Last year we reunited 2,000 people with their families. Taking part in Miles for Refugees could help us to reunite many more.”

Public Health England (PHE) in the West Midlands is urging people to take precautions to Stay Well This Summer and enjoy the festival season just before one of the region’s biggest events – V Festival during the weekend of Saturday 19 and Sunday 20 August.

Among the most important advice from PHE Health Protection specialists is for young people to make sure they are up to date with immunisations including MMR and MenACWY, and that they practice safe sex.

Dr Musarrat Afza, PHE West Midlands Health Protection consultant, said: “There are a number of practical things people can do to make sure they enjoy the festival season, but something people might not consider is being up to date with their MMR jabs. Festivals often attract family groups and because of this, last year we saw a number of measles outbreaks linked to outdoor events. Measles is extremely infectious and can be more severe in teenagers and adults, leading to hospitalisation, so it’s really important children and young people have had both of their MMR jabs.

“We also want to remind school leavers heading off to college and university after the summer to protect themselves against potentially life threatening meningitis and septicaemia, by getting the MenACWY vaccination before they start their courses. Young people should also make sure they practice safe sex by using condoms.”

How to Stay Well This Summer:

• children and young people should make sure they have had 2 MMR jabs
• if you think you may need them, make sure you take condoms
• make sure you have a few first aid items such as plasters, antiseptic wipes, antiseptic cream, insect repellent, antihistamine cream for bites and stings, and headache tablets

• keep hydrated by drinking lots of water and don’t drink too much alcohol
• use sunscreen with minimum SPF15 and protection against UVA and UVB
• wear sunglasses – preferably wraparound or with wide arms, to protect eyes from UV
• cover up with appropriate clothing and wear a hat