Shocking new research has revealed that thousands of people in the West Midlands have suffered a deterioration in their mental health because of housing problems in their lifetime, and many are seeking help from GPs in the area.

The report from Shelter and ComRes shows 28% of people in the West Midlands have experienced issues including long-term stress, anxiety and depression due to a housing problem over their lifetime. In some of the worst cases, people have suicidal thoughts.

The charity is urging anyone overwhelmed by housing problems to get advice from Shelter Birmingham Hub, after 1 in 12 (8%) people in the region said they had visited their GP due to housing problems.

An in-depth investigation by the charity with 20 GPs, including professionals from Birmingham, revealed:

• GPs say some of their patients diagnosed with anxiety and depression is directly due to housing problems
• Bad housing is tipping people with existing mental health issues ‘over the edge’
• Poor housing conditions are having the biggest effect on mental health but unaffordable and unstable rented housing are also having a negative impact
• GPs feel they need more help in supporting patients experiencing these problems

Shelter Birmingham manager, Vicky Hines, said: "Every day at Shelter Birmingham we hear from people who are at their wit’s end because they just can’t cope with their unstable, unliveable or unaffordable housing.

“From families worrying about falling behind on the rent to people struggling with the misery of raising children in tiny, mouldy flats and houses – people can feel completely overwhelmed.

"But getting advice and support early can ease the pressure and stop things spiralling out of control. Shelter’s free expert advice is only a click or conversation away – visit shelter.org.uk/advice or contact Shelter Birmingham on 0344 515 1800.”

Dr Vijayakar Abrol, who works as a GP in Birmingham and took part in the Shelter study, said: “When housing is sub-standard with inadequate heating, or without proper facilities for bathing, cooking and sleeping, this can have an impact on mental health – especially when it comes to aggravating more fragile people who have existing conditions.

“Personally, I have seen an increase in the number of patients with mental health problems in my practice and growing problems around housing are making the situation worse.”

Anyone struggling with bad housing and homelessness in the West Midlands can contact Shelter Birmingham on 0344 515 1800 or drop into their advice centre at Shelter Birmingham, 4th Floor, Gateway House, 50-53 High Street, Birmingham, B4 7SY.

On Sunday 23 April 2017, Drifters Waterway Holidays and the Canal & River Trust are offering people the chance to try canal boating for free at 19 locations across England and Wales, including Valley Cruises at Coventry Canal Basin.

The taster sessions, which run from 11am till 4pm, will include free short trips on skippered narrowboats, as well as boat tours and holiday discounts.

Tim Parker, chairman of Drifters Waterway Holidays, explains: “Travelling at just 4mph through peaceful countryside, sleepy villages and popular waterside towns and cities, canal boat holidays are often described as ‘the fastest way to slow down’. Close to 400,000 people go canal boating each year, nearly double the number 10 years ago* and over 3,000 people got afloat at our Open Day in 2016. “We hope that this year’s taster sessions will introduce many more people to the joys of a holiday afloat on Britain’s wonderful inland waterways.”

Mike Grimes, head of boating at the Canal & River Trust, added: “For many people, a boating holiday is the start of a lifelong passion for our beautiful network of inland waterways. These free taster sessions are a great way to see if this sort of holiday could be for you, before committing to a full weekend or week’s break.”

University of Wolverhampton students recorded some valuable work experience when they visited a local radio station recently.

First year students studying for a degree in Multimedia Journalism visited local Wolverhampton radio station, 101.8 WCR FM, and were given a tour of the radio production studios as well as gaining some hands-on experience of recording from radio presenters during their visit. Students also researched a local news story and wrote scripts to fit the style of radio news bulletins, using the studio’s facilities to record their bulletins.

Dr Bianca Fox, Course Leader in the Faculty of Arts at the University, said: “For their final assignment students have to write and record their own radio programme and we wanted to work with broadcast industry professionals to help give them some real life work experience. Our aim is to increase partnerships with local broadcasters and professional journalists involved in the delivery of the degree.”

Angely Khan, a student on the course, said: "We have spent time on the course learning the ins and outs of radio news and practising writing and recording.  It was great to actually experience a real-life radio station that is just a short walk away from the campus. Students were able to meet and observe presenters whilst they were on air and toured the studio facilities.  Some are now looking to volunteer with the radio station after such a positive day.”

BBC Journalist and Masterclass trainer, Jules McCarthy, said: "It's a real privilege to work closely with local students who have a real talent for news. We've been able to help develop their multiplatform skills, using the excellent studio training facilities at 101.8 WCR FM. As a Wolverhampton girl myself, it's been extremely rewarding to help develop the next generation of this City's journalists.”

Breaking with her previous statements about not calling a general election before 2020, Prime Minister Theresa May, yesterday announced that she wants a general election to be held on 8^th June.

In a statement, the Prime Minister stated that when she came to power in July, 2016, the country was in need of a stable and secure hand, to deliver the results of the referendum. She believes that she has delivers that, and now she feels that in order to properly deliver the fully Brexit package, she must secure a mandate for herself and the Conservative Party.

By calling a general election, Theresa May hopes to prevent the squabbling and nit picking that Labour and the Liberal Democrats had promised to deliver, had Parliament sat until 2020. With the Conservatives polling 21 percentage points ahead of Labour in the most recent opinion polls, the Prime Minister is no doubt confident that she can win a sizeable majority and strengthen her hand, when it comes to achieving her key policy proposals.

However, despite calling for a General Election, Theresa May is not guaranteed to get one. By order of the Fixed Term Parliaments Act of 2011, in order to dissolve Parliament and have a general election, the Prime Minister would need to get a two thirds majority of votes in favour of a new election.

There are those who think it would be within Labour and the Liberal Democrats interest to prevent the passage of the vote, as they believe that seizing on the potential chaos of the actual Brexit negotiations, could add to Labour and the Liberal Democrats appeal in 2020.

However, both Jeremy Corbyn and Tim Farron, leaders of Labour and the Liberal Democrats respectively, have stated that they will support the call for the dissolution of Parliament and the calling of a new election for 8^th June.

At the time of writing, it has been confirmed that Parliament will be formally dissolved on 3^rd May, and that the deadline for parties to recommend their candidates is a week later. Deadlines for registering to vote will be 22^nd May.

With this move, Theresa May has guaranteed that things in Britain are to be even more heated for the next few weeks and perhaps for the weeks after the election as well as leading up to it. A potentially smart move, or one that could damn her and her party. Only time will tell.

By Vivek Rajkhowa

Owning a pet can be expensive with research showing the first year costs thousands on average – from bedding and food, to the damage they wreak on our homes. The poll from Nationwide Home Insurance, which coincides with National Pet Month, reveals Brits pay an average of £3,500 to cover the initial starting costs as well as the ongoing monthly bills.

Nationwide, which is the only high street financial services provider to offer accidental damage caused by pets as standard on their Home Insurance product, conducted the research to gauge the true cost of keeping an animal.

The research shows a huge variation in the costs of keeping different animals. When it comes to cats versus dogs, felines come out on top financially as the poll shows cat owners pay on average just half (£2,455) the amount dog owners do (£4,791) over the course of the first year.

And for anyone thinking about getting a horse, they will need to be prepared for a significant outlay as the Nationwide poll shows that the first year of equine ownership costs an average of £12,654 – perhaps not surprising given the cost of a horse is likely to run into thousands and the significant monthly cost of livery yards.

Fish are the most cost-effective pet to own with annual expenditure of just £769 – including the tank, pumps and associated equipment, while a rabbit - hutch and all - will set someone back an average of £1,802, according to the survey.

While the average amount spent on the animal itself comes to just £147, one in five (20%) pet owners spend more than £250. The poll shows horses (£2,322), dogs (£591), lizards (£324) and guinea pigs (£283) are the most expensive animals to purchase.

And as any pet owner will know, the impact on household finances continues once the animal becomes part of the family. The research shows Brits spend around £3,024 per year - £252 each month - on their ongoing care, including items such as food, vet bills, treats, toys and pet insurance.

When it comes to specific animals there is clearly a huge difference in associated costs. Horses are the biggest drain on the family finances, at £861 per month, while a dog will set owners back £350 each month. Fish are by far the cheapest, at an average of £588 a year (£49 per month).

A Birmingham teenager has shaved off her hair to help the hospice that cared for her great-grandfather.

Fifteen-year-old Molly Harrison from Erdington has raised over £800 for John Taylor Hospice as a thank you for the care and support provided for her family.

Molly was only four years old when her great-grandfather George Harrison was cared for in the hospice’s In-Patient Unit in 2006.

“The hospice took such good care of him and I wanted to do this for them to show how much it means to me and my family,” explains Molly who is a student at Erdington Academy. “I feel really proud to have raised £808 - I didn’t think I’d make that much! I’d like to say thank you to everyone who sponsored me.”

Her bold fundraising challenge took place in front of an audience at Kingstanding Ex-Servicemen’s Club – somewhere George was a familiar face. Cheered on by family and friends Molly’s dad Mark shaved off her long brunette locks to raise vital funds for their local hospice.

Molly’s mum Sally Harrison said she clearly remembers the day that her daughter decided to do something special to raise money for the hospice. “When she was about nine her school, Firs Primary, held a cake sale in aid of John Taylor Hospice,” recalls mum-of-four Sally.

“A member of hospice staff went to collect the cheque and spoke to the children about fundraising to help their local community. Molly came out of school that day and asked me if the hospice was where we went to visit grandad. When I said yes she told me she wanted to do something to help them.”

The hospice provides specialist palliative and end of life care for people living with a terminal illness and their families and relies heavily upon public donations.

Sally added: “Hospice staff just couldn’t do enough for me and my family. We could visit at any time and were even able to stay overnight and bring grandad his favourite takeaway food!

“It felt like a home from home and we’re so thankful that they supported us to make the most of our precious time together. We’re full of pride for Molly and think it’s amazing that she has done this to help families just like ours.”

Molly will be donating her hair to children’s cancer charity Little Princess Trust who provide real hair wigs, free of charge, to children across the UK and Ireland that have lost their own hair through cancer treatment.

John Taylor’s Head of Fundraising Katie Mitchell said: “Molly is simply an amazing fundraiser! We are full of admiration for her and so grateful to everyone that backed her fundraising efforts. Our supporters go to great lengths to raise money for us and we can’t thank them enough for their kindness and generosity.”