People who want to combine volunteering with discovering England and Wales are being offered a free holiday as part of YHA's Working Holiday programme. The youth hostelling charity, YHA (England and Wales), is offering up to five nights' free accommodation at 40 of its properties throughout England and Wales in exchange for volunteers' time to help them get Youth Hostels ship-shape for spring 2017.

West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner David Jamieson is co-hosting a special event on modern slavery. The all-day conference will detail a victim’s journey from their first contact with the trafficker right through to rescue and aftercare. Experts from the police, West Midlands Anti Slavery Network and more will share their knowledge and best practice. The event – hosted by the PCC, West Midlands Police, West Midlands Anti Slavery Network and Barnardo’s – will take place on Tuesday (18) at Tally Ho, Birmingham.

Black Country Chamber has taken action after receiving a number of reports from members relating to crime in the Bilston area. The crimes included break-ins at businesses which have resulted in criminal damage and theft. This impacts heavily on local industry and can result in companies considering relocation if problems persist. To support local Black Country businesses, Craig Fowler, a Black Country Chamber Relationship Manager, contacted the Wolverhampton Business Crime Reduction Group to advise them on the issues businesses are facing.

A team of international artists will be transforming Blenheim Palace into an illuminated wonderland as part of a magical new festive trail this winter (November 25th – January 2nd). 'Christmas at Blenheim' will see the Oxfordshire estate lit up by a series of stunning outdoor attractions including a scented fire garden, dancing cascades, sparkling hedgerows, fairy-lit arbours, singing Christmas trees and a lake aglow with brightly-lit boats.

Drivers in the West Midlands commit more emotion-related road offences than any other UK region, according to new research from motoring experts Confused.com. The survey of UK drivers revealed that 4.5 million motorists admit to committing motoring offences, such as running red lights or speeding, as a result of feeling emotional. And it turns out 23% of drivers in the West Midlands alone do this.

With numerous businesses being targeted by cyber criminals in recent weeks and a continuous rise in threats from social engineering, keeping our personal and private information out of the wrong hands whilst working and socialising online is becoming increasingly difficult.  Cyber crime has not only grown in its capability to do serious damage to both businesses and individuals, it has also become so sophisticated that the difference between a legitimate request and a downright scam isn’t quite as apparent as it once was.