Community News

Sandwell Council is to give the West Bromwich-based People’s Orchestra a special £1,000 grant to help it to replace vital equipment it lost in a recent theft.

The orchestra lost a public address system, cables, wires and IT equipment which were snatched from the back of the van belonging the group in a second theft they have suffered.

Now Councillor Richard Marshall, Sandwell Council's cabinet member for leisure, said he was delighted to be able to announce that the council was to help the group to keep playing music for Black Country enthusiasts.

He said: “The People’s Orchestra is a well-respected organisation who have really been badly affected by two thefts of their equipment.

"They provide excellent entertainment for music lovers and do some excellent work in the community and deserve some assistance at this difficult time."

The orchestra, which is based at West Bromwich Town Hall, is made up of a diverse mix of talented musicians from varied backgrounds aged 18-75 years.

The primary objective of the orchestra is to advance, improve and develop an appreciation for arts and music through public concerts.

It also works to help unemployed people back into work by helping to boost their confidence and gain new skills.

Managing director Sarah Marshall estimated that the stolen equipment could cost as much as £2,000 to replace after the "truly heartbreaking thefts" on their vehicle.

She added: "We are absolutely delighted to hear of the council’s kind offer because we have to work so hard to raise the money to buy this equipment to help people to play music and the unemployed members to get back into work."

Dog owners can get their pets microchipped for free at an event being held in the City of Wolverhampton.

RSPCA Stafford, Wolverhampton and District Branch are working in partnership with City of Wolverhampton Council’s Public Protection team to offer the service at West Park on Saturday, September 23, from 10am to 2pm.

A new law which came into force on April 6, 2016, requires all dogs over eight weeks old in England, Scotland and Wales to be microchipped.

The measures are aimed at cracking down on vicious or illegal dogs as well as helping protect animals that may become lost.

Dogs need to be microchipped and registered with their keepers’ contact details. All keepers, including breeders, will need to keep these details up to date.

The microchip is the size of a grain of rice and its information about the dog and the owner’s contact details will be officially held on an approved micro-chip database.

Councillor Steve Evans, City of Wolverhampton Council Cabinet Member for City Environment, said: “Microchipping is a great way to make sure that you and your pet can be reunited should the unthinkable ever happen, and your dog does go missing.

“Unlike dog tags and collars, which can fall off or be removed, microchipping is a permanent form of identification. By microchipping your companion, you can help to increase your chances of being rightfully reunited with your pet, should they ever be lost or even stolen from you.”

If a pet is already microchipped, it is important to remember to keep the dog’s details updated. If people move house or change phone number, they should contact their microchip database provider to let them know.

Not only it is a legal requirement to ensure that contact details are up-to-date, but the microchip is useless without them.

Jenny Stringer, Chair of RSPCA Stafford, Wolverhampton and District Branch Chair, said: “There are so many owners that aren't aware that by law all dogs must be microchipped, so the local RSPCA Stafford Wolverhampton & District Branch have held a number of events to help microchip local animals.

“Thousands of animals are lost every year and many never reunited with their owners - having your dog microchipped reduces this happening. We are really pleased to be working in conjunction with the council to provide this free service at West Park. Microchipping can cost up to £25 so it's a huge saving.”

If a dog without a microchip comes to the attention of the authorities, its keeper could be served with a notice requiring the dog to be microchipped, and may face criminal prosecution and a £500 fine if they do not comply with the notice.

The only exemption is where a vet has certified in writing that a dog is unfit to have the chip fitted.

Cranberry and blood orange liqueur brand, Cranes, names Danilo Sassanelli of Soho based bar, Graphic Bar as the winner of their first cocktail competition.

Competitors were challenged to create innovative cocktails that will 'Paint the Town Red', with the only specification that they included 20ml of Cranes Cranberry & Blood Orange Liqueur.

Danilo of Graphic Bar, London, triumphed over two other competitors in the final of the competition, which took place at the Prince of Wales, Brixton on 11th September.

The contest was judged by Tom Arnold, who also judged the WFA Flair Bartending World Championship; Sean Cambridge, mixologist and Cocktail bar manager; and twin brothers and co-founders of the Cranes brand, Benjamin and Daniel Ritsema.

Danilo was awarded a cash prize, a years supply of Cranes liqueur for the bar he's employed by and also the title of Cranes Brand Ambassador.

The other finalists were Sammy from First Aid Box and Louis from The Shrub and Shutter, who both created exquisite cocktails.

The winning cocktail '160 Cranes' consisted of;

• 25ml Cranes
• 30ml Calvados
• 5ml Aperol
• 25ml Lime juice
• 5ml cider vinegar
• Bergamot bitters
• Egg white

The Crowne Plaza Hotel Birmingham on Monday evening played host to an auspicious gathering of BME Civic, Faith, Housing and Community Leaders, amassed for an appreciation dinner in honour of the West Midlands Combined Authority Mayor, Andy Street CBE.

Invited by Nehemiah UCHA Honorary President, Bishop W R Powell, OBE & Chairman Mr Jimmy Ogunshakin, the assembled group welcomed Mr Street and congratulated him on his election to Mayor of the West Midlands.

Nehemiah UCHA are a Housing Association with a portfolio of 1100 properties serving the multicultural African Caribbean, Asian, Irish and European communities within the West Midlands, and the night was as much a celebration of their success over the years as well as honouring Andy Street.

"With such an influential group of leaders from across the West Midlands here, thank you very much for bringing everyone together tonight," Mr Street began, "Part of my reason for coming tonight is to learn from what you all do, and to build those relationships."

"There is no point in saying what you're going to do during a campaign, if you're not prepared to actually do it when you're in office as well. I am determined to continue the engagement of all of the communities, because genuinely I believe that being Mayor has to mean being Mayor of the whole of the West Midlands, not just one community."

Mr Street fielded questions from the room adequetly, talking expertly on the topics of Social Change, Housing, and his first 100 days in office, with his usual charismatic charm shining through, immediately putting everyone at ease.

For someone who stepped into the political arena from a business background, and set out a checklist of promises that by his own admission, he would be judged on, he was brutally honest in his admission that those promises haven't all been hit to the standard he would have liked, yet. A true breath of fresh air from a politician.

With regards to the Homelessness Task Force, Andy agreed with a statement from Nehemiah UCHA Chief Executive Llewellyn Graham earlier in the evening, that "actually the government record on this is poor, we have to lobby carefully to win change and drive improvement in that area, and I'm pleased to say that everyone is coming together to do that."

Nehemiah UCHA have responded to the needs of their customers by providing large homes for those with extended families, specially designed homes for people with disabilities or specific religious/cultural needs, and energy efficient homes to minimise the impact of fuel poverty. They are committed to serving the community and aims to build it into a thriving social unit in which people of all ethnic backgrounds feel at home and valued.

With the help and support of those gathered in the room, and the wider communities they represent, Andy Street definitely has a good ear to the ground to discern exactly what is required. Whether he is able to enact change for the betterment of these communities as he has set out to do, only time will tell.

Wildflowers could be adding a splash of colour to gardens as well as grass verges in Sandwell next summer.

In the spring, Sandwell Council planted wildflowers on grass verges and roundabouts – reducing the need for mowing and creating a haven for bees and butterflies.

Photographs of the flowers received more than 1,500 likes on the council's Facebook page and were seen by close to 100,000 people.

Sandwell Council’s cabinet member for highways Councillor David Hosell said: “We’ve had so many compliments and enquiries from residents who wanted to buy the seeds that we’re working with our supplier to see if we can sell the seeds for people to plant in their own gardens next spring.”

People are being urged to sign up for adult learning in Sandwell.

Sandwell Adult and Family Learning (SAFL) has held three open days where hundreds of new learners have enrolled on a wide range of courses.

Learners have been signing up to courses in English and maths as well as employability courses offering support on writing CVs and interview skills. There has also been a good take-up of the more creative courses such as art, sewing and textiles courses.

Adult learner Moreen Campbell has already completed courses at Tipton College and has again signed up for more courses this term.

After studying English at entry level and Level 1 Moreen is going on to study for her Level 2 in English which is equivalent to a GCSE. While doing her English studies, Moreen learned about the sewing and dressmaking classes on offer and has now signed up for her third term on that course.

Moreen said: "I love coming to the adult learning classes. The staff have given me real encouragement with my studies. My confidence has improved and I'm glad I've been given the opportunity to better myself.

"Before signing up for the sewing and dressmaking course, I couldn't sew at all but now I'm making my own dresses. I'd recommend adult learning to anyone."

Students can enrol on classes for this term until the end of September. Enrolment is taking place at any of the three adult learning centres; Tipton College in Alexandra Road, Ron Davis Centre in Smethwick and Hateley Heath Family Education and Training Centre in West Bromwich.

Councillor Simon Hackett went along to the recent open day at Tipton College and met the staff along with some new learners. He said: "The learners I met were so enthusiastic about the courses they have done and the tutors who taught them. It was great to see them signing up for more courses.”

“I encourage people to have a look at the courses on offer and enrol. There really is something for everyone including GCSE equivalent qualifications.”

To find out more details about the courses on offer please visit www.learnsafl.ac.uk or call 0121 557 0387. Alternatively you can go along to any of our colleges to find out more.

Councillors are being asked to flick the switch on plans for brand new Christmas lights to brighten up Sandwell’s towns and neighbourhoods over the coming years.

A four-year contract to supply distinctive Christmas lights in each of the borough’s six towns, as well as neighbourhoods, is being considered by cabinet.

It is hoped new lights would make for great switch-on events, create a sense of community pride and overall brighten up the borough.

Councillor Syeda Khatun, deputy leader, said: “Our current contract is coming to an end and so this is an opportunity to brighten up the borough with updated Christmas lights and great switch on events at each of our towns from 2018 onwards.”

A report to cabinet says the current contract with an external company ends in January 2018 and the council needs to start the procurement process for a new four-year contract.

It says the current contract is based on a mixed hire and ownership basis whereby the council owns some of the lights and hires others with the contractor responsible for installing, repairing, removing and storing the lights as part of the contract.

And it adds some of the council-owned lights are now reaching the end of their life and need replacing.

If approved a new tender for £600,000 over four years will be drawn up looking for a supplier who can provide the most eye-catching lights to make the most impact across the borough.

The report before cabinet on September 20 says most councils hire lights because it allows the cost to be spread over the term of the contract and removes large upfront capital costs.

The new contract will place a high priority on the quality of the lights as well as excellent ongoing aftercare and would include a minimum of 396 column-mounted lighting motifs, 10 small tree lights for trees outside Oldbury Council House and Wednesbury traffic island; 16 festoon lights for Christmas trees in:

•                     Bearwood (Lightwoods);

•                     Blackheath;

•        Birchley Island sign

•                     Langley (High Street);

•                     Oldbury (Council House);

•                     Old Hill (Reddall Hill Road);

•                     Smethwick (Council House);

•                     Smethwick (rear of Victoria park hotel);

•                     Tipton (Owen Street);

•                     Cradley Heath (Mary McArthur Memorial Gardens);

•                     Wednesbury (Crankhall Lane);

•                     Wednesbury (Union Street);

•                     West Bromwich (Queens Square);

•                     West Bromwich (Junction one island;

•                     West Bromwich (Carters Green);

•                     West Bromwich (Stone Cross)

Business leaders in Greater Birmingham said the government must hold its nerve following today’s announcement that the UK's inflation rate climbed to its joint highest level in more than five years in August.

Higher petrol and air fare prices contributed as inflation, measured by the Consumer Prices Index, rose to 2.9 per cent in August, up from 2.6 per cent in July, figures show.

The bigger-than-expected rise came ahead of the Bank of England's next announcement on interest rates on Thursday. However, economists said the Bank was still highly unlikely to raise rates at the meeting.

Paul Faulkner (pictured), chief executive of Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce, said: ““The rate of inflation saw a noticeable increase over the summer, with the figure for August matching the four-year high that was recorded in May as higher petrol and air fare prices contributed to the latest rise.

“Also, the recovery of the Eurozone economy played a part as this made imports from Europe more costly.

“Stagnant wage growth and higher inflation are continuing to put a squeeze on living standards and now is the time for the government to hold their nerve and ensure the foundations are in place to ride out the economic uncertaint.

“Nevertheless, in light of today’s result, it was reassuring to see the value of the pound hit a year-long high. It remains to be seen whether the financial markets are right in predicting that the Bank of England will now have to raise interest rates to offset this uncertainty.

“From a local perspective, we have just finished the surveying for our Q3 Quarterly Business Report and concerns around interest rates were more apparent as compared to last quarter. We will be analysing these results along with wider trends across the regional economy at our next Quarterly Business Report Launch event in November.”

Visitors to Wolves Pride on Saturday, September 30 will also have the chance to become world record breakers as part of the ‘Big Howl’.

The Wolverhampton LGBT Alliance celebration, being supported by City of Wolverhampton Council, University of Wolverhampton and Wolverhampton Homes, will play host to an attempt to get the most number of people wolf howling continuously for a minute.

It runs on from the city’s largest public arts event – Wolves in Wolves – and will take place at 4pm at St Peter’s Car Park, off Wulfruna Street, in Wolverhampton city centre.

The current world record stands at 803 people and is held by Great Wolf Lodge, who broke the record at Niagara Falls on July 1, 2017, as part of the 150th Canada Day.

More than 4,000 free tickets for Wolves Pride have already been snapped up and organisers are calling on people to rally behind the world record attempt in a bid to break the 1,000 barrier.

City of Wolverhampton Council’s Member Champion for Equalities, Councillor Paula Brookfield, said: “Wolves Pride is an important event in the calendar and this year the ‘Big Howl’ record attempt gives us a chance to put the city’s rich diversity on the world map.

“The Big Howl is just one of the many family activities on offer throughout the day as the City of Wolverhampton comes together to help raise awareness of LGBT+ equality messages.”

Emma Bull, Director of Organisational Development, University of Wolverhampton, added: “As a sponsor of both Wolves Pride 2017 and the Wolves in Wolves art project, the University of Wolverhampton is proud to be supporting The Big Howl. We are working with students from our nationally-renowned Photography, Video & Film Production, and Journalism courses to support the official recording of this unique event. With campuses in the heart of the city, we know better than anybody that Wolverhampton has a lot to shout about!"

Ben Howley of Wolverhampton Homes and Chair of Wolverhampton LGBT+ Alliance, said: “As one of the sponsors behind the Wolves in Wolves project, we can’t wait to see people come together for the Big Howl, which we hope will see us take the world record and put the City of Wolverhampton on the map.

“Wolverhampton Homes is proud to be one of the organisers behind this year’s Pride event. We’re passionate about diversity and have supported Wolves Pride since 2012. This year’s Pride will see the launch of Wolverhampton LGBT+ Alliance, a network of organisations and businesses that have joined forces to improve services to the local LGBT+ community.”

Two of the city’s much-loved Wolves in Wolves - ‘Rainbow’ by Julie Fletcher and Support Life by Alex Vann - will be part of Wolves Pride.

As well as the world record attempt, it will feature a broad range of music, live entertainment and performers, as well as a fantastic range of street food, bars, information stands, merchandise stalls.

There will also be a family fun area with activities for children, including special arts and crafts workshops with some of the Wolves in Wolves artists.

Harry Potter's 20th anniversary sees fans across the world unite to celebrate The Boy Who Lived. With the theme music a firm favourite of The People's Orchestra, they make their return to West Bromwich Town Hall for their Autumn concert; Fantastic Beats and Where to Hear Them. Opening at 19:30 on Saturday 14^th October, the orchestra promises to offer audiences a night of orchestral enchantment and magical music, an evening of fantasy pieces from film, TV and classical sources.

Tickets are now on sale with audiences from across the Midlands expected to descend upon West Bromwich Town Hall to enjoy classic orchestral pieces such as Hall of The Mountain King, Devil’s Dance and Mars, straight through to more contemporary fantasy pieces from Lord of The Rings, Game of Thrones and Harry Potter and The Prisoner of Azkaban.

“It’s a wonderful time to return to West Bromwich, it’s our home town. We couldn’t be happier to return with for a performance which will see The People’s Orchestra doing what they do best!” Orchestra Director Sarah Marshall said upon request for comment. “It’s sure to be a night that our audience will not forget”

Sadly, The People’s Orchestra were devastated to find out that thieves had targeted their van and stolen sound equipment, instruments and other items.

Sarah Marshall, MD, said “We estimate that about £2000 of equipment has been lost but it may be a while before we find out the full extent of what’s been taken. It’d truly heart breaking after fundraising to buy the kit, that someone has taken it”

The People’s Orchestra, who use live music performance to help and support unemployed people back into work in The Black Country were rehearsing for the upcoming concert.

A fundraising page has been set up to help the charity recover from  the loss.

“Remember the name, and see them when you can, we have a feeling that tickets for future performances will be difficult to get your hands on once word spreads” – Phoenix Newspaper, July 2017

The introduction of polymer notes to replace old paper money is proving popular with consumers, new research from Consumer Intelligence ahead of the launch of a plastic tenner on September 14^th.

The Bank of England introduces the new £10 note next month featuring literary legend Jane Austen to join the plastic £5 note which was launched last September.

Plastic cash has been the focus of controversy with religious groups and vegans and vegetarians objecting to animal fats being used in their production as well as a campaign to ensure famous women are represented on the notes.

But the majority of people back the new currency – 51% say they prefer polymer notes to the old paper money which is being gradually phased out with a polymer £20 note due by 2019 featuring artist JMW Turner. Some 29% said they preferred the old paper money, and the remainder said they didn’t care either way.

The top reasons for the new notes’ popular was the belief that the new notes feels cleaner and more hygienic (67%) and that the plastic cash feels modern (52%).  Around 6% of people claim to like reading the new serial numbers.

But the new note’s toughness is more important than its security features, according to the study. Around two-fifths (40%) prefer the new note because it doesn’t fall apart after being in the washing machine, whereas 27% prefer it for its anti-forgery security features which were the main reason for the Bank of England’s switch. Around 77% say plastic cash is more robust.

Of those who don’t like the new fiver, 59% don’t like how it feels; a third (33%) believe it’s easier to lose than the old fiver; and 30% believe the new notes are prone to sticking together.

Nearly two-fifths of adults in the UK (39%) have never read an Austen novel and have no intention of doing so. However screen adaptations of her works have proved more popular as 51%  say they have watched Pride and Prejudice on TV.

Ian Hughes, Chief Executive of Consumer Intelligence said: “Change is often not popular and there has been a lot of controversy about the polymer notes over the past year.

“But there is clear public support for the new currency and in an age where contactless payment is growing fast it is fascinating that the public remain so invested in cash.

“There are no plans as yet to convert the £50 note into plastic so supporters of paper money have something to hang on to.”

Around 14% of adults asked for Princess Diana’s image when asked to choose one famous British woman for the next new note ahead of 11% who want Margaret Thatcher. Other choices included authors Beatrix Potter and Agatha Christie and singer, Adele.

Yorkshire Bank is announcing a significant new expansion into Birmingham and the West Midlands as it opens a next generation B store in Birmingham city centre, showcasing the Bank’s digital innovations and committing £100m a year in lending to SMEs in the region.

Yorkshire Bank – which is owned by CYBG PLC, alongside Clydesdale Bank – launched its award winning digital banking service, B, in 2016. B is built around a smart current account and linked deposit account app designed to help customers manage their money.

As well as being a fully operational branch, the eye-catching B store on Birmingham’s New Street will be a digital showcase for B.

The store’s design is inspired by Yorkshire Bank’s successful innovation lab, Studio B, which the Bank opened to the public in April this year. Innovations designed and tested in Studio B will be regularly showcased for customers in the new B store, offering an insight into the sorts of technologies and services that could be available to bank customers in the future. This includes new voice activation technology being developed by the Bank using Amazon’s Echo device.

Within the B store, Yorkshire Bank will also be opening an enhanced business banking centre for its Yorkshire Bank business customers. This will house the expert business team, as well as facilities for customer use, including meeting rooms, conference facilities and event space.

Speaking ahead of the opening, David Duffy, CEO at CYBG, said:

“Our core strategy is to support our customers’ ambitions and sustainably grow the business both in the North of England and Scotland, as well as selectively on a national basis. The launch of our next generation B store in Birmingham is a hugely exciting milestone on this journey.

“B continues to go from strength to strength - we now have over 100,000 B customers and our new store provides an exciting and inspiring new location to let customers experience the digital innovations we are delivering right across our business.

“It also enables us to increase our SME banking presence in one of the UK’s most vibrant regional economies.”

Speaking about selecting Birmingham as the new choice for CYBG's expansion, David said:

“Expanding into Birmingham is a natural extension of our existing business – it’s a market that is growing significantly.

“The number of businesses setting up in the city is twice the national average, its home to a wealth of skills across both manufacturing and services sector, and the tech and creative industries are emerging as a hub for top new talent. Not to mention the fact that Birmingham has been named the most investable city in the UK for the past two years.”

Yorkshire Bank’s new Business Banking Centre will be the home for the Bank’s Commercial and Corporate & Structured Finance teams.

The centre will be led by Paul Reeves who has been appointed as Head of Customer Banking in Birmingham – a new role created as part of the Bank’s new push into the City. Paul Reeves will work alongside Steve Pamely, heading up Clydesdale and Yorkshire Banks Corporate & Structured Finance, and Gareth Jones, running the Bank’s Commercial banking team.

The NHS, working with Public Health England (PHE), has annoucned a new drive to prevent heart attacks and strokes saving thousands of lives by taking a more integrated approach to cardiovascular care.

New PHE analysis suggests that there is now an opportunity to prevent more than 9,000 heart attacks and at least 14,000 strokes over the next three years with better detection and management of high blood pressure, high cholesterol and atrial fibrillation.

Sir Bruce Keogh, the National Medical Director of NHS England, will say that closer working between NHS organisations and local authorities will "create new opportunities to get serious about prevention and bear down on two of the biggest killers, between them responsible for one in four premature deaths".

Speaking at the NHS Expo conference in Manchester, Sir Bruce will urge the new sustainability and transformation partnerships (STPs) to take coordinated action to improve prevention, diagnosis and treatment of these life-threatening conditions.

Sir Bruce Keogh, the National Medical Director of NHS England, will say: “Cardiovascular disease kills more people in this country than anything else," the former heart surgeon will say. "We know how to treat the resulting heart attacks and stroke, but everyone knows that prevention is better than cure. Prevention of these devastating consequences is everybody’s business from our schools, to the food and tobacco industries, to local authorities and the NHS."

At the same time, Duncan Selbie, the Chief Executive of PHE, will highlight the initiative at his annual conference today.

Some 5.5 million people in England have undiagnosed high blood pressure and nearly half a million have undiagnosed atrial fibrillation, which are both usually symptomless conditions that substantially increase the risk of stroke, heart attack, dementia and limb amputations.  Treatment is effective at reducing risk but under treatment is common among those who are diagnosed.

The new analysis shows the scale of the prevention opportunity across England over three years if treatment of these high-risk conditions is optimised:

• Achieving optimal treatment in all people with diagnosed high blood pressure has the potential to avert up to 9 710 heart attacks and 14 500 strokes saving up to £274m.
• Achieving optimal treatment those diagnosed with atrial fibrillation has the potential to avert up to 14 220 strokes, saving £241m.

“Too many people are still living in poor health and dying from a largely preventable disease. The good news is that we know how most heart attacks and strokes can be avoided. Scaling up CVD prevention locally is a major part of reducing the overall burden on individuals, families and the NHS, and will help to ensure a person’s health is not defined by where they live”.

PHE and NHS England have today written to all 44 STPs, drawing attention to the prevention opportunity, and sharing with them the data for their local area.

By working across larger populations, STPs can mobilise clinical leaders across a geography and drive larger-scale improvements such as increasing access to blood pressure testing in the workplace, and using the wider local authority and third sector workforce to carry out health checks in community settings.

The majority of STPs have identified prevention of cardiovascular disease as a priority.

They are likely to drive improvements in two ways.  Firstly through partnerships that support widespread implementation of initiatives such as healthy workforce schemes, active transport plans, the Active 10 app, and smoking cessation programmes. Secondly, they have the ability to roll out the NHS Right Care CVD Prevention Programme across a much wider area.

The NHS Right Care programme will help GPs and local areas to ensure more patients get proven treatments by organising local services differently. This will include more testing and treatment in pharmacies, increasing uptake of NHS Health Check, more self-monitoring, more access to blood pressure testing in community and workplace settings, and new digital tools such as the One You Heart Age Test.

The NHS Health Check is offered to all eligible people between 40 and 74 every five years. As well as supporting people to reduce lifestyle risk factors, it provides a systematic way of identifying people with undiagnosed high-risk conditions like high blood pressure and atrial fibrillation. But currently only a half all eligible people take up the offer.

Dr Matt Kearney, the NHS’s National Clinical Director for Cardiovascular Disease Prevention, adds: “We know that there are many ways that people can prevent heart attacks and strokes - by being more active, not smoking and having a healthy diet. What the NHS Right Care programme and the STP partnerships bring is an opportunity for the NHS to improve treatment of the high-risk conditions, at scale across an area, and prevent thousands of heart attacks and strokes”.

A series of activities is taking place as Wolverhampton marks World Suicide Prevention Day.

Organisations across the city are encouraging people to raise awareness of the importance of good mental health and wellbeing – while also helping to tackle some of the stigma which surrounds the issue.

Nationally, there were 6,188 suicides recorded in 2015, with the highest rate among men aged between 40 and 44. Female suicide rates are currently at their highest level for a decade. In Wolverhampton, 66 people, mainly men, sadly took their own lives between 2013 and 2015.

The events taking place around World Suicide Prevention Day (Sunday 10 September) aim to get people thinking about their own mental health and wellbeing and that of others, and to highlight the help and support

which is available locally.

They include a special walk around West Park on Sunday (10 September) led by Wolverhampton’s Walking for Health scheme starting from the tea room at 10.30am, and a Five Ways to Wellbeing workshop open to the public which is being held at the Refugee and Migrant Centre on Tuesday (12 September) from 1pm-3pm.

Wolverhampton Healthy Minds, the psychological therapies service for people experiencing common mental health problems such as depression, anxiety and stress, is hosting free emotional wellbeing checks at the Phoenix Walk-in Centre in Parkfield Road, on Tuesday, Wednesday and Monday 12, 13 and 18 September and Central Library on Wednesday 14 September. There will be a special workshop for members of the media and other organisations on best practice around reporting and covering cases of suicide. It takes place at Bantock House Museum on Tuesday.

Wolverhampton Wanderers FC and the Wolves Community Trust have shown their support with players sending out a message to people to seek help and support when needed. Laura Cowley, from Wolves Community Trust, said: “Suicide impacts everyone but we know men are more vulnerable to taking their lives by suicide.

“With our Club, the Trust and players sending out strong messages of seeking support we hope our fans and people further afield take notice and seek help when they need it.”

Meanwhile, members of Wolverhampton's pioneering HeadStart programme, designed to improve the health and wellbeing of 10 to 16-year-olds, have recorded a podcast to mark World Suicide Prevention Day.

It brought together a panel made up of Pooky Knightsmith, a national expert in child mental health, and a group of young people who work for HeadStart to discuss a range of issues related to how adults and organisations can support young people who are either experiencing suicidal thoughts or are at risk of doing so. To listen to the podcast, please visit www.headstartonline.co.uk/latestpodcasts/suicidepreventionday2017.

Councillor Paul Sweet, the City of Wolverhampton Council’s Cabinet Member for Public Health and Wellbeing, said: “The council and its partners are committed to tackling stigma around mental health and discrimination.

“These activities are not only designed to raise awareness of the issues, but also highlight the help and support which is available to people who are going through a troubling period in their lives.

“The message is clear; if you or someone you know is in a dark place, don’t suffer in silence – help and support is out there.”

Samaritans’ Wolverhampton provides confidential emotional support for people who are experiencing feelings of distress or despair, including those which could lead to suicide. However, many of its calls are not about suicide, but from people who feel upset or confused and want to talk to someone.

James McCready, Branch Director, said: “People can contact us at any time of day or night. There are many ways to get in touch, including email and text, as well as by phone and visiting the branch to speak to a volunteer face to face.”