Month: August 2025

Alexander Stadium in Birmingham will now serve as the official home venue for West Bromwich Albion Women, starting with the 2025–26 FA Women’s National League Northern Premier Division season.

Bringing the Team Closer to Home

The agreement marks a return closer to their roots, situating matches just four miles from The Hawthorns, compared to their previous home at Redditch’s Valley Stadium—around 20 miles away.

A Step Up in Facilities and Ambition

Sporting Director Andrew Nestor praised the move as “a significant step forward” for the women’s programme, emphasising how the upgraded facilities and improved fan experience will benefit both players and supporters.

Head Coach Siobhan Hodgetts-Still reflected similar optimism:

“It’s a really great venue to be playing our games at this season… it brings us much closer to our area, which will hopefully continue to grow our fanbase.” 

The women’s team will take to the newly adopted home for the first time on Sunday 14 September 2025, facing Stoke City in their opening FAWNL Northern Premier Division fixture X (formerly Twitter)+6West Midlands News+6West Bromwich Albion+6.

A Venue with History—and Future

Alexander Stadium, with a seating capacity of around 17,500, is well known as the main venue for the 2022 Commonwealth Games and has undergone significant redevelopment in recent years.

It has become a hub for various sporting events, with further enhancements through the Legacy Capital Redevelopment Programme—creating a fit-for-purpose venue for football as well as athletics.

In a meaningful milestone for the borough, Rushall Care Home has become the first care home in Walsall to earn the Veteran Friendly Framework (VFF) accreditation—a recognition that brings tailored care and support to those who have served in the Armed Forces.

This achievement came to light during a special VJ 80 Day afternoon tea event held at the home, attended by the Mayor of Walsall, who joined residents and staff to mark the occasion.

Rushall Care Home shared their excitement via a heartfelt announcement:

“We are so proud to be the first care home in Walsall to achieve Veteran Friendly Framework accreditation,” said Rhiannon Weaver, Activity Coordinator for Rushall Care Home.

      “Many of our residents have connections to the Armed Forces, and it is important that we continue to acknowledge their                 contribution and support their unique needs. This Framework will help us strengthen the care, respect, and opportunities we          provide to our veteran community here at Rushall and show our support to the wider community of veterans in the Walsall            area. “

This accreditation is a commitment to eight standards designed to ensure that residents with military backgrounds receive practical, emotional, and social support, with their service history fully reflected in their care plans

A remarkable team of enterprising Year 6 pupils from Pool Hayes Primary School in Willenhall has once again made it to the national stage — securing their place in the Tycoon Enterprise Competition final for the fifth consecutive year.

The inventive ‘Crafty Arts’ team, comprising Alice, Arabella, Poppy, Tyler E, Tyler B, Daniel, Leah, and William, established a creative business after school, guiding fellow students through arts and crafts workshops. Their innovation, effort, and leadership paid off — the team generated over £300 in profits, which will be donated to local charities and the school’s eco‑projects.

This autumn, the Crafty Arts team will travel to London to compete in the national finals of the Tycoon Enterprise Competition, an initiative launched in 2012 by Peter Jones CBE that empowers young people with a start‑up loan to run their own ventures while still in education.

Year after year, the school has already competed against more than 300 other schools from across the UK to earn a spot in this prestigious competition. Making the final for five years running is a testament to the school’s long‑standing tradition of nurturing entrepreneurial spirit, creativity, and confidence in its pupils.

Alan Carter, Deputy Headteacher at Pool Hayes Primary School, commented:

“Crafty Arts are a great example of entrepreneurship in action. The school community is so proud of the team for their fantastic achievement and will be cheering them on for the final this Autumn.

“It seems to be an ever‑growing tradition at Pool Hayes that our pupils are reaching the finals of this competition, which is a great testament to the school’s efforts to support the children’s natural enterprise and business skills. Well done Crafty Arts!”

Councillor Pardeep Kaur, Portfolio Holder for Education and Skills at Walsall Council, added:

“A big congratulations to the Crafty Arts team for their achievement.

It’s brilliant to hear about our young people already dipping their toes into the world of business, and applying the knowledge and skills that good entrepreneurs need in real life situations.

We’re all rooting for you at the finals, best of luck!”

Written by Amelie Williamson

Young people across the West Midlands are being invited to step forward and help shape the future of policing and community safety in their area. Nominations are now open for the role of Youth Commissioner, giving teenagers the chance to represent their peers and ensure the voices of young people are heard at the highest level.

“If you’re an enthusiastic, passionate young person who wants to be a part of shaping the future for young people, then apply to become a Youth Commissioner.”

The Youth Commissioner programme offers a two-year opportunity for 13–18-year-olds to influence decision-making, raise issues affecting young people, and hold West Midlands Police to account. Two posts are available in each local area.

What the Role Involves

Youth Commissioners will gain hands-on experience, including:

• Planning and facilitating regional events

• Supporting youth-led campaigns and initiatives

• Sharing ideas to help shape policy

• Representing young people’s voices at key meetings

• Challenging and holding West Midlands Police to account on behalf of their peers

Importantly, no prior experience is needed—just enthusiasm and a willingness to speak up for others.

How to Apply

The nomination process is open until Monday 22 September 2025 at 12:00 (midday). Young people living in the West Midlands can nominate themselves online and, if shortlisted, may be invited to interview. Successful candidates will then be put forward for election by other young people in the region.

The West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner’s office encourages as many young people as possible to get involved. Those interested can learn more by visiting the Youth Commissioners page on the PCC website.

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Find Out More

Questions about the role can be directed to Yazmin Francis at: wmpcc@westmidlands.police.uk

West Midlands Ambulance Service (WMAS) has secured a £141,970 grant from NHS Charities Together (in partnership with Omaze) aimed at enhancing survival rates for life-threatening emergencies such as out-of-hospital cardiac arrests. WMAS is one of just ten NHS ambulance charities nationwide to receive funding from the £1.85 million Community Resilience Grants Fund.

The two-year initiative will deliver basic life support and automated external defibrillator (AED) training to public members in areas across the West Midlands where survival rates from out-of-hospital cardiac arrests remain low—an important intervention, given that currently fewer than one in ten patients survive such incidents, though early CPR and defibrillation can raise that to more than half.

Cliff Medlicott, Regional Community Response Manager at WMAS, said:

“We are incredibly grateful to NHS Charities Together for their support and funding. Their support is helping us bring vital training to communities that need it the most. In the first phase of this project, we will work closely with places of worship in areas where access to health and welfare services is limited, ensuring local people have the skills and confidence to respond in times of need which ultimately will help to save lives.”

Jon Goodwin, Head of Grants at NHS Charities Together, added:

“We are delighted to award this grant to West Midlands Ambulance Service as part of our Community Resilience Grants Fund. The project has the potential to make a huge difference to people living in the West Midlands by helping them recognise the early signs of a life-threatening emergency and how to respond. In addition to helping improve chances of survival, by educating people to know how to respond in a health emergency – or even prevent it from happening in the first place – we can help reduce pressure on the NHS, which has never been more important.”

More than £2,000 worth of counterfeit toys, including the popular Labubu dolls, have been seized from several Walsall town centre shops following safety concerns.

The operation, carried out by Walsall Trading Standards with support from West Midlands Police, took place on 14 August 2025. It followed earlier visits to the shops where officers had warned retailers to remove the unsafe items from sale.

Despite these warnings, the toys remained on the shelves, prompting enforcement action. All seized items are now due to be destroyed.

Why the Toys Were Seized

The dolls were found to be non-compliant with UK safety regulations, meaning they had not undergone the correct safety testing or labelling. Authorities say the counterfeit items could pose risks to children, including choking hazards.

Trading Standards officers stressed that selling counterfeit goods—especially those aimed at children—is unacceptable, and confirmed that enforcement action would follow.

Public Warning

Parents and carers are being urged to take extra care when buying toys such as Labubu dolls and to ensure they are purchasing from reputable retailers. Counterfeit products often look convincing but may be unsafe.

Protecting Walsall’s Shoppers

This seizure forms part of ongoing efforts to crack down on unsafe and counterfeit goods across the borough. Officials say the operation shows that warnings will be followed by action if businesses fail to comply.

A major new development could soon breathe fresh life into Walsall town centre, with proposals for a state-of-the-art Adult Learning Centre inside the former M&S building at the Saddlers Shopping Centre.

The site, empty since 2018, is set to be transformed into a hub for education and training as part of the wider regeneration of Park Street, Station Street, and surrounding areas.

A Boost for Skills and Employment

The planned centre will offer a wide range of courses for adults, including digital and business training, employability skills, and IT programmes. The aim is to create opportunities for local people to upskill, retrain, and build confidence for the modern workplace.

Backed by Regeneration Funding

The project is supported through a mix of central government funding—including the Future High Street Fund and Town Deal—as well as contributions from the Walsall Community Regeneration Partnership and Walsall Council.

Timeline

• Summer 2025: Planning application to be submitted

• Spring 2026: Construction scheduled to begin

• September 2027: Centre expected to open its doors

Have Your Say

Local residents are being invited to share their views before Friday 29 August 2025. Feedback will help shape the proposals ahead of the formal planning consultation later this year.

Comments can be submitted via the Commonplace platform at walsallsays.commonplace.is.

Life can feel a little hectic these days—but tucked away in Bloxwich is a space where things slow down. It’s quiet and calming, and at the centre of it all is Helenajane Holistic a local holistic therapy practice offering people something many of us struggle to find: time to rest and rejuvenate.

Behind the business is Jane, a qualified therapist with a warm manner and a passion for helping others feel better in their bodies and minds. She started Helenajane Holistic to create a safe, welcoming space where clients could come not just to treat physical aches or tension, but to take a breath and reconnect with themselves.

Jane offers a range of treatments—from Swedish and deep tissue massage to reflexology and reiki—tailored to the individual. One popular choice is the hot stone massage, which uses warm basalt stones to gently ease muscle tension and encourage deep relaxation. There are also holistic facials that blend therapeutic touch with skin-friendly products for a natural glow.

A Full Spectrum of Treatments

Whether you’re seeking physical relief or spiritual insight, Helenajane offers therapies across both areas. Her services include:

Massage & Holistic Therapies

• Swedish massage, deep tissue, sports and remedial massage
• Pregnancy massage, lymphatic massage therapy
• Aromatherapy blends, reflexology, hot stone massage
• Naturally based facials and rejuvenation therapy (“non‑surgical facelift”) using Neal’s Yard Remedies organic products and hydro facial therapy
• Theramal Vacuum massage therapy, body wraps, scrubs and spa‑style detox treatments

Spiritual & Psychic Services

• Reiki and crystal healing
• Chakra balancing and elemental or magnetic healing
• Past life regression therapy
• Numerology assessments and psychic readings or spiritual counselling
• Tarot or rune readings, spiritual cleansing & development workshops

Jane also hosts special events and group sessions—ideal for wellbeing days, home gatherings, or corporate wellness workshops

Her journey into holistic therapy is a personal one.

“During a period of extended illness, I discovered the transformative power of holistic therapy in my own healing process,” Jane explains. “This pivotal moment sparked my unwavering commitment to uncover the boundless potential of universal energy in enhancing various aspects of our lives. Through rigorous training, I have acquired qualifications in an array of holistic therapies, consistently expanding my knowledge and expertise.”

Over time, the practice has quietly built a loyal client base from across Bloxwich and the wider Walsall area, with many recommending Helenajane Holistic to friends and family.

Appointments are available during the week, with flexible times to suit different needs. For those unsure where to start, Jane is always happy to talk through options to find what feels right.

For more information or to make a booking, you can find Helenajane Holistic on the web or via Facebook.