Events and Meetings

In July 2020, the British Government announced a new visa route enabling Hong Kong citizens with British National Overseas (BNO) status to settle in the UK.

Come to our ‘Meet & Greet’ workshop to find out why this was done, how many Hong Kong BNOs have migrated, their needs & expectations and what this means for local organisations and residents.

Date: Thursday, 21st July 2022

Time: 10.30am to 1pm

Venue: Brasshouse Community Centre, Brasshouse Lane, Smethwick, B66 1BA

Who is this workshop for?

• Organisations and individuals in Sandwell who wish to engage with and support newcomers from Hong Kong.
• Hong Kong BNO visa holders who have settled in the area.

What to expect?

Quiz / videos / stories / discussion – BNOs share experiences of settling in the UK.

For catering purposes, please call Chloe Yip to book on 0121 685 8510 during office hours.

The Recovery College for the Black Country runs a weekly (virtual) drop-in session, where you can ask the team all about The Recovery College, its courses and any other questions you may have – everyone is welcome!

You can join the sessions – Thursdays weekly, between 2 and 3pm – by scanning the QR Code below:

or contact The Recovery College at:

Quayside House, Rounds Green Road, Oldbury, B69 2DG / T: 0121 543 4061 / W: www.therecoverycollege.co.uk / E: info@therecoverycollege.co.uk

The Sandwell Mental Health Strategy Group is leading on developing a Mental Health Strategy for Sandwell.

To support this development work, promises have been developed that were shaped through the ‘State of Sandwell’ work undertaken throughout 2019 to 2021. These promises will underpin the strategy and accompanying action plan. Further information about these promises are included in this template.

A mapping exercise is now being carried out against these promises to identify what services/provision is currently in place to support each promise. It would be appreciated if you could use the template to show what services you/your organisation currently provides that support delivery of these promises.

Please return the template by Friday 8 April 2022 to: Margaret Liburd, Public Health Project Manager, Public Health Directorate, Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council – Email: Margaret_Liburd@Sandwell.gov.uk

Mental Health Strategy Development Workshop

Following on from this mapping work there will be two mental health strategy development workshops, where invited  stakeholders and partners will co-produce and develop the Strategy and Action Plan for  Sandwell.

Workshops will be held on the following 2 dates:

Tuesday 26 April 2022, 13:00 -16:00 and  Friday 6 May 2022, 10.00 – 13.00

Please note:  individuals only need to attend on one date, as the same workshop will be repeated to optimise participation. 

These will be in-person workshops held at Sandwell Council House, Freeth Street, Oldbury, B69 3DE.

Invites to follow.

Following the success of last year’s ‘Introduction to ABCD’ Workshops , Sandwell Churches’ Link is delighted to tell you about 2 further opportunities to come and learn more about Community Development, using an ‘Asset Based’ approach. 

•  The first Workshop will be at St Hilda’s in Warley (8^thMarch- 6:45-9:30pm) – ‘South’ Sandwell
•  The second Workshop will be at Lea Brook Methodist Church (17^th March- 6:45-9:30pm) – ‘North’ Sandwell

 Asset based community development (ABCD) is a local, ‘grass roots’ approach to strengthening communities.

Through a process of recognising, identifying and harnessing existing ‘assets’ (i.e. things like skills, knowledge, capacity, resources, experience or enthusiasm) that individuals and communities have, ABCD aims to help strengthen and improve things locally. Instead of looking at what a community needs or lacks, the approach focuses on utilising the ‘assets’ that are already there.

Click on the link to see the dates and to book your free place. (https://express.adobe.com/page/5jVfhERLBm3gE/ ) – you can choose your preferred workshop from the landing page.

For any questions about either event, please contact: James Lynch, Strategic Coordinator, Sandwell Churches Link – email: james@sandwellchurcheslink.org.uk

Delivered by Sandwell Council’s Prevent Team, this training is for community groups and members of the public in Sandwell.

The training explores issues relating to the ideology of the Extreme Far Right and global jihadism. It also covers the Prevent Strategy, including case studies of extremism and radicalisation.

Date: Wednesday, 16th March 2022

Time: 1pm – 3pm

Where: online, via the Microsoft Teams platform (no software required – you can join via a regular web browser)

For joining instructions, please email: prevent_inbox@sandwell.gov.uk

“Patients in waiting” for hospital treatment – how could the wait be improved? Join the final on-line conversation:

Healthwatch Sandwell have been listening to patients experiences of waiting for hospital treatment.

There have been good outcomes but also Covid impacts, delays, cancellations and people feeling lost or forgotten within the systems. Views have been shared on what is needed to improve the patient experience.

To share your experiences or views please join the final on-line conversation: “Patients in waiting” for hospital treatment – how could the wait be improved?

Date: 2^nd March 2022

Time: 2 pm – 3. 30 pm

Location: online via Zoom – https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82212054044