Month: August 2023

Bright, colourful walls, activity tables, new toys and a wet play area are just what the doctor ordered for young patients on Walsall Manor Hospital’s Children’s Ward.

And they gave their new playroom a big thumbs up when its £23,000 transformation was unveiled, watched by many of the fundraisers who had helped its makeover.

Walsall Healthcare’s Well Wishers charity funded the work on the tired play space and has been working with its Play Specialists to create the new look feature.

Former patient George Stretton, 16 months, was among those to visit at a special opening event.

Little George had sepsis and was treated at Walsall Manor Hospital. Mum Grace Shepherd said she and her family were so grateful for the care and support they were shown by staff that she wanted to give something back.

“George was four months old when he had sepsis and it was a really frightening time for us. But we are the lucky ones as he recovered and we still have our little boy, not all families have a happy ending,” she said.

“We decided to make a donation to the ward for the new play area on George’s first birthday this year because we wanted to say thank you for everything the staff did for us. Everyone – Doctors, Nurses and cleaners – were just so kind and understanding.”

Craig Timmins, a fitness instructor, helped raise money for new toys by teaming up with pal Michael Gough, e-commerce Manager for Tile Choice. The pair spent 24 hours walking, running and cycling in a charity cardio session which led them to raise £3,250.

After seeing the revamped play area Craig said: “It’s wonderful, really bright and welcoming. You wouldn’t know you were in hospital and I feel proud to think we’ve helped provide something so great for poorly children.”

Raj Phandey and Hollie Mills from HCB Solicitors, which donated £5,000 in dormant funds, said the playroom now looked “lovely and welcoming.”

Patient Amelia Jones, aged seven, liked the kitchen play area best and set to work making snacks for everyone.

Funds raised also transformed a plain wall in the Paediatric Assessment Unit in the new Urgent and Emergency Care Centre and lots of extra toys are on their way.

Georgie Westley, Fundraising Manager, said: “We were so excited to see everyone’s faces when we showed them the refurbished playroom and their smiles said it all.

“It looks amazing and is a much better environment for our young patients to use now. The charity is also really pleased to see that our mascot Humphrey bear pops up here and there in the wall murals where we have also ensured that four business supporters who raised large amounts are mentioned.  This finished appeal shows how generous our community has been on this project.”

Charlotte Yale, Divisional Director of Nursing; Children, Young People and Neonates, said Walsall Healthcare had been one of the first Trusts to re-establish play following the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Play is an important part of the care we provide on our children’s ward and our Play Specialists do a fantastic job of helping take young patients’ minds off their treatment and illness. We are delighted with our new playroom and thank everyone who has supported this important work.”

A Walsall banker who ignored two letters from Her Majesty The Queen Elizabeth II has eventually collected his MBE after being convinced he really had been nominated.

Narinder Dhandwar, business relationship manager at Barclays, thought a letter he first received from the Cabinet Office in September 2020, to say that he had been nominated for an MBE, was a hoax and threw it away.

Narinder MBE meeting Prince William

Despite taking follow up telephone calls, the now 55-year-old from Chuckery continued to think someone was playing a trick on him – and he received two more letters in May 2021 and November 2021.

It was only when someone senior from Barclays UK chairman’s office contacted him to ask why he had ignored the letters did he realise that it was true: he had been nominated for an MBE for services to the business and financial sectors in the West Midlands.

In January 2022 – the last of the Queen’s New Year’s Honours List – he accepted the award. In June this year, Narinder attended the investiture at Windsor Castle, where he was presented with his MBE by Prince William, the Prince of Wales.

“I just didn’t think it was normal for people like me to get MBEs and just assumed it was a scam,” says Narinder, who has worked in banking and financial services for 32 years.

Narinder at Windsor Castle

“I work with SMEs (small and medium enterprises) businesses across the West Midlands and didn’t think I was doing anything extraordinary, but it was Barclays that nominated me after I had helped many with the Covid-19 government grants and loans.

“To say I was over the moon is an understatement, but the day itself was really exciting and I can barely put it into words.”

Narinder chatted with Prince William for about five minutes during the presentation, during which the royal teased him for having “turned down the Queen three times” and the new King once, after he had to delay his investiture in February as he was on holiday.

“He’s very down to earth,” said the father-of-two. “He noticed my West Bromwich Albion tiepin and I said I wanted to invite him to the club and he asked me to get in touch with an invitation. I’m talking to the club now, so I hope that will happen.”

A Walsall man is hoping his experience of a pioneering treatment regime for a rare condition, which saw him going from having three months to live to now living a near-normal life, will unlock the therapy for others.

Michael Jameson, from Willenhall, was 41-years-old when he was diagnosed with AL amyloidosis and myeloma in December 2021 – three months after undergoing a series of tests to establish what his symptoms were.

Michael Jameson with his daughters, Emily and Grace

Despite him having a complete response to DaraCyBorD treatment – which combines daratumumab with cyclophosphamide, bortezomib and dexamethasone – the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) rejected it as an option for the NHS, claiming it was not cost-effective. This is despite the fact that all four drugs are available individually on the NHS.

Michael was asked by the charity Myeloma UK to help with its appeal against NICE and the organisation has since said it will review its original decision after an independent panel agreed  NICE’s decision was unfair and its appraisal committee may have incorrectly interpreted key evidence. 

“I would like to see this approved and made available on the NHS,” said Michael. “Not for me, it’s late in the game for me now, but for those diagnosed tomorrow, next week, whenever it might be. If they don’t have private healthcare they are reliant on different drugs that aren’t as effective for this condition and could end up dying.”

At first, the father-of-two was believed to have had a heart attack and was later diagnosed as having myocarditis, but when his heart symptoms began to worsen, he was finally diagnosed with AL amyloidosis – a rare protein condition that affects the heart and other organs – and myeloma, a blood cancer.

Michael Jameson with his wife Katherine and two daughters

“I was given a life expectancy of three months on diagnosis,” said Michael, who is married with daughters Grace and Emily, aged ten and six.

“I was 41, with two young kids. It was quite a devastating prognosis. The consultant advised I needed immediate treatment, but the most effective treatment was only available to private patients.”

Luckily, he has private healthcare through his employer and he was sent to HCA University College Hospital in London, where he was a patient for three weeks.

Afterwards, Michael relied on family to help him get weekly treatment for four months. He said it was only possible because his uncle owns a camper van. He drove from his home in Saltburn, North Yorkshire, to Manchester to pick up his aunt, and together they would collect their nephew so that he could be transported – lying down – to London to get his treatment.

Since his gruelling treatment regime, which has included chemotherapy for the myeloma, he has had a complete response and although AL amyloidosis is not yet curable, he hopes that the next step of a stem cell transplant could help him go to into remission.

In the meantime, Michael is back at work – in quality in the aerospace industry – full time and has enjoyed two holidays with his family. He also got married in September to Kathrine.

“The treatment has given me another chance at life – I would not be alive without it,” he said.

“When I started the treatment, I was in a really bad way. I had dangerously low blood pressure. I was physically drained of all energy and practically bedbound. Due to the vomiting and lack of activity I had lost over four stone in weight since I initially became symptomatic and I was now struggling with everyday tasks. I would become breathless just sitting up.

“Since then, I’m doing all the things that a normal person would do. For those who have had this treatment, it’s a no-brainer. Just look at what it’s doing and you can see how effective this treatment is.”

NICE is reviewing its original decision, but no date has been set for it to make an announcement.

Written by Jayne Howarth

Birmingham Mind, in collaboration with Walsall Council, is offering free Mental Health and Suicide Prevention training sessions tailored for Walsall residents and professionals.

The online introduction lasts 3.5 hours, with four individual sessions planned over the coming months.

Course Highlights:

• Gain insights into mental health and suicide dynamics in Walsall.
• Enhance your skills and confidence in addressing mental health and suicide discussions.
• Explore opportunities to connect with local services and networks.
• Limited to 16 participants per session, ensuring personalized attention.
• Additional online and in-person sessions scheduled throughout the year.

These sessions are conducted by Birmingham Mind, a trusted provider offering mental health training to over 2,000 individuals annually across the West Midlands.

Key Details:

• Date and Time: September 14th, Thursday, from 12:30 pm to 4:00 pm (with a break). Other available dates include: October 26, November 6 and December 4, 2024.
• Eligibility: Open to individuals aged 18 and above residing or working in Walsall, including professionals from businesses, community organizations, and more.
• Course Content: A comprehensive 3.5-hour curriculum covering mental health awareness, personal wellbeing, and crucial suicide prevention approaches.
• Registration: Confirm your spot and receive a welcome email before the event. The course is fully funded by Walsall Council and thus comes at no cost to you.
• Venue: The course will be hosted online, and the session link will be sent to you in advance. In-person sessions will be offered in the future as well.

For more details about Birmingham Mind.

Former Sex Pistols front-man John Lydon is coming to Walsall Arena with his latest spoken word tour.

The “I could be wrong, I could be right” show is part of a world tour, which will see John travel across Australia, Europe and the UK.

The controversial celebrity, who is also known by his former stage name Johnny Rotten, will be touring across the UK from May 1, 2024 and will arrive at Walsall Arena for his show on May 25.

Tickets are now on sale with VIP meet and greet packages will also be available.

Walsall Arena is located on Hawbush Road, Bloxwich and plays host to numerous live music, comedy and entertainment shows.

The new Hatherton Medical Centre in Walsall is nearing competition and will be ready to welcome its first patients in a matter of weeks.

The state-of-the-art healthcare facility on Hatherton Street, which was previously the Challenge building, is now a three-story structure accommodating four distinct medical practices.

Referred to as “limes-doctors,” the building will serve as the home for Sycamore House Medical Centre, Lichfield Street Surgery, Saddlers Surgery, and The Limes Medical Centre.

Comprising a total of 54 well-equipped consultation rooms, an on-site optician, a pharmacy, and even a convenient café, the facility is poised to cater to a substantial patient base exceeding 25,000 individuals.

The construction cost of the building is said to be £12.6 million.

Aslef Walkout: Friday Service Disruption

Members of the Aslef union, including train drivers, will be staging a walkout on Friday, impacting West Midlands Railway (WMR) services. To ensure a smoother travel experience, WMR strongly advises passengers to plan their journeys ahead of time.

On Friday, there will be no services operating on any WMR route.

RMT Union Industrial Action: Saturday Timetable Adjustments

Further disruptions are expected on Saturday due to industrial action by the Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers (RMT) union. A reduced timetable will be in effect from 7 am to 7 pm, and some routes may not be serviced during this time.

Limited Services and Engineering Work: Saturday Travel Considerations

In addition to the ongoing industrial action, planned engineering work near Northampton will impact WMR’s sister company, London Northwestern Railway. There will be no direct services between Birmingham and London from Saturday until Sunday, September 10.

Jonny Wiseman, WMR’s customer experience director, expressed his disappointment regarding the inconvenience faced by passengers due to these circumstances. He urges passengers to meticulously check their travel plans and, if feasible, opt for an alternate travel date to minimize disruptions.

He emphasized, “No trains will be running on Friday, and a limited timetable will be in operation on Saturday, with some routes not served. Trains that are operational are likely to experience high demand.”

Wiseman also advises passengers to be mindful of the concurrent major engineering work on the West Coast Main Line, particularly between Birmingham and London. Considering the significant disruption on this route, he strongly recommends avoiding travel unless it is absolutely necessary.

Passengers holding tickets for travel on strike days have the option to use their tickets on a different day or claim a full refund.

Football Season Impact: Altered Services

For those commuting for football matches, please note that services will not be calling at Bordesley or Coventry Arena on Saturday due to safety precautions. Similarly, services will not stop at The Hawthorns, Jewellery Quarter, or Bescot Stadium two hours before and after matches at West Bromwich and Walsall.

Cross City Line Disruptions: Saturday Rail Replacement

As a result of planned engineering works, the south side of the Cross City Line, between Birmingham New Street and Redditch/Bromsgrove, will have no train services on Saturday. Rail replacement transport will be available to mitigate inconveniences.

Stay updated on the latest information regarding the impact of industrial action by visiting wmr.uk/industrialaction. Your understanding and careful planning during these disruptions are greatly appreciated.

In a proactive move during June, Walsall’s Trading Standards officers collaborated with a dedicated 16-year-old volunteer to assess the age verification protocols of 11 local salons.

Understanding the Botulinum Toxin and Cosmetic Fillers (Children) Act

Since its implementation in October 2021, the Botulinum Toxin and Cosmetic Fillers (Children) Act has made it explicitly illegal for establishments to facilitate arrangements for individuals under 18 to undergo such treatments. Businesses found in violation of this regulation could face legal consequences.

On June 29, 2023, a 16-year-old volunteer, under the guidance of Trading Standards officers, visited 11 salons in Walsall. The volunteer was instructed to request an appointment for lip filler treatment.

Out of the 11 salons visited:

• 3 salons scheduled appointments for the treatment without conducting proper age verification checks.
• 4 salons exchanged contact information for future interactions.
• 3 salons were closed during the visit.
• 1 salon did not offer the requested treatment.

Promoting Safety and Responsibility

Councillor Garry Perry, Portfolio Holder for Resilient Communities at Walsall Council, emphasized, “These initiatives play a pivotal role in safeguarding the well-being of our youth. Businesses must shoulder the responsibility of customer safety by acquainting themselves with their legal obligations, especially when faced with new legislation. Our aim is not to penalize or shut down establishments, but rather collaborate with them to ensure seamless service provision while upholding the law and protecting children.”

Prioritizing Child Safety

The primary objective behind this legislation is to shield minors from the potential health hazards associated with botulinum toxins and cosmetic fillers. These procedures entail risks ranging from infections to severe complications like blindness, not to mention the psychological impact of altering one’s appearance.

The four salons that exchanged contact information with the volunteer received advisory letters outlining the legislation and their corresponding responsibilities. In addition, the three salons that booked appointments were revisited by officers who provided comprehensive guidance and written materials for their reference. Despite the salons’ claims of conducting age verification during consultations, the officers recommended that verification checks be executed prior to confirming any appointments.

Further initiatives are already in the works to ensure continuous support for businesses in adherence to regulations and to maintain the safety of children within the community.

Experience the magic of history and culture this September with Heritage Open Days, the largest community-led festival in England. Delve into the captivating stories behind Walsall Council’s hidden gems and exclusive venues in a rare behind-the-scenes opportunity.

Uncover Walsall’s Leather Legacy at Walsall Leather Museum

On September 9th, the iconic Walsall Leather Museum opens its doors to showcase a captivating collection of historic photographs and trade catalogues, offering a fascinating glimpse into the town’s renowned leather trade. The museum’s reference library, brimming with leather-related books, will be accessible without appointments. Share your own photographs and memories of Walsall’s leather industry with fellow enthusiasts.

Exclusive Collections Store Tour at The New Art Gallery Walsall

Embark on an enchanting journey through art history on September 16th at The New Art Gallery Walsall. Accompanied by Collections Curator Julie Brown, venture into the heart of the gallery’s Collections Store, where numerous artworks find safekeeping. Gain insights into the meticulous process of managing collections and even make special requests to view specific artworks or areas of interest. As spots are limited, make sure to secure your spot in advance.

Step Back in Time at Willenhall Community Library

On the same day, September 16th, the Willenhall Community Library welcomes you to an exclusive peek into history. Ascend to the first floor and immerse yourself in the grandeur of the Council Chamber Room, a site opened just once a year. This historic municipal building was once the hub of the Willenhall Urban District Council, preserving its original features, including exquisite stained glass doors. Marvel at captivating displays showcasing the local area and relish a selection of traditional children’s games.

Celebrate Walsall’s Rich Cultural Heritage

Councillor Gary Flint, the Portfolio Holder for Wellbeing, Leisure, and Public Spaces at Walsall Council, shares, “Heritage Open Days is an extraordinary festival that unveils local treasures and invites you to explore the cultural tapestry surrounding you. This event underscores the wealth of experiences Walsall offers to both residents and visitors.”

Discover the Full Heritage Open Days Programme

Don’t miss out on this captivating festival celebrating the nation’s heritage. Explore the complete Heritage Open Days programme across England by visiting www.heritageopendays.org.uk. Embrace the stories, art, and history that shape our communities.