Latest news with #WolverhamptonCityCouncil
Yahoo
17 hours ago
- General
- Yahoo
Events to be held to mark Windrush Day
Windrush Day is to be celebrated in Wolverhampton later this month. The annual event celebrates the contributions that Caribbean migrants and their descendants have made to the UK. Wolverhampton City Council will host a flag-raising ceremony outside the Civic Centre at 10:30 GMT on 22 June. A bust of Mel Chevannes, the city's first African-Caribbean councillor, will then be unveiled at Wolverhampton Art Gallery. Chevannes was elected to the Graiseley Ward in 1981 and served as a councillor for 11 years, later becoming the first African-Caribbean chairperson of The Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust. "I am humbled to be honoured by a bronze bust in the city of Wolverhampton, which has been my home for the last 50 years," she said. "It is truly amazing that this is the first such public recognition in England of a black woman who is very much alive." HMT Empire Windrush docked in Tilbury, Essex, on 22 June 1948, bringing hundreds of passengers from the Caribbean to the UK, who were invited to rebuild post-war Britain. Wolverhampton mayor Councillor Craig Collingswood said the council was delighted to highlight and celebrate the impact of the Windrush generation. "Everyone is welcome to join us for the flag-raising and the unveiling, and I hope that as many residents as possible are able to come along and help us celebrate Windrush Day 2025," he added. Follow BBC Wolverhampton & Black Country on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram. What is Windrush Day? Zephaniah to be celebrated at Windrush Day event New project aims to inspire Windrush descendants Plea for help to pay for Windrush victim's funeral Wolverhampton City Council


ITV News
a day ago
- Health
- ITV News
Warning issued over HIV risk to 'vampire facial' clinics
Clients who have had a facial treatment at a West Midlands beauty clinic are being urged to have a blood test, because they may have been infected with a HIV or hepatitis. The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has concerns about the cleaning of equipment at Olivia's Aesthetics in Wolverhampton. Clients who had a 'vampire facial', also known as a PRP (platelet-rich plasma) are being encouraged to take a free blood test to check if they have contracted a bloodborne virus. The 'vampire facial' involves the clients own blood being withdrawn then spun in a machine to separate the plasma from the red blood cells and then the PRP is then injected into areas of the face. The intended results are improved skin texture, a reduction in the appearance of wrinkles and a brightened complexion. As a result of the UKHSA's concerns around the cleanliness of equipment at Olivia's Aesthetics, they say there is a risk that bloodborne viruses such as hepatitis B, C and HIV could have been passed between clients. 'The risk is low, and we are offering testing as a precautionary measure, but if these viruses are undiagnosed, they can pose a serious risk to health and can be fatal. Effective treatments are available, which is why it's important to identify anyone who may have been put at risk of infection so that testing and treatment can be offered if needed' said Dr Naveed Syed, Consultant in Communicable Disease Control at UKHSA West Midlands. Anyone who thinks they may be at risk should contact the UKHSA West Midlands Health Protection Team on 0344 225 3561 – lines will be open from 9am to 5pm Monday to Friday until Friday 4 July, 2025 or email WMRegion@ and leave your phone details. Customers who had different treatments at the clinic and not the 'vampire facial' do not need to contact the helpline. Blood test results can take up to two weeks to process, according to Wolverhampton City Council and clients who receive a positive result, will be referred for appropriate treatment and support. Councillor Bhupinder Ghakal, said: 'Aesthetics procedures are becoming increasingly popular on the high street, and we recommend that anyone considering a treatment follows a simple checklist. 'Make sure your practitioner is wearing PPE and washing their hands. They should carry out a pre-consultation, including an assessment of your medical history and be happy to discuss their qualifications. They should also provide you with a consent form on the risks for you to sign. 'Remember, you don't have to accept treatment on the day of your consultation – and if you have any doubts, you have the right to change your mind.' Wolverhampton City Council added that their investigation relates specifically to Olivia's Aesthetics in Wolverhampton and not to any other businesses of the same name elsewhere. Olivia's Aesthetics told ITV News: 'We offered these facials for a very short period of time at Olivia's and only treated a handful of clients; and after discovering their link with certain bloodborne viruses, I immediately ceased offering this treatment. 'As a conscientious practitioner in the beauty industry, I contacted my clients immediately to alert them to this possible serious side effect, and urged them to get tested just to be on the safe side. "I would never offer any harmful treatments to any of my clients, and I invest heavily in procedural training and ongoing development.'


BBC News
24-04-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Musical talent in Wolverhampton nurtured through £30,000 project
Aspiring musicians in Wolverhampton will be able to get help from industry experts to develop their skills thanks to a £30,000 Road2Release project at Wolverhampton Art Gallery first ran for a week in October with local grime artist has since been extended for six weeks with three groups across the year to offer more in-depth support for under funding from the Youth Music aims to "support projects that trial new ways of working, sustain grassroots programmes, or disrupt the status quo", the city council said. Participants will gain access to music industry experts and hands-on experience in a professional setting as well as paid opportunities to develop and showcase their skills, said charity Youth Music, which helps marginalised young people to make and monetise programme was set up to nurture local talent and "reimagines the role that museums and galleries can play in supporting the music industry," a spokesperson Chris Burden, cabinet member for city development, jobs and skills at Wolverhampton City Council, said they were "thrilled" to receive the funding. "This initiative is a testament to our commitment to nurturing young talent and providing them with the resources and opportunities to thrive in the music industry," he said."By partnering with local artists like Reepa, we are creating a vibrant, supportive environment where emerging musicians can connect, learn, and grow."This project not only enriches our community but also empowers our young people to pursue their passions and build successful careers in music."Last summer the grime artist wrote a visual love letter paying homage to his home city of Wolverhampton to show people "the pride I have for our community, for our people". Follow BBC Wolverhampton & Black Country on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.
Yahoo
18-04-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Plans approved for new part-time SEND school
Plans have been approved for a new SEND school for part-time students. The facility at a unit on Pendeford Business Park in Wolverhampton will cater for children aged 14 to 16 with social, emotional and mental health needs, or other special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). The proposal was submitted by Emma Rennie-Gibbons and Samantha Webster from the alternative education service Leading Futures, who both have children with special needs. Ms Rennie-Gibbons said she had a passion to support young people to achieve their goals "regardless of their starting point". She said she had four children who "found school challenging" , adding she understood the importance of bespoke learning packages. The school will open for two sessions each day, from 09:00 - 12:00 and 12:45 - 15:45, with students attending for a maximum of 18 hours a week. Each session will cater for no more than 20 learners. Wolverhampton City Council, which approved the plans, said the facility would bring the vacant unit back into use and benefit the city, bringing new jobs and investment to the area. Staff will deliver a tailored curriculum including maths, English and personal development qualifications. The facility will also offer students "mindfulness opportunities" through art to support "emotional regulation and wellbeing". "I am a mom to three neurodiverse children which has further developed my empathy for the struggles some learners face," Ms Webster said. "I have personally experienced the positive impact that arts and crafts can have on personal development and mental health, so am excited to see the impact it can also have on our learners." Follow BBC Wolverhampton & Black Country on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram. Council praised for improvements in SEND provision Strong progress in city's special needs services Special needs hub brings services under one roof City of Wolverhampton Council Leading Futures


BBC News
18-04-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Plans approved for new Wolverhampton SEND school
Plans have been approved for a new SEND school for part-time facility at a unit on Pendeford Business Park in Wolverhampton will cater for children aged 14 to 16 with social, emotional and mental health needs, or other special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). The proposal was submitted by Emma Rennie-Gibbons and Samantha Webster from the alternative education service Leading Futures, who both have children with special Rennie-Gibbons said she had a passion to support young people to achieve their goals "regardless of their starting point". She said she had four children who "found school challenging" , adding she understood the importance of bespoke learning school will open for two sessions each day, from 09:00 - 12:00 and 12:45 - 15:45, with students attending for a maximum of 18 hours a week. Each session will cater for no more than 20 learners. Wolverhampton City Council, which approved the plans, said the facility would bring the vacant unit back into use and benefit the city, bringing new jobs and investment to the area. 'Mindfulness opportunities' Staff will deliver a tailored curriculum including maths, English and personal development qualifications. The facility will also offer students "mindfulness opportunities" through art to support "emotional regulation and wellbeing"."I am a mom to three neurodiverse children which has further developed my empathy for the struggles some learners face," Ms Webster said. "I have personally experienced the positive impact that arts and crafts can have on personal development and mental health, so am excited to see the impact it can also have on our learners." Follow BBC Wolverhampton & Black Country on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.