Our blog

    World Mental Health Day: Resources and Support

    World Mental Health Day - Resources and Support

    Day 4 of our World Mental Health Day campaign sees us looking at Resources and Support. Get help to give help! Today we are looking at tips to manage overwhelm during global events and relentless bad news, courtesy of the Mental Health Foundation. This is identified as a feeling of being unable to cope, often caused by the relentless flow...

    Continue reading
      286 Hits

    The Recovery College for the Black Country is 10!

    The Recovery College is 10!

    The Recovery College is celebrating it's 10th Birthday this month! As touched upon in our previous 10 Year Anniversary blog, we are sharing photos from our archives throughout the years. Today we have snaps from a visit to the Botanical Gardens and a Faith Visit event at Quayside, both from 2016.For our eagled eyed viewers - you may notic...

    Continue reading
      260 Hits

    World Mental Health Day: Community and Sharing Stories

    WMHD Community and Sharing Stories

    It's the third day of our World Mental Health Day campaign, ahead of Friday. Today we are looking at the importance of community, sharing stories and how this is a key part of maintaining positive mental health.  Being part of a community can make life feel more meaningful and enjoyable, help us feel happier and safer, and improve our mental h...

    Continue reading
      181 Hits

    What's on Black History Month in Birmingham

    BHM-1

    This month there are many events to celebrate and reflect on Black History Month.  "The Black History Month Conference 2025 will be one of the major highlights of this year's programme in the North West. Taking place on Tuesday 21 October at the historic Martin Luther King House in Manchester, this one-day gathering invites communities, p...

    Continue reading
      391 Hits

    World Mental Health Day: Myths vs Facts

    World Mental Health Day 2025 Myths vs Facts

    For the second instalment of our World Mental Health Day campaign we are considering Myths Vs Facts around mental health.  Myth 1: You only have to take care of your mental health if you have a mental health condition.  Fact: This isn't true! Everyone can benefit from actively supporting their mental and physical well-being...

    Continue reading
      328 Hits

    World Mental Health Day this Friday!

    World Mental Health Day 2025

    This week, the Recovery College for the Black Country will be running a mini campaign for World Mental Health Day, which is this Friday, 10th October. The theme this year is: Access to Services – Mental Health in Catastrophes and EmergenciesSet by the World Federation for Mental Health (WFMH), the theme highlights the importance of ensuri...

    Continue reading
      201 Hits

    Sonia Kumar, MP, visits The Recovery College!

    SK_Visit_to_DY1 Sonia Kumar MP for Dudley pictured with Kerry Wilkes, Principal, Liane Howe Deputy Principal and Jim Cole Divisional Director of Older Adults for BCHFT NHS

    It was great to be visited by Sonia Kumar, MP for Dudley last week at DY1 Community Centre.  Sonia joined us to learn more about our Recovery College and the work Black Country Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust are doing to transform our Older Adult mental health services across the Black Country.  Following the visit, Sonia ...

    Continue reading
      265 Hits

    Wellbeing Drop In - West Bromwich

    Screenshot-2025-10-03-095728

    Join Natwest for a Wellbeing Drop-In with Healthy Sandwell, Alzheimer's society and Stop for Life Sandwell Date: Wednesday 8th October 2025 Address: NatWest, 309 High Street, West Bromwich, B70 8LX Download PDF File Here The RC Team -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------...

    Continue reading
      202 Hits

    World Menopause Day Black Country events

    Screenshot-2025-10-03-094234

    Join NOWT at the double decker bus in New Square Shopping Centre in West Bromwich for mini health checks and talks all things women's health. You will be joined by a range of experts like The Menopause School. Come and have a chat, grab some freebies! Everyone is welcome.  Friday 17th October, 10am – 4pm, New Square Shopping Centre, West Bromw...

    Continue reading
      247 Hits

    Black History Month 2025

    Black-History-Month-2025

    October marks the beginning of Black History Month. The theme for Black History Month UK 2025 is "Standing Firm in Power and Pride," a powerful tribute to the resilience, strength, and unwavering commitment to progress that defines the Black community across the globe. This year, the theme highlights the profound contributions made by Black pe...

    Continue reading
      370 Hits

    The Recovery College Celebrates 10 Years of Service!

    Celebration-art-work-break-slides-1

    The Recovery College reaches it's tenth year!  To celebrate we have reached out to key figures from the Trust to ask them: What value does The Recovery College bring to Black Country Healthcare and the wider community? Interviewees include Melvena Anderson, Deputy Director at Black Country Healthcare NHS Trust, Kuli Kaur Wilson, Chief Strategy...

    Continue reading
      401 Hits

    Just Straight Talk Sandwell Activities

    Screenshot-2025-09-26-110958

    Our 'Wednesbury Workshop' group will be moving to Wednesbury Library to accommodate more activities and neurodivergent inclusion - Tuesdays - 1:30pm at Wednesbury Library, Walsall Street, Wednesbury, WS10 9EH. This starts from 14th October.  Just while you wait isa mental wellbeing group with fun activities games and advice, Every Thursda...

    Continue reading
      217 Hits

    Join our next Information Session next Friday!

    Information-Sessions-2025

    Our next Information Session will be next Friday 3rd October.  These will take place at Quayside House, Rounds Green Road, Oldbury, B69 2DG every other Friday 12:30pm – 1:30pm.  You can also join us via Zoom. You will receive a warm welcome from the marketing team, with a short presentation and Q+A session. Everyone is welcome: this appli...

    Continue reading
      291 Hits

    Into Employment Training Course in Dudley

    CMYK_healthier_futures_ICS_logo-3

    Sharing on behalf of Healthier Futures Dudley: As part of the Adult and Community Learning (ACL) programme, we're now recruiting for our next "Into Employment" course – a dynamic, hands-on pathway designed to help local residents step confidently into careers within Dudley MBC and NHS. 🌟 Into Employment – Unlocking Potential 📍 Location: Brierl...

    Continue reading
      202 Hits

    DBT Refresher Drop in Session

    3-1

    These drop in sessions are an opportunity for those who have previously had DBT (Dialectical Behaviour Therapy) to reflect on and discuss the successes and challenges you have experienced with using your DBT skills. Bring along any questions about DBT for us to answer and discuss as a group. The sessions will be co-facilitated by Recovery Coll...

    Continue reading
      254 Hits

    Repair Cafe by Urban Hax

    Repair Cafe by Urban Hax

    Repair Café Walsall is a project by Urban Hax CIC aimed at creating a community space where people can bring broken household items, electronics, and clothing to be repaired by skilled volunteers.The initiative focuses on reducing waste, sharing skills, and fostering community connection. The official opening will be on 27th September 10am - 2...

    Continue reading
      340 Hits

    Let's Talk About Loneliness Course at Bloxwich Launchpad

    Bloxwich Launchpad Loneliness Course

    Bloxwich Launchpad is a brand-new digital skills and business incubation centre in the heart of Bloxwich. The Recovery College has been providing information and taster sessions with the launchpad throughout 2024 - present. Now the Launchpad has fully opened, we are excited to announce we will be running a six week course with the Le...

    Continue reading
      398 Hits

    World Suicide Prevention Day - Useful helpline and Support Services

    World Suicide Prevention Day - Final

     It's the final day of our World Suicide Prevention campaign. To recap, we have covered the following subjects:Myths Vs FactsHow to talk to someone who is strugglingSigns of Suicide Risk and how to respondPlease refer back to our earlier blogs for more info on each of these topics.Today we are looking at the helplines and support services that...

    Continue reading
      394 Hits

    World Suicide Prevention Day: Signs of suicide risk and how to respond

    World Suicide Prevention Day 4

    For today's World Suicide Prevention Day post we are looking at - What are the warning signs that someone may be at risk of suicide?These can include: Behavioural Signs Searching for ways to end their life (online, with means, etc.) Withdrawing from friends, family, or activities they once enjoyed Giving away prized possessions or getting affa...

    Continue reading
      358 Hits

    World Suicide Prevention Day: How to Talk to someone who is struggling

    Suicide Prevention Day 3

    Today is World Suicide Prevention Day. Here at the Recovery College we have rolled out information, hints and tips throughout the week. Yesterday we focused on Myths vs Facts of suicide and today, we are looking at how to talk to someone you are worried about, and who may have suicidal thoughts. Here are 5 practical tips for starting a conversation...

    Continue reading
      403 Hits
    Cookie and Privacy Notice

    We use cookies to improve your browsing experience of this site. If you continue, we will assume you are happy to receive cookies from us. We will also collect anonymous information about website usage. By accepting this you agree to our privacy policy.