Wellbeing in Partnership E-Bulletin – Bromsgrove and Redditch – October 22

Services / Support – Information Updates

*NEW* Bromsgrove and Redditch Cost of Living Leaflet and Digital Campaign

To try and ensure all local residents are aware of the support available, including those who may not be digitally savvy, partners have helped devise a new cost of living leaflet.  It’s an ‘at a glance’ leaflet providing key contacts who can provide expert help and signpost to relevant local support.  This is in addition to a digital campaign both Councils are starting next week.

Please help promote – both a printable and a website version of the leaflet are attached.  There are also supplies of printed copies available at Customer Services at both Redditch Town Hall and Parkside in Bromsgrove which you can collect and distribute to your service users.  We are particularly keen to reach those who may be digitally excluded.

In addition, new cost of living webpages on both Redditch Borough and Bromsgrove District Councils’ websites are being developed to bring together more detailed information in one place.  They are already available to view at: www.bromsgrove.gov.uk/costofliving and www.redditchbc.gov.uk/costofliving.  Please note that further information is currently being added to the webpages but please feel free to suggest additions if you believe anything has been missed.  You can email the partnership in the first instance at: 

Orange Button Community Scheme Launch – Suicide Awareness and Prevention

The orange button scheme has been launched in Worcestershire and Herefordshire and offers signposting and support to people with suicidal thoughts or anyone concerned about someone who might be.  The orange button is worn by people who have relevant training in mental health and suicide prevention.

The aim of the scheme is to:

·        create a community of people trained in suicide awareness that have gained skills, including active listening, from quality assured training;

·        create a network of organisations that have orange button wearers in place that can be identified, listen and signpost;

·        ensure all communities are aware of the Orange Button, what it signifies and how people can be involved, by promoting from within the community.

Anyone who wants to get involved can apply for an orange buttons via the Now We’re Talking website.

Anyone struggling to cope with mental health issues can call the Urgent Mental Health Helpline on 0808 196 9127.

Please use the communications assets in the google drive to help spread the word to your communities: Orange Button

Further resources and advice about preventing suicide can be found here: Acting Together to Prevent Suicide | Worcestershire County Council

Living with Dementia Toolkit

On behalf of NHS Herefordshire and Worcestershire and developed by the University of Exeter in conjunction with Innovations in Dementia, the Living with Dementia Toolkit is for people with dementia and their carers. This set of resources is based on research, and the expert experiences of people with dementia and their carers.  It aims to: give hope for the future, inspire through examples of real-life experiences, offer ideas to help  ‘live your life as you choose’.  To access the resources, please visit: Living with Dementia Toolkit

Wellbeing and Recovery College

The wellbeing and recovery college is made up of a partnership of Herefordshire and Worcestershire Health and Care NHS Trust, Voluntary and Community Sector organisations (VCS), Public Sector partners and Experts by Experience across our communities in Herefordshire and Worcestershire. Their aim is to increase awareness and understanding of recovery and self-management, while breaking down the stigmas relating to mental health.  The college offers a wide range of learning opportunities with a focus on wellbeing and recovery. To find out more visit  Herefordshire and Worcestershire Wellbeing and Recovery College | Recovery College (hwwellbeingandrecoverycollege.org.uk) or see the leaflet attached.

Home Fire Safety Visits

If you are working with adults and families who need a Home Fire Safety Visit, please find attached the latest electronic referral form and a leaflet with contact details that can be left with families and individuals who can self-refer. If you would like a supply of leaflets, email  Partner referrals and self-referrals can be made online via the following link: www.safelincs.co.uk/hfsc

The home fire safety team are currently reviewing all signposting information and leaflets to ensure that they have up to date information when they signpost occupiers to other services.  If appropriate, please can you let them know how to refer to your agency (online/ telephone/ email)?

The Home Fire Safety Team can help you!  If you have leaflets, would you like the technicians and crews to give them out?  If so, can you supply paper or electronic copies (or both) please. Postal address:  Worcester Fire Station, McKenzie Way, Worcester WR4 9GN. For more information, please contact Caroline Webster by emailing 

Stoptober 2022

The annual stop smoking campaign Stoptober has been launched. A range of resources are now available on the Campaign Resource Centre, including various printed posters as well as downloadable resources for use on social media, websites, and digital screens. A campaign toolkit including key messages, statistics, social media posts and long/short copy is also available. To order/download resources visit Stoptober 2022 | Campaign Resource Centre (phe.gov.uk).

Covid-19 Vaccination Update

The Artrix centre in Bromsgrove is longer being used as a vaccination centre. To find out all the latest information on covid boosters, pop-up clinics or when the covid vaccine van will be next visiting a location near you follow the link: Walk-In Covid-19 Vaccines – Worcestershire — SW Healthcare

Events, Roadshows and Open Days

World Mental Health Awareness Day Event

Mental Health Action Group (MHAG) Redditch are holding an event on Saturday 8th October at the Kingfisher Centre Redditch. Please help promote.  Visit the pop-up shop opposite Clinton’s cards and receive a warm welcome and a chance to chat and chill. All details can be found on the attached leaflet.  Please support!!

Making Mental Health & Wellbeing a Priority For All – Event

Taking place at Worcester Rugby Football Club on 11th October 9.30am to 12.30pm, this conference is aimed at Employers’ and Employees from Public, Private and Voluntary and Community Sectors, people with mental health conditions, advocates, and other stakeholders.  The event will focus on progress in this area in Worcestershire and be vocal about what needs to be done to continue stamping out stigma and discrimination. To book on visit: Making Mental Health & Wellbeing a Priority For All (Free) Tickets, Tue 11 Oct 2022 at 09:30 | Eventbrite

Hate Crime Awareness Conference

This year, in support of national Hate Crime Awareness Week 2022, North Worcestershire Hate Incident Partnership will be hosting its annual Hate Crime Awareness Conference on the 14^th October between 10.00am – 13.00pm at Parkside, Bromsgrove. This year, there are three exciting, high profile Keynote speakers:

• Naughty Boy – award-winning music producer, songwriter, and musician Shahid Khan, better known nationally and internationally by his stage name Naughty Boy
• Azeem Rafiq – inspiring anti-racism campaigner and former professional cricketer at Yorkshire County Cricket Club

·       Rt Hon. Stuart Lawrence MBE – author, motivational speaker, brother of Stephen Lawrence

Follow the link to book a place at the conference or for any questions about the event, please contact the Community Safety Team at 

As well as the conference, Bromsgrove and Redditch residents can help crack down on hate crime by supporting a pop-up event on 10th October, 11am – 3pm, in the Kingfisher Shopping Centre and in Bromsgrove on 11th October, 11am – 2pm, in the Market Area of the High Street. The information stands at the pop-up event will provide information and materials about what a Hate Crime is, how it can be reported and what support is available to victims and witnesses.

New Dementia group – Redditch and Bromsgrove Meeting Centre

Meeting centre groups are for people who have a diagnosis of dementia and are experiencing mild to moderate symptoms. They are a place where people can socialise and take part in stimulating and meaningful activities.  Members can attend alone, but carers are also welcome to stay. The New Bromsgrove Meeting Centre is being held in Crabtree Court, Parkwood Road, Bromsgrove on Tuesdays, 10.30- 3.30pm. The Redditch Meeting Centre is for people with young onset dementia (diagnosed under the age of 65) and is held at the Forge Needle Museum on Mondays.  See the poster attached or to find out more about the groups and the free taster sessions call 0800 008 6077.

West Mercia Women’s Aid drop-in sessions in Redditch Job Centre

Women’s Aid are offering support to those living with domestic abuse at drop-in sessions at the Redditch Kingfisher Jobcentre on the following dates: 2^nd November & 7^th December

Please could you pass this onto to anyone who you feel would benefit from this face-to-face support in a safe and central location. Full details can be found on the flyer attached.

Consultations / Surveys

Stroke Services – Join the Conversation and have your say!

NHS Herefordshire and Worcestershire Integrated Care Board (ICB), on behalf of the Stroke Programme Board want to hear what people about the issues and potential solutions discussed in the Stroke Issues Paper and presentation. You do not have to have had a stroke or know anyone who has to complete this survey, they would like to hear from a wide range of people.  The survey can be found here and should take approximately 10 minutes to complete. The Deadline to complete the survey is 9am, Friday 11 November 2022.  If you have any queries about this engagement exercise, contact the engagement team at  or call 0330 053 4356 . For more information or for the easy read version of the issues paper, please visit the website.

Redditch District Collaborative – Asset Mapping – Is your service included?

Many of you will be aware that the Redditch District Collaborative (RDC) is led by the Redditch Primary Care Networks (PCNs) working with other agencies.  The Programme Team for Redditch District Collaborative (RDC) are currently inviting organisations, services and individuals who are delivering to the communities of Redditch, to share their service information for Asset Mapping. Information is being captured using 3 Microsoft Forms surveys on: Services, Hubs and Roles. Please complete one or more forms which are the most relevant to you.  See attached for full information or if you have any questions, email – 

Training/Courses/Workshops

Mental Health Courses *FREE*

MIND, South Warwickshire and Worcestershire in partnership with Hereford and Worcestershire Recovery College are offering the following free courses via zoom for Worcestershire residents.

•             Mentioning the Menopause & Mental Health

•             Male Mental Health “Be in your mates’ corner”

•             Anxiety and Worry

Please find full details on the attached flyer.

Deaf Awareness Course *FREE training* – places are limited.

Action Deafness have funding to deliver free training to organisations who operate within the Bromsgrove District. This informative course will cover: • Types of Deafness • Models of Deafness • Communication tactics • Invisible disabilities • Types of hearing aids• Barriers to communication • How to get Deaf people’s attention • How to book an interpreter • Basic signs such as, greetings, questions, and the alphabet • Lip reading challenges.  Training will take place on Wednesday 19th October at Parkside. There will be a morning and afternoon session.  Full details can be found on the attached flyer or to register for the course please email:  saying which session you would like to attend.

Carbon Literacy Action Day

The Carbon Literacy Action Day on 7^th November is the world’s largest climate education training day. It brings together hundreds, and maybe even thousands, of people from all walks of life, ages, and countries all across the world, to simultaneously complete their days’ worth of Carbon Literacy training. There are three main audiences for the Action Day, Individuals, Organisations, Trainers and facilitators.  To find out more, see the details attached.

New Family & Community Learning Courses

Please find attached the Community Learning Newsletter from Worcestershire County Council with details of all Autumn Term Family Learning Courses, Art Courses and Wellbeing Courses for any adult in Worcestershire. Details of the full range of courses can be found here:  Autumn Term Family Learning Courses, Art Courses and Wellbeing Courses

Other Newsletters

Worcestershire County Economic Summary – Find attached

DWP Latest Touchbase Newsletter – 2 September – Find attached

DWP Useful Update – 22 September – Find attached

SpeakEasy N.O.W. Autumn Newsletter – Find attached

Bromsgrove and Redditch Welcome Refugees Newsletter –  BRWR Summer Newsletter (mailchi.mp)

NHS Herefordshire and Worcestershire Involvement Network Update – 3 October 2022 – Find attached

Worcestershire Growth Hub – Latest News and Articles – Worcestershire Growth Hub