Free blood pressure checks are on offer at local libraries and community hubs in Haringey under new measures designed to reduce the number of people suffering strokes in the borough.

This year’s Haringey Annual Public Health report highlights how staff and volunteers from Bridge Renewal Trust, Embrace UK and Tottenham Hotspur have been trained to carry out the potentially life-saving checks at a range of convenient locations, such as libraries and community centres and at some community events.

General practices are also working to identify and offer checks to people at high risk of stroke, through measures such as offering a check at the same time as their seasonal flu jab. More than 10,000 blood pressure and pulse checks have already been carried out, leading to more than 2,000 additional diagnoses of high blood pressure and nearly 300 additional diagnoses of atrial fibrillation – a kind of irregular pulse rhythm that increases the risk of stroke.

This year’s annual public health report shines the spotlight on the issue of stroke, which is one of the biggest causes of death and physical disability in Haringey.

Until recently, Haringey had the highest rate of early death from stroke – defined as people dying from stroke under the age of 75 - of any London borough. While there has been a recent a fall in the rate of early death, likely due to lower smoking rates and local work on other risk factors for stroke, the overall number of strokes remains higher than in similar areas.

Haringey Council Cabinet Member for Public Health, Cllr Jason Arthur, said:

"The fact is that too many people in Haringey suffer strokes. We’re pleased to have seen a recent reduction in the number of deaths from stroke in our borough, but we know there is still work to be done. Offering free checks at handy locations around the borough – and removing the need for people to make a doctor’s appointment for a simple check – means we can help more people understand their own blood pressure.

"We’re also continuing to champion healthier living and active lifestyles, including offering support to quit smoking and free exercise opportunities, so that we can continue to improve Haringey’s health.

"I would encourage everyone to take advantage of these free checks and find out more about how they can look after their blood pressure."

The annual health report – jointly penned by Dr Jeanelle de Gruchy, Director of Public Health at Haringey Council, Beverley Tarka, Director of Adult Social Services and Tony Hoolaghan, Chief Operating Officer, Haringey and Islington Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) – also details a number of other ways to reduce the number of people having strokes.

It pledges that the council, CCG, NHS and other community groups and partners will work together to create a healthy Haringey where it is easy to be active, eat well and stay smoke free. Haringey Council and Haringey CCG will also continue to work together to support people living with stroke and their carers to be as independent as possib

City of Wolverhampton Council has teamed up with Wolverhampton Learning Platform to provide tailored skills and employment support to help city residents through the Learning Communities initiative.

The council and Wolverhampton Learning Platform at Bilston Resource Centre (BRC) have worked closely with Ashley Housing to deliver a customised training package of support to help participants gain skills and knowledge about the health and social care sector, and meet employers, who have vacancies, as well as discover how to access further learning.

BRC and Job Change are two of the founding members of the Wolverhampton Learning Platform.

Adam Bhardwarj from the platform said: “We have over a 100 years’ experience within learning and skills development.

“We aim to provide a range of support to help people build up their skills and confidence to then access employment and further learning and employment.

“This programme has been designed to support residents from diverse communities to secure employment within the health and social care sector.”

A local Employer Destiny Care visited the group of learners to talk to them about potential future opportunities.

Bilston Resource Centre and the Wolves at Work coaches will ensure residents receive ongoing support to secure employment.

City of Wolverhampton Council Cabinet Member for City Economy, Councillor John Reynolds, said: “The council is working successfully with Wolverhampton Learning Platform providers.

“This has been an exciting initiative co-ordinated by the adult skills team at the council, which offers residents who may have several barriers, such as confidence issues or gaps in skills, an opportunity to be trained up within their own community and receive tailored support and advice via the Wolverhampton Learning Platform.

“We should be proud and showcase this unique and invaluable service available to local people within a local setting.”

Local businessman Doug Wright was recognised by Ronald McDonald House Charities for his hard work, dedication and commitment as Chairman of the Charity’s Birmingham facility, a 66 bedroom house that provides free ‘home away from home’ accommodation for families with children in hospital. The prestigious Recognition Award is presented annually to an individual or company who exemplifies the work of the Charity.

Jon Haward, Executive Director, Ronald McDonald House Charities UK said: "Doug takes real pride in his work with Ronald McDonald House Charities and supporting us to help families with children in hospital. His tireless efforts to raise awareness of the Charity and to bring in vital donations, is something we are truly grateful for. We've been bowled over by Doug’s generosity with his time and knowledge, making some fantastic connections and creating opportunities to ensure the Birmingham community has heard of their local Ronald McDonald House."

The Charity’s Board of Trustees unanimously chose to recognise Doug following not only his first two years as Chair of the Board of Governors for Ronald McDonald House in Birmingham, but also in recognition of years of fundraising for the Charity.

Every penny raised for the Charity goes to supporting families with seriously ill children in hospital. This is something Doug is extremely passionate about. When the House in Birmingham was first opened in 2009, he got stuck in, cleaning floors and making beds, so the Charity could welcome in its first families.

Ronald McDonald House Birmingham provides free accommodation to families of children receiving inpatient care at Birmingham Children’s Hospital. Supporting over 1200 families each year, the House offers somewhere for families to eat, sleep, relax and most importantly to call home, enabling parents and other primary carers to remain close to their children and care for them while they are in hospital.

Doug Wright, Chairman of the Board of Governors at Ronald McDonald House Birmingham said: “I am honoured and humbled to have been presented with his award. I take great pride in helping to lead the fantastic work of the Ronald McDonald House in Birmingham and I would like to thank Libby Aston and her team of staff and volunteers at the House for working tirelessly to give a first class welcome to all the families that use the House every day of the year.”

Wolverhampton Interchange partners are celebrating contractors Galliford Try gearing up for full demolition of the city’s railway station.

It is the next stage in delivering a £150 million transport hub to provide an attractive commercial gateway to those entering the city by national rail, bus or tram.

The first Galliford Try machines have moved in to establish the temporary station accommodation and works compound on the Banana Yard.

Hoardings will then be installed to enable the first phase of full demolition to start in early July.

The British Transport Police building and a small section of the current station building next to Platform 1 will be demolished, paving the way for the first section of the new station building to be erected. It will become operational to customers by summer 2019, when phase 2 of the programme will also start.

Throughout the works rail services will continue to operate as normal from the current station building, while the new state-of-the-art railway station to serve the city emerges adjacent to it by 2020.

Wolverhampton Interchange Partnership consists of City of Wolverhampton Council (CWC), Ion, West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA), Virgin Trains, West Midlands Trains, Network Rail, Midland Metro Alliance, Canal & River Trust, and Black Country LEP.

Council Leader and WMCA portfolio holder for transport, Councillor Roger Lawrence, said: “Our vision for the City of Wolverhampton Interchange is rapidly becoming a reality.

“There is £3.7 billion of investment currently on site or in the pipeline across Wolverhampton.

“As part of this regeneration it is crucial visitors to our city get the best first impression possible and their travel experience is enhanced - this new state-of-the-art station will deliver that.”

The new station will be connected directly to a tram stop, once work is completed on the Midland Metro city centre extension. The Midland Metro Alliance are currently delivering the next phase on Pipers Row before continuing down Railway Drive to the railway station.

Andy Street, Mayor of the West Midlands, added: “This project is about more than just creating a transport hub, where buses, trains, trams, cycling and walking come together and provide enhanced links to the new HS2 network.

“This is something altogether more bold. This is also about accelerating the regeneration of Wolverhampton city centre, bringing jobs, opportunities and growth. Simply, this is one of the key gateways into the city, a city that deserves a world-class welcome.

“The WMCA recognises the vital role this project plays in the ongoing success story of Wolverhampton, which is why we were enthusiastic in supporting the project."

Chris Jones, Associate Director, Ion, said: “The demolition works mark an important moment in the transformation of the city’s transport links. The new railway station is set to further improve the appeal of the city to businesses, especially with the development of the Commercial District, and improve the experience for all travellers to the City of Wolverhampton.”

Simon Courtney, Area Director for Galliford Try Building West Midlands and South West, added: “We are delighted to be able to mark this beginning alongside all the stakeholders involved. We look forward to being part of a transformational project which make its mark on the City of Wolverhampton for years to come.”

Nursery children at Wilkinson Primary School have raised over £500 to sponsor three guide dog puppies.

They took part in a sponsored walk around the Good-rated Bilston school’s grounds, and collected £551.20 for the charity Guide Dogs.

The children have been looking at how different animals help people, watching videos and reading about animal charities, and as part of the project received a visit from Carol Trigg and her guide dog Flora – promoting them to launch their fundraising appeal.

Headteacher Christina Gibbon said: “Everyone at Wilkinson feel privileged to have met Carol and Flora. Hopefully the money raised will go a small way to support such an amazing charity.”

Councillor Claire Darke, the City of Wolverhampton Council’s Cabinet Member for Education, said: “It’s great to see nursery children not only learning about the importance of guide dogs, but also completing a fundraiser which will help train up three guide dog puppies – well done to them all!”

The Royal Shakespeare Company has announced the 44 young people from Birmingham, Coventry and Warwickshire, who, together with 12 young people from Northamptonshire, will join the professional cast in the forthcoming production of Romeo and Juliet directed by Deputy Artistic Director, Erica Whyman.

The young people aged 12 – 18 all attend schools in the RSC’s Associate Schools programme or work in a partnership with the RSC. In teams of four they will perform each night in the Royal Shakespeare Theatre in Stratford-upon-Avon sharing the role of the Chorus with the professional cast.

Erica Whyman said: “We were bowled over by the impact our tour of A Midsummer’s Night’s Dream: A Play for the Nation had on the young people who took part and those who came to watch as we traversed the UK. I want to build on that hugely positive experience, as we stage Romeo and Juliet, opening up a dialogue with young people in schools in ways we have never before been able to do. By inviting these young people to join us on stage I want to celebrate the diverse talent of the UK and highlight the revolutionary heart of this most timeless love story.”

From Birmingham young people join from: City Academy, Hall Green School and Moseley School and Sixth Form.

From Coventry young people join from: President Kennedy School Academy and Sidney Stringer Academy.

From Warwickshire young people join from: Campion School in Leamington Spa, Kineton High School, Myton School in Warwick, Shipston High School, Stratford-upon-Avon College, Stratford-upon-Avon School, St Benedict’s Catholic High School in Alcester and Welcombe Hills School.