People in the West Midlands are being asked to unite with thousands of others across the UK and step closer to a cure for Parkinson’s.

Parkinson’s UK is launching Walk for Parkinson’s 2018 on Thursday 11 January, and the charity is inviting people of all ages and abilities to sign up to a walk near them.

Walks in the West Midlands include Stafford on Sunday 13 May, and Packwood House in Warwickshire on Sunday 9 September.

There are shorter and longer distances to choose from, so whether you’re up for a challenging walk or a gentle stroll, there is something for everyone. Team entries are welcome, so why not sign up with your friends, family and colleagues.

Walking and other types of exercise is particularly important for people with Parkinson’s as research shows that two and half hours of exercise a week can help slow progression of symptoms. Exercise also has a positive impact on wellbeing and mental health.

Sky Sports Presenter and Champion of Walking for Parkinson’s UK Dave Clark was diagnosed with Parkinson’s in 2011. He is a keen walker himself and is encouraging people to get involved. He said: “We want to make 2018 our biggest year yet for the Walk for Parkinson’s series. I’d like to invite everyone, whatever their level of fitness, to take advantage of the many different types of walks, scenic routes and distances available. Exercise can be really beneficial for people living with Parkinson’s. It is as important to me as my medication in helping me take control and manage my symptoms.

“So please join us at one of our Walk for Parkinson’s in the West Midlands. Every step takes us closer to a cure and our goal of improving the lives of everyone affected by Parkinson’s”.

Last year’s Walk for Parkinson’s series had more than 4,300 people sign up to walk and between them they raised £417,700. In the West Midlands more than 250 walkers got involved and raised nearly £26,000.

All money raised by Walk for Parkinson’s will be used to help find better treatments, and ultimately a cure, as well as providing support and information for the 145,000 people affected by Parkinson’s across the UK.

A new, free way to help people to monitor their weight has been introduced at Sandwell libraries.

Weigh2GO is a free, informal, self-monitoring weight management programme using the latest technology and is available at all Sandwell libraries.

The scheme – which uses smart scales for people to track and monitor their weight – is run by the council's public health team with support from libraries.

People who are Sandwell residents or have a Sandwell GP and have a BMI (Body Mass Index) of 23 or above should contact the Healthy Sandwell team on 0800 011 4656 for a free referral.

Under Weigh2GO, people weigh themselves on smart scales and their weight data is sent to their smart phones or smart devices and email account. They can also access support online and track their progress through the programme. The programme uses smart scales and is therefore compatible with wearable activity trackers.

Councillor Elaine Costigan, Sandwell Council's cabinet member for public health and protection, said: “This is a new valuable tool which can help people to get accurate and regular checks on their weight.

“I think it is important that this new service is available in all areas at all Sandwell libraries so that they have a flexible way in their busy lifestyles to regularly monitor their weight.”

Public health officers point out that since the scheme started, they have found that participants are losing a significant amount of weight.

This programme is supported by weight management development officers (WMDOs) who work for public health. They have expanded the programme into several community settings, such as leisure centres and faith organisations, to help more people access this simple but effective programme.

Birmingham St Mary’s Hospice has launched two new Satellite Clinics to ensure more people living across Birmingham and Sandwell have access to crucial hospice care.

The independent hospice has now opened a clinic at Cape Hill Medical Centre in Smethwick and Druids Heath Surgery in South Birmingham, making its services more accessible to individuals and families living with terminal illness.

The Satellite Clinics are part of a new approach to hospice care, aimed at improving accessibility, reach and choice for individuals and their families, loved ones and carers. By opening clinics in well-established medical centres, the Hospice aims to bring care closer to people in their own communities, helping to break down any potential barriers and ensuring more individuals are receiving the critical support they need.

The Hospice now has four Satellite Clinics across the city, with clinics also based in Sparkbrook and Bartley Green which opened in August last year.

Sharon Hudson, community team leader at Birmingham St Mary’s Hospice, said: “Our Satellite Clinics are a really effective way of reaching more individuals who may not be aware of hospice care or want to access care within their own community. After a positive start for our Sparkbrook and Bartley Green clinics, we have seen that offering services in the heart of local communities helps us support more people, ensuring that less miss out on vital end of life care.

“At our Satellite Clinics, we have expert teams of clinical nurse specialists who can provide a wide range of services, including physical, social and psychological advice, symptom management, and family and carer support.”

Tina Swani, chief executive at Birmingham St Mary’s Hospice, said: “Unfortunately, there are too many individuals dying alone, unsupported or with avoidable symptoms, unaware of the difference hospice care could offer them. At Birmingham St Mary’s, our mission is to provide hospice care for all and we are working to create a future where the best experience of living is available to everyone leading up to and at the end of life.

“Our Satellite Clinics are an innovative solution to expand expert services into more local communities, helping us to bring hospice care closer to the people who need it.”

Every day, Birmingham St Mary’s Hospice supports 350 individuals across Birmingham and Sandwell – whether that’s at the Hospice, in people’s homes or in the local community.

The clinic at Cape Hill Medical Centre will be open every Friday, from 9.30am to 1.30pm. The clinic at Druids Heath Surgery will be open every Monday, from 1pm to 3pm. For more information, visit: www.birminghamhospice.org.uk

Dr Alex Ekwueme, Nigeria's Executive Vice President in the second republic from 1979 - 1983, was an intellectual of many shades with several degrees and doctorate degrees. He was an example of the rare and quintessential Nigerian, who placed the country above personal, party or partisan interest, in the belief that the country could only move forward and realize it's vast potentials, only when politicians rise above personal and parochial interests and put the country first.

He had in fact prepared himself to lead our great country out of the doldrums, into international significance, and position Nigeria as a true world power economically and politically but that dream was never actualized.

Dr Ekwueme was a visionary, unifying and creative leader, focused on the progress and development of Nigeria. He was super brilliant, resourceful, disciplined, principled and hard working.

In 1999, he almost single- handedly founded and nurtured the People's Democratic Party (PDP) in Nigeria, with a view to leading the party to the general elections, and thereby, fulfill his nationalistic agenda for Nigeria, but this mandate was scuttled surreptitiously.

All through his life, the late Dr Ekwueme pursued philanthropy and the philosophy of one Nigeria, that should better the lot of her citizens. No wonder he built the Oko Polytechnic for his community and continued to support it throughout his life.

Nigeria and indeed Africa have lost a giant, whose loss is irreplaceable. His foot prints have been laid in the sands of time and his legacy will live forever.

We join all Nigerians to pray for eternal rest for our departed Dr Ekwueme.

Signed:

Mike Ndukwe Leader Council of Igbo Communities UK

Efuru Nwapa- Obua Secretary/ Legal Adviser Council of Igbo Communities UK

Fear of a potential negative effect on their career is preventing people with hearing loss from disclosing their condition to their employers.

More than half of people living with deafness and hearing loss feel they can’t be open about it in the workplace, according to a new survey by charity Action on Hearing Loss. The new research has been conducted as part of the charity’s Working for Change campaign, which wants to change attitudes to deafness and hearing loss in the workplace.

A third of those who felt they could not be open about their hearing loss said it was due to the fear that they would be treated unfairly at work. A further 61% felt that that others would assume they weren’t competent and 42% saw no point because their workplace wouldn’t be able to help them.

In addition, 84% of respondents have felt stressed and over two-thirds have experienced isolation in the workplace.

Paul Breckell, Chief Executive at Action on Hearing Loss, said: “This new research shows that despite there being 11 million – that’s one in six - people in the UK living with some form of deafness and hearing loss, many of these in employment are struggling unnecessarily. It’s shocking that in 2017, and despite a lot of work by governments and employers to encourage more inclusivity and accessibility, people with deafness and hearing loss feel they can’t be open about it.

“It seems much of the awareness raising has neglected to include invisible disabilities like deafness and hearing loss. The levels of stress and the isolation experienced by people with hearing loss at the workplace are shocking. The numbers are certainly not helped by working cultures where people are worried about talking openly about their condition and the support they might need.

“The prevalence of hearing loss is only going to increase, with 433500 already living in West Midlands (Met County), so it’s therefore essential that employers take note of these findings and create a working environment where people feel both able and welcome to disclose disabilities and sensory impairments.”

Diane Lightfoot, Chief Executive Officer at Business Disability Forum, said: “These findings once again show how important it is for workplaces to make themselves welcoming to everyone, and foster an environment where all employees feel able to progress. There is a very real business prerogative to this, with disability-smart workplaces shown by our own research to have lower rates of employee turnover. Having a more stable and supported workforce could deliver savings running into the billions across different sectors.

“As Action on Hearing Loss’s research suggests, a key first step to take is to dispel any sense of stigma or taboo around disabilities and long-term health conditions, and many of the organisations in the Business Disability Forum community have done this to great effect. Networks where employees with specific conditions can come together to talk and share experiences have brought about real cultural change, including at large multinational companies, with senior champions being open about their conditions and clear that the organisation views disability in a positive light.”

The charity has produced guidance for employers on how to make their workplaces more accessible for people with deafness and hearing loss – from simple deaf awareness tips for staff to providing more detailed information on how the Government’s Access to Work scheme can help enable employees.

Paul continued: “There are a number of things employers can do to support staff with hearing loss and deafness. From basic deaf awareness training for staff and management, the fundamentals of which are common courtesy and being considerate, to taking advantage of Access to Work to cover the cost of amplified phones, there needn’t be barriers for anyone.”

Dame Trot from Wolverhampton Grand Theatre’s pantomime, JACK AND THE BEANSTALK took some time out of her busy schedule to visit Wolverhampton’s new Debenhams store in the Mander Centre.

The Debenhams store opened its doors in October 2017 - perfect timing for the run up to Christmas – which has been a busy one for both staff at the store and at the theatre. With the pantomime ending its five-week run on Sunday, Dame Trot played by Ian Adams went to visit the staff for a pamper in the new Debenhams Store before one final week of performances.

Sonia Kaur, Service Manager at Debenhams Wolverhampton said; “it was a delight having Dame Trot and the boys visit the store – they’re certainly looking fabulous!”

Ian Adams has returned for a second year as Dame in the Grand Theatre pantomime. He recently formed StarDam productions – a company who specialise in creating stage versions of popular children’s stories which have also been popular at the Grand Theatre. Ian is currently nominated for Best Panto Dame in the Midlands in the What’s On Readers Awards. Voting is currently open here: https://www.whatsonlive.co.uk/readers-awards-2018

Scott Bird, Press & PR Manager at Wolverhampton Grand Theatre said; “it’s great news that Ian Adams is recognised in the What’s On Readers’ Awards for Best Pantomime Dame. The new Debenhams store in the Mander Centre was the perfect place for a fabulous Dame and the boys to take some time out in style before the show!”

JACK AND THE BEANSTALK is now in its final week of performances and runs until Sunday 14 January 2018. Tickets can be booked in person, by phone on 01902 42 92 12 or online at grandtheatre.co.uk.