Lack of clarity on support available prevents employers from recruiting and retaining disabled staff, says a new report from the national charity Action on Hearing Loss. A YouGov poll conducted for the charity looked into employers’ attitudes to hearing loss demonstrated a lack of confidence amongst businesses when hiring people with hearing loss. It also highlighted a perceived lack of information and advice on supporting people with disabilities in the workplace.

The founder of Europe’s largest vegan campaign ‘Go Vegan World,’ Sandra Higgins, will be in Birmingham this Friday to give a talk on ‘making veganism easy.’  At the Purely Vegan Store, on Alcester Road South in Kings Heath she will be discussing the pros of a vegan lifestyle - despite veganism often being portrayed as daunting and extreme, she will put forward that a vegan lifestyle can in fact be easy, healthy and enjoyable.

A kind-hearted Occupational Therapist at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham has conquered America’s New York marathon to raise money for the hospital that saved the life of her patient – and now friend – Tunisia terror attack victim, Alison Heathcote. Isobel Deeley, a 27 year old from Sutton Coldfield has worked as an occupational therapist at QEHB for three years. During that time she has met thousands of inspiring patients who have made great progress in the face of adversity, and this was never more true than in the case of Alison Heathcote, one of many victims of the June 2015 Tunisia mass killing.

With increased pressure on health and social care services expected throughout 2017, millions of older people plan to step in and help ease the burden by gifting their time. New research from older people’s charity, Royal Voluntary Service, reveals 4.7 million people aged 55 and over plan to volunteer in 2017. And the study shows they want more people to follow suit - nearly two fifths (37%) of 55s and over surveyed say the country needs more volunteers in the wake of health and social care service cutbacks.

Schools and youth groups across the city have until 31 January 2017 to secure their very own Big Sleuth bear cub to decorate and see on display this summer. Blank sun bear cub sculptures, one metre tall and made of fibreglass, are available as part of the Learning Programme, The Big Sleuth’s creative education initiative for Birmingham’s young people.

School support workers who go that extra mile have been honoured by the Mayor of Wolverhampton. Mayor Councillor Barry Findlay hosted a reception reward the winners of Unison's search for the Stars in Our Schools, a celebration of the wonderful work Wolverhampton's school support workers do day in, day out. Support staff were nominated by schools across Wolverhampton, with the winners invited to the Mayor Parlour for this week's celebration.