Sally-Anne Youll

A businessman who runs one of the UK’s leading appliance reuse networks has called for more to be done to protect people buying electrical goods online this Christmas. James Farmer, director of The Appliance Recycling Group, based in Tipton, in the Black Country, said vulnerable people looking for low-price second-hand goods and appliances amid the cost-of-living crisis were being ripped off and left out of pocket by unscrupulous traders. “Appliance poverty is a real issue, and the cost-of-living crisis means people are being forced to find new ways to save money,” he said. “When their washing machine or fridge breaks, […]

Wolverhampton University Students Union is turning Black History Month into a year of celebration, starting with a conference on leadership experiences. The first event in a calendar of celebrations will take place on Wednesday, November 16, with the conference called Staying Power: Celebrating Black Leaders. High profile speakers will talk about their experiences of leadership and there will be a panel discussion on Intersectionality and the Student Experience. There will also be entertainment including a performance by vocalist Lady Bling, music from sitar player Gurdeep Singh Dharni and an appearance by renowned storyteller Peter Chand. Nirmla Devi, CEO of the

An entrepreneur who sank into depression after a motorbike accident left him paralysed has gone on to design a revolutionary training machine that’s now changing the lives of wheelchair users across the globe. Paul Cooksey, 56, a former managing director of an engineering company, suffered life-changing injuries in his accident in 2006. But after around two and a half years of being virtually immobile, paralysed from the shoulders down, he realised he had to take action to boost his own fitness and mental health and he put his engineering skills to use, designing a trainer specially for wheelchair users. Shortly

Thousands of people are expected to flock to the first ever Chase Pride festival next month for a star-studded day of celebration and entertainment. Around 4,000 people are expected at Hednesford Park on Saturday, September 3, for the event which will celebrate diversity, support the local LGBTQ+ community and break down barriers. Festival director Kathryn Downs said more than a thousand tickets had already been sold for the event, which promises a packed day of entertainment and activities for all, including a rainbow-clad parade. Headline artists include RuPaul’s Drag Race star Cheryl Hole, award-winning cabaret artist Danny Beard and reality

The Commonwealth Games may be over but there is still a chance to sample the culture and cuisine of its member countries with two free community events in Birmingham. This Saturday, August 20, visitors to the Aston Park Community Games will be able to try some tasty treats from Bangladesh as chef Abdul Quddus hosts a cooking demonstration. He will be accompanied by musicians Mendi Singh and Eleanor Turner, a tabla player and harpist that make up the group Tala Tarang. The following Saturday, August 27, will see a focus on of the food of Pakistan at a demonstration at

The owner of a Birmingham case making company which produced boxes for the athletes’ medals at the Commonwealth Games has spoken of his pride and hopes it will put his business firmly on the global stage. Birmingham Case Makers managing director Shaun Adams said he hoped to turn the tide of cheaper imports that have flooded the UK market and make his business the go-to firm for organisers of international and domestic events across the world. Shaun said: “The Commonwealth Games has been a fantastic success and Birmingham has done us all proud. We have been in the city for

Employers across the UK are being urged to offer extra help to support their employees’ mental health as the cost-of-living crisis deepens. Emma Tomes says it’s more important now than ever before for people to be able to spot the signs of poor mental health amongst staff – and for individuals to be able to know when it’s time to ask for help. “People are being squeezed more and more at the moment and the pressure is building,” she said. “This is putting a strain on relationships and it can also affect the wider family. People’s stress may not be