We are proud to work alongside our communities to co-design and -deliver mental health, learning disability and autism support, right across the Black Country.
We want our communities to feel deeply understood and cared for by our
Best-for-the-Black-Country approach. By working alongside our communities we grow our understanding and deliver person-centred care informed by that understanding.
We’re building a truly collaborative network to face the big challenges together. We may not have all the answers, but we keep showing up for each other.
Learn more about how we work with our communities.
Our with our communities newsletter shares news, events and opportunities about the work we are doing in partnership with our communities across the Black Country.
If you would like to receive a regular copy, please contact kate.pritchard3@nhs.net.
Issues
- Welcome from Laura Brookes, Associate Director of Partnerships
- Lead provider/commissioner and wider determinants of health - Laura helps explain the jargon!
- Spotlight: Stories of success from Sandwell
- Spotlight on Sandwell: Communities In Sync
- Spotlight on Sandwell: Maternal health and prenatal care event
- Spotlight on Sandwell: The William Wilson Turner Foundation
- Talking Therapies Plus
- The Patient and Carer Race Equality Framework
- Meetings and events
- Learning and resources
- News from...Dudley
- Be Well - quick links
- A final note...from our Chief Strategy and Parnerships Officer, Kuli Kaur-Wilson
Learn more about some of the team in our 'Beyond the Badge' feature.
- Laura Brookes - Associate Director of Partnerships
- Lisa Murray - Specialist Commissioner, Mental Health
Employment services
- Nadia Haywood - Thrive IPS Operational Manager
- Dale Stewart - WorkWell Learning and Change Manager (Employment Services)
Recovery College
Black Country Mental Health Stakeholder Advisory Forum
The Black Country Mental Health Stakeholder Advisory Forum is a regular forum and network for organisations and advocates to work alongside each other to co-design and co-deliver mental health support, making a positive difference to the mental health and wellbeing of our Black Country communities. Together we learn from each other and take positive action to reduce stigma around mental health and challenge health inequalities.
Future meetings are:
- Friday 18 July 2025, 1-4pm
- Friday 24 October 2025, 1-4pm
- Friday 23 January 2026, 11am-1pm
Learn more in the forum leaflet and email bchft.bcmhstakeholdergroup@nhs.net to receive an invitation.
Black Country Mental Health Co-Lab
The Black Country Mental Health Co-lab is a meeting of people from organisations who work together to improve the mental health and wellbeing of communities in Dudley, Sandwell, Walsall and Wolverhampton.
The lab provides a welcoming space for attendees to: discuss key topics; collaborate on ideas and priorities; and co-produce developments, taking positive action together as a coordinated system of partners and communities. Part of each lab meeting will have a spotlight topic.
Email bchft.pmo@nhs.net to receive an invitation
The Recovery College
The Recovery College provides an educational learning environment for people who have an interest in, or personal difficulties with, mental health. Their courses celebrate our successes and build on existing skills and strategies rather than highlighting problems or failures. Courses are free of charge and open to anyone, aged 18 and over, registered with a GP in the Black Country.
All of sessions are created with people who have lived experience of challenges with their own mental health along with carers and healthcare professionals. The College also commissions community and voluntary organisations to provide training and learning in communities.
Learn more about the College on their website and email info@therecoverycollege.co.uk to find out more.
Please contact kate.pritchard3@nhs.net if you would like to know more about our work with our communities.
Read the June edition of our With our communities newsletter