Welcome to Sandwell's Confidence and Wellbeing Team!
We believe that it is often the simplest of things that bring joy and wellbeing into our lives.

Our aims are:
- to create opportunities for people to maintain and improve their own wellbeing
- to encourage people to find a place of happiness and wellbeing within themselves
- to provide and support community services that are flexible to meet the needs of those living and working in Sandwell

Working towards building a flourishing, resilient and compassionate Sandwell.

Connexions is a support service for all young people aged 13-19 (up to 25 years old for young people with learning difficulties and/or disabilities). Through Personal Advisers, Connexions offers information, advice and practical help on a range of issues, including education, employment, work-based learning, housing, health, transport, free time and money matters. Each young person has access to a Personal Adviser (PA) through their school or college, Connexions centres, community centres and other agencies across the community. Through Personal Advisers, young people receive the support that they need, to suit their individual requirements and situation.

UK Youth is the leading national youth work charity supporting over 750,000 young people, helping them to raise their aspirations, realise their potential and have their achievements recognised via non-formal, accredited education programmes and activities.

Sandwell Welfare Rights currently offer a proactive benefits maximisation service for the tenants and residents of Sandwell. We are currently funded for one project by Sandwell's Children and Young People's Trust Partnership.

The project that we are funded for is Teenage Pregnancy, Young Parents and Young Fathers or Expectant Fathers. This project is to ensure that those who are referred to the service are offered a benefit check, that their benefits are maximised and that they are signposted in the right direction for futher help and support for e.g. Housing.

Making plans for your future, or looking for work? Find out more about the World of Work...

beat is the leading UK charity for people with eating disorders and their families. beat is the working name of the Eating Disorders Association, and we continue to build on the strong foundations of the past 18 years of work.

Eating disorders are a serious mental illness affecting 1.1 million people in the UK. beat provides helplines for adults and young people, online support and a UK-wide network of self-help groups to help people beat their eating disorder.

beat's vision is simple: Eating Disorders will be Beaten.

Brook Advisory Centres - commonly known just as Brook - is the only national voluntary sector provider of free and confidential sexual health advice and services specifically for young people under 25. Brook is a registered charity, and has 40 years' experience of providing professional advice through specially trained doctors, nurses, counsellors, and outreach and information workers to over 200,000 young people each year.

Sandwell Primary Care Trust is trying to help LGBT people stay happy and healthy. A worker is engaging with the LGBT community to identify their needs and ensure appropriate services are in place to meet these needs. For more information about support available or to request a copy of the LGBT service directory contact Wendy Hooker on 0121 612 3391.

A registered charity providing information and support to Trans people, their family, friends, professionals and organisations who wish to have more of an understanding of Gender Dysphonic or Transgender issues.
Telephone 01902 744424.

A Birmingham-based service that works with gay, lesbian and bisexual men and women to support sexual, mental and social health and well-being. They also support the OutCentral youth group.
Telephone 0121 440 6161.

Award winning website that:
- Gives information about alcohol, contraception, drugs, pregnancy, sexual health issues and smoking
- Can help you, or someone you know, if you feel you have any issues about any of the topics featured on the site
- Gives you the opportunity to have your say and get your work on the net.

Provides support and advice on HIV and sexual health, and counselling. Website provides information on best practice in work with young LGBT people and information for families coming to terms with someone in their family being gay.
Opening hours: 9.30am to 5.30pm Monday to Friday.
Contact: 01902 711818.

Employment4students brings you the latest student jobs, part time jobs, temporary jobs, internships and graduate jobs and the best deals for students. We advertise a range of jobs opportunities and work, from summer jobs to Christmas jobs.

Student jobseekers use our free, comprehensive job search facilities to find suitable work in a region of their choice on dates they are available. Our job zone also provides information and advice on job interview technique, CV writing, tax and internships.

An all ability school for the future, specialising in Sport and Business Enterprise.
Sandwell Academy opened in September 2006 and is located in Halfords Lane, West Bromwich (opposite The Hawthorns, home of West Bromwich Albion Football Club). In September 2009 the Academy welcomed its fourth cohort of students and now has Years 7, 8, 9 & 10 and a full Sixth Form. From September 2010 it will cater for 1200 students from throughout the multi cultural borough of Sandwell.

Information for young people who are interested in acquiring funding.

This database has been established to enable voluntary and statutory partners, and the wider community, to access information about the voluntary and community sector in Sandwell. It contains detailed, information about the services provided by each organisation, including their client group, the geographical area they cover and how to contact them

Sandwell Young Carers is a registered charity which has been supporting young carers in the borough over the past 15 years.

It offers a variety of activities which provides its members with a distraction from their caring responsibilities.

If something that the Council has done or should have done has made you SAD
If something that the Council has done or should have done has made you ANGRY
If something that the Council has done or should have done has made you HAPPY
If You Can Think Of Any Ways That The Council Could Do BETTER

Hate crime is any offence committed against a person or property which is motivated by the offender’s hatred of people because they are seen to be different in ways such as race, religion, disability, sexuality or gender. If you are, or know someone who is, being bullied because of his or her race, religion, sexuality, disability or gender, don’t be afraid to tell someone. Every report is taken seriously and could help to stop you and others suffering hate crime.

How can I report an incident during school?
• All schools are required to report incidents to the local authority and they do this by using a system call ‘Sentinel’ or an alternative reporting form.
• You can tell a member of teaching or nonteaching staff that you feel comfortable
approaching and talking to; you will be dealt with sensitively, and offered help and support.

How can I report an incident to the police?
• The police deal with hate crime regularly and can offer help and support. There are specially trained police officers in your area who can speak to you in confidence. What you tell them will be dealt with sensitively and professionally.
To phone the police call 0845 113 5000.
• Or you can report ‘hate crime’ online at www.west-midlands.police.uk Follow the ‘If you are a victim’ link from the home page.
• Other help:
Childline 0800 1111
Victim Support 0845 30 30 9000
24-hour NSPCC Helpline 0800 800 500

If you need help or advice either talk to your youth worker or contact:

Sandwell Organisation Against Domestic Abuse
National Women's Aid/refuge 24 hour helpline 0808 2000 247
Refuge (www.refuge.org.uk)
Sandwell Women's Aid: 24 hour helpline: 0121 552 6448
National Women's Aid helpline 0845 702 3468
Women's Aid (www.womensaid.org.uk)
Sandwell Women's Agency Network 0121 553 7074
West Midlands Police 0845 113 5000
NSPCC 0800 800 500 (www.nspcc.org.uk)
Childline 0800 111111
Victim Support helpline 0845 3030900
Samaritans helpline 08457 90 90 90
Mankind UK (www.mankindcounselling.org.uk)
Respect helpline 0845 122 8609 (Mon/Wed/Fri 10-12, 2-4; Tues 2-5)(www.respect.uk.net)
Male advice and enquiry line 0845 064 6800

Don't suffer any longer - get some advice for a better life.

Visit Safe Street a brand new interactive website from West Midlands Police. Safe Street has lots of fun games, videos and scenarios aimed at teaching children how to stay safe and be a good citizen in everyday life.

Safeguarding is about keeping children and young people safe from abuse or neglect. All those who come into contact with children and families in their everyday work, have a duty to safeguard and promote the welfare of children. The LSCB undertake this role through providing training, the development of policies and procedures and awareness raising.

Sandwell believes that children and young people have the right to be taught in a positive learning environment where everyone has an equal opportunity to achieve socially, emotionally and academically.

Sandwell's Road Safety Team provides education, training and publicity for residents across the Borough.