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Service information

Help in the community


This page includes links to a range of services, information and support in the local community. These are links to databases or A to Z guides that you can search to find support, activities or information in your local area. For guidance on using these links, please go to How to use these pages.

This page includes links to various other websites, please read our disclaimer about information on other websites.

Content

Activities - Things to do, places to go

  • Blakenall Bowls Club - searching for new members  
    • Leamore Park on Thursday at 10am until 12 noon. No experience needed.
    • Contact Tony and Phyllis Wilkes on 07901628847 or Malcolm Whitehouse on 07843 990582
  • Bloxwich Lunch and Social Tuesday Club (BLAST)
    • Meets every Tuesday, 12.00-3.00pm
    • Robert Parker Buildings, Elmore Row, Bloxwich, Walsall
    • Telephone Mr E Foster on 01922 684156
  • Brownhills Library - Health and Well-being Reading Group
    • every Tuesday, 11.00am-1.00pm.
    • Specialist reading group whose aim is to improve wellbeing, boost confidence, self-esteem and combat isolation for healthy minds through reading; maximum of 12 allowed
    • Contact Sonia Dixon, Adult Library Services Co-ordinator, telephone: 01922 659555, email dixons@walsall.gov.uk
  • Coffee Shop for over 50's (Word 74KB) - Tuesdays from 10.00am to 12noon at Manor Farm, Rushall, chance to socialise, play games, do keep fit
  • Community Care Entertainments
    • Run activities throughout the week, including a breakfast and lunch club, bingo, gala nights and theatre trips
    • 125 Dartmouth Avenue, Walsall, WS3 1SP
    • Telephone Maureen Inskip on 01922 614298
  • Darlaston All Active - run at the former Garringtons Working Mens Club in Darlaston, hosts activities for all ages including karate, performing arts, dance groups, wrestling classes, live entertainment and tribute acts
  • Drop by - A social networking website for people over 60
  • Groups and activities for over 55s (PDF 182KB)
  • Mencap LeisureLink (PDF 166KB)
    • Groups designed to help adults with a learning disability to develop whatever skills they need to access local leisure activities more independently. The person-centred programmes are also designed to support individuals to increase their social skills, confidence and self- esteem and make new friends with shared interests.
    • There are places available on all of the 12 week LeisureLink programmes
    • There is no charge for the service. Individuals only pay for their own expenses.
    • If an individual needs support to access the service, they will need to bring a supporter with them to activities
    • Mencap Leisure Link - Gardening and Allotment Group (PDF 118KB)
    • Please complete a Referral and personal details form (Word) if interested in any of the LeisureLink groups
    • Also welcome applications for leisure activities outside of these specific activity groups. We work with individuals to signpost on to other activities or introduce them to existing groups. Just let us know via the referral form
  • Moxley People's Centre website - various clubs and activities, including an over 50s club, line dancing and a breakfast club, also an active youth club a few evenings a week, for more ifnormation take a look at What's on at Moxley People's Centre (PDF 11KB)
  • Over 50s Forum  
    • Including fun days out, events, local speakers, meetings, etc.
    • Please contact John Jones on 01922 479339
  • Parks and Friends of parks - there are groups of volunteers that help to promote and look after each local park in Walsall
    Telephone 01922 654370 (Parks hotline)
    Email parksmanager@walsall.gov.uk
  • Spice West Midlands - Adventure, Sports and Social Group, membership fees apply
  • Stan Ball Centre: Abbott's Street,Bloxwich,Walsall WS3 3BW; telephone 01922 403351
    • Rooms for hire: For meetings, clubs/groups. Available over 7 days a week subject to availability.
      • If you would like to set up a group or class at Stan Ball please get in touch, you can set the group or club up and we will help with promotion.
      • Bistro, Meeting Rooms, Day Room and IT Suite  £17.50 per hour
      • Hall  £35 per hour
      • Great value catering service available through our cafe
      • If you would like to do a site visit and be shown around please ring Karen or Deb on 01922 403351
      • Opportunity to run whole day Sunday events at Stan Ball; the room hire is £250. This could include specialist sales, conferences etc.
    • Join us for coffee or lunch any day Monday to Friday in our cafe which is open to the public, or please feel free to have a working lunch here; plugs available for laptops
    • Activities at a glance (PDF 116KB)
      • Most of our classes have a free first trial session then are Pay As You Go
    • Stan Ball 50 plus Friendship Circle (Word 489KB)
    • Stan Ball Widow and Widowers Group Questionnaire (Word 297KB)
    • HOT OFF THE PRESS - A GREAT OFFER OF QUALITY FREE TRAINING
      • If you would be interested in high quality TAUGHT training (not online) in English, Maths, Beauty, Customer Services, ICT, Employability or any other subject (we can respond to demand) please complete and return the attached enquiry form.
      • The courses will lead to City and Guilds accredited qualifications.
      • Under 24s will be at Electric Palace or Blakenall Community Centre, adults and over 50s will be at Stan Ball and also at Blakenall.
      • This is a great opportunity not to be missed as there is less and less free training about these days especially of this quality and leading to a qualification.
      • You can also call in to pick up an enquiry form from any of our three centres.
      • Please ring Karen on 01922 403351 for further information
    • Coming soon - The Stan Ball Birdwatch Group
      • Will include birds ID - walks and trips - learning how to feed them. Monitoring of bird species in the area.
      • This will be a social group meeting at the Stan Ball Centre.
      • Please ring Karen on 01922 403351 to register your interest
    • Art For Pleasure
      • Friday afternoons 1-3pm (£6 per week on a pay as you go basis)
    • Ballroom and Latin dancing (no partner needed)
      • Monday afternoons (1 hour tuition followed by 1 hour social) 3-5pm (£5 per week on a pay as you go basis)
    • Belly Dancing Class
      • Friday mornings 10.00am-11.00am (£3.75 per session).  The perfect way to finish the week and get ready for the weekend!  A great way to keep fit and have fun!
    • Bingo and social event
      • Every Friday night 7 pm (free admission)
      • Everyone welcome, including families
      • Computer Beginners Club
      • Tuesday mornings 10am to 12pm (£4 per week on a pay as you go basis)
    • Computer Class - Beginners
      • Tuesday mornings 10am to 12pm (£4 per week on a pay as you go basis)
    • Computer Club
      • Fridays, 10.00am - 12.00pm (£4 per session).  Eldy is an innovative new software that turns any standard PC into an easy-to-use computer for people who have never used one before,  allowing you to use email, internet, send letters and chat simply and safely.
    • French Class - Beginners
      • If there is sufficient demand, we will set up a new beginners class as the original beginners are getting pretty good now!
      • Please contact Karen on 01922 403351
    • French Class - Advanced
      • A meeting is due to take place to see if it is possible to set up a group just for advanced speakers to practice. To date, 11 people have expressed an interest. We will let you know what happens.
    • It's Sew Easy (Sewing)
      • Monday afternoons 1-3pm and Tuesday mornings 10am-12pm (£4 per week on a pay as you go basis)
    • Jewellery Making
      • Tuesdays 1-3pm (£6.00)
    • Line Dancing - join any time and beginners welcome
      • Thursday afternoons 3-4.30pm (£3.75 per week on a pay as you go basis)
    • Sequence Dancing (not for beginners)
      • Tuesdays 2.30-4.30pm (£2.50)
    • Tai Chi
      • Wednesday mornings 10-11am (£3.75 per week on a pay as you go basis)
    • Zumba classes (no free trial session)
      • Thursdays 7.00pm - 8.00pm
      • £4 per person
      • Just turn up and pay on the door. Join any time as you will soon pick up the moves and you just 'follow the leader'. All ages welcome.
  • ‘Stroke Group Meeting’
    • First Wednesday of the month at 12.00noon at Blakenall local community over 50s forum
    • Please contact Wendy Smith on 07803 207710
  • The Vine Trust - they offer a range of opportunities for young people to empower them and support them to live full lives, ‘Vines’ Restaurant in Lower Hall Lane, Walsall is one of Walsall’s few social enterprises!
  • 'The Gathering'
    • A small group of men meet regularly in Bloxwich to do lots of in-generational work with children and young people, including charity work, social activities and physical activities.
    • Contact Blakenall Info Centre on 01922 711228
  • Walsall Adult and Community College Sports Academy (PDF 2.26MB)
  • Walsall Council's Community Development web pages - including luncheon clubs and day activities
  • Walsall Society for the Blind day centre (PDF 74KB)

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Advocacy

  • Age UK Advocacy service - local organisation with 4 full-time staff who deliver advocacy services for:
    • older people in the community (50+)
    • people in residential care and nursing homes (50+)
    • people with physical disabilities or mental health issues ((18+)
    • people with learning disabilities (18+)
    • Asian Elders across the borough (50+)
    • The service provides support with a wide range of advocacy issues such as help with letter writing, form filling, support through appeal or complaint procedures and the facility to conduct full benefit checks.  Appointments can be made for home visits by calling 01922 638825 or by visiting us in our offices in Lower Hall Lane.
  • Making Our Choice - Local self advocacy group for adults with learning disabilities
  • POhWER - National advocacy organisation that provides various services in Walsall including
    • ICAS - Independent Complaints Advocacy Service, provides advocacy support to people who wish to make a complaint about the service - or lack of it - that they have received from the NHS.
    • IMCA - Independent Mental Capacity Advocacy, this is a specific form of advocacy that was introduced in the Mental Capacity Act 2005. This Act gave some people who have been assessed to lack capacity the right to be supported by an IMCA if certain decisions are being made about their care. IMCA services are provided by organisations, like POhWER, that are independent from the NHS and local authorities.
  • Spokz People - A local charity offering support for people with physical disabilities, their partners and health professionals including counselling, workshops and support groups

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Benefits and financial advice

  • Benefits
  • Budgeting loans from Department for Work and Pensions - A Budgeting Loan is an interest-free loan for people who have been on Income Support, income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance, Employment and Support Allowance (income-related), Pension Credit or payment on account of one of these benefits, for at least 26 weeks. It is intended to help spread the cost of certain one-off expenses over a longer period. The amount you get is decided by the decision maker at Jobcentre Plus.
  • Crisis loans from Department for Work and Pensions - A Crisis Loan is an interest-free loan from the Social Fund to help you with the cost of items and services that you need as a consequence of a disaster. In addition in both emergency and disaster situations a Crisis Loan can help with things like living expenses, rent in advance where the landlord is not a local authority, charges for board and lodging accommodation and hostels, travel expenses when stranded away from home, repaying emergency credit on a pre-payment fuel meter.  A decision maker will decide if you should get a Crisis Loan as not everyone can have one. You have to show that a Crisis Loan is the only way that serious damage or serious risk to the health or safety of you or your family can be avoided. You do not have to be getting Income Support, Jobseeker’s Allowance, Employment and Support Allowance, Pension Credit or any other benefit or entitlement to apply.   For more information Telephone 0800 032 7952
  • Charitable Rapid Relief Funds
    • Trust Funds for Individuals in need -  a summary of various national trust funds; a big mix with various unique characteristics – one to note for the team is the Vicars relief fund, it gives small grants but decisions are made very quickly and money can be allocated within three days – it is very highly subscribed and needs a ‘led professional ‘ to apply for it on the individual or families behalf
    • Severn Trent Trust Fund - mainly relief for individuals in arrears over £250.00 on their water bill, Severn Trent charitable trust will give grants to help those in financial difficulties
  • Citizens Advice Bureau
  • Cold weather payments - A Cold Weather Payment is intended to help towards extra heating costs during very cold weather. A payment is made automatically for each seven day period of very cold weather between 1 November to 31 March. You do not have to pay it back. It is a regulated payment and not subject to a budget. As long as you fulfil the conditions, you will be paid.
  • Community care grants from Department for Work and Pensions - A Community Care Grant does not have to be paid back. You must be getting Income Support, income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance, Employment and Support Allowance (income-related), Pension Credit, or payment on account of one of them (or about to get any of them on leaving an institution or residential accommodation in which you have received care) in order to be eligible for a Community Care Grant. Grants are intended to meet a need for community care. This means that they can be awarded to:
    • help people establish in the community following a stay in institution or care home in which they received care
    • help people remain in the community rather than enter an institution or care home in which they will receive care
    • ease exceptional pressures on people and their families
    • help people set up home in the community, as part of a planned resettlement programme, following an unsettled way of life help people to care for a prisoner or young offender on release on temporary licence, or
    • help people with expenses to make certain journeys such as attending a relative’s funeral or visiting someone who is ill
  • Counsel and Care - information and advice on community care issues, including finding and paying for care, welfare benefits, and hospital discharge
  • Money Advice Service - Independent financial advice on a range of issues
  • Winter fuel payments - A Winter Fuel Payment is an annual tax-free payment made to eligible people to help towards their winter heating costs. It is a lump sum and in most cases is paid automatically, but some people will need to claim. It is a regulated payment and not subject to a budget. As long as you fulfil the conditions, you will be paid.

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Carers

  • Calling all carers! - Age UK have a shortage of carers presently available and would welcome new referrals for carers interested in having their name placed onto a database for potential work.
    • Please contact Davina Lytton on 01922 638825 if interested.  
    • This offer is available to all, irrelevant of whether or not the service users are in receipt of Direct Payments.
  • Carers cafes (PDF 379KB) - BBQs several times a month at Broadway North, information sessions, cinema club, talks and outings
  • Carers Centre
  • Carers Direct
  • Carers UK

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Care homes

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Children, transition

Although the information on this page is mainly for adults, this section has information for young people who are preparing to move into adult services. Information for children and young people can also be found in the Walsall Children and Young People's Service Directory.

  • Transition Together - Information and advice on health issues, leisure opportunities, independent living, relationships, money matters and much more for young people getting ready to move into adult services

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Churches, religious or faith groups

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Drugs and alcohol

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Domestic violence

  • Domestic Violence
    • Walsall Domestic Violence Forum have two free 24/7 helplines
      • Stepping Stones 0800 3895790 and
      • a bilingual helpline through SAYA 0800 3896990 (Punjabi, Bengali, Gujarati, Hindi and Urdu)
    • Aven House Women's Refuge Outreach & Floating Support Helpline 01922 746574

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Employment, education and learning

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Equipment, aids and adaptations

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Events and one off sessions

Events with dates

  • Dig It Day (PDF 1MB)
    • Volunteers needed to help create a community garden in Caldmore
    • Saturday, 11 February 10am to 4pm
    • Carless Street, Caldmore Green
  • Fundraising event at the Stan Ball Centre
    • Wednesday 22 February, 1-3pm
    • Everyone is welcome and tickets are available on the door on the day priced at £2 or in advance from reception.
    • Our entertainer 'The Carla Show' hails from Rushall and she will be singing songs from the 50s and 60s.
    • If you would like to come for lunch first our bistro will be open and you would be most welcome.
    • Ring Karen on 01922 403351 for further information

Ongoing or open events

  • Aldridge website - lists events and other activities in the Aldridge area and also local history, meetings, groups, news and other resources available in Aldridge
  • Forest Arts Centre - Various films, concerts and shows held in Leamore at very reasonable prices, including an afternoon film series and an evening film series. On this autumn are True Grit, 127 Hours, Last Chance Harvey, The Adjustment Bureau. Films are showing on various dates and times, see the website for more details.  Other shows and concerts are also on including Black Country Show, Shelfield Male Voice Choir, The Staffordshire Band and the Walsall Youth Theatre production of Oliver!  See website for dates and prices.
  • MOVE truck
  • Walsall Museum - Craft workshops for adults
  • What's on Walsall - guide to live events and activities in the Walsall area

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General

  • A to Z of council services
  • Ambulance Service monthly briefing - November 2011 (PDF 3MB)
  • Big Society newsletter - September 2011 (Word 2MB)
  • Bridging the Gap Community Resource Centre - Includes free money advice, help with drug and alcohol problems, bereavement support and a charity shop, located at 79a Stafford Street, Willenhall WV13 1RT, Telephone 01902 606615
  • BT Basic - British Telecom's new low-cost phone package replacing the ‘Light User Scheme’. You can usually get BT Basic if you are claiming one of the benefits below.
    • Income Support
    • Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance
    • Pensions Credit (Guarantee Credit)
    • Employment and Support Allowance (income related)
  • Computer help from Ryecroft NRC (PPT 257KB) - a local business that offers computer training for all levels, takes donations of old IT equipment, repairs and updates them before donating them back to members of the public, also offers services and IT training to local businesses
  • Change Making Fund - Application for funding for projects involving young people, please complete the bid form (Word 797KB) if interested or see the guidance notes (Word 1MB) and ticklist (Word 592KB) for more information
  • Directgov - information and advice on various services, including benefits, housing, employment advice, healthy living, education, transport, travel
  • Family Guidance & Community Welfare
    • 66 Lancaster Avenue, Aldridge, Walsall WS9 8RQ
    • Telephone: 01922 452213 -  Jan Coleman
    • Charity number 1082423
    • A Christian charity which provides help and advice, provision of furniture, household items, clothing, food parcels etc for those in need. We also provide debt counselling, advice on benefits and other kinds of couselling. We work mainly in Aldridge, Walsall and the surrounding areas
  • Fire Service newsletter (PDF 1 MB) - Help for vulnerable people
  • Foodbank
    • The Church @Junction 10
    • Contact Sue Bentley on 01922 639277
  • Freecycle - Free exchange of good quality items you may need or want to pass on
  • Furniture - Pass it on Project
    • Provides access to affordable furniture
    • Telephone 01922 474682
    • There is a cost to white goods and small cost  for furniture items based on individual circumstances.
  • Furniture available for pick up or delivery
    • Please contact Bevil Williams Telephone 07916 175911 Email bevil@repcltd.co.uk
    • Items are not stored for long periods, items may only be available for a short time.
    • There is also a fee for petrol if the item(s) are delivered and not collected.
  • Neighbourhood Community Officer (NCO) service (PDF 300KB) - We visit people over 55 in their homes and provide help and advice on benefits, falls, daily living skills, safety, housing advice and a friendly person to talk to.
  • Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Families Association (SSAFA) Forces Help - Support groups, housing, children's holidays, volunteering, help with house removals/recycling items
  • Stan Ball Centre
    • Bloxwich Community Partnership Charity Shop 'New 2 Me' now open at Blakenall Community Centre
      • Loads of bargains and excellent quality items on sale
      • Donations and volunteers to help run the shop needed.
      • Contact Dan Garbett on 01922 712069
  • Trading Standards Business Needs newsletter
    • This issue includes
      • avoiding making underage sales and reducing waste – especially for food related businesses.
      • a local initiative to improve the health of lorry drivers on the road by providing more suitable food options at truck stops.
      • advice on how to reduce your fire risk and carry out fire-related risk assessments.
      • an article from the Federation of Small Businesses with regards to Business crime and how businesses can reduce their risk.
  • Vulnerable persons officers (VPO)s (PDF 101KB) - West Midlands Fire Service have introduced this new support in Walsall.  These officers have received training to understand the needs of specific groups that may need more than the standard Home Safety Check.   As well as having access to specialist equipment they can also provide advice and guidance for other services.
  • Walsall social care leaflets
  • Walsall Council First Stop Express
  • Walsall Council First Stop Shop
  • Walsall children, young people and parents directory - information on local services for children and young people, parents and carers and professionals, including sports and recreational clubs to advice on bullying and educational services
  • Walsall Libraries recommended websites
  • Walsall Partnership - made up of various local organisations to address local problems and make sure resources are better allocated at a local level
  • Walsall Police Partnerships Team Newsletter - Issue One: Winter 2011 (PDF 157KB)

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Health

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Help at home (cleaning, gardening, handy man)

  • Age UK cleaners list (PDF 59KB)
  • Age UK tradespeople list (PDF 167KB)
  • Handyperson service - Walsall Council
  • Help at home service - Age UK Walsall offer this paid for service which includes help with gardening, cleaning, shopping and various jobs around your home
  • Manor Farm Domestic Support Service on 01922 614316, can provide home cleaning, window cleaning, garden tidying, shopping, ironing, making light lunches, odd jobs around the house
  • Old Hall People's Partnership - Based throughout Bentley and Darlaston this organisation provides a range of services including, handyman service, gardening service, re-using furniture project, room hire, information and advice on a range of topics
  • Pets
    • pet sitting service for cats and dogs, boarding, dog walking
    • Staff are CRB checked, with six years experience
    • £20 a day for the sitting in service but can negotiate other rates
    • 07990 892989 or 07748 957499
  • Spadework - affordable gardening and handyman service for elderly and disabled people of Walsall
  • Walsall People Ltd. - a local service offering gardening, decorating, handyman and mobile hair stylist

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Housing advice and support

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Leisure activities

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Meals and shopping services

  • Luncheon clubs
    • Aldrdige Methodist Lunch Club – next to Morrisons
      • Meets Wednesday from 11.45 for coffee cost £2.00 I think
      • Contact Mary Vass – 01922 457966
    • Bloxwich Community Partnership
      • Blakenhall Community Centre Stoney Lane Little Bloxwich WS3 3 DW, Telephone 01922 712069
      • Lunch Club Monday – Thursday, Costs from: £2.50 including dessert plus 50p membership fees
    • Frank F Harrison Lunch Club
      • Leamore Lane, Telephone 01922 710670
      • Monday and Friday, Lunch costs from: £2.20 including dessert
    • Beacon Centre Lunch Club
      • Collingwood Drive Great Barr B43 7JL, Telephone 0121 693 7552
      • Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, Lunch costs from: £3.50 including dessert
    • African Caribbean Lunch Club Sugar and Spice
      • 17 Wednesbury Road Walsall WS1 3RU, Telephone 01922 616996
      • Lunch costs from: £3.00 including dessert
    • Collingwood Community Centre
      • Collingwood Drive, Pheasey, Birmingham B43 7NF, Telephone 0121 360 1484
      • Monday and Friday, Lunch costs from: £3.50 including dessert
    • Darlaston All Active
      • 75 Willenhall Road, Darlaston WS10 8JG
      • Telephone 0121 568 6144 / 07760116330
      • website www.darlastonallactive
      • Now hosting lunch clubs for the community offering 2 course hot healthy meal for £4.20  
      • every Tuesday And Thursday from 10.00am to 2.00pm
  • Meal delivery services
  • Shopping delivery services

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Mental health

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Safety

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Sensory support information and advice

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Support groups, clubs and voluntary groups

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Transport and travel

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Examples from A to Z

Contact us

If you have any queries or want to add or change any information on this page please contact:

Becky Robinson
Public Information Officer
Council House, Room 34
Lichfield Street
Walsall WS1 1TW

Telephone 01922 658368
Email robinsonreb@walsall.gov.uk

This page was last updated on 10 February 2012