Sandwell workplace wellbeing
How can I help my Sandwell staff to have good mental and physical health?
Supporting your employees to keep physically and mentally well is one of the best things you can do for them. It’s good for your business too. Everyone will be more productive and engaged. Plus, your business is likely to have a lower turnover of staff and fewer days taken off sick – which of course saves time, money and worry. Our Sandwell workplace wellbeing page rounds up resources to help you continue to be a compassionate and supportive Sandwell employer. 
Make the most of free workplace wellbeing resources in Sandwell
Everyone Health
For local support to stop smoking, visit the Everyone Health website, or call 0333 005 0095.
HELLO
In December 2022, Sandwell Council’s public health team launched a new interactive text messaging service to signpost residents to health and wellbeing support. To start a conversation, just text HELLO and your town name (Oldbury, Rowley Regis, Smethwick, Tipton, Wednesbury or West Bromwich) to 07700 154 122. An artificial intelligence system will then signpost you to sources of help and advice.
Sandwell Business Ambassadors
The Sandwell Business Ambassadors – business leaders committed to speaking up for our borough’s business community – want to make it normal in every Sandwell workplace for people to talk openly about mental health, anxiety, stress and depression. Check out the Ambassadors’ page of mental health resources.
Sandwell Family Life
The Sandwell Family Life website has contact details for a wide variety of support services such as counselling and meditation, English language and immigration support, after-school clubs and recreation activities, relationship help, money management and job hunting.
Sandwell Healthy Minds
This organisation offers psychological therapy services for people experiencing common mental health problems such as low mood, depression, anxiety and stress. If you are 16 or over, live in Sandwell or are registered with a Sandwell GP, call 0303 033 9903 (8am – 5pm, Monday to Friday) or visit the website.
Sandwell Suicide Prevention Strategy
In 2023, Sandwell Suicide Prevention Partnership launched a suicide prevention strategy and action plan, with the aim of reaching zero suicides in Sandwell by 2030. You can find out more about the strategy on the Healthy Sandwell website, as well as contribute your own thoughts and ideas.
Sandwell Warm Spaces
Evidence shows that isolation and loneliness are closely connected with depression, anxiety and increased risk of heart disease or stroke. Sandwell’s Warm Spaces initiative provides a safe place over winter for people to keep warm, connect with others over a hot drink, charge their phones and get advice and support. Visit the Warm Spaces webpage to find out more.
Team Prevent
For employees aged 18 to 39 years living or working in Sandwell (or registered with a GP in the borough), Team Prevent provides free comprehensive health assessments. These include height, weight and body mass index (BMI) checks; waist and hip measurements; a blood pressure reading and an assessment of other health indicators such as dietary intake, physical activity, alcohol consumption and smoking. Each assessment takes around 20 minutes and can be carried out in a small room within your place of work. Team Prevent can advise your employees on reducing health risks and enjoying better life satisfaction. For more information, visit the website, where you can chat to a member of the team.
Thrive at Work
Thrive at Work is a commitment programme which helps your workplace nurture employee health and wellbeing. It spans mental, musculoskeletal and physical health, and promotes healthy lifestyles. Thrive at Work offers a toolkit of local and national resources, policies and services, making it clearer and easier for your business to improve employee health and wellbeing. You can sign up for the Thrive at Work programme through the West Midlands Combined Authority or, for more information, email thriveatwork@wmca.org.uk.
See how Sandwell Council can help
Healthy Sandwell
Sandwell Council has helpfully rounded up details of a wealth of free support available to make people’s lives happier and healthier. From smoking cessation to healthier eating, you’ll find lots of information via the Healthy Sandwell page.
Keep fit and enjoy Sandwell
The main Sandwell Council website gives a list of leisure centres, places to swim and parks, as well as details about accessible facilities. You can see the information here.
Discover Sandwell
And of course simply getting out and about is important for your mental and physical wellbeing, so we also recommend the Discover Sandwell website for suggestions of places to explore, events to attend and culture to enjoy right here in Sandwell.
Provide training and wellbeing support
Colleagues can be excellent at spotting when someone in their team is not OK. By offering training in difficult topics, we can encourage our team members to be compassionate and give timely support.
Black Country Women’s Aid
Black Country Women’s Aid is a recognised Open College Network centre. The charity can deliver training on the issues surrounding domestic abuse, coercive control, stalking, rape and sexual violence, forced marriage, honour-based violence, FGM, modern slavery, child sexual exploitation, and complex needs. This can be at various levels, from simple awareness raising to in-depth training for managers. Learn more about training from Black Country Women’s Aid.
Tough Enough to Care
This Sandwell charity runs mental health support groups for men aged 18 and over. It also offers free 90-minute mental health awareness sessions to businesses, organisations, clubs and groups in Sandwell. Find out more on the Tough Enough to Care website.
Make a note of the following . . .
National support
ACAS
ACAS – the Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service – has a suite of pages on health and wellbeing.
Domestic abuse resources
EIDA
EIDA (the Employers’ Initiative on Domestic Abuse) has published a handbook of guidance and best practice to help employers support their employees who are experiencing domestic abuse. It is for members of EIDA, and membership is free.
Black Country Women’s Aid
This organisation has been supporting survivors of domestic abuse and sexual violence for over 30 years. If you need help, call 0121 553 0090 or visit the website.
Business in the Community (BITC)
Preventing and tackling domestic abuse is an integral part of your duty of care to your employees. To support you in turn, BITC has created Domestic Abuse: a toolkit for employers.
Crisis and mental ill health support
Black Country Emotional Support Helpline
The Black Country Emotional Support Helpline can be contacted on 0808 802 2288. It is open from Monday to Friday from 6pm to 1am and on Saturday and Sunday from 2pm to 1am.
Cruse Bereavement Care
If you or someone you know is struggling with grief or bereavement, you can call Cruse for free on 0808 808 1677 (Monday & Friday 9.30am – 5pm, Tuesday, Wednesday & Thursday 9.30am – 8pm, Weekends 10am – 2pm) or visit the website.
NHS: Every Mind Matters
Nationally, Every Mind Matters from the NHS offers articles, tips and even this Your Mind Plan quiz to get top tips tailored for you.
Kaleidoscope Plus Group
Kaleidoscope Plus Group is a leading national mental health and wellbeing charity that champions change and promotes positive mental health and wellbeing. It offers three key services:
* Talk2Us – a helpline and messenger support service which is free to use for anyone in the UK
* Shout 85258 – a free, confidential, 24/7 text messaging service for anyone in the UK who is struggling to cope and in crisis
* A ‘self help toolbox‘ of resources for managing situations such as anger and frustration, anxiety, low mood and depression, getting a good night’s sleep, feeling suicidal, challenging unhelpful thoughts, stress management and embracing joy and happiness.
Papyrus
For confidential suicide prevention advice for young people, contact HOPELINEUK on freephone 0800 068 4141 (9am – midnight all year round) or text message 07860 039 967 or visit the website.
Samaritans
The Samaritans line is open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year for you to talk about anything you’re going through. You can call 116 123 for free.
Sandwell Healthy Minds
Sandwell Healthy Minds offers psychological therapy services for people experiencing common mental health problems such as low mood, depression, anxiety and stress. If you are 16 or over, live in Sandwell or are registered with a Sandwell GP, visit the website or call 0303 033 9903 (8am – 5pm, Monday to Friday).
Tough Enough to Care
This mental health support group for men aged 18 and over meets every Wednesday from 7pm to 9pm at Wednesbury Museum and Art Gallery on Holyhead Road. It’s a chance to have a cup of tea, talk about mental health and support one another. For more information, email groups@toughenoughtocare.org.
Substance misuse support
Cranstoun Sandwell
Cranstoun Sandwell provides free and confidential advice and support to adults in Sandwell who would like to talk about alcohol or drugs. The website includes drug and alcohol self assessment tools to help you assess your use, or you can call on 0121 553 1333.
Attend workplace wellbeing-related events
If you know of any workplace wellbeing events, tell us, so that we can share the details.
Page last updated in January 2023.
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