Health and wellbeing
Walsall enters new phase of community wellbeing support
Published on
Walsall Council, in partnership with voluntary and community sector partners, is refreshing its approach to supporting residents’ mental, financial and wider wellbeing, following four successful years of delivering its Mental Wellbeing Strategy.
As part of this transition, the Council and partners are celebrating the significant impact of the Thrive Mobile Wellbeing Unit (known as Let’s Chat), delivered by Bloxwich Community Partnership, Manor Farm Community Association and Walsall Transport, which has seen around 3,000 attendances in 2025/26 to date. The mobile offer has made a valuable contribution in providing tailored wellbeing support and helping residents connect with the right services at the right time.
The mobile unit will complete its planned phase of delivery at the end of March 2026, and the borough’s wellbeing offer is being reshaped, building on the learning and legacy of the Thrive Programme, and ensuring residents continue to access the support they need.
This refreshed approach, linked to the development of the Crisis and Resilience Fund, will seek to strengthen and embed wellbeing pathways into a range of community services and organisations.
Residents will continue to have access to mental wellbeing, community and financial wellbeing support across the borough.
“ The mobile unit has completed a hugely successful chapter in supporting residents with their mental wellbeing, particularly as we came out of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Our priority is ensuring that adults, families, and communities in Walsall continue to receive the right support in the right place, at the right time. Building on the success of the Thrive Unit and a range of other initiatives, we are ensuring that support within local communities continue that is easy to access and sustainable for the future. “
“ Let’s Chat began as a simple commitment to reconnect with communities emerging from the isolation of the COVID 19 pandemic. It has since supported communities, meeting individuals in the heart of their neighbourhoods, rebuilding confidence, supporting wellbeing and proving that meaningful conversation can change lives. “
Residents can access a range of free and confidential support across the borough in order to meet their health and wellbeing needs:
Rethink Community Mental Health Support, commissioned by Walsall Council’s Adults Social Care and Public Health teams provides accessible help for residents seeking mental health support. They also run the Sanctuary Hub (1 Queens Parade, Walsall WS3 2EX) outside usual mental health hours for anyone who needs support. In addition, the Sanctuary Community Team also offer outreach to people where they live. To find out more call 0800 008 6516.
Be Well Walsall is a free wellbeing service, which supports residents to improve their physical health and mental wellbeing. Up to 12 weeks of support is available which includes being a healthier weight quit smoking, improving overall wellbeing, as well as NHS Health Checks (for eligible residents).
Change Grow Live provides alcohol and drug treatment services for both young people and adults. The service includes one-to-one and group support, prescribing and detox, needle exchange, testing and treatment for blood-borne viruses, help accessing other health and care services, and support into employment. Residents can refer themselves or professionals can refer clients to the service online via the Change Grow Live website. For more information, please contact thebeacon.walsall@cgl.org.uk or call 01922 669840.
For support with gambling harms, a directory has been created to help residents find meaningful support, with details of services to help address the impacts of gambling.
Making Connections Walsall is a free and friendly service that tackles loneliness and social isolation. It offers one-to-one support to help you engage in community activities and build social networks.
Walsall Connected provides access to online council services and digital support, as well as community advice. To find your nearest Walsall Connected centre, visit the Walsall Council website.
Citizens Advice Walsall continues to deliver financial, welfare and cost of living support. To find out more and book an appointment visit the Citizens Advice service.
For support with the cost of living including help to pay fuel and bills, visit the council’s dedicated webpage.
Support for young people through POP Walsall and other community groups will also continue.
If you need urgent help for your mental wellbeing, call 111 or visit the NHS 111 website and select the mental health option to speak to a trained professional.
- The Crisis and Resilience Fund (CRF) is a UK government programme which provides grant funding to local authorities across the country, replacing the Household Support Fund. Funding period is from 1 April 2026 to 31 March 2029. The funding will provide timely support that helps people manage immediate hardship while building the stability, skills, and resources they need to become more resilient in the longer term. To find out more visit GOV.UK.
