Our first session has been rescheduled from 6th October to 13th October. We apologise for any inconvenience caused, but we’re really looking forward to welcoming you and hope you can join us the following week! Come along, get creative, learn something new, and help give unwanted items a new lease of life! NEW DATE: 13th October Spaces are limited, so don’t miss out, book your place today! Everyone who booked on for the 6th will keep their spot. Email: info@murrayhall.co.uk C

Would you like to boost your weekly shopping with affordable food, but aren't really sure how it works? Visiting a food pantry for the first time can feel a bit uncertain, but we are here to make it as simple and welcoming as possible. Here is exactly what to expect when you join us. Step 1: Sign Up Before your first visit, you just need to register. You can do this in three easy ways: Online: Sign up directly on our website. Phone: Give our team a call. In Person: Drop int

After six years in the recruitment sector, Sadie decided she wanted a change and a way to give back to her local community. Stepping through Murray Hall’s doors last December, she joined us with the aim of rebuilding her confidence after years of working from home. Although she felt anxious at first, she turned up every day with a smile and a can-do attitude, meaning she fit in with our team straight away. Supporting on reception alongside fellow volunteer Hayden, Sadie got s

Pop up opera is coming to Murray Hall next Friday, and you really don't want to miss it. Sandwell Creates is dropping by to put on an absolute show, and it is going to be electric. If you have never experienced live opera up close before, this is the perfect chance to try something completely new in a totally relaxed setting. What is happening 9:30am: Free tea, coffee, and fresh toast. Come catch up with everyone at our Community Cuppa. 11:00am: The main event. A powerful, m

The October 2025 edition of the Sandwell Community Dementia Service (SCDS) Newsletter is packed with powerful stories, community highlights, and uplifting moments that show just how transformative compassion and connection can be. In this issue, you’ll meet Floss, a woman whose Alzheimer’s diagnosis left her anxious and withdrawn—until a life-changing connection with a Dementia Navigator helped her rediscover her confidence and creativity. Her journey, captured in stitches an

It is with great sadness that Murray Hall Community Trust closed the Bridges Support Service for the final time yesterday, after nearly 25 years of supporting people and their families at the end of life in Birmingham and Sandwell. The service was the first of its kind and remained the only palliative care service in the country to be managed by a community organisation, enabling people who were dying to continue living at home in a setting that was neither a hospice nor a cl

After months of planning, dedication, and hard work from our incredible store manager Emma and our team of volunteers, we are thrilled to announce that our Unity Walk charity shop has officially opened its doors! The day began with a heartfelt speech from our CEO, Manjula Patel, setting the tone for what this space truly represents: community, compassion, and hope. We were deeply moved by the overwhelming support shown by the local community, who joined us in celebrating this

We are delighted to invite you to the Grand Opening of Murray Hall Community Trust’s newest charity shop. This exciting new space is filled with unique bargains and treasures waiting to be discovered. Join us for an enjoyable morning of drinks, light refreshments, and friendly conversation while exploring our brand-new shop, opened by our CEO Manjula Patel. Your presence would mean so much as we celebrate this important milestone in supporting our local community. Event D

Suicide prevention is not something we should speak of only on designated days—it’s something we need to talk about more, and weave into our everyday lives. Today offers us a chance to pause and reflect on how we can look after others and ourselves. In a world where it’s all too easy to get distracted by the constant pull of our devices, learning when to step away matters. Being present in a conversation, whether with a loved one or a stranger, gives us the chance to notice

Salary: Point 28 £26,278 per annum Hours: 37 hours per week Contract: Permanent Base: The Bridge, Tipton DY4 0SL/hybrid working outside of core hours Find more about this role in our job description below: About our Organisation We are a charity that exists to transform lives through delivering impactful services across Sandwell and the surrounding areas. We work collaboratively with public, private and voluntary organisations, educational settings and other partners to des

We want to extend a heartfelt thank you to everyone who joined us last Thursday for our Black Country Day Event. The turnout was absolutely fantastic, and as always, your support means the world to us. These moments of community, connection, and celebration wouldn’t be possible without you. Thanks to your generosity, the money raised will help us continue bringing more events and activities to the local community throughout the year. Every pound makes a difference — and e

Every day, most of us use a device, whether it’s a mobile phone, laptop, tablet, or other digital equipment that has become part of daily life. It helps us stay connected, manage our health, find information, and keep up with family and friends. But what happens when you can’t use these devices confidently? During Covid, we all saw how quickly the world moved online, with NHS apps, QR codes in restaurants, online food deliveries, and video calls becoming the norm. Yet not eve

Murray Hall's Black Country Day Celebration 📅 Thursday 24th July | 🕛 12pm – 3pm 📍 The Bridge, St Marks Road, DY4 0SL Join us for an afternoon of fun and community spirit as we celebrate the Black Country! Enjoy a fantastic line-up of entertainment, including: 🎵 A live DJ 🎲 Classic games 🎁 Tombola 👗 Best Dressed Competition … and plenty more! Everyone’s welcome – bring your friends and family!

How often do we truly get the chance to be present in the moment—without judgement, expectation, or the constant noise of our to-do lists? Day-to-day life can often feel like a thief of time. One moment it’s morning, and before we know it, we’re crawling into bed, unsure where the hours went or whether we were even truly there for them. During Create Week, we want to remind you of the importance of weaving creativity into your everyday life, not as another item on your list b

Over the years, conversations around men’s mental health and mental health more broadly have become more frequent and open. But while we’ve made progress, there’s still a way to go. Every person is different, and it can sometimes feel difficult to know how to approach tough conversations, especially if you sense someone close to you is struggling. But it’s always worth trying. Here are a few things you can do: Ask Twice You’ve probably heard it before, but it’s worth repe

Every day, technology continues to evolve, yet, one thing remains constant — our need for human connection and a strong, supportive community where no one is left behind. At Murray Hall, our volunteers embody this spirit of connection. Whether they’re supporting Our Local Pantry, helping out in the charity shop, or lending a hand at our Murray Hall Centre, they bring passion, dedication, and heart to everything they do. Their contribution is invaluable, and we simply couldn

How often do we ask someone how they really are—and pause long enough to listen to the answer? As Mental Health Awareness Week comes to a close, it's a reminder that mental health affects every single one of us. Whether we’re managing our own wellbeing or supporting others, knowing how to recognise the signs, listen without judgement, and offer the right kind of help can make all the difference. Murray Hall's Mental Health First Aiders This week at Murray Hall, a group of our

When someone we love is nearing the end of life—or when we’re planning ahead for ourselves—questions around paperwork and planning can feel overwhelming. At Bridges Support Services, which includes individuals and families across Birmingham and our Compassionate Communities work in Sandwell, we understand the confusion and uncertainty that can come with these conversations. Many people ask: What do I really need to have in place? How do I make sure my wishes are respected? Wh

Please note that due to Good Friday, our next Bereavement Support Group meeting has been rescheduled to 16th May. We sincerely apologise for any inconvenience this may cause and appreciate your understanding.

Do you know someone who finds technology overwhelming? Maybe a parent or grandparent whose unsure how-to video call the family, fill in forms online, or use a smartphone. Our new Cyber Smart workshops are here to help — and they’re completely free. We offer friendly, hands-on digital support for anyone who wants to build confidence using phones, tablets, and computers. No experience is needed, and learners can go at their own pace with patient tutors by their side. What We Co

A few weeks ago, we gathered our Murray Hall team for an incredible day of team building at Sandwell Valley Country Park! It was the perfect opportunity to reflect on our achievements, celebrate the dedication of our amazing team, and warmly welcome our newest members. At Murray Hall, people are at the heart of everything we do—our team works tirelessly to support the community we care so deeply about. A huge THANK YOU to each and every one of you for your passion and hard

Join us every Tuesday at the Bridge for our Men's Group! - Share your story - Meet new friends - Grow together Life throws curveballs at all of us. Here, you'll find a supportive community ready to listen and help you through tough times. You're not alone in this journey. When: Every Tuesday 1pm – 3pm Location: The Bridge, ST Mark’s Road, Tipton, DY4 0SL Ready to take the first step? Contact Sara: sara.morris@murrayhall.co.uk 0121 612 2934

Grief doesn't have to be a journey you walk alone. Join our warm and welcoming bereavement support group where you can: •Share your story (if you wish) •Connect with others who understand •Take a moment to breathe, with a friendly cuppa Sometimes the smallest step - like walking through our door - can make the biggest difference. We understand that grief becomes part of our story, but it doesn't have to be the only chapter. 📅 Next Meeting: Friday, January 17th 📍 The Bridge,

Meet our latest addition to the Bridges Team—Karen Bridgewater, who will be there to support you in your darkest moments. “As the Programme Coordinator for Bridges, in partnership with the Birmingham and Solihull Integrated Care System, I’ve dedicated over 30 years to the field of social care. My journey began with a deep-rooted passion for enabling older people to remain in their own homes for as long as possible. This passion has guided my career, whether I was working dire

We are delighted that our Dementia Navigator, Sandra Graham, had the honour of presenting the 'Outstanding Approach to Supporting People Living with Dementia Using Creativity and the Arts' award at the National Dementia Care Awards. This event not only highlighted the exceptional work being done in our area but also showcased the innovative approaches being taken in dementia care across the nation. Recognising Excellence in Creative Dementia Care Sandra presented the award to

We are holding a fundraising event on Thursday 25th July here at our centre on St Marks Road, Tipton DY4 0SL. Come join us between 11am and 3pm. There will be lots of fun activities for all such as Balloon Modelling, a magic show, Tombola and much more. Hope to see you there! 🥳

Visit Murray Hall's Charity Shop in Princes End and snag a bargain! Look fabulous on the beach! 101 Princes End, Tipton, DY4 9JE

Huge thank you to St Michaels CE High School for inviting us to support at their Year 6 transition event yesterday. Thank you to all the Year 6 students that were involved, you are credit to yourselves and your primary schools. We were very impressed with all the messages of positivity that were shared around the room and enjoyed speaking with you all. Also thank you to the staff and students at St Michael’s that made the event possible. Keep up the hard work supporting bet

Mental Health Awareness Week 13th May - 18th May Exercise for Depression Being depressed can leave you feeling low in energy, which might put you off being more active. Regular exercise can boost your mood if you have depression, and it's especially useful for people with mild to moderate depression. Any type of exercise is useful, as long as it suits you and you do enough of it. Exercise should be something you enjoy; otherwise, it will be hard to find the motivation to do i

Finding Balance: Addressing Overwhelm and Mental Health Concerns? Make the first step contact the NHS and follow this link:- https://www.nhs.uk/mental-health/self-help/guides-tools-and-activities/five-steps-to-mental-wellbeing/

Dementia is a journey, not a destination. Let's walk together with compassion and understanding. Sandwell Community Dementia Service Providing support all the way along the dementia pathway in Sandwell. Sandwell Community Dementia Service provides advice, information and support to people worried about their memory and those with a dementia diagnosis in Sandwell. The service is a partnership of 8 local voluntary sector organisations. We are working together to provide suppor

Wear a green ribbon for Mental Health Awareness week - The green ribbon is the international symbol for mental health awareness. It is worn to show support for mental health and represents hope for recovery and improved well-being. Each year, Mental Health Awareness Week presents a significant opportunity for the entire UK community to unite in promoting positive mental health. The week is dedicated to combating stigma, fostering understanding, and encouraging individuals to

Murray Hall received a donation from the Tipton Christmas Tree of Light Appeal organised by the Tipton Civic Society, who have been...

It's Children's Mental Health Week! The theme of the week is ‘My Voice Matters’. We worked in collaboration with Westminster School,...

The Tipton Foodbank (The Well) Union Street will be CLOSED from: Monday 22nd January 2024 It will REOPEN on: Monday 04th February 2024 at...

The IT Hub is open to all at The Bridge in Tipton! (St Marks Road, DY4 0SL) Opening Hours: Monday - Thursday | 9:00am - 5:00pm Friday |...

Thank you to Mid Counties Co-op in Church Lane Tipton and manager Ricardo, for supplying a Christmas hamper for our raffle! Did you know...

The Bridge will close from Christmas Day until Tuesday 2nd January 2024. However our Dementia Service, Creative Therapeutic Services,...

Your Local Pantry at Murray Hall Community Trust in Tipton opened in December 2020 to help provide affordable food each week. Members of...

SCDS NEWS is the newsletter of Sandwell Community Dementia Service. We provide free advice, information and support for people worried...

With over 30 years of experience, Chris brings a wealth of expertise and a strong foundation in social care, education and child...

Murray Hall Community Trust are wishing everyone a warm and wonderful Christmas this year. We will open our doors with music,...

Compassionate communities supports people living with life limiting illnesses and their carers; it empowers individuals to increase their...

Murray Hall Community Trust would like to thank Sandwell Council and Stourbridge Paving Company (SPC) for the vital assistance we...

Murray Hall Community Trust, a Sandwell based charity working to transform people’s lives, has had the impact of its current services and...

Mental Health Awareness Week, now in its 23rd year, runs from 15th – 21st May 2023. This year, the theme is ‘anxiety’. Anxiety is a...

Many thanks to One Stop shop in Horseley Heath for their kind donation of Easter Eggs and baby foods for the Food Pantry. Their donation...