The month long event features an exhibition of works or art by local residents along with open days hosted by a range of organisations which, together, are designed to help relieve the stresses of daily life.
The Community Hub, on the ground floor of the Mander Centre, will be open most days from 11am to 3pm until 5 February 2024 for people to pop in. Meanwhile, organisations will be holding open days as follows:
- Monday, 15 January, Wolverhampton Samaritans
- Tuesday, 16 January, Black Country Community Inclusion
- Wednesday 17 January, Creating AI Art Overcome the Fear
- Thursday 18 January, Wolverhampton Homes
- Friday, 19 January, The Violet Project
- Monday, 22 January and Friday 26 January, Welfare Rights Service
- Tuesday 23 January and Tuesday 30 January, University of Wolverhampton
- Thursday 25 January, NHS
- Wednesday 31 January, African Caribbean Community Initiative (ACCI)
- Thursday 1 February, Zebra Access
- Friday 2 February, Healthwatch Wolverhampton
Two sessions – on Wednesdays 17 and 24 January – will explore the use of artificial intelligence to visualise what makes people happy from just a few spoken words or text prompts. These are an ideal opportunity for people to overcome any anxiety they may have about AI and familiarise themselves with how it can work in practice. Meanwhile, there will also be a book signing by Paul Walters, author of To Heaven And Back: Don't Die… Live On!, as part of this year’s Wolverhampton Literature Festival.
Councillor Jasbir Jaspal, the City of Wolverhampton Council’s Cabinet Member for Adults and Wellbeing, said: “January can often be a very bleak month for many, and so it is great that Wolverhampton Suicide Prevention Stakeholder Forum has chosen the next few weeks to lighten the spirits of residents, and to help them look ahead and think positive thoughts about what makes them happy.
“There is lots to enjoy in life and we all need to make a note of this and do what makes us happy whenever we are able to. All the events are free and there’s no need to book, so come along to the Mander Centre Community Hub to find out more."
Wolverhampton Suicide Prevention Stakeholder Forum comprises a number of agencies in the city and works to prevent suicide in Wolverhampton through its activity and actions.
