A free community day in Whitmore Reans next weekend will be encouraging local people to come together to make a new start this new year.

It will showcase a range of services and activities to help people improve their health and wellbeing or employment prospects, or learn a new skill.

The New Year, New Start event takes place at St Andrew's Church Hall, near the Avion Centre, on Saturday 26 January from 10am to 1pm, and has been organised by the City of Wolverhampton Council and partners.

Among the organisations taking part will be Whitmore Reans Resource Centre, the African Caribbean Community Initiative, Gloucester Street Church, Gatis Community Space, Whitmore Reans Connect, Wildside Activity Centre, Wolves at Work, Black Country Impact, Whitmore Reans Strengthening Families Hub, WV Active, Asda, Samaritans Wolverhampton, Wolves Foundation and Compton Care.

Also on hand to meet local residents will be representatives of Wolverhampton Homes, Midland Heart, Victim Support, Changing Lives, P3, Recovery Near You, CrimeStoppers, the Refugee and Migrant Centre and Embrace, Wolverhampton's Sexual Health Service.

There will be free arts and crafts at Whitmore Reans Library, free refreshments courtesy of Asda, Partap Sweet Centre and Greggs, entertainment from local groups including the African Caribbean Community Initiative and Dunstall Hill and St Jude's primary schools, and the chance to meet Wolverhampton Wanderers mascot Wolfie.

Meanwhile there will be an opportunity for residents to share their views about plans to close the subway under Craddock Street, which has become a hotspot for anti social behaviour, and about life in general in Whitmore Reans.

The free event day follows on from a community clean-up which is planned to take place on Friday 25 January and which will involve partners coming together to clean the area and tackle fly tipping. Together, these 2 events will kick start a number of activities over the coming months which aim to make positive changes in the area.

Councillor Roger Lawrence, the leader of the City of Wolverhampton Council and chair of Health and Wellbeing Together board, said: "This free community day is a great opportunity for local residents to find out about some of the many activities on offer to them in and around Whitmore Reans, meet local organisations and get help and support from key services.

"They will also be able to enjoy free arts and crafts, refreshments and music and dance performances."