Category: Health and Wellbeing

  • Bereavement Support Hubs – Invitation to Colleague

    Bereavement Support Hubs – Invitation to Colleague

    Mary Stevens Hospice is offering bereavement support to the local community and invites all Black Country Living Museum colleagues to attend their Bereavement Hubs.

    Stourbridge Hub

    📍 Stourbridge Institute (turn by Tesco, opposite the Crystal Leisure Centre)

    🕑 1.30–3.00pm

    • Wednesday 29 October 2025
    • Wednesday 26 November 2025
    • Wednesday 7  January 2025
    • Wednesday 28 January 2026
    • Wednesday 25 February 2026
    • Wednesday 25 March 2026

    Additional informal session

    📍 Mary Stevens Hospice

    🕑 Wednesday 17 December 2025, 2.00–3.30pm (coffee and catch-up)

    Halesowen Hub

    📍 Halesowen Library, Caslon Hall (Cornbow Shopping Centre)

    🕑 10.30am–12.00pm

    • Thursday 18 September 2025
    • Thursday 16 October 2025
    • Thursday 20 November 2025
    • Thursday 11 December 2025
    • Thursday 15 January 2026
    • Thursday 19 February 2026

    📞 For more information, please contact Mary Stevens Hospice on 01384 445 423. Mary Stevens Bereavement Hub Poster

  • Be part of our first ever all-colleague pantomime! ✨

    Be part of our first ever all-colleague pantomime! ✨

    We’re putting on the Museum’s very first pantomime on 26 January 2026 – and we’d love you to get involved!

    After a few auditions last week, we’re now inviting everyone to come along for a relaxed group reading of the script. Whether you’ve already auditioned, thought about it, or just fancy giving it a go for the first time, this is your chance to join in.

    • Tuesday 26 August
    • 5.30pm
    • Classroom 2

    No pressure, no need to prepare – just a fun, friendly chance to read through the script together and see where you might like to take part. The script is attached so you can have a peek before we meet.

    If you’d like to come along, simply drop us an email at [email protected] to let us know.

    Come along, have a laugh, and help make this panto one to remember! 🎭

  • Tabletop Games Night – Cancelled

    Tabletop Games Night – Cancelled

    The Tabletop Games Night on Thursday, 7 August, has been cancelled due to low attendance. 

     

  • 🎭 BCLM Panto Auditions – Get Involved! 🎭

    🎭 BCLM Panto Auditions – Get Involved! 🎭

    We’re excited to announce auditions for the Museum’s very first all colleague pantomime, taking place on 26 January 2026!

    Auditions will be held on 11 and 13 August 2025 – and we’d love for you to get involved!

    Whether you fancy yourself in the spotlight or prefer working behind the scenes, there’s something for everyone. As well as acting roles, we’re also looking for enthusiastic team members to help with IT, stage décor, costume, and hair & make-up.

    Audition pack available here; Snow White Audition Pack. If you would like a printed copy or more information, please email: [email protected].

    Tickets will be available closer to the time so colleagues and their families can come along and enjoy a bostin’ panto together!

    Please note: If you’re unable to attend on either of the dates above, we’ll do our best to arrange an alternative audition where possible. Scripts and character details will be shared nearer the time.

  • H&W Craft workshop – Embroidery

    H&W Craft workshop – Embroidery

    Join us for embroidery workshops with Valarie Plummer!

    Discover the art of embroidery! Whether you’re a complete beginner or looking to brush up on your skills, these drop-in sessions are the perfect way to get creative and unwind.

    When:

    • Tuesday 29 July

    • Tuesday 5 August
    • Tuesday 12 August – No session

    • Tuesday 19 August
    • Tuesday 26 August

    Time: Drop in anytime between 4:30pm – 6pm

    Where: Café Black Country

    Cost: Absolutely free! All materials are provided, and you’re welcome to take your work home to keep practicing.

    Bring your friends, bring your family – everyone’s welcome.

    We can’t wait to see you there!

  • Mental Health Support – Health 2 employment

    Mental Health Support – Health 2 employment

    As part of our ongoing commitment to Health & Wellbeing, we are able to offer support through Health 2 employment again this summer, in partnership with Able Futures, who are offering virtual or phone one-to-one consultation slots throughout July and August.

    These sessions are open to all colleagues who would like to learn more about the support available or discuss their mental health needs in confidence. The service is designed to help individuals have more good days than bad days by offering practical mental health support at no cost.

    Who Can Access the Service?

    You’re eligible if you:

    • Are aged 16 or over

    • Are employed or self-employed

    • Live in England, Wales, or Scotland

    • Experience a mental health issue (including self-diagnosed)

    Book a Consultation
    To arrange a free and confidential consultation, please follow the link below: 👉 Access to Work (Mental Health) – Book an Appointment — Health 2 Employment

    Feel free to share this with friends, family, or colleagues who might benefit.

  • 🎉 Perkbox Cashback Is Now Live! 🎉

    🎉 Perkbox Cashback Is Now Live! 🎉

    A new way to save on everyday spending – just by doing your usual shopping.

    How it works;

    1. Spot a cashback deal – Look for the yellow Cashback icon in Perks
    1.  Choose your perk – Read the instructions and click the link.
    1. Shop as normal – Then wait for your cashback to roll in.
    1. Spend your cashback – on Perkbox gift cards.

    It’s that simple – happy saving! 💸

    📌 Perkbox Cashback – Poster

  • Makaton Workshop – Round 2!

    Makaton Workshop – Round 2!

    Due to the fantastic response to our recent Makaton session, we’re excited to announce another workshop with Deb!

    Makaton is a valuable tool for building confidence and raising awareness when communicating with D/deaf colleagues, visitors, and members of the community.

    📅 Date: Tuesday 22 July 2025
    🕠 Time: 5.30pm–6.30pm
    📍 Location: Classroom 1, Learning Centre
    💷 Cost: Free

    Whether you’re completely new to Makaton or looking to brush up on your skills, this friendly and practical session is a great way to develop your communication toolkit and champion inclusivity.

    To sign up, email: [email protected]

    Let’s keep working together to create a more accessible and supportive workplace for all.

  • 📚 H&W BCLM Bookworms – A Book Club for All Colleagues!

    📚 H&W BCLM Bookworms – A Book Club for All Colleagues!

    Love to read? So do we! Come together and share your love of reading with colleagues!
    We’ll be working our way through Reese’s Book Club: The Complete List – Reese’s Book Club. Each month, we’ll meet to chat about the current read and pick our next book together. Not feeling a particular title? No worries – you’re welcome to skip it and join us for the next one!
    📅 When:
    • Wednesday 25 June
    • Wednesday 23 July
    • Wednesday 20 August
    • Wednesday 17 September
    • Wednesday 15 October
    • Wednesday 12 November
    • Wednesday 10 December
    🕣 Time: Drop in anytime between 8:30 AM – 9:30 AM – cant meet or too early? Don’t worry, we have a WhatsApp group where we can discuss the books anytime!
    📍 Where: Learning Centre, Classroom 1 – bring your tea and enjoy a biscuit!
    No need to sign up – just come along! If you’d like more information, feel free to email [email protected]
    We can’t wait to see you there!
    We also have a collection of books the group has previously read. If you’d like to borrow any of these – or even start your own book club within your team – just let us know!
    Available titles include:
    Little Women, Where the Crawdads Sing, The Woman in Black, Tomorrow Tomorrow and Tomorrow, All My Mothers.
  • Great Turnout for Our First Crochet Workshop! 🧶

    Great Turnout for Our First Crochet Workshop! 🧶

    We had a fantastic response to the first session of our crochet workshop – thank you to everyone who came along! A big shoutout to Lisa for her patience and guidance as we got to grips with the basics.
     
    If you missed it, don’t worry – there’s another chance to join in this week!
     
    📅 Dates:
    • Thursday 5 June
    • Thursday 12 June
    • Thursday 19 June
    🕟 Time: 4:30pm – 6:00pm (drop in anytime)
    📍 Where: Visitor Centre Café
    💷 Cost: Free (all equipment provided)
    ☕ Refreshments: Tea, coffee, squash and biscuits available
    👨‍👩‍👧 Friends & family welcome!
     
    Come along, get creative, and enjoy! To help us plan for numbers, please email [email protected] to sign up.
     
    Looking forward to seeing you there!