News and reports

The rising cost of living and the inability for both wages and benefits to meet this rise has led to more people experiencing persistent financial crisis.

Our joint project "More than the essentials" paints a clear picture: people are being pushed into hardship by complex, systemic challenges. For many, foodbank use has shifted from a temporary emergency intervention to an ongoing necessity.

Black Country Foodbank asked us to engage with people who use foodbanks in Dudley borough to hear their experiences and discover what local people need beyond the food parcel.

564 people shared their experiences of health and social care with us from October to December 2025, find out the overall picture.

We joined a local HIV support group to listen to people's experiences of health and social care. Their stories show cases of compassionate care, as well as highlighting areas for improvement.

Beacon, a service that provides support for people living with sight loss, invited us to speak with people who use the service regarding their experiences of health and social care services.

We spoke with veterans at a local veterans breakfast club and a support hub to discover the health and social care experiences of veterans.

We asked stakeholders from local services and organisations to share what they thought of our work and the impact we have on the Dudley borough. Their responses highlights how we are a trusted service that encourages real change, it also helped identify areas for improvement.

We conducted an Enter & View visit to Castle Meadows GP Surgery. This formed part of our wider research into access to GP services, and the use of alternative primary care, such as Pharmacy First and the impact of the GP Practice Charter.

We conducted an Enter & View visit to Jhoots Milking Bank Pharmacy. This formed part of our wider research into access to GP services, and the use of alternative primary care, such as Pharmacy First.

We conducted an Enter & View visit to Pathways, a supported living service in Dudley, highlighting residents' experiences and areas for improvement. It includes observations, feedback, and recommendations to enhance the quality of care and environment.

Exploring the experiences of Shared Lives Carers and the individuals they support through the Camphill Village Trust’s Shared Lives scheme which provides personalised care for adults with learning disabilities, autism, and mental health needs.

Healthwatch Dudley partnered with Womenn, Macmillan, and the NHS to host a workshop encouraging cancer screenings among ethnic minority women, addressing cultural stigma and barriers.