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Homepage | News | Local NHS Trust empowers women at Merry Hill health and wellbeing event

Local NHS Trust empowers women at Merry Hill health and wellbeing event

Local NHS Trust empowers women at Merry Hill health and wellbeing event

Women from across the Dudley borough and surrounding areas came together to celebrate International Women’s Day at the Glow and Grow 2026 health and wellbeing event, held on 9th March at the Merry Hill Shopping Centre.

The Glow and Grow event welcomed 21 stallholders from health services, voluntary organisations and charities, creating a vibrant community space focused on empowering women, improving wellbeing, and raising awareness of local support services. Throughout the day, there were over 700 interactions with attendees, highlighting strong public interest in women’s health and community wellbeing.

The Glow and Grow event celebrated women while also promoting health awareness, healthy lifestyles and access to support. Visitors were able to speak with local organisations, receive advice on health and wellbeing, take part in activities and access free blood pressure checks.

Attendees also had the opportunity to learn about a wide range of services including women’s health support, mental health resources, family services, employment support, and community activities. Organisations present included representatives from health services, charities, community groups and local authority teams, all working together to provide accessible information and guidance.

Locals highlighted several key themes from the event, including:
• Greater awareness of local health and wellbeing services
• Information about support services for women and families
• Increased understanding of blood pressure and personal health
• Opportunities for social prescribing and community support
• Access to employment support, wellbeing courses and free activities
• The chance to speak directly with professionals and community organisations.

A priority voting activity at the event revealed that mental health and stress is currently the top health concern for women. Other priorities included access to healthcare, menopause and ageing, and preventive screenings, highlighting key areas where women would like further support and information.

The event demonstrated strong community engagement and highlighted the importance of accessible health information and support services for women.

Due to the success of the event, Merry Hill has invited organisers to return for future events, providing further opportunities to support the health and well-being of local communities.

Natalie Birch, ESG Manager at Merry Hill said "Being at the heart of the region it's vitally important to us that we support the community and wider West Midlands. We were thrilled to host the recent Glow and Grow 2026 event for International Women's Day at Merry Hill. It was wonderful to see so many women engaging with local services, taking steps to improve their health and wellbeing, and connecting with the community. We look forward to welcoming the organisers back for future events that bring the community together."

Diane Wake, group chief executive for the Dudley Group NHS Foundation Trust and Sandwell and West Birmingham NHS Trust commented, "Glow and Grow 2026 was a fantastic opportunity to celebrate and support women in our community. It’s inspiring to see so many attendees taking an active interest in their health and wellbeing, from blood pressure checks to learning about local services.

Events like this are essential in promoting awareness, providing access to care, and fostering connections that help improve lives across Dudley."