 Christmas is a magical time for lots of people, but sometimes the holidays don't feel so jolly for everyone.
It can be difficult to remember to take care of your mental health in such a busy period.
Check in with your loved ones, especially those who may feel lonely or low at this time of year, and don't forget yourself too.
It's ok not to be jolly, but if you need any support, it's here when you need it.
 Last chance to have your say on council budget consultation
Our budget consultation closes on Tuesday 2 January 2024.
If you haven’t had your say yet, we want your views on how we can make savings to the council’s budget over the coming years.
The council is facing similar pressures to residents from inflation and rising costs. The cost of living crisis is also creating more demand for some council services. This means that difficult decisions need to be made when the council sets its budget.
To have your say on the council's budget consultation, please fill in the survey by Tuesday 2 January.
Council offices are closed between Christmas and New Year
You can still report issues or request services online.
If you are reporting a problem online while our offices are closed, we may not come back to you until the New Year.
There's more information on our website that may be useful over the Christmas and New Year period, including details of the Welcoming Spaces and pharmacies that are open.
 Shoppers can park for free at Sandwell Council’s town centre car parks on all of the Saturdays in December.
Go to our parking webpage for more details and a list of council car parks in Sandwell.
Free parking does not include Sandwell Valley car parks, privately-run car parks and on-street parking bays. Time limits on short stay car parks still apply.
Sunday parking is already free in the council’s town centre car parks.
 How to recycle your real Christmas tree
Have you got a real Christmas tree this year? A number of local charities are offering to collect real Christmas trees in return for a donation.
Birmingham Hospice, St Giles Hospice and Mary Stevens Hospice are covering postcodes in Sandwell. They use volunteers to collect the trees so the charity provider will vary across the borough. Check if your area is covered for Christmas tree recycling.
Your donation will help these charities provide specialist palliative care to people living with life-limiting illnesses, and their families
You can also take your real Christmas tree to the tip for free, book a slot at the tip.
Or, if you’re going to subscribe to garden waste collections in 2024, cut it up and put in your green waste bin ready for the first collection in spring next year.
 Sandwell Valley is a great day out for the family, and new proposals set out in our master plan are looking to make it even better.
The plan offers a proposal of improvements:
 A new water sports centre and café at Swan Pool
 Better parking and connectivity
 Improvements to the visitor centre
 A food education and cooking barn
 A new heritage discovery zone
Tell us your thoughts on these new plans as we continue to improve, maintain and protect the beautiful valley   Pretty exciting! Make sure you have your say on Sandwell Valley’s future.
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