We continue to work with Sandwell schools to build and support their music offer. It is our goal
to encourage every school in Sandwell to work with us, so that there is an equity of opportunity
for children to learn a musical instrument during their time at school.

Celebrating Sandwell & The WM at 50!

The Metropolitan Borough of Sandwell was formed on 1 April 1974 as an amalgamation of the county boroughs of Warley (ceremonially within Worcestershire) and West Bromwich (ceremonially within Staffordshire), under the Local Government Act 1972, bringing together the six amalgamated towns of Oldbury, Rowley Regis (which includes the towns of Blackheath and Cradley Heath)  Smethwick, Tipton, Wednesbury and West Bromwich.

The West Midlands county also came into existence on the same day and is the second most populous county in England, after Greater London.

The county consists of the City of Birmingham, the City of Coventry, and the City of Wolverhampton, as well as the metropolitan boroughs of Dudley, Sandwell, Solihull, and Walsall

To commemorate this, the West Midlands Lieutenancy has launched the 50forWM50 Project to celebrate volunteers across our region.

We’re proud of our rich legacy of volunteers, and supporting volunteering at SIPS, from the ‘Friends’ who support the music service, to school governors, magistrates, and police specials. There are also the unsung heroes who quietly support our communities.

Wherever you are in our region, Nominate a colleague, friend, or family member today for recognition of their contribution to our region. The winner gets a tram named after them!

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We're delighted to have been shortlisted as finalists - Co-operative of the Year at the Social Economy Awards 2025 - a celebration of the people and organisations driving forward social change, innovation, and impact across the UK.