Virtual Wellbeing
About Virtual Wellbeing :
Our Virtual Wellbeing programme was initially developed at the start of 2020 in response to the Covid-19 pandemic. We dynamically shifted the delivery of much of our well-established community events to virtual platforms to ensure communities could remain active and connected during this difficult time. With involvement in impactful campaigns such as This Girl Can included in our work, the TAWS Virtual Wellbeing programme reached out at a time of great need.
As the world moves on and with many services returning to in-person-only delivery, we acknowledge that for many, face-to-face delivery was never right for their needs and for some, it’s about having a stepping stone before they can look to returning to the activities they enjoyed or would like to try. So, we’ve built in virtual delivery to the core of our offer and we’re looking at what we mean by ‘virtual wellbeing’ and growing and changing this again to fit the need.
We offer our Virtual Community a regular timetable of our own activities delivered by physical, creative, and mental wellbeing practitioners, including special one-off events out in the community in a hybrid model.
We also share other virtual wellbeing resources by partners and trusted sources. Follow us on social media for these and other updates on activities you can join.
If you have any questions about our virtual wellbeing activities or if you or your group would like to discuss the creation of a new activity to fit your needs please contact us at [email protected]
Join our Virtual Community to keep up to date with the latest news, events, and activity joining instructions.
Sign up for our newsletter to be included by clicking here.
What's on this month!
If you have questions about how to join, are having technical issues or don’t feel confident online, drop us a line and we’ll help you get started.
If you are local, you can also connect with any of the great Digital Inclusion Centres in Birmingham where you can get advice, learn new skills and in some cases even get free data for your device! Find your local Centre here.
In the rest of the UK, older people and those with disabilities can access free IT support with AbilityNet here.
Let us know if you need help completing the form.
If you would like to watch back our Menopause Webinar or access any of the support resources related to this, you can do so here.
I absolutely adore crafternoon sessions, they are very low pressure and afterwards, I feel all boosted for the day, and week. I've attended crafternoons even when I've felt like I don't have the social energy to spend, but by the end of the hour, I was talking and smiling.
Jaime
Virtual Wellbeing Participant
It's been great to experience new classes, I would never have thought of trying had it not been for this Virtual offering. The teachers were friendly & knowledgeable and pitched the classes just right for me. Because the class was virtual I wasn't embarrassed. I enjoyed both very much and will definitely try them again.
Cathy
Virtual Participant
I'm a big fan. The atmosphere is relaxed and welcoming, even when I've not felt great mentally, by the end of the session I feel peppy and at least have smiled a few times.
The freedom to do my own crafts in my own home, but also talk to someone is wonderful. Its one of the highlights of my week!
J.M
Virtual Wellbeing Participant
“This has been so special - we have a small group of women who are a force to be reckoned with - a few of them have health challenges and one is also a carer. So bringing music, dance and cheeky laughter is just fabulous! - Again , it just so lovely that they have let me into their home, shared their thoughts, I so look forward to seeing them virtually every week.”
Online Dance Fitness Instructor
One Billion Rising & Dance Fitness sessions
“It has been such an honour to be part of this initiative/project for the last 2 years - to work with women who some of which have faced some really difficult challenges or have witnessed or supported others, is something I didn't think I would do as part of my journey teaching Dance Fitness.
Getting to know some of the participants, their fears, their joy, their enthusiasm but most of all their commitment to standing up as women and saying to the world that "they will break the chains" - for me this has been the highlight and the experience of teaching the routine, seeing the pleasure of the participants when they finally master it but also put their 'flavour' on it was an amazing experience.”
Dance Fitness Instructor
Joining Instructions
Join a zoom Session
Zoom is a sociable way to join our events as you can see and meet other TAWS members.
You don’t need to download any software to join, but you’ll need a device with a camera, microphone, and speakers, such as a Smart phone, tablet or laptop. When you join you may be asked for your permission for Zoom to access your camera and microphone, this is safe, and you need to agree/accept this to participate fully and safely.
For health & safety reasons we need to see you, so we ask everyone to have their cameras on but might ask you to mute your microphone during physical activity events for the instructor to be heard.
To join a zoom class, please subscribe to our newsletter, so you can get the weekly joining links. You will need a wellbeing card number so if you don’t currently have one you can sign up here
If you’d like some guidance on using Zoom of how to get started you can read a handy guide by Age UK here.
Meet the Instructors
Coming soon!
Introductory videos to all our team and virtual activities!
Join Facebook Live Session
Our Facebook Live events are a great way to watch an event or activity with a higher level of privacy as your camera isn’t on. But there’s often lively chat in the comments section so you can still meet and talk with other people at the event.
To watch a Facebook Live event, go to our Facebook page when we are due to go Live and the video will appear for you to click on and the audio will start. Click here for our Facebook page.
For the best experience, you can ‘Like’ or ‘Follow’ us on Facebook to get all the latest updates from TAWS, including when we go Live
It’s always important to stay safe online, here are a few handy tips.
Contact Us
Do you have questions about how to get involved? Would you like to work or collaborate with us on a virtual project? Do you have some feedback for us on how we can improve our work? Please get in touch! You can email us at [email protected] or give us a call to our main desk on 0121 728 7030
Our partners
As well as the activities we offer within TAWS there are a number of our partners and other trusted sources who provide recommended virtual wellbeing activities.
Virtual Village Hall Online Activity Classes | Virtual Village Hall | Royal Voluntary Service
We Are Undefeatable Home – We Are Undefeatable
WheelPower – Wheelchair workouts WheelPower | Transforming Lives Through Sport
Sport England Home | Uniting | The | Movement | Sport England
Ella Beaumont Ella Beaumont – YouTube
Witton Eco Hub Wellbeing Activities – Witton Lodge
Versus Arthritis Versus Arthritis | All of us pushing to defy arthritis
WE:ARE Domestic Abuse Empowerment Programmes | WE:ARE Birmingham (weareuk.org)
Sense Our services – Sense