Active Communities – The Active Wellbeing Society

Active Communities Learning Festival

The Active Communities programme has been running for nearly six years across six of the most deprived areas in Birmingham and Solihull. It was funded as the Birmingham and Solihull Local Delivery Pilot (LDP) by Sport England, with the aim of increasing physical activity in those deprived communities that are statistically least likely to be active. In addition to testing interventions, we were also interested to see if there was a link between physical and civic activity.

Rookery Runners & Walkers Group

Rookery Runners and Walkers Group was set up at Rookery Park, Erdington, in April 2019. It aimed to provide a supportive environment in which people could be guided through the ‘Couch to 5K’ programme, and give local people the opportunity to connect with each other. Sally, one of our Run/Walk

Stepping Back in Time for Black History Month

During Black History Month, Virtual Wellbeing have teamed up with Black Heritage Walks Network to showcase a series of black heritage walks within Birmingham. The virtual walks are part of our sensory walk series within the Active Communities programme, which supports communities to become more socially, physically and civically active.

Time for Nature

On World Environment Day (in Volunteers’ week) we’d like to celebrate the achievements of people doing their bit to improve where we live for everyone. These are exceptional times and nature is sending us a message: To care for ourselves we must care for nature. There are so many people

Handsworth Wood Youth Group Deliver Essential Supplies

Handsworth Wood Youth Group have been delivering food parcels and hot meals to key workers and vulnerable people within the community. They also provide a shopping service for people who are unable to get to the shop. Over the last three weeks their growing team of dedicated volunteers have helped

Everyday Wild Challenge Weekly roundup

Social distancing is a vital measure which will help slow the spread of Coronavirus. But this doesn’t mean that people must be socially isolated. There are many ways that people can feel socially connected and supported. Being around nature can help reduce negative feelings and make us feel better emotionally.

Corn Dogs & getting closer to nature

It’s corn dog season at Swanshurst Park in Billesley! My eleven year old daughter had to explain to me what a corn dog was – if you’re prepared to get muddy they’re just waiting to be picked. If you turn off the path near the lake very soon the ground

Samina’s story

Big Bike Project runs activities designed for complete beginners to more experienced cyclists. These include Learn to Ride sessions, skills-based sessions to increase confidence in cycling in more challenging environments such as on the road, as well as relaxing Led Rides that allow people to socialise and cycle with others.

Soraya’s story

Last month, in partnership with Solihull Council and as part of the Active Communities initiative, we launched a new Bike Hub based at North Solihull Sports Centre. Alongside this, Big Bike Project launched new activities including Learn to Ride sessions and Led Rides, enabling residents of North Solihull to start,

Free cycling sessions in February half term

The Big Bike Project is running free Learn to pedal and Bikeability sessions during half term in: Balsall Heath, Small Heath, Handsworth and Chelmsley Wood, every day from Monday 17th February until Thursday 20th February 2020. Learn to pedal Learn to pedal is a high-quality cycle training course for children

From Depression to Action -Salma’s Story

Salma talks to us about the benefits of time attending our classes. Talking Art de-stresses me. It’s my time on a Friday. First, I get to do the aerobics class, then afterwards I come to the Talking Art. It’s brilliant. I made new friends. I found out about this center

How Saheli Hub is encouraging more Asian women to take up running

First published 9th October 2019 on Runners Word: Rick Pearson Head to Balsall Heath, a working-class area of Birmingham, on certain nights of the week and you’re likely to see something rare in our sport: a large group of Asian women running together. They are part of Saheli Hub, a