It was January 2020 when we first started hearing about a novel coronavirus appearing in the Far East. It was a virus spreading so quickly that cities had to be quarantined and people were getting ill. It was devastating. “I just thought it was something happening somewhere else, I
#BrumTogether is a network of over 80 organisations and countless individuals that have come together in response to Coronavirus and the lockdown. This network of local organisations and mutual aid groups have worked together to provide support for local people including the delivery of food parcels, hygiene products, baby supplies,
In March 2020 we launched a Befriending phone service in response to the COVID 19 lockdown. The aim of the service was to support people who were experiencing loneliness and isolation due to shielding or a loss of social and support networks. We recognised that not being able to connect
Please note this article was published in November 2020 and therefore information contained within it may be out of date. Find up to date info on food support available currently and Community Cafés here. Community Cafés The Big Feed Project provides free meals to people across Birmingham to ensure everyone
Stories have always been shared over a meal. But food also tells a story. It can transport you to another time, another country, another culture, without you even having to leave the plate in front of you. Food is deeply rooted in our histories and cultures and has evolved and
I am the lead for The Active Wellbeing Society’s Big Feed Community Cafés. With the help of volunteers, we run 6 cafés across the city, as well as a mobile catering van that is used to provide hot meals around Birmingham. This week, the van was at George Road Baptist
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.
The Active Wellbeing Society are working in partnership with Punch records, and Saatchi House as part of the Gallery37 North launch to commission artworks across the public realm. Gallery37 is a creative residency programme where young people can rediscover themselves as artists We are jointly commissioning artists or arts organisations
#BrumTogether, a network of over 80 community organisations and voluntary groups across Birmingham, has launched an urgent appeal to support those hit hardest by Covid-19 and lockdown, as well as struggling families through the school holidays. Nearly 60,000 food parcels have been distributed across the city by The Active Wellbeing
Every Halloween, the equivalent of 18,000 tonnes of edible pumpkin flesh goes to waste because 60% of consumers do not use the flesh of the pumpkins after carving it. As well as the delicious flesh which can be used for a variety of dishes, you can also roast the seeds
As we face renewed coronavirus restrictions, we’re reflecting on what coronavirus has meant for different groups across Birmingham. Today the spotlight is on young people. While we know young people’s experiences of coronavirus have varied massively, we’ve been lucky enough to chat with a few young Brummies to hear how coronavirus and the lockdown has affected them so far.
We are very sad to announce that The Active Wellbeing Society (TAWS) have lost a dear friend and valued colleague Helen Baglee. Helen passed peacefully on the evening of 28th September 2020. Our grief and shock at this time is little compared to what Helen’s family must be feeling and
It’s so easy to walk around our local communities and become frustrated by the amount of rubbish scattered around. It’s everywhere and we all wish littering didn’t happen. The good news is that choosing to be part of tidying up our streets and green spaces is brilliant for improving your
Following a surge in local cases, the Government has issued new lockdown rules for Birmingham, Sandwell and Solihull, as well as reinforcing a strict rule of six in an effort to contain the spread of coronavirus. Whilst this rule does allow for some exemptions, such as organised sport, it does
Being part of a community, and having support networks, is really important – especially during a crisis like the coronavirus pandemic. The Active Communities programme is a Sport England Local Delivery Pilot, which is all about building stronger and more resilient communities. Although many of our projects, which help bring
Our Active Streets project is about working collectively with citizens to reclaim public spaces and build stronger, more resilient communities. This is done in various ways, including street closures where local community members can connect with one other, socialise and participate in community activities on the streets of Birmingham. These
Would you like to have your say on your community? Would you like to take part in a discussion with other local community groups from across the city? Active Communities would like to invite you to take part in a 1 hour video call discussing a few topics later on
Aston University has been a key part of the #BrumTogether campaign. Since May, Aston University’s Student Union has housed the food distribution centre which has packed and delivered over 50,000 food parcels. Aston have also organised 250 staff and student volunteers to help pack and deliver food parcels to those
Manor House, Hay Hall Business Park, Redfern Road, Tyseley, Birmingham,
West Midlands, B11 2BE.
The Active Wellbeing Society Limited (registered no.7595) is a charitable community benefit society