Come and meet us at our community hubs

The Community Engagement Team is hosting a series of community drop-in sessions across hubs in Birmingham and the West Midlands.

Lead Community Engagement Manager, Abigail Shervington, said: “We want to make it easier for people to find out how they can get involved with the Games and to chat with their local Community Engagement Manager about the opportunities available to their communities.”

The hubs will provide a place where they can find out what is happening all across the West Midlands in the run up to and during Birmingham 2022; from Games time roles, the Jobs and Skills Academy, Generation 22, and the Birmingham Festival 2022.

You can find the Community Hubs at the following places:

Date Time Address
Birmingham
31st January 11am – 1pm Saheli, Calthorpe Wellbeing Hub, 257 Edward Road, Balsall Health, B12 9LF
1st February 10am -12pm The Lighthouse, 100 Alma Way, Aston, B19 2LN
1st February 12pm -2pm Naseby Centre, Naseby Road, Alum Rock, B8 3HG
3rd February 12pm -3pm Ashiana Community Centre, 25 Grantham Road, Sparkbrook, B11 1LU
14th February 11am – 1pm Saheli, Calthorpe Wellbeing Hub, 257 Edward Road, Balsall Health, B12 9LF
15th February 10am -12pm The Lighthouse, 100 Alma Way, Aston, B19 2LN
15th February 12pm -2pm Naseby Centre, Naseby Road, Alum Rock, B8 3HG
17th February 9.30am – 11.30am Edgbaston Community Centre, 40 Wood View Drive, Edgbaston, B15 2HU
17th February 12pm -3pm Ashiana Community Centre, 25 Grantham Road, Sparkbrook, B11 1LU
Dudley
2nd February 9am – 12pm Dudley College Technology College, The Broadway, DY1 4AS
Coventry
3rd February 2pm – 5.30pm Families for All Hub, 454 Foleshill Road, CV6 5LB
11th February 11am – 2pm Moat House Leisure & Neighbourhood Centre, Winston Avenue, CV2 1EA
Sandwell
9th February 9am – 12pm Dorothy Parkes Centre, Church Road, Smethwick, B67 6EH
16th February 9am – 12pm Dorothy Parkes Centre, Church Road, Smethwick, B67 6EH
Wolverhampton
11th February 9am – 12pm The Way, School Street, WV3 0NR
18th February 9am – 12pm The Way, School Street, WV3 0NR
Solihull
16th February 9am – 12pm Colebridge Trust, 100 Chapel House Road, Fordbridge, B37 5HA
Warwickshire
18th February 10am – 3pm Royal Pump Rooms, The Parade, Leamington Spa, CV32 4AA
Staffordshire
25th February 9am – 12pm Wombourne Community Centre, Church Road, Wombourne, WV5 9EZ

 

Please note due to current government guidelines some sessions maybe subject to change. For further enquiries or to register for online sessions please contact the community engagement team: EngagementTeam@birmingham2022.com

Take it on! The search for 2,022 inspirational batonbearers

The search is on for 2,022 inspirational people to carry the Birmingham 2022 Queen’s Baton around England. The Queen’s Baton Relay is a Games tradition that builds anticipation for the forthcoming Games by celebrating, connecting, and exciting communities across the Commonwealth and shining a light on untold stories and unsung local heroes from the places it visits.

Hometown Hero Haseebah Abdullah said: “I really hope the people of Birmingham enjoy the mural Gent48 has created, which is all about championing our diverse and brilliant communities. I really can’t wait for the Relay in the summer, it will be such a proud moment for the city.”

Applications close on Monday 14 February 2022. 

Be Part of History - Would you like to take part in the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games Opening and Closing Ceremonies

Applications are open for volunteer cast, athlete hosts, and existing choirs who will bring this summer’s Opening and Closing Ceremonies to life.

The Birmingham 2022 Ceremonies Team, made up of some of the finest West Midlands creative talent, is calling for the most ambitious, outgoing, and dedicated local people to apply to be part of the performance that opens and closes the biggest sporting celebration since the London 2012 Olympic Games.

Creative Director, Iqbal Khan said: “Performing at the Commonwealth Games is a once in generation opportunity – so get ready to show us what you’ve got if you want to represent your city and region on the biggest global stage.”

Applications close on Monday 7 February 2022.

Opportunities for young people (16-24) from the West Midlands to gain employability boosting chances through the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games

The Gen22 programme is designed with and for young people who might otherwise struggle to access Games related opportunities, often facing barriers including lack of confidence; being a young carer or young parent; or having a criminal record.

Following the launch of the Gen22 scheme in October 2021, 216 young people have successfully completed their 30-hour youth social assignments, through the pilot program delivered alongside the National Citizenship Service.

Nicola Turner, Director of Legacy said: “It is incredible to see how the Games is already making a difference to young people’s lives in the region. We’ve been amazed at the positive reception from businesses, charities and organisations to support this initiative which is designed to help our 16–24-year-olds bounce back from the pandemic, and to give them more confidence in the future.”

Gen22 together with the West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) have recently announced £100k of funding that will support experienced local delivery organisations working with young people already engaged in, or at risk of falling into the criminal justice system. This important funding will support social assignments for approximately 150 young people across the West Midlands Communities.

Tom McNeil, Assistant Police and Crime Commissioner for the West Midlands said: “We believe in the potential of all young people across the West Midlands and are excited to be supporting the Gen22 project in helping to create a meaningful legacy from the Games.”

As a business, charity, school or youth organisation you could help us by becoming a nominating organisation or assignment provider, please email the Gen22 team for further information: Gen22@Birmingham2022.com.

Severn Trent Community Funds - Celebrating its partnership with Birmingham 2022

Severn Trent, the Official Nature & Carbon Neutral Supporter to Birmingham 2002, is looking to fund local community projects that specifically aim to take care of nature and the environment.

The Community Fund is looking for community projects linking to one or more of the following themes:

  • Green spaces: Projects that create and enhance green spaces and offset carbon, for example creating natural habitats, such as ponds and wildflower meadows;
  • Recycling and making the most of resources: Projects that help to reduce the carbon footprint of community spaces and activities, such as through recycling and energy saving;
  • Water saving heroes: Projects that preserve water and reduce usage, including grey water recycling and rainwater harvesting.

Natalie Cunningham, Severn Trent’s Community Fund Officer said: “We hope that the fund will create some fantastic opportunities for communities right across the region to get some nature positive projects up and running. And the best part is that all of our wonderful customers get to vote on their favourite project and have the final decision on which projects are successful.”

Application deadline is 20th February, finalists will be shortlisted by an independent Community Fund panel and public voting will begin in April.

For more information and to apply, click here

 

Other ways to get involved – Support Severn Trent plant 72 Tiny Forests in urban areas across the West Midlands

Severn Trent are planting 72 tiny forests across the region in schools, community and open spaces which are roughly the size of a tennis court.  Severn Trent are looking for people to get involved and help create these amazing green urban spaces and be part of something special. Each Tiny Forest site will see 600 native trees planted densely and will leave a positive social and environmental legacy.

To find out dates of planting events in your area, click here

United By - Saathi House

United By partner Saathi House is an anchor organisation that is committed to supporting Birmingham residents from migrant communities to drive positive change in their lives, in their family’s lives, and in their local communities. Working primarily with women, disadvantaged and vulnerable individuals, the empowerment hub is based in Aston in Birmingham.

Mashkura Begum, Chair of Saathi House, said: “Together, we are on a journey to engage, enable and empower women to improve their knowledge, skills, networks, opportunities and leadership potential. Our focus is on helping local residents to develop creative, educational and practical skills across the mediums of art, language, culture and civic pride.”