Launched in March, the programme recognises inspiring projects that strive to make a positive impact in the local community. The selected projects also share the mission of Birmingham 2022; bringing people together, improving health and wellbeing, helping the region to grow and succeed, being a catalyst for change, putting the region on the map.

United by Birmingham 2022 Community programme launch.

New projects include Everyone Can Dance, delivered by Para Dance UK, which encourages involvement in dance as a recreational activity by making it completely inclusive and enjoyable for all abilities. The project includes hosting inclusive dance sessions and choreographing performance pieces, as well as offering training for dance instructors to develop skills in teaching all abilities, including those people with disabilities and impairments.

Another selected project using the performing arts to bring people together is B-Side Hip Hop Festival, a free annual festival led by the Birmingham Hippodrome. Held in the city, the festival features outdoor hip hop performances, interactive talks and live graffiti art. It provides a platform for both local and global artists and unites a young, diverse audience. To encourage further involvement, the festival also holds workshops, talent development programmes and volunteering opportunities.

Other projects recently added to the United by Birmingham 2022 programme focus on providing opportunities for young people. BrumTing, a project by Nechells-based charity Free@Last, supports young people in developing, running and growing a business and creating a sustainable income stream; Friday Night Youth Club, hosted by The Inspire Group in Walsall, offers multi-sport activities and a space to improve social and mental wellbeing; and Changing Lives Through Rugby, a project run by Erdington Rugby Club, uses sport to tackle important issues facing young people in Erdington, including anti-social behaviour and violent crime.

The final four projects that have been added to the Birmingham 2022 community programme include:

– Mayday Mamas which hosts a 21 Day Challenge offering group exercise and nutrition education to new mothers.
– PLP Wellbeing Academy, delivering an active wellbeing programme and bringing sport and physical activity into living rooms across Birmingham.
– Keep Halesowen Beautiful, a group of volunteers who regularly come together to clear litter across Halesowen. -Opportunities for Liberating and Developing your Potential which set up women-led enterprises for careers in the built environment, offering work experience and volunteering to encourage women and girls to make the step onto the career ladder.

Team England netballer and Official United by Birmingham 2022 Ambassador, Ama Agbeze (above), said: “Once again, I’ve been blown away by the inspiring community projects operating in the West Midlands, so many of which focus on improving the health, wellbeing and skills of our young people. I think it’s important that these initiatives get the recognition they deserve and a chance to demonstrate the impressive impact they’re having.

“It’s great to see that, following these nine additions, the United by Birmingham 2022 programme is now supporting more than 40 brilliant projects.”

John Crabtree, Chair of Birmingham 2022, added: “It’s been fantastic to see so many outstanding local projects working hard to make a difference to their community. Since launching United by Birmingham 2022 earlier in the year, we’ve welcomed so many worthwhile projects and these nine new additions are no exception. Our aim is to shine a light on these projects and support them with raising their profile in the communities in which they operate and beyond.”

United by Birmingham 2022 supports and highlights projects delivered by charities and community organisations. This can include projects improving skills, offering training and development, providing volunteering resource, benefitting the environment, encouraging sport participation or delivering youth engagement activities. Successful projects can use the official community programme logo to amplify their activity.