An aspirational city

Engage every child and young person in the Games, including all 400+ schools in the city.

Our young people are one of our greatest strengths and represent a bright future. However, they do not always get the start in life they need to prosper. We want Birmingham to be a city of opportunities for all of our children and young people, where the unique experience of being the Host City inspires and excites them in a way that feels relevant and meaningful, and gives them a voice.

The B2022 Learning Programme, delivered in partnership with the B2022 Organising Committee, is a great opportunity to give every child and young person in Birmingham a chance to be involved in the Games. BCC has provided £500,000 additional investment in this programme for enhanced activity across the city which will:

• Engage schools and community youth organisations through activities including mascot visits, athlete ambassador visits, mass participation events and educational resources
• Establish 4 youth hubs across the city as a focal point for sports, music and arts and activities through weekly workshops, an Intercity Basketball Skills challenge and more
• Deliver a 6 month employability programme for 17 to 24 year olds at risk of becoming NEET
• Deliver an ‘Education is the Commonwealth’ Programme to support understanding and appreciation of commonwealth citizenship in Birmingham
• Give influence and voice to young people through the Youth City Board to help deliver key elements of the learning programme, the volunteer programme and mass participation events.

Birmingham Children’s Trust, alongside Birmingham City Council, are working to ensure children in care, care leavers and others known to the Trust are given the very best opportunities to partake in sporting and wellbeing opportunities through:

• Providing every child in care and their carer with 2 tickets to the Games
• The Trust’s flagship ‘Unlocking the Games’ programme which aims to create a range of exciting experiences and opportunities for communities, groups, families and schools
• The Bfriends Games 2021 to 2022 - a series of experiences, mini sporting events and volunteering opportunities taking place up to and beyond the 2022 Commonwealth Games, concluding with an award and closing ceremony for participants.

From 2022 the Trust will continue to develop ‘Unlocking the Games’ to deliver an activity hub model across Birmingham. The hubs will link with local community groups and schools so that young people known to the Trust can continue to experience activities, supporting their physical and mental wellbeing and improving their cultural understanding of the city.