An aspirational city

Helping to build stronger, better-connected communities and a more equitable city

What is the big idea?

Birmingham Children’s Trust works with thousands of young people and their families, many of whom have experienced disadvantage and significant trauma. The Trust has a network of partners across the city who can provide a range of opportunities and experiences to enable all young people to reach their full potential.

The ‘Unlocking the Games’ programme brings together activity already underway at the Trust to provide safe and welcoming community spaces and activities for the children in care, care leavers, young people and families they support with the opportunity to celebrate the Commonwealth Games.

What does this mean for me and my city?

The Trust launched its official community Commonwealth Games activity on 17 October 2021 supported by the Commonwealth Sports Federation, B2022 Organising Committee, City of Birmingham Hockey, Goals Birmingham Perry Barr with Donate 1 Create 1 and BCC. Over 250 young people with their families were invited to step outside of their comfort zones and take part in a fun-filled day of sports games and challenges. Each activity linked to the Commonwealth Games, providing an opportunity for participants to challenge themselves and try a sport they may not have tried before.

The October Extravaganza, delivered in partnership with Birmingham City Football Club Community Team provided an activity week at St Andrews Stadium. The programme provided 100 places daily for young people known to the Trust between the ages of 6-12 to take part in a range of activities including football, dodgeball, cricket and hockey, as well as arts and crafts, games and a film club.

What can be learnt from this to ensure it continues?

Throughout 2022, the Trust aims to build on this model of creating hubs of activity across the city. Four flagship hubs will be created to deliver larger scale events throughout the year for children in care, care leavers and young people and adults known to the Trust. In addition, smaller community hubs will be created, linking to schools and local community groups to help the young people the Trust works with to build relationships locally. As well as sport, physical activity and wellbeing sessions, the hubs will also offer work experience and volunteering opportunities, life skills, and awards and celebration events to mark key milestones.

The Trust aims to launch its Bfriends Charity in 2022, which will continue to deliver hubs across Birmingham after the Games. The Commonwealth Games work and the hub model are key strands of the charity’s work in delivering a legacy for the city.