ARKFLUX

February 2025

Active In Mind at Ninja Warrior

Following on from the success of the School Games Active In Mind event at Moseley Rugby Club in October, a further event was held at Ninja Warrior Walsall last month. The Active in Mind project aims to build confidence and resilience through the power of sport and physical activity. The young people are supported to become wellbeing leaders within their schools.

The wellbeing leaders experienced a fun and challenging day at Ninja Warrior. They got the chance to test their resilience and self belief with the support of Ninja Warrior athletes who showed them tips and tricks to battle the course. As well as taking part in the physical course, the young leaders took part in workshops that helped them expand their leadership skills and resilience.

Volunteer It Yourself

VIY have worked in collaboration with Sport Birmingham to create opportunities for young people and transform community spaces across the region. Through the Commonwealth Active Communities Fund, 5 community spaces have been transformed, creating better access to physical activity whilst empowering 61 young volunteers (14 - 24) with skills, qualifications, and personal aspirations. These projects targeted areas with the highest inactivity and socio-economic challenges, making sport and physical activity more accessible for local communities.

For the full article click here

International Women’s Day is on the 8th March this year and the theme is 'Accelerate Action' which focuses on the importance of taking swift and decisive steps to achieve gender equality.

The Make A Difference (M.A.D) project is a Sport Birmingham open access youth development programme. An important aspect of MAD’s work is to support and encourage female representation, leadership and engagement in sport which is one of the ways organisations and groups can help #Accelerate Action.

Tiana, Ava and Jasmin are all part of the youth panel, with aims to ensure that all projects and programmes - including youth camps, reflect the needs and priorities of young people locally. The panel will provide a voice for young people, allowing them to check and challenge the way in which MAD’s projects are designed and delivered.

Pictured below are youth panel members Ava and Jasmin, who were involved in supporting this month’s camps.

For more information about IWD and the steps you can take to get involved click here.

Celebrating Pathway to Podium

Earlier this month an event was held at the Utilita Arena, celebrating the ongoing success and impact of the Pathway to Podium programme.

The programme was launched in 2020, and has been designed to recognise and encourage physical education, school sport and physical activity (PESSPA). Schools are assessed and supported to develop an action plan that enhances their school offer in PESSPA, improving outcomes for young people. To date, over 90 schools have been involved in the programme.

For the full article click here.

To find out more about the programme you can email jayne.piller@sportbirmingham.org

Funding and Training Update

Funding Fair
Birmingham City Council and West Midlands Combined Authority are holding a funding fair on the 3rd March for voluntary, community, faith, and social economy organisations (VCFSEs) in Birmingham. For more information and to book click here.

New Funding Search Tool Out Now!
BVSC Members are offered free access to a user-friendly funding search tool that will enable them to see for themselves what external funding is available. For more information click here.

Sport England Movement Fund
If your organisation and project are eligible for funding, and your project aligns with Sport England's goals, you could receive up to £15,000. The scheme provides funding as either a contribution to a crowdfunding campaign or as a grant.
For more information and guidance and to apply click here.

Buddle
Buddle have a fantastic range of free online training workshops for sport and physical activity clubs and organisations. Topics covered include community engagement, social media promotion and financial and legal matters.
Check out their full range here.

Game, Set and Match!

The Lawn Tennis Association are looking for volunteers to support their tennis events in 2025. Event volunteers are the face of each of their tournaments, playing a crucial role in making the events an unforgettable experience for all the players and fans. For more info click here.

Insight Update

Last month Activity Alliance released its full Annual Disability and Activity Survey report for 2023-24 (the executive summary was released last year).

The survey is an important source of insight for organisations working to achieve fairness for disabled people in sport and activity. For more information and to access the report click here

Skateboard and Scooter Fun

With Team GB's Sky Brown taking bronze in the Paris Olympics last year, and with new UK rider Jayden Sharman, becoming scooter World Champion too, skateboarding and scootering are taking the sport and physical activity world by storm!

Team Rubicon are the UK's leading provider of skateboard and scooter coaching - and work with schools, councils and other organisations across the region. Their instructors will travel to you and bring all the equipment needed. They can deliver fun and engaging workshops or events for children and adults of all ages and abilities. For more information, check out www.teamrubicon.co.uk or contact them at info@teamrubicon.co.uk

Apply for a Free Defibrillator for Your Community Group

Having a defibrillator and knowing how to do CPR will give members of your community a better chance at surviving a cardiac arrest. For more info and eligibility criteria click here

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