Community Sports Days
Community sports days were organised in Yardley and Sparkbrook to encourage new families to get to know the Bring it on Brum! programme.
The primary goal of this initiative was to organise a series of sports days in underserved communities, specifically targeting children, young people and families who had not previously accessed the Bring it on Brum! programme.
The events were organised in Sheldon Country Park, Yardley and Farm Park, Sparkbrook, Hall Green through a partnership of local organisations. A spirit of collaboration was key, with partners pooling their skills, marketing efforts and communication strategies to ensure the widest possible reach. The collective action of these organisations played a crucial role in accessing the target children and their families.
The planning of these events was supported by Early Help and The Active Wellbeing Society and led by Elms Farm Primary School. The following organisations contributed to the successful execution of the events:
- Yardley Tennis Club
- Birmingham United Football Club
- Fit Kidz Zone
- Kate Swann Dance Academy
- Aura Up Martial Arts
- Andalus Archers Club
Elms Farm Primary School staff provided Netball and Football activities, while other organisations offered various sports and recreational sessions tailored to engage children and young people from different backgrounds.
At the Farm Park, the team took extra steps to ensure safety and accessibility. With support from The Active Wellbeing Society, two surrounding roads were temporarily closed to create a safe environment for participants. Pre-event consultation with local residents was conducted and they showed strong support for the initiative. Additionally, a pre-and post-event litter pick was organised to maintain a clean environment.
Bring it on Brum! led the nutritional aspect of the events, creating a space for interactive and educational fruit preparation stations. These stations proved very popular, with participants making fruit salads, fruit kebabs, and ice pops. Engaging conversations were held with parents, who were shown how to recreate these healthy snacks at home, promoting healthier eating habits within families.
In addition to the sports days, a food festival was organised at Concorde Youth Centre in partnership with Digbeth Dining. This event focused on families working together to prepare a variety of healthy foods, including fruit sundaes, healthy pot noodles and a taste-test quiz comparing branded and non-branded items. This interactive approach helped families, particularly those with picky eaters, explore ways to make nutritious meals fun and accessible.
- Attendance: Over the two events, 350 different children participated, with 90% of them eligible for Free School Meals.
- New Sign-ups: Over 100 families signed up their children for additional Bring it on Brum! activities for the remainder of the summer, demonstrating the success of the events in reaching previously unengaged families.
- Community Support: Throughout the day, various community support organisations hosted market stalls offering advice and resources to families in attendance.
The collaborative approach was highly successful. By working together, the partners were able to help break down barriers to participation, promote healthy lifestyles and connect families to additional support services.