The Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games has launched its new community programme, United by Birmingham 2022 – with Witton Lodge Community Association one of its founding projects.

The United by Birmingham 2022 programme is bringing together ambitious and innovative West Midlands based community projects that share a common purpose with the Birmingham
2022 Commonwealth Games.

United by Birmingham 2022 is recognising grass-roots organisations that are having a positive impact on the communities they serve across a diverse range of subjects including volunteering, projects which benefit the environment, encourage participation in sport or deliver youth engagement activities.

To mark yesterday’s launch, over 40 representatives from 12 local charities and social enterprises came together in Oozells Square, Brindley Place in Birmingham city centre to take part in a 5km United by Birmingham 2022 run.

The United by Birmingham 2022 programme is now open for not-for-profit organisations to apply to. Projects will be awarded the United by Birmingham 2022 status if they can demonstrate how they share a common purpose with Birmingham 2022. The programme will enable projects that align with the ambitions of Birmingham 2022 to be recognised for the work they are doing and use the new community programme logo in their communications and at events to amplify their activity.

The United by Birmingham 2022 programme recognises non-commercial community projects that are aligned with the vision and mission of the Games.

Afzal Hussain, Chief Officer at Witton Lodge Community Association; said: “We are excited and delighted to be a founding project of United by Birmingham 2022 which brings together ambitious and innovative not-for-profit organisations under a new community brand programme.

“We are proud to share a common purpose with the Games, working to deliver community activities which bring people together, improve health and wellbeing, help the region to grow and succeed, be a catalyst for change and put the region on the map

“The role of the new community-based programme is to empower people, through the Games, by celebrating organisations like Witton Lodge that are having a positive impact on the communities that they serve.”

The 12 founding projects of United by Birmingham 2022 programme are:

Goodgym – Group Sessions – During group sessions, GoodGym members run to visit isolated, older people, to provide friendly contact and to help with practical tasks.

The Prince’s Trust – Youth Summit 2021 – Using the United by Birmingham programme to support the 2021 Youth Summit, which hopes to increase engagement with young people across the region.

Canal & River Trust – Community Activity and Wellbeing Programme – This programme provides free events and taster sessions in fishing, performing, running, walking, cycling and paddling and works with partners to ensure regular physical activity takes place.

EmployabilityUK – Inspiring Young Birmingham programme, which will recruit new volunteers and provide consistent training and online support for young people.

Sense, – Connecting communities programme which will help the Sense TouchBase Pears Centre become a centre of excellence for disability arts.

Jericho Foundation – awarded for their Equiano project which helps raise awareness oftheir cause and encourages people to support their work

Sport Birmingham – supporting the Daily Mile Commonwealth Challenge, to amplify their influence and encourage more people to take up this challenge.

Acorns Children’s Hospice, – for the Gift of Time programme which helps emphasise the urgency and immediacy of the need for communities to rally together for the greater good.

Bringing Hope, has been awarded the United by Birmingham mark for two projects –
‘Food Taste and Talk Pots’ and their ‘Sports and Talk Spot’ events

Witton Lodge Community Association – has been awarded the United by Birmingham mark for their Perry Common Games events, to improve health, wellbeing and
community relations in the local area.

World Against Single Use Plastic – Schools Engagement Canal clean-up programme, a project that helps to make the local environment better

Compass Support – sporting development programme, to promote and celebrate their intergenerational activities that reduce isolation and encourage an increase in physical
activity.