Stuart Ashmore

New strategy to unite the Black Country to create active, healthier people and places

• Active Black Country have launched their new strategy which sees a future Black Country where all ages, abilities and backgrounds are able to be active, move and play sport.
• The Creating an Active Black Country strategy is underpinned by a People Plan which focuses on supporting the Black Country Physical Activity Workforce, the local leaders who will deliver the strategy.
• Active Black Country believes that physical activity and sport has the power to change and improve people’s lives and every person living in the Black Country has a right to lead an active lifestyle on their terms.
• Find out more at activeblackcountry.co.uk

Active Black Country have launched their new strategy which sees a future Black Country where all ages, abilities and backgrounds are able to be more active, move and play sport. Creating an Active Black Country seeks to unite all people and partners who have a role to play in tackling the inequalities that prevent Black Country people from being active.

Creating an Active Black Country is underpinned by a People Plan which focuses on supporting the Black Country Physical Activity Workforce, the local leaders who will deliver the strategy, from building capacity and providing careers development to building confidence and opportunities for community leaders to collaborate.

Amanda Tomlinson, Chair of the Active Black Country Board said: “The benefits of being active are clear, increased activity and movement levels improve health and well-being and build confidence. That can be simply getting out and taking a short walk or participating in your local communities sports team.

“Our vision of a future Black Country where everyone is able to be more active and move, will be delivered through our new People Plan that will support and develop our local leaders who are already inspiring and motivating our communities.

“Working collaboratively with all our partners we aim to get the Black Country moving and ensure everyone in the Black Country can lead a healthy lifestyle.”

Creating an Active Black Country delivers against six key objectives including:

• Increase activity levels across the least active to support good mental and physical health and reduce inequalities in activity levels.
• Increase the diverse range of physical assets, networks, facilities and places that can get people active supporting wider health outcomes.
• Champion and advocate the role being active can play in contributing to wider outcomes across the health system and tackling health inequalities.
• Increase the range of opportunities to be active across Black Country communities. Ensuring they are inclusive, attainable and support stronger, better connected, resilient communities.
• Provide Young People the best start in life through a range of varied and diverse opportunities to be active.
• Lead the development of a ‘People Plan’ for the Black Country to inspire, motivate and guide others to be active and support the development of sport.

Responding to the importance of the Strategy for children and young people, Billie Downie, Headteacher Streetly Academy said: “To overcome the significant challenges of adult activity levels we have to focus on this generation. Through delivering this Strategy we want all children and young people in the Black Country to enjoy being active when in school and out of school, helping them develop a lifelong habit of physical activity. Helping them to protect their futures.”

Aiesha Turner, Senior Social Prescriber, Integrated Plus Dudley, went on to comment: “Research clearly demonstrates the positive link between being active and moving more with physical and mental well-being. We must build on the foundations already in place in health care settings to create pathways that can be made available for all Black Country residents.”

Change in physical activity levels across the Black Country is a long-term endeavour. Active Black Country will review the Creating an Active Black Country strategy in 2 years and use the collective learning to shape and inform future versions.

Find out more at www.activeblackcountry.co.uk
Follow Active Black Country on Facebook – @ActiveBlackCountry; Twitter – @bcbeactive; Instagram – @activeblackcountry; YouTube – Active Black Country.
#EveryDayYourWay

Community Asset Transfer – Expression of Interests Required to manage and develop three Community Centres in Sandwell.

The council would be interested to hear from community based organisations that are interested in exploring the potential of Asset Transfer of the following local Community Centres:

Charlemont Community Centre – Beaconview Road – West Bromwich B71 3PJ

Cradley Heath Community Centre – Reddal Hill Road – Cradley Heath B64 4JG

Hurst Road Community Centre – Hurst Road – Smethwick B67 6ND

Asset Transfer is the transfer of land, buildings or structures owned by a public body to community/voluntary groups or social enterprises via a lease arrangement. That group or organisation then becomes responsible for running, managing, and maintaining the asset, including all the associated costs.

Interested organisations will need to demonstrate a track record in delivering community based services, building management and the ability to attract external resources/funding.

If you think this is something your organisation would be interested in, and would like additional information, please contact Nick Garratt (Sandwell MBC) M: 07859034087, E: nick_garratt@sandwell.gov.uk

Sandwell College is seeking work placements for its students as part of their study programme.

Work Experience

All 16-19-year-old students on full-time study programmes are either required or encouraged to complete a high-quality work experience as part of their programme.

At Sandwell College, we aspire to provide work experience of 30 hours to all our students where possible, giving them the opportunity to work in a genuine workplace environment, developing their employability and industry skills. As a young person, they gain essential skills required for their future career or further study.

Sandwell College courses are designed to give our students the skills for modern workplaces.

What are the benefits for you as an employer?

By offering a work experience, you can benefit from:

• Opportunities to trial the abilities of a potential employee or apprentice
• Working with students who are interested in working in your line of business and the ability to set them specific projects
• Flexible placements – you can vary them to suit your particular business needs and come in all shapes and sizes
• Attracting new skills and fresh perspectives from students that may benefit your business
• Promotion of your business
• Working with the college to develop programmes of study for your sector/business
• Benefiting from the knowledge and enthusiasm that students can bring

This could have a positive impact on your business as they put relevant skills learnt in your specific industry sector into practice and develop as potential employees to help your business grow.

How can you get involved?

We work with employers who can offer our students 30 hours’ work experience or a group of students who can work on a project.

All of our employers are key to our future workforce and by providing work experience or working with Sandwell College, you are helping to build the skills of future employees. It will allow you to trial the abilities of a potential employee, meaning you can vary them to suit your particular business needs.

We are always looking for industry experts to share their experiences with our students, either at the College, or better still, at your premises. It all helps to develop our learners’ employability skills, which in turn benefits business.

We are seeking employers who can support Sandwell College by providing work experience for students in all subject areas. These include but are not exclusively:

• Art, Design & Media
• Business & IT
• Construction; Engineering and all Dry trades
• Hair, Beauty, Make-up and Production Arts
• Motor Vehicle
• Sport
• Travel & Tourism
• Sciences (all sectors)
• Health and Safety

We appreciate that not all employers are able to provide the full 30 hours’ work experience but if you are interested in working with Sandwell College. We would love to hear from you.

If you can offer work experience relevant to one of these subject areas, or if you have any questions, please contact: Stuart Williams, Work Experience Officer: T – 0121 667 5074 E – Stuart.Williams@sandwell.ac.uk