As part of ‘Project Brum’, we are working alongside staff at Birmingham City Council’s Wellbeing Service – a department which is continually striving to create new and exciting activities to improve the health and social lives of Birmingham residents.
I’m Rebecca, a 22 year old Politics and International Studies graduate from The University of Warwick! I’ve had a really insightful and eye-opening first week on ‘Project Brum’, which is a new summer work placement opportunity for students and young people living in/near Birmingham.
As a Politics graduate, I’ve really enjoyed seeing how the Council works to promote active living through free and accessible activities. In an era of austerity and wage cuts, it is more important than ever to widen the opportunities that residents have to access free and inclusive offers – such as Active Streets, Park Lives, Big Birmingham Bikes, Run Birmingham, and much more. I’ve been so impressed at how much the Council is doing to promote, run, and fund these activities: activities which are changing lives.
We’ve heard stories of women going from ‘Couch to 5k’, having never taken part in a running group before yet going on to run in marathons – which is absolutely phenomenal and inspirational. Also, we’ve heard how the Wellbeing Service is working with the BME community through community-led initiatives, and is promoting accessible and inclusive activites – such as adapted cycling for people with mental or physical disabilities. This work is invaluable to a diverse city such as Birmingham.
All in all, I’ve been inspired by the work that the Wellbeing Service does in our communities, parks, leisure centres, and streets. I’m thoroughly lucky to be a part of it!