Caring for Our Community
Over the last 2 years, BCHC Charity has hosted 4 educational events at the MAC Birmingham in order to help promote healthy living, signpost attendees to local support services and organisations, and allow people to take part in fun or mindful activities aiming to boost morale and provide an opportunity to relax and reflect.
Thanks to funding from NHS Charities Together, BCHC Charity held the first Healthy Communities Family Fun Day on Wednesday 26 October 2022, and over 300 people from all over Birmingham enjoyed an educational fun-filled day packed with Halloween crafts, sports activities, healthy eating games, and more.
The fun day was organised to help educate families from all walks of life on healthy living, by providing information and fun activities on healthy eating, growing your own vegetables, physical activities, and much more. Informational stands included BCHC services such as our Falls Prevention Team who provided information and resources as well as performing walking stick 'MOTs', the Healthy Hearts team who trained up around 200 CPR Superstars at the event, and the Volunteering Futures scheme which enlists volunteers to help assist older people in the community in accessing health and wellbeing apps through the BCHC App Library. Jamie Gadsby-Hall attended the event with her children and said, "I thought it was absolutely excellent, really well thought out and the staff were so engaged and energetic! My children really enjoyed themselves in all of the activities… the crafts went down a treat, as did the CPR Superstars team." The day was also supported by other stall holders such as Energy Busting Advice and West Midlands Police.
The event was such a success that the Charity held a second in April 2023, including an Easter egg hunt and themed craft classes, and a special event was held in March 2024 catered specifically for people with autism and their families and carers.
A fourth event tailored to supporting carers was held in June 2024, thanks to BCHC Charity partnerships with Cadent Gas and Forward Carers. The day was designed to give carers an opportunity to find out about local support services and organisations, to help carers find the help that they deserve.
The event provided carers the opportunity to meet with various services and organisations that can support them with the many different aspects of caring for another person, as well as sharing experiences and tips with each other. Informational stands from both BCHC services and external organisations such as Healthwatch Birmingham, Forward Carers, Age Concern, Gateway Family Services, and more allowed them to find out more about local support services. One exhibitor said, “Highlights were making connections face-to-face with those I'd only previously communicated with online, and learning more about the many services that are now available to carers.”
Wellbeing ‘timeout’ activity sessions were hosted at the event, run by Birmingham Centre For Arts Therapies and Inspire Activity, including pottery and jewellery making, meditation sound bowl performances, and dance and movement sessions. These sessions were designed to help us care for Birmingham’s carers by providing a calm and peaceful atmosphere to take part in mindful, relaxing activities.
BCHC’s Direct Access to Wellbeing Team also attended the event, providing information on how they are supporting people to be well and warm at home; visit their webpage for more information.
One attendee said, “I found [the event] very welcoming as soon as I went through the door… I came home with brilliant advice on what I can do to help my mum with gas, electric, and keeping warm in the winter, as well as advice on maintaining her bills… I also found out about what I can do to help me in applying for carers allowance, and even little things like dancing groups for both of us. Thank you!”
Charity Manager Sarah Binks said, “BCHC Charity is proud to support the local community and their families by providing these free events to promote health living, local support, provide resources and information, and boost morale with fun and interesting activities catered to their needs.”