Bringing communities together
Centres have existing community organisations and buildings that can be utilised to bring more life into centres.
Community cinemas, reading groups and other shared activities can all help activate uses in centres, especially during evenings and will help to diversify centres away from simply a place to shop.
Brining communities together also has other benefits such as improving the wellbeing of local communities and tackling social isolation.
Organisations such as Voluntary Arts supports and encourages creative and cultural activity, and may be a good starting point for any community looking to increase such activity in their centre:
Centres can also act as the focal point for physical activities such as running groups, cycle groups or fitness classes.
The Prevention and Communities Grants Programme is investing £4.9m in 49 projects across the city, just under half of which are new types of support and activity. Alongside continued support for organisations such as Midland Mencap and Birmingham Samaritans, the council is funding a number of new projects, including:
- Chaos 2 Order offers training and awareness-raising as well as one-to-one support for compulsive hoarders.
- Dance to Health is a pioneering community dance project that combines evidence-based falls prevention with the creativity of dance for older people.
- Sailing for All improves access for people with disabilities.
- Gro Organic provides therapeutic gardening and arts activities in urban areas.
Organisations such as the Active Wellbeing Society are working with communities to support them in getting active together.
Sport England also provide support for community groups looking to get communities more active.
Healthy communities
The government has published guidance on how the high street environment can be shaped to positively affect health outcomes.
