A COMMUNITY project in Chelmsley Wood has secured funding from the HS2 Community and Environment Fund (CEF) to provide inclusive sports and activity sessions for children and families.
In all £71,520 has been given to the Inclusive Sports Academy Community Interest Company which will provide activity sessions for children and young people with learning disabilities, alongside their parents and carers.
These will be delivered over two years across three community settings and will support participants to improve their physical health and mental wellbeing.
The sessions will be designed to encourage children and young people to develop their confidence and improve self-esteem, as well as improving community cohesion, and giving opportunities for children and parents to mix with others in their local community.
There will also be volunteering and training opportunities for young people so they can gain experience in leadership to use to be able to assist in the delivery of future sessions.
The award comes from one of two Funds, CEF and BLEF, which, with a combined total of £40million, is available to local communities and businesses that are demonstrably disrupted by the construction of HS2.
Cathy Elliott, independent chair of the HS2 funds said: “The evidence about the benefits of sport and physical activity, to both physical and mental wellbeing, are well known and it is fantastic that this project has been funded and will help provide these benefits to children and young people with learning disabilities.
“The funds are available to support local communities and businesses that are disrupted by the construction of HS2 such as here in North Solihull, and I encourage other organisations near to the line of route to apply and gain the tangible benefits of these Funds.”
