SILHILLIANS will be able to boost their mental health and get moving thanks to funds from Sport England.
Solihull Council has been handed £436,732 as part of its wider investment into the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games.
The aim of the funding is to tackle inactivity in local communities and engage underrepresented groups, such as people on lower incomes and disabled people – a core part of Sport England’s 10-year strategy, Uniting the Movement.
The funding has been earmarked for projects across the borough which support mental health by being active under the banner – ‘Being well=being on the move’.
Coun Karen Grinsell, deputy leader for Solihull Council, said: “We often talk about the way major sports events like the Commonwealth Games can inspire our sports men and women of the future.
“I firmly believe that being more active can help us all with our physical and mental health.
“The Commonwealth Active Communities Fund money that we have received will support a number of programmes and projects in the borough that will use the inspiration of next year’s Commonwealth Games to encourage inactive people and those with poorer mental health to be more active.”
The funding announcement for Solihull comes as Sport England’s latest Active Lives Survey found inactivity levels in the West Midlands have worsened since the start of the pandemic, with over 100,000 more inactive adults and nearly 70,000 fewer active adults.
The National Lottery-funded investment has been awarded to Solihull Council as part of a £3m Commonwealth Active Communities Fund.
Tim Hollingsworth, chief executive at Sport England, said: “The Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games is a massive moment for the nation next year and an exciting chance to bring people together through sport and activity.
“The challenge is turning this into a legacy that has lasting impact and helps people to connect and stay active.
“Legacy is dependent on the creation of long-term local opportunities for people – at the right location and at the right cost.”
