At a glance
Bring the Power is our multi-level youth engagement programme that aims to improve access to sport and exercise, and boost confidence and resilience in young people across the West Midlands. To achieve these goals, the programme aimed to deliver at least one Festival Day across the seven authorities of the West Midlands. These Festival Days are mass participation events for primary and secondary aged individuals. They are delivered through working partnerships with local organisations and young people, who are key in the event’s development to ensure it reflects the interests and needs of the community’s young people.
On 19th May, 2024, Priory Community Centre delivered one of these Festival Day’s in Dudley. The organisation was awarded £7,000 from United By 2022 to plan and deliver the event, and they worked closely with a youth panel consisting of NEET individuals between 10 and 15 years of age who were already engaged members at the Centre.
Over 200 people attended the event, with over half being young people and families from the surrounding area of Wren’s Nest & Priory, one of Dudley’s most economically deprived wards. Highlights and impact from the Festival Day include:
- Blind Football Match: Organised in partnership with the West Bromwich Albion Foundation, the blind football match raised awareness about the challenges faced by those with visual impairments and supported breaking down barriers in sports. This collaboration has opened talks between the two organisations about future work together and the possibility of bringing more blind football sessions to Dudley.
- Family-Friendly Activities: Archery, mini golf, and music sessions attracted families with younger children and introduced the benefits of sports and culture.
- Mental Health First-Aid Training: A portion of the funding from United By 2022 has been used to deliver mental health first aid training to two cohorts consisting of local individuals and young people.
- Future Festival Days: The Centre has applied the knowledge gained through working with United By 2022 to organise another Festival Day independently.
Priory Community Centre reflected on their experience: ‘The United By 2022 charity has had a positive impact on our young people… We hope this will be the start of great working relationship for us to expand our provision to our young people in Dudley and the surrounding areas.’
The Bring the Power Festival Day programme demonstrates how United By 2022’s impact is multifaceted and far-reaching. For Priory Community Centre, the Festival Day introduced them to new partnerships and new ways to engage with their community. The impact goes beyond a day of sport, culture, and fun, and instead offers pathways for local engagement and community growth.
