Thousands of residents enjoyed a series of free family fun days held across Wolverhampton this summer.
The Love Your Community roadshow visited Pendeford Dovecotes TMO, the Cannock Road Gurdwara, Lanesfield Church and St Joseph’s Church with partners including the City of Wolverhampton Council, community organisations and charities, the police and other service providers on hand to provide a range of fun activities, wellbeing and practical support for people of all ages.
Visitors were able to enjoy a Kids and Family Zone offering a bouncy castle and physical play, face painting, henna art and craft activities, and a Wellbeing Zone providing a calm and supportive environment along with information and advice from partners like Rethink and the NHS.
Elsewhere, an Advice and Support Zone offered residents financial tips, energy efficiency guidance and support with managing household budgets along with gardening workshops to encourage sustainable living and community greening, and the Sports and Physical Activity Zone featured kickabouts with Wolves Foundation, interactive sessions led by WV Active and appearances by Wolves mascots Wolfie and Wendy.
Visitors were also encouraged to contribute to the Love Your Community Wall, sharing what they value about their neighbourhood, contributing ideas for local improvements, and making pledges to support positive change in their community.
Councillor Obaida Ahmed, Cabinet Member for Health, Wellbeing and Community, said: “It was great to see so many people coming along to our vibrant fun days, bringing together residents, partners and services and helping to strengthen existing partnerships and form new ones.
“We had really positive feedback from participants, who said the events helped to create a strong sense of community, belonging and pride, and helped them appreciate their local green spaces, local amenities and inclusive activities. Children also created a collaborative canvas reflecting what makes them happy.
“The fun days were recognised as a valuable way to reduce isolation, encourage connections and showcase local talent and services, and the feedback will be used to celebrate what’s working well in each area, identify areas for improvement and respond to concerns, and inform our future Love Your Community activities.
“We will also be working with ward councillors and partners to review all the feedback we have received on the Love Your Community Wall.”
“On behalf of the organisers, I’d like to thank each venue for hosting the fun days, and also key partners including our library service, the Black Country Integrated Care Board, St John’s Ambulance, Pendeford Bike Hub, @fit.fast.calisthenics, The Crafty Gardeners, Fresh Wood Fire Pizza, Thomas Ices, Wolves Foundation, Jollies Inflatables, Inpower Academy and everyone who attended with a stall.”