We’re thrilled to announce that we’ve been awarded a small grant of £10,077 from the Inclusive Communities Fund, a £9 million initiative inspired by the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games. Aligned with Commonwealth Games principles, this funding will focus on activities to bring people together and improve wellbeing.

It means we can run some summer and autumn activities for you and your families and friends at a lower cost. And we have employed Nigel Self (formerly our Volunteers Coordinator) as a second Enablement Worker to support these activities.

Activities and events organised so far as part of Inclusive Communities

Family and Friends day at the seaside, Wednesday 21 August

A day trip to Llandudno. Llandudno has something for everyone, including the Victorian pier, the Promenade, the Great Orme tramway and cable car, plus lots of shops, galleries, cafés and pubs. Please note that this trip is already fully booked however we are operating a waiting list in case anyone drops out.

Subsidised cost of the trip is £10 per person, £5 per child 12 and under. Meet at West Bromwich Bus Station 8.45am for a 9am prompt departure. Estimated time back in West Bromwich is 8.30pm to 9pm. Booking and payment is required in advance.

Town based park walks

Each week over the summer holidays we will be holding one-off park or urban walks in each of our six towns. Join us for a gentle stroll and discover some hidden gems in Sandwell.

We’ve already held our first walk, at West Smethwick Park on Tuesday 6 August. Take a gentle stroll with our staff and volunteers as well as finding out more about the park from Tom Pipcombe from Friends of West Smethwick Park. We will be reporting back on how this went as soon as possible. Watch this space.

Lightwoods Park and Warley Woods walk, Monday 12 August from 11am to 1pm. We meet at the entrance to Lightwoods House and amble around the Park and Warley Woods. We will stop for refreshments at the golf course café.

Brunswick Park, Wednesbury on Tuesday 20 August, 12.30 to 2pm. Meet at the Sons of Rest, Foley Street for a circular walk around the park. Followed by which we can have a comfort break and a cuppa.

Dartmouth Park, West Bromwich – walks continue every Thursday at 12 noon. Come and stroll with us around Dartmouth Park and the Sandwell Valley every Thursday lunchtime. We will meet at the main gates of Dartmouth Park near the War Memorial at 12 noon. Following a leisurely stroll, we will finish at the Dartmouth Central Club for refreshments at 1.30pm to 2.30pm.

Please tell us if you are coming to any of our walks so that we can make sure we have enough sighted guides to help us get around safely.

To book your place on any of our activities please call the office on 0121 525 4810 or email info@sandwellvisuallyimpaired.org.uk.

What’s coming next?

We’re planning several other local, autumn family trips and activities. This will include:

• more town walks in Tipton and Rowley Regis
• local days out
• accessible cycling in Sandwell Valley.

If you have any ideas about where you would like to go for a day trip in the more local area, please do let us know at the office.

Look out for updates on our project!

Thanks to the Heart of England Community Foundation, West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA), United by Legacy, UKGOV and the Commonwealth Games organisers for this opportunity.