The Triathlon Trust has successfully bid for a grant of £42,212 from the Inclusive Communities Fund. The grant will support the development of a community physical activity programme in partnership with the Triathlon England, Walsall Council and local partners in the Birchills Leamore Community.

The Inclusive Communities Fund is a legacy from the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham in 2022 and focusses on: 

• Empowering communities for positive change  

• Creating a lasting legacy for the West Midlands  

• Seeking to address inequalities across the region 

The Triathlon Trust ambitions align perfectly with the aims of the Inclusive Community Fund and this funding will kick start the development of projects in one of the six places of focus for the Trust. 

The funding will allow the Triathlon Trust, Triathlon England, and local partners to develop opportunities for the Birchills Leamore Community to be physically active through swim, bike, run or walking. These opportunities are for local families and individuals who aren’t currently physically active. The project aims to bring people together and improve the health and wellbeing of the community. 

Working with key local partners activities include: 

• Opportunities for more people to develop water confidence and lifelong swimming skills, including family water confidence sessions 

• Children learn to swim, teen learn to swim, women-only learn to swim. 

• Development of a community bike hub. 

• Bike confidence sessions and weekly led rides 

• Bike maintenance training. 

• New walking groups with a couch to 3K group being established. 

• Community activator training and walk/run leader training to enable groups to continue to ensure local legacy 

• A community celebration event 

James Cole, Project Manager for Triathlon Trust said: “It is a wonderful initiative, and we are so pleased to have received funding to support its development and delivery in the Birchills Leamore Community. We’ve already had our first project working group meeting and everyone is totally focussed on developing this project with the community in mind.” 

Gary Adey, Chair, Triathlon Trust went on to say: “This funding will create real opportunities for the families and individuals who wish to be more physically active in the Birchills Leamore area and is happening at an exciting time for the Trust as we reestablish ourselves as a sustainable funding provider for these impactful projects.  

“I want to say a big thank you to the Inclusive Community Fund, Heart of England Community Foundation, West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA), United by Legacy, the UK Government, and the Commonwealth Games organisers for this incredible opportunity.” 

Debbie Clarke, Chair Triathlon England, and Triathlon Trust Board Member added: “Being awarded this funding, shows the opportunities we are to looking to create for communities through Swim Bike Run programmes will empower communities and help to break down the barriers to being physically active. We are appreciative of the support shown to the project."

The more support we receive, the more we can do. If you are able, please donate to the Triathlon Trust by visiting www.TriathlonTrust.org.