Sport Birmingham: Coronavirus Information & Guidance

In line with Government advice, the Sport Birmingham team continues to work remotely at this time. Our team can be contacted via work mobiles and email, click here to find contact details.

To discuss specific needs or questions, or for general advice, guidance or signposting, please visit dedicated pages on our website or contact us.

Physical activity

Latest government advice:

Many facilities associated with outdoor sports and physical activities can reopen, if those responsible for them feel ready to do so and if they can do so safely. This includes basketball and tennis courts, playing spaces like golf courses (public and private), playing fields and watersports.For more information about the latest government guidance and what that means for your facility, click here.

To summarise:

• People can exercise in groups of 6 or fewer while maintaining social distancing.
• Outdoor sports facilities…
  • That can open include: basketball and tennis courts, playing fields, golf courses, water sports.
  • That remain closed: playgrounds, outdoor gyms, outdoor pools.
• Outdoor sports and physical activity facilities that can reopen
  • Will do so if and when they feel ready, and can do safely.
  • Should enforce strong hygiene measures with shared equipment.

These changes represent significant steps forward for the sport and physical activity sector. Read Sport England's current guidance and return to play principles here.

• NHS information and advice about coronavirus (COVID-19).
• Guidance for the public on the phased return of outdoor sport and recreation in England.
• Coronavirus outbreak FAQs: what you can and can't do.
• Join the Movement – advice and tools to help you stay physically active while the country deals with the coronavirus outbreak.
• Guidance for personal trainers and coaches.
• Guidance on accessing green spaces safely.
• Transport for West Midlands (TfWM) have provided basic information about social distancing, local walking and cycling routes, bike safety and maintenance. You can explore this here.

For more ideas on how to stay active, please visit our Supporting you to stay active page or search for virtual activities on our activity finder.

Further information and advice:

• The government's compiled detailed guidance on reopening outdoor sports facilities; keeping facilities and equipment clean; keeping staff and customers safe; what to do about restaurants, changing rooms and car parks; plus sport-specific guidance. Read the government's guidance here.
• But outdoor gyms, playgrounds and outdoor swimming pools will remain closed.
• People can now go outside more than once a day for exercise alone or with their household, or with up to five people from outside their household providing they observe social distancing.

Mental health

We know that many of us are worrying about the current situation around coronavirus and how it might affect our lives.

Mental health charity Mind has put together detailed advice and information on coronavirus and wellbeing.

Additional Resources & Help:

BVSC
The Birmingham Voluntary Services Centre has joined forces with Birmingham City council to create the C19 Support Brum partnership, an initiative that will work through existing local neighbourhood structures, voluntary groups, and local elected members to ensure that all parts of the city have access to support, advice, and practical help.

Sane Charity
Helpline: Available on 0300 304 7000 from 6pm - 11pm every evening. SANE provides emotional support and information to anyone affected by mental illness, including families, friends and carers.

Big White Wall
A safe online community of people who are anxious, down or not coping who support and help each other by sharing what's troubling them, guided by trained professionals.

Samaritans
Samaritans is available for anyone struggling to cope and provide a safe place to talk 24 hours a day.

Shout
Shout is a 24/7 text service, free on all major mobile networks, for anyone struggling to cope and in need of immediate help.

If you are an individual or organisation delivering sport and physical activity, please visit the Sport Birmingham dedicated Mental Health page to find out how you can look after your mental health, and become more involved in our work that focuses on this important topic.

Children and Young People/Education

The health and wellbeing of children remains vitally important in current circumstances – the Chief Medical Officer recommends that children participate in 60 minutes of moderate to vigorous physical activity each day.

To help families stay on track during the Covid-19 UK lockdown, we have created a free resource that links to the curriculum and enables families to earn sports equipment for their primary school by being active at home. Click here to find out more

Here are some FREE Online Physical Activities to do with Children:

• School Games Organisers - Birmingham's School Games Organisers are promoting activities for children to keep active (please visit their Your School Games pages below):
  - https://www.yourschoolgames.com/sgo/hamstead-hall/
  - https://www.yourschoolgames.com/sgo/bishop-challoner
  - https://www.yourschoolgames.com/sgo/erdington/
  - https://www.yourschoolgames.com/sgo/king-edward-vi-aston/
  - https://www.yourschoolgames.com/sgo/shenley/
  - https://www.yourschoolgames.com/sgo/wilson-stuart/
  - https://www.yourschoolgames.com/sgo/colmers/
  - https://www.yourschoolgames.com/sgo/clifton/
• Yorkshire Sport Foundation - https://twitter.com/yorkshiresport - They are uploading #ThisIsPE videos every Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 1pm to support parents with PE curriculum at home
• Change 4 Life - https://www.nhs.uk/change4life/activities - Many videos, activities and resources to get children of all abilities moving, including some healthy eating tips and resources.
• Youth Sport Trust - https://www.youthsporttrust.org/pe-home-learning - PE activities that can be done individually or in pairs/small groups with a focus on the development of physical competence
• Kids Run Free - Youtube Channel - Daily videos of games and activities that families can play together to stay fit and healthy
• Create Development - https://jasmineactive.com/news/home-learning-resources/ - Realplay at home is free for any families while children are at home during the current crisis
• England Athletics - https://funetics.co.uk/for-parents/funetics-home/ - Fun athletics themed activities to keep primary school children active and learning at home
• 'imoves' - https://imoves.com/imovement-signup - 'imoves' are offering free access to their 'imovement' platform with videos, music and lesson plans.
• Support for young people: https://www.kooth.com/

Clubs and Community organisations

Are you funded by Sport Birmingham to deliver programmes such as Satellite Clubs?

• Click here to read how Sport Birmingham can help

General guidance across the Sector:

• Sport & Recreation Alliance - Business Support Measures
• NCVO guidance support the voluntary sector by connecting, representing and supporting voluntary organisations on how to prepare and manage your organisation throughout the pandemic
• Charity Finance Group guidance on mitigating the impact of COVID-19
• Arts Council England's Emergency Funding for Covid19
• Community Leisure UK - coronavirus update for members
• Co-operatives UK promote, develop and unite member-owned businesses. There is a list of helpful questions/answers for businesses that employ staff and what their rights are - info here

Workforce, Coaching and Volunteering

CIMSPA are working with partners to provide offers of free resources to help you to keep working and learning during this difficult time. Due to the rapidly evolving situation regarding the COVID-19 pandemic, CIMSPA have been tasked by Sport England to fully understand the impact that this situation is having on our sector and ultimately our ability to keep people fit, healthy and active.

If you are a coach or employer of coaches, please take just a few minutes to complete the survey and help us better understand how the current situation is affecting you, your business and your future.

COMPLETE SURVEY

General guidance can be found here:

• NCVO (National Council for Voluntary Organisations) has useful information for those organisations who are working with volunteers - click here
• BVSC (Birmingham Voluntary Service Council) provides support to volunteers, voluntary groups and civil society in the City of Birmingham - click here
• UK Coaching are providing useful tips and ideas for coaches to engage with their participants - click here

Organisational Support

The Greater Birmingham Chamber of Commerce team have produced an easy to use guide to help you make sense of business support in the current climate. The following document should help you to navigate some of the confusing information that is coming out and will support you to understand what you can apply for to support your business.

Click here to download PDF

Useful Resources