Sport Birmingham: Coronavirus Information & Guidance

During these challenging and uncertain times, we are here to offer support and advice to all our partners so that we can come through this period in as strong a position as possible. We continue to engage clubs and community organisations, and do everything we can to encourage people to stay active and healthy.

Check out our updated pages and follow us on social media for the latest news.

Our priorities during these challenging times are to:

1. Keep our team healthy while maintaining a service to partners
2. Support the sector and other partners
3. Promote activity to help maintain physical and mental health

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.

What are the new restrictions on households in Birmingham?

Birmingham has become Alert: Level-High under the new guidelines from the Government. The new guidelines affects sport & physical activity in these new ways:

In line with guidelines from national sporting bodies, you can take part in sport and physical activity outdoors.

Organised indoor exercise classes are only permitted if it is possible for people to avoid mixing in with people you do not live with or share a support bubble with). There are exceptions to enable disability and youth sport and physical activity indoors, in any number.

You should follow the guidance on:

• the return of recreational team sport
• the return of outdoor sport and recreation in England

For any more details about the new guidelines, please see the Gov.uk website

Click here to read 'For what we can and can't do'

Sport England, has updated their website with the tier Return to Play guidance. Click here to read

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.

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):
• Hamstead Hall
• Bishop Challoner
• Erdington
• King Edward VI Aston
• Shenley
• Wilson Stuart
• Colmers
• Clifton

Youth Sport Trust : PE activities that can be done individually or in pairs/small groups with a focus on the development of physical competence

Create Development - Real play at home is free for any families while children are at home during the current crisis

England Athletics : Fun athletics themed activities to keep primary school children active and learning at home

imoves : imoves are offering free access to their 'movement' platform with videos, music and lesson plans.

Clubs and Community organisations

Useful Resources, Links & Downloads

We have a dedicated page to showcase the list some useful national, regional and local research and resources from across the sector and beyond. Click here to see the links

• 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
• Satellite Clubs: Click here to read how Sport Birmingham can help
• 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