The first grants have been awarded from the West Midlands Combined Authority’s (WMCA) Inclusive Communities Fund with 150 projects sharing almost £5 million.

One the first grants to be awarded is £200,000 to Active Black Country for water safety lessons for thousands of school children, teaching them how to stay safe around water and vital survival skills if they get into difficulty.

The WMCA is funding the scheme in response to an annual school swimming survey by Active Black Country that showed last year just half of primary school leavers across Dudley, Sandwell, Walsall and Wolverhampton were unable to self-rescue in water, despite nearly all children living within walking distance of open water.

Thanks to this substantial grant from the WMCA, Active Black Country will work alongside local authorities, leisure operators and aquatics partners including afPE, the Canal and River Trust, RLSS and Swim England to develop a programme of lessons in and out of the water for 80 schools alongside community family sessions.

Thousands more in the area will get access to a new water safety website which will have resources for teachers, parents and community groups.

Amanda Tomlinson, chair of Active Black Country, said: “We are delighted to receive this funding which will enable Active Black Country and partners to deliver this key lifesaving programme to children across the Black Country.

“The funding will enhance the excellent work already being undertaken by afPE, the Canal and River Trust, RLSS and Swim England ensuring we are able to create a future generations or children who not only are safe but enjoy being in and around water.”

The Inclusive Communities Fund was set up to help to ensure the positive and long-lasting legacy from the 2022 Games is felt right across the region by supporting locally led projects that will unite communities across the West Midlands and promote the benefits of being  more physically and mentally active. 

The money is being made available for the benefit of local people after the Government agreed to invest the £70 million Games underspend back into the region following successful negotiations led by the Mayor and the WMCA.