Free Community Health and Wellbeing Events Across the West Midlands
- Jul 28
- 5 min read
Bringing nutrition, movement and creative wellbeing into local communities
As part of our Bloom project, Rizon Health has committed to delivering two years of free community health and wellbeing activities across the West Midlands.
Through practical healthy cookery classes, creative therapy and all-ability fitness sessions, we are creating welcoming opportunities for local residents to improve their health, learn new skills and connect with others.
The programme has received funding from The National Lottery Community Fund and Food for Life, a Soil Association programme. We are also working alongside universities including the University of Leeds and Aston University, as well as local partners and authorities such as Sandwell Public Health.
Together, these partnerships connect local communities with evidence-informed, professionally delivered and independently evaluated approaches to preventative health.
Why these sessions matter
Health inequalities remain a significant challenge across the West Midlands, particularly in communities experiencing higher levels of deprivation.
In 2023/24, only 28.7% of adults in the West Midlands reported eating at least five portions of fruit and vegetables a day, compared with 31.3% across England. Approximately 67.1% of adults in the region were classified as overweight or living with obesity, which was higher than the national average. (Fingertips)
Physical inactivity also remains disproportionately high. Recent Sport England data indicates that approximately 28% of adults in the West Midlands are physically inactive, with inactivity affecting more than one-third of adults in some Black Country boroughs. (activelives.sportengland.org)
Social connection and mental wellbeing are equally important. The 2024 Health Survey for England found that 28% of adults in the West Midlands felt lonely at least some of the time, the highest reported proportion among the English regions. (NHS England Digital)
Bloom aims to respond to these interconnected challenges by making healthy living feel accessible, enjoyable and social - rather than clinical, intimidating or unaffordable.
With more than over the next 12 months across Birmingham, Sandwell, Dudley and Walsall, we hope to reach more residents who may otherwise experience barriers to participating in health and wellbeing activities.
Connecting community delivery with university research
Bloom is being independently evaluated in partnership with the University of Leeds, supported by Seed Funding from its Global Food and Environment Institute.
The Institute brings together researchers and practitioners to create positive social and environmental impacts through interdisciplinary food-systems research. The University of Leeds has confirmed that Global Food and Environment Institute Seed Funding supported the development of the Bloom+ research project. (University of Leeds).
The evaluation will help us understand the feasibility, acceptability and potential impact of Bloom as an approach to improving community health through early intervention and prevention.
We anticipate sharing the findings from this work in 2027, helping to inform how similar approaches could potentially be delivered and evaluated in other communities.
Our three pillars of community health
1. Nutrition: making healthy eating practical, affordable and enjoyable
Our recent healthy cookery masterclass was delivered at Ryecroft Community Hub in Walsall by Rizon Health’s Chief Executive and Registered Nutritionist, Daniel Essom, alongside experienced community chef Kate Kaur.
Participants prepared Mediterranean-style butterfly chicken burgers with homemade mango and lime rainbow slaw and Greek salad.
The session combined practical cooking with evidence-informed nutrition education, demonstrating how healthy meals can be colourful, affordable, filling and enjoyable. Dietetic and behaviour-change approaches were used to make nutrition information accessible and relevant to everyday life.
Following the session:
100% felt more confident about cooking a healthy meal at home.
100% learned something new about food, cooking or healthy eating.
100% said access to a registered nutritionist helped them receive expert advice.
100% felt more connected to their community.
100% said they would attend another session.
The average session rating was 9.6 out of 10.
Attendees told us:
“Amazing, fresh, colourful and tasty food.”
“Absolutely fantastic - Kate and Dan were brilliant. When’s the next session?”
Future workshops will include a sensory samosa experience, exploring how herbs, spices, aromas and textures can enhance healthy, lower-cost meals.
We are also planning a Mediterranean meal masterclass, where participants will explore practical principles of the Mediterranean dietary pattern alongside student dietitians and registered nutrition professionals.
2. Creative therapy: connection, expression and relaxation
Our recent creative therapy workshop was hosted at Bisque & Bean in Selly Oak and led by BACP-accredited psychotherapist Kat Randhawa.
Participants took part in a supported pottery-painting session combining creative demonstration, therapeutic discussion and opportunities for social connection.
Each attendee selected and painted their own piece of pottery to take home. Participants also received a free meal and hot drink, helping to make the session welcoming and accessible regardless of financial circumstances.
Following the session:
100% felt that the workshop supported their mental health.
100% learned something about mindfulness, mindset or wellbeing.
100% felt more connected to other people or their local community.
100% received access to free food and refreshments.
100% said they would attend another session.
The average session rating was 9.6 out of 10.
Some of the most heart-warming feedback included:
“The event was so fun and calm. I had a great time and remembered how much I enjoy painting.”
“Sitting and chatting while doing something creative brings back a sense of childhood joy. More adults should experience doing something simply for the joy of it.”
Other attendees described the afternoon as therapeutic, welcoming and relaxing, with one participant simply telling us:
“Creativity is healing.”
3. All-ability exercise: movement that meets people where they are
Our all-ability Pilates session was delivered at West Bromwich Leisure Centre by UCD-qualified Pilates instructor Niamh Mahony.
Participants were guided through a one-hour, low-impact session incorporating movement, mindfulness and relaxation. Adaptations were offered throughout, allowing attendees with different abilities, fitness levels and personal circumstances to take part safely and comfortably.
Every participant also received a free pair of Pilates socks to take home - a small but practical gift intended to encourage continued movement beyond the workshop.
Following the session:
100% felt that the session supported their mental health.
100% said the workshop facilitated all-ability exercise.
100% received free sports clothing or equipment.
92% felt more connected to other people or their community.
100% said they would attend another session.
The average session rating was 9.7 out of 10.
Attendees shared personal stories about the difference an inclusive and supportive environment made:
“I’m 32 weeks pregnant, and the team reassured me and made suitable modifications so that I was able to participate fully.”
“A great, relaxing session that was still intense at times. The instructor provided excellent modifications and checked in with us throughout.”
Others described the experience as “a great workout for the body and mind” and said they left feeling relaxed.
Removing financial barriers to participation
We recognise that the cost of travelling to community activities can prevent people from attending - even when the activity itself is free.
Across these three workshops, 10 attendees used our £10 travel bursary. The bursary was designed to support residents for whom transport costs might otherwise have been a barrier.
Participants were also invited to complete our evaluation survey, with one attendee from each workshop receiving a £10 Love2shop voucher as a thank-you for sharing their experiences.
These incentives support participation and evaluation while ensuring local voices remain at the centre of how Bloom develops.
Here’s to many more inclusive, evidence-backed and enjoyable wellbeing workshops and to working together to address health inequalities across the West Midlands.
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