On the 5^th of December 2016 Core Member Dave Beck, ran a one-day seminar with the Wellbeing Service of Birmingham City Council.

The intention of the day was to support the team to fulfil its aims of enabling the people of Birmingham to:

• lead fulfilling, healthy, independent lives
• receive consistently high quality health and care services
• have early access to extra help when they need it
• have easy access to support when they can no longer live independently

The theme of the day was “How do we activate the community for wellbeing?” The first session explored ways of increasing impact and sustainability by utilising, an Asset-based approach to Community Development were explored which:

• starts with what is present in the community
• concentrates on the agenda-building and problem-solving capacity of the residents
• stresses local determination, investment, creativity, and control
• Builds local leadership

The second session explored ways of mobilizing participation within the community using Photovoice

• a participatory action research method that employs photography and group dialogue as a means for marginalized individuals to deepen their understanding of a community issue or concern.
• The visual images and accompanying stories are the tools used to reach policy- and decision-makers.
• The aim of this research method is to improve conditions by making changes at the community level.

Lunch was provided by the Real Junk Food Project. The project aims to intercept food that would otherwise go to waste from supermarkets, restaurants and other sources; turn it into healthy, nutritious meals for all on a “Pay-As-You-Feel” basis.

Dave Beck