Walking and cycling charity Sustrans has been appointed by Birmingham City Council to build an exciting new network of air-quality community champions. It’s being delivered as part of the Brum Breathes programme which has been set up by the Council to improve air quality in the city.
During the project, which runs from January until July 2020, the Brum Breathes Champions will be working with local people from voluntary community and faith groups in central Birmingham.
People from these groups will have the opportunity to become Brum Breathes Champions with access to education and training workshops. They’ll also be provided with materials which will help them and their communities to raise awareness of issues around poor air quality. This will enable them to share ideas about how air quality can be improved with their friends, family, work colleagues and communities.
Sustrans intends to recruit, and train, at least 50 Brum Breathes Champions. Sustrans hopes that the groups will have a greater understanding of the ways they can improve air quality themselves by the end of the project.
Sustrans are asking people to come forward to volunteer for the roles and are now inviting expressions of interest. They will provide them with training and a range of resources to support them in their new role. The Brum Breathes Champions will become local air quality experts in their neighbourhoods ready to offer help and support.
Commenting on the project Cllr Waseem Zaffar MBE, Cabinet Member for Transport and Environment said:
“Air pollution is a major problem here in Birmingham. Brum Breathes Champions is one of a number of things we’re doing to tackle this, and these people will play an important part in helping us to reduce air pollution and make our city cleaner and healthier for everyone. They will work with local groups to share information on the impact of air pollution and outline simple steps people can take to reduce this, including walking, cycling or using public transport for more of their journeys.”
Sustrans Head of Delivery, Midlands and East, Clare Maltby said:
“We’re delighted to be working in partnership with Birmingham City Council and local communities to deliver this exciting project. It will help to increase awareness of the issues around air quality and encourage people to think about how they can make a difference. The project will start in January 2020. We are really keen to hear from people who are interested in becoming one of the Brum Breathes Champions. So if you’re passionate about improving air quality now is the time to get involved and contact us.”
Footsteps (Faiths for a Low Carbon Future) is one such interested organisation. They bring together several faith groups in Birmingham to work towards a low-carbon future and they’ve said:
“We are looking forward to working with Sustrans on this Brum Breathes Champions project and raise the importance of clean air in our city.”
If you are a community or voluntary group, faith organisation or individual that would be interested in getting involved in the project too please email brumbreathes@sustrans.org.uk or ring 07810 655 934. You can also visit: https://www.brumbreathes.co.uk/ for more information.