Birmingham 2022 calls for local communities to have their say and help develop the brand for the Commonwealth Games

As part of a special campaign starting on 12th October and running for the next 22 days, Birmingham 2022 is asking locals to have their say and help shape the Commonwealth Games, which will take place 27th July – 7th August 2022.

Members of the public can come along to one of three forthcoming roadshows this weekend or get involved online via social media using the dedicated hashtag #2022voices.

The drop-in events are taking place in Birmingham Grand Central (12th October), Merry Hill, Dudley (13th October) and StarCity, Saltley (14th October) and provide an opportunity for Birmingham and West Midlands residents to share what they think about their city, the Games and how local communities might benefit and get involved.

John Crabtree, Chair of the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games Organising Committee, said:

With the Commonwealth Games secured for our region, we want as many local people as possible to help us write the next chapter in our story. We’d like communities right across the West Midlands to be the heart and soul of Birmingham 2022. This is why we’re starting a conversation that’s aimed at ensuring our residents, visitors and even expat Brummies have every opportunity to help shape the brand that will represent the City and the Games in 2022.  With athletes from 71 nations and territories arriving for the Games and millions tuning in to watch the sporting spectacle – we’re asking people what they love about Birmingham and the West Midlands, and what they want to tell the world in 2022”.

The first roadshow takes place at Grand Central Shopping Centre in Birmingham City Centre this Friday, 12th October, and members of the public can visit the stand between 9am and 6pm. They will be able to talk to members of the Birmingham 2022 team, record a message, fill out a postcard or get the whole family in on the action with a creative challenge. Everyone who gets involved will be entered into a prize draw to win tickets to the Games and other exciting prizes.

Throughout the 22-day appeal, ideas and comments received will be collated to identify key themes suggested by the people of Birmingham and the West Midlands. These will inform the design process ahead of a major new brand being launched in early 2019. The Grand Central roadshow will also be an opportunity for people to meet Team England athletes including Gymnast Mimi-Isabella Cesar and Para-Lawn Bowler Paul Brown.

Mimi-Isabella Cesar commented:

This is a great chance for the people of Birmingham to get involved with the 2022 Commonwealth Games. The Commonwealth Games are such an important event for me, and I still can’t quite believe they are taking place in my home city. Local support makes so much difference to any athlete at a big competition, and it doesn’t get much bigger than these Games.”

Noran Flynn, Charity Development Director at local community organisation Nechells Pod, added:

Birmingham 2022 is a huge moment for the city and the people of Birmingham and we all need to make the most of it. We know that people feel very passionately about their city and so we are encouraging our community to get involved and share their thoughts, either in person or via social media. I hope that as many members of the public as possible can do the same.”

Louise Martin CBE, Commonwealth Games Federation President, said:

People often call the Commonwealth Games the ‘Friendly Games’ or the ‘People’s Games’, and at their best they are an inspiring and transformative celebration of the host city and community. This will be the first time ever that a Commonwealth Games brand has been developed with the help of local communities – so I hope as many people in Birmingham and beyond will get involved with the initiative.”

Those unable to attend the roadshows can post a video or message on social media and tag their post #2022voices. Additionally, collection boxes will also be available at 10 locations around the city including libraries and leisure centres, for those without access to the internet, with postcards for people to write about their thoughts and be part of the public consultation.

A selection of all responses received during the campaign will be displayed on a dedicated #2022voices page on the Birmingham 2022 website.

The deadline for responses is 2nd November 2018.

The roadshows:

• Grand Central, Friday 12th October, 9am-6pm - Bullring & Grand Central, Birmingham, B5 4BU (near Customer Services and the covered entrance between Grand Central and Bullring)  
• intu Merry Hill, Saturday 13th October, 8am-7.30pm - Pedmore Rd, Brierley Hill, DY5 1QX (Upper Mall, at centre of Merry Hill)
• StarCity, Sunday 14th October, 11am-7pm o 32 Watson Rd, Birmingham, B7 5SA (at the East entrance)

Ends