Andy Street: “I want to see these Games deliver a lasting legacy"

What does it mean to the WMCA, and its people, to have hosted the Commonwealth Games?

It has been an absolute honour for our region to play host to the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games. It has meant so much to local residents and visitors alike and I can honestly say that I’ve never felt so proud to be a Brummie.

We have shown the world what a vibrant, friendly, and inclusive place we are. These Games set new standards for inclusion and sustainability - with more female medal recipients than male, a fully integrated para-sport programme and the greenest games ever supported by our public transport provision across rail, bus and bike rising to the challenge.

Above all, the Commonwealth Games were a hugely exciting moment of collective celebration for Birmingham and the West Midlands – with wonderful memories and an immense impact that will last far beyond the 11 days of sporting spectacle.

The Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games have provided a great opportunity to galvanise our local residents and communities. But it is imperative that - as the festivities come to an end – we have a plan to ensure the sporting ‘powers that be’ are sufficiently factoring in grassroots activities for disabled people and those living with long-term health conditions. Together we can help build a lasting and meaningful legacy from these Games. 

What does it mean to have such an influential programme like Include Me West Midlands in the region and what’s next?

I’m pleased to hear that Activity Alliance found its partnership working with the WMCA to have been fruitful and productive.

The flagship Include Me programme presents an opportunity for the West Midlands to be an exemplar region leading on these issues - spreading best practice to other regions and indeed other parts of the world. By developing a Citizens Network and Panel, we have been able to improve our understanding of the needs of disabled people right across the West Midlands and the part they can play in shaping a brighter future for our region.

We have over 100 organisations including local authorities, football and rugby foundations, leisure providers and disability-led organisations coming together. They will share knowledge, learn from one another and collaborate on opportunities. All with a shared focus on making the West Midlands the best that it can be at engaging disabled people and those with long term health conditions to be more active.

We’re also helping to address the wider factors that impact on a person’s ability to be more active. We’re working with Transport for West Midlands to remove barriers to using public transport and supporting health professionals to be more confident in referring disabled people to appropriate activity. And also challenging ourselves as an organisation to look at what else we can do.

The WMCA has already committed to reducing the health inequalities that exist within the West Midlands. Wherever we find challenging circumstances for disabled people – be it pay levels, cost of living pressures, care provision, housing standards, gaps in digital access or employment prospects – we will advocate for them. Levelling Up must be a tide that lifts all boats. 

What do you hope the Games’ legacy will be for disabled people in sport in the region?

This summer’s spectacular Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games must represent a starting point and not a finish line in the rebirth of our region. I want to see these Games go on to deliver a lasting legacy for the people of the West Midlands for generations to come.

The West Midlands currently ranks as one of the most inactive regions in the UK – for disabled and non-disabled people. But the Games can be a catalyst for change here. While some will have found inspiration in the elite sporting performances, others might resonate with simple, local and smaller-scale interventions.

We can make legacy meaningful by reaching out to communities right across our region. This is exactly what we’re doing through Include Me by working closely with Activity Alliance, Active Partnerships, Sport England and our Local Authorities to co-produce opportunities with disabled people for disabled people.

Activities must make their way to the grassroots where they can make a real difference – expanding access and encouraging disabled people to be more active. In turn making sport a viable option for the future. I cannot wait to see local residents thriving – and lives changed for the better - in the weeks, months and years ahead.

We interviewed Andy Street on the impact the partnership between Activity Alliance and the WMCA is having across the region. You can watch an extended version of Andy Street's interview below. 

2-minute video of Andy Street talking about the WMCA and Activity Alliance's partnership work