Research: Walsall Council Community Champions

Supporting Community Champions To Make A Difference

About Walsall metropolitan borough council

Walsall is located to the North West of Birmingham and is one of the four authorities that make up the Black Country. Like many areas, the predicted growth of Walsall’s older population (> 65) is higher than the national average at 12.4%. Its younger population is also predicted to be higher than the average. The Local Authority has therefore the growing needs of its population within its key strategic priorities, while recognising that the proportion of residents likely to be economically active is projected to fall. 

Walsall metropolitan borough council has commissioned The MindKind Projects CIC to identify a number of individuals to become Community Based Action Researchers. By utilising our bespoke training methods we have been able to bring together community leaders, volunteers within the community and those actively engaged in making behavioural changes to have a positive influence on the reduction of anti-social behaviour and create better social cohesion. As members of the Social Research Association, we bring a unique quality to how social research is delivered within the community. Our bespoke training methods aim to give individuals the tools to build resilient communities which lead to sustainable outcomes for the communities we serve. 

The research forms part of a long term strategy to reduce health inequalities and crime within the area. Our co design approach will enables our  community researchers to help shape the research methodology and delivery creating recommendations and outcomes considerate of the community and therefore more likely to be embedded and trusted by local people.