New Funded Beginners’ Courses to Launch in Oldbury.

Body Mind Collective CIC proudly announces that it has secured £2,280.99 in funding from Active Black Country to run two 12-week beginners’ yoga courses in Oldbury. These sessions will actively reduce physical inactivity, combat social isolation, and address health inequalities by providing accessible movement and mindfulness practices to local residents.

Responding to Local Need

This initiative directly tackles significant health concerns in the community. Sport England’s 2017/18 Active Lives survey ranked Sandwell 13th out of 326 local authorities for physical inactivity. Public Health England links inactivity to several serious health conditions, including heart disease, diabetes, cancer, and mental illness.

In Oldbury’s Langley and Bristnall wards, residents experience higher-than-average levels of disability, loneliness, and social isolation. Emergency admissions for COPD and stroke also exceed national averages. When Body Mind Collective CIC surveyed the local community, over 100 residents actively registered their interest in joining Beginners’ Yoga Sessions — confirming high demand for this type of support.

Launching Two Tailored Yoga Courses

With the secured funding, Body Mind Collective CIC will launch:

• An Evening Beginners’ Yoga Course at Sam’s Health and Fitness Suite, designed to build mobility, strength, and balance. Participants will start with seated postures and progressively move toward standing and floor-based movements.
• A Daytime Seated Yoga Course at St. John’s Community Centre, created for older adults and individuals with mobility challenges. These fully seated sessions will help improve strength, flexibility, and confidence in a safe and supportive environment.

Each course will provide 30 spaces per session and will welcome people of all physical abilities.

Ensuring Affordability and Long-Term Access

To remove financial barriers:

• Daytime Seated Sessions will run free of charge
• Evening Course participants may:
  • Donate £12 for the full 12-week block, or
  • Pay £1.50 per drop-in session

Body Mind Collective CIC will reinvest all contributions into the programme to extend the sessions beyond the initial funding period and promote long-term sustainability.

Fostering Community Through Movement

“These sessions are about more than just physical health,” said Bryony Morris, Founder of Body Mind Collective CIC. “They are about building connection, improving mental wellbeing, and creating a safe, welcoming space where residents can grow stronger together.”

Daytime attendees will also have the opportunity to stay for a drink and a chat after each session, further strengthening social bonds and reducing loneliness.