The Birmingham Community Paddlesports Project is transforming the city’s waterways into hubs of activity, offering communities the chance to try canoeing and bellboating.
Spearheaded by former Olympic canoeist Andy Train and supported by Paddle UK, StreetGames, and the Canal & River Trust, the project has provided paddlesport sessions across Birmingham’s extensive canal network, making the sport more accessible than ever.
Creating lasting change
Since launching in 2022, it has opened up paddlesports to a diverse group of participants, many from communities who had never previously considered activities like bell boating or canoeing.
Over the years, it has become a platform for building confidence, connecting with nature and others in their community.
Paddle UK has provided funding, training, and equipment to help community hubs expand activities. This support has enabled them to build their capacity and integrate paddlesports into their work.
“The sessions have been transformative; they’ve helped me overcome anxiety and given me confidence in other areas of my life.” – Participant
StreetGames’ insights
To assess the impact of this approach, Paddle UK commissioned StreetGames to conduct further research.
StreetGames is committed to learning what works in supporting children and young people in underserved communities to participate in sport and physical activity. Their Knowledge and Insights Team plays a vital role in our work by combining young people’s experiences with expert input.
The Birmingham Community Paddle Sport Project report shows how the place-based approach, where local leaders are trained to run paddlesport hubs, has created deeper community connections and a stronger sense of ownership over the spaces.
“Feeling comfortable paddling with other Muslim women has made a huge difference—it’s something I never thought I’d get to do.” – Participant
Training local leaders from within communities to run the hubs has enabled paddlesport to reach deep into local communities through youth, community, and family provision across a wide range of ethnic and socially diverse groups.
To date, more than 1,400 young people have taken part in sessions across the city’s canal network.
Beyond developing paddling skills, participants reported significant improvements in physical and mental wellbeing, particularly from:
- Connecting with nature
- Observing the changing seasons
- Enjoying fresh air and outdoor activity
“The sessions have been transformative; they’ve helped me overcome anxiety and given me confidence in other areas of my life.”
“I thoroughly enjoy my time on the water, it helps me to unwind from the challenges of the working week.”
These positive outcomes are reflected in the research findings:
- 83% of participants felt a strong sense of belonging to their neighbourhood, compared to the national average of 61%
- 94% enjoyed being active
- 90% said they had fun
The project has seen a remarkable increase in participation across diverse communities:
- 69% of attendees are female, showing a significant shift in gender representation
- 48% of participants are Asian, 27% White, 8% Black, and 6% Mixed Race, demonstrating the project’s success in engaging ethnically diverse communities
- 9% of attendees identify as having a disability, reinforcing the commitment to accessibility
- 71% of participants live in areas of high deprivation, highlighting the project’s reach into underserved areas
Looking to the future
The findings from StreetGames show the approach is showing healthy signs of addressing inequity in paddlesport by providing easily accessible and inclusive activity.
An overwhelming 98% of participants want to continue paddling, demonstrating the strong impact on engagement and wellbeing.