The Community Games programme was launched in June 2010, as one of the West Midland's main programmes of activity running until the end of September 2012 to celebrate the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
The programme was inspired by the unique Olympic heritage of the West Midlands, the Wenlock Olympian Games. These have been held annually since 1850 and were the inspiration behind the modern Olympic movement.
It was a great success, with more than 165,000 people participating in over 220 Games. As a result, in late 2011, the County Sports Partnership Network and the YMCA, supported by Legacy Trust UK, made a successful application to the Cabinet Office’s Social Action Fund to roll out the programme across the country, and were awarded £2 million.

Since January 2012…
• 3,551 communities have engaged with and staged Community Games
• £1.4million has been raised at a local level to stage events and fund community projects
• 80,130 volunteers have contributed pver £4million of volunteer effort
• 2,566,675 participants have enjoyed their local Community Games and shared memories with their families, friends and neighbours

We have had some great feedback – the following are just a few comments we received from Community Games Organisers and volunteers:
“This is a superb programme. If the positive outcomes we have seen are replicated across the country, then this will be a wonderful legacy from the Olympics.”
“Volunteering at the Community Games has helped me feel more confident, and eager to try new things.”
“We wanted it to be a fun day and we achieved it. I feel very proud.”

Participants’ comments included:
“Some people don't want to leave the estate or to spend money, and so don't do things. People need to come together. This is a happy and joyful day.”
“My daughter was able to use a wheelchair hand bike, which she has always wanted to do. She has also found out that she can do this each moneh and is going to have a go at kayaking in July.”