Active Wellbeing Society wins Asian Business of the…

Active Wellbeing Society wins Asian Business of the Year

Health charity The Active Wellbeing Society has been crowned Asian Business of the Year for its work helping local communities during the pandemic.

The Digbeth-based charity is a community benefit society and co-operative working to build healthy, happy communities living active and connected lives.

It was presented the prize at the 2021 business awards run by the Asian Business Chamber of Commerce which is part of Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce.

The Active Wellbeing Society connects the voluntary and community sectors, including grassroots groups and organisations, with agencies such as GPs, adult social care, public health and the NHS to ensure that communities are supported to meet their needs.

When lockdown restrictions were announced, it changed the delivery of its services overnight and began working with partners across Birmingham to co-ordinate a citywide emergency response.

Working with partners from across the city, including faith groups, mutual aid groups and community organisations, the charity formed part of a volunteer network to provide emergency food parcels to those in need and set up distribution hubs across the city.

Their campaign #BrumTogether provided 200,000 emergency food parcels, 50,000 community meals and 6,000 tonnes of clothing to 2,300 people.

Staff also made 15,000 phone calls to supporting 5,500 people and carried out 1,203 virtual wellbeing sessions.

Its work has not only met the immediate day-to-day needs of the people it supports but has also created a partnership of more than 200 organisations to work together now and in the future.

Anjum Khan, director of the Asian Business Chamber of Commerce, said: "I would like to extend a huge congratulations to everyone at The Active Wellbeing Society on being awarded the overall Business of the Year Award 2021.

"They are highly deserving of this award for their incredible contribution to our community and their seamless response to the pandemic.

"Their willingness to support our city's most vulnerable individuals displays just how efficient and dedicated they are to actively making a difference. They should be very proud of all they have achieved."