Last autumn, we were excited to pilot our much-loved ROAM-IN sessions at Martineau Gardens. It was a big transition, moving from our familiar space at Kingswood Meeting House, but we hoped this beautiful new setting would offer even more opportunities for the children and families who attend. And what a … Read more
The sun is back out, and as we start planning the summer ahead, we’re also reflecting on our activities last year when the sun was also shining! Last June , we were thrilled to bring our ROAM Free Sessions to Spark Green Park in Sparkbrook, Birmingham. Partnering with the Friends … Read more
Birmingham is blessed with an abundance of green space, and yet the distribution of parks in the city is very unequal, and worse still, many of the most economically disadvantaged parts suffer most from a green space deficit. With a huge rise in city centre living over the last two … Read more
In December 2024 the Government launched an inquiry entitled: Children, young people and the built environment. This inquiry is investigating how improving planning, building and urban design could improve the health and wellbeing of children, and also benefit the whole population. “It will look at how children and young people … Read more
The summer of 2022 in Birmingham was the stuff that dreams are made of – the city came alive with sports, community events and good cheer! With over 5 million visitors coming to Birmingham to enjoy the Commonwealth Games, there was so much to do and see it was hard … Read more
Hidden away behind Kingswood Meeting House is a secret garden where our ROAM-IN community joins together to play. And come rain or shine (or perhaps that should read come rain or mud!) the garden echoes with the joyous shouts and laughter of children exploring and enjoying nature. Our ROAM-IN sessions … Read more
Since September 2021, we have been delighted to be able to offer a free weekly outdoor playgroup for the local community. This was made possible thanks to the generous support of the National Lottery Community Fund’s ‘Local Connections Fund’. The fund was created to help small charities and community groups … Read more
One of ROAM’s objectives is to inspire parents and caregivers in other communities to give their children the freedom to roam. In the second in her blog series, ROAM’s Laura Billingham describes how she and a friend gave their own children this experience close to home in Bearwood. A year … Read more
It’s been almost a year since ROAM recruited our wonderful session leaders Laura and Kaleigh. In a series of blogs, Laura reflects on some of the brilliant benefits of roaming, and being a ROAM leader. ROAM sessions are full of fun but there is always so much more going on. … Read more
In October this year, ROAM teamed up with the Friends of Cotteridge Park on a joint initiative called ‘DIY Forest School’. Every week we’ve issued a new activity sheet for children and their adults to use in the park, relevant to the season’s treasures! Written by ROAM session leader Kaleigh, … Read more