The Mayor and Mayoress of Walsall launched Active Stars Project on 14th October 2023.
It was a perfect day, even the sun came out for us!
I believe, everything happens for a reason!
Couple of months ago, I received a cancellation from The Mayor, saying he wasn’t able to launch Active Stars.
As disappointing as I was, I knew it wasn’t the right time.
At the time, I didn’t know, The Mayor had a fall that day and became very poorly.
I strongly believe that we were always meant to launch Active Stars the same week
we celebrated World’s Mental Health Awareness Day.
After I became a mom, my mental health started declining.
There was loads of unresolved childhood traumas, stresses of living in a foreign country, not having the right support network
as well as stresses of my day job, being a single mom,
not being diagnosed with post natal depression, because I scored one point below the scale, as well as undiagnosed ADHD –
It all lead to decline in my mental health, obesity and financial difficulties.
And I know, I am not the only parent, who is struggling with something
and feel like they are not being understood or seen, regardless if it’s caused by their mental health, physical health or health of their environment.
Or perhaps because not everyone can express themselves in their preferred method or language.
During my recovery journey, I discovered the benefits of physical activity on mental health and relationship with my son
and we decided to invite other families from our neighbourhood to improve theirs.
It’s not always easy to be a parent. And there are as many ideas about best ways of parenting as there are parents in the world.
One thing we do have in common, is wanting the best for our kids.
And our kids need us parents, to be role models, to show them what is best:
Starting from healthy body, healthy mind and giving them a healthy environment.
That includes litter free streets in our neighbourhoods.
Being In the park, surrounded by nature, fresh air, having fun with our children and
Making connections with other people from our community,
Gives a feeling of being understood and like we are a part of something bigger.
I am beyond grateful for our little community. Thanks to them I feel like I have a purpose to get up every Saturday, even on days I would rather stay in bed all day. I feel needed.
My dream is to set up Active Stars in every park in Black Country to enable other families to feel the same.
I am genuinely grateful for The Mayor to make time to come today. Especially in this weather.
I met The Mayor for the first time in September. He came to Datrlaston Together meeting,, during the hottest day of September, to listen to our problems and the solutions we are proposing.
Whilst many other people were sunbathing in beer gardens, The Mayor explained his understanding of the benefits for businesses and community working together then he rushed to yet another commitment.
The mayor made a very strong impression on me that day, how committed to Walsall he is and his role as The Mayor, even on days when he could be doing so many other comfortable things.
I hope we can all draw some inspiration from him
Because as parents we also need to make that kind of commitment to our children and our role in their lives.
And lastly, I would want to express my biggest gratitude for our volunteers!
They just started their first year in college. On Saturday’s they could be doing so many other fun things; but they show up every week, and they provide fun activities for our families. And they are enjoying it!
They love that feeling inside, when you know you are making a difference in the community,
I think they are amazing. And what an example of what our young people are capable of.
I think they are worth committing to.
