2-MINUTE READ

July 2025

Background

At Energize Shropshire, Telford & Wrekin, we’re continuing to support the Donnington community through a place-based project. This initiative is focused on tackling health inequalities and creating more opportunities for physical activity and connection - by working with residents and local partners, not just for them.

What's happened since our April update?

Here's an overview of the progress made over the last few weeks. 

Stakeholder Collaboration Continues

The Stakeholder Working Group continues to meet every two months, bringing together organisations working in or supporting Donnington. These meetings provide a valuable space to share updates, make connections, and collectively identify ways to support the local community more effectively.

Resident Group Takes Shape

The newly formed Resident Group has started to meet every couple of months - offering a space for local voices to be heard and for ideas to be shared. Here’s what has been explored so far:

• Donnington has a strong sense of community and neighbourly support

• There are lots of activities happening locally - but not everyone knows about them

• Flyers and posters aren’t enough. People value real connections and conversations and better communication is needed - word of mouth, texts, and trusted local faces

• Mental health support - especially for young people - feels hard to find

• People want more welcoming, regular activities (not just “health” or “fitness” ones).

The group has also started to discuss:

• A name for this project

• How we build on Donnington’s strengths (like green spaces and community pride)

• Shared priorities we can begin to act on together.

One of the first actions we have started with partners is to connect the local activity providers in Donnington to co-ordinate their activities and to help inform residents, tackling the issue of: “There are lots of activities happening locally - but not everyone knows about them.”

This is just the beginning, and we’re excited to keep listening, learning, and taking action together.

Partnering with local Schools

We’re delighted to be working closely with Donnington Wood Infant and Junior Schools and St Matthew’s Primary School to create more physical activity opportunities for children:

• Boxing Club Success: Both schools have loved hosting after-school boxing sessions this term, with great feedback from pupils and parents.

• Donnington Boxing are running a Summer Camp, and both schools have helped promote it widely. We’re hopeful for a great turnout!

• Future Activities:

  • Squash: Equipment has been purchased and Ben from Shropshire Squash will deliver staff training in the autumn term. Schools will share the resources termly for PE, lunchtime and after-school clubs.

  • Basketball: Both schools are keen to introduce basketball as a new after-school club from September, with delivery by Rawzone and a link to local community sessions.

  • Ongoing Boxing: The popular boxing club will continue in the next academic year from September, with a small fee per pupil to ensure it can continue sustainably.

• School Games Events:

  • In November: A joint Year 5/6 Winter wellbeing event with a focus on mental health and physical wellbeing. Activities may include yoga, mindfulness, dance and more.

  • In April 2026: A community event similar to the event we held in April, linking local providers and inviting the schools to take part.

These exciting partnerships reflect our goal of building healthier, more active lifestyles - from children and young people through to older adults.

How you can get involved

Whether you live or work in Donnington, we’d love to hear from you. Your experiences, concerns, and ideas will shape this work.

• Residents: Please take a few minutes to complete our Adults Survey or Children & Young People’s Survey.

• Stakeholders: Share the surveys with your networks, and if you’d like to join our stakeholder group, sign up via our website.

To receive project updates or join one of our working groups, contact:

Joseph Doody, Place Development Manager
joseph.doody@energizestw.org.uk
07903 018035

 ➡️ Keep up to date with our place-based working in Donnington.