Dee Manning, Creative Producer, Project Lead & Community Development

24/05/2026

Namaste,
How are you feeling today?

Here we are sharing some of the syptoms that affect people living with chronic pain.

What's your experience?

24/05/2026

Namaste,

The Elephant in the Room. 🐘

Visiting the Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery, I expected to see art. I didn’t expect the deep, physical reaction I had to the Elephant in the Room exhibition.

Confronting some of these colonial artefacts didn’t just make me uncomfortable—it made me angry. It made me feel physically sick. Looking at items steeped in stolen history, systemic trauma, and pain isn't just an intellectual exercise; your body stores that energy. It triggers a very real, visceral response.

We talk a lot about "curating history," but we rarely talk about the emotional weight carried by the people looking at it. Healing and wellness mean acknowledging the anger and the triggers, rather than painting over them.

History isn’t just behind glass. It's heavy. And it’s still felt today.

Have you visited the exhibition yet? How did your body react to what you saw? ⬇️

12/05/2026

Canal and River Trust
We're working in partnership with Sport England, to launch Swim Sista Swim in Birmingham - a new initiative helping Black women feel safer, more confident and more connected to water.

Backed by National Lottery funding, the programme tackles long‑standing inequalities in access to swimming, with the Black community statistically at higher risk of drowning. It builds on two successful years in Nottingham, where more than 150 women have taken to the water for the first time.

Starting 11 May, participants will join a ten‑week block of swimming lessons at Beeches Pool & Fitness Centre, alongside free canal‑based activities including guided walks, a heritage boat trip and canoeing.

Open to women facing cultural, personal or practical barriers, the programme offers a supportive, inclusive space to build confidence and enjoy the wellbeing benefits of being in and around water.

Anyone interested in taking part please contact my colleague Amat at the Canal & River Trust on 07789 270 641 or email [email protected]

19/04/2026

Namaste,
I’m sharing a virtual hug for the hard days!😘

To everyone who felt the weight of the world this week:

If you felt dismissed or ignored at a GP or hospital appointment.

If your chronic fatigue or pain kept you from the tasks you wanted to finish.

If you’ve been “surviving” your symptoms rather than living.

Struggling with money.

Not getting the emotional support from family or friends.

I am sending you a warm virtual hug.

When the system is frustrating and your body feels like a battleground, try to find a moment of peace outside. Whether it’s your back garden, a local park, a canal path, or the open countryside, step out if you can.

Let the fresh air and the quiet of nature be your medicine over the weekend. You aren’t alone, and you are doing enough. 🌿

Have a happy and harmonious weekend! 🥰

https://www.instagram.com/reel/DXOspMMjLaf/?igsh=NzF1NmNqaGlweDZo

17/04/2026

Happy Friday. 🥰
It's Stress Awareness Month!

Namaste,
I'm shaing some tips on the benefits of enjoying the beauty of nature to reduce your feelings of anxiety or stress.


https://www.instagram.com/reel/DXOspMMjLaf/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ==

17/04/2026

The Government are planning to make changes to Personal Independence Payment (PIP). And the team coming up with recommendations want to hear your views

Other Scope campaigners, like Tariq, have been sharing their experiences. By doing this, they’re helping people in power get any changes to PIP right. Will you join them, Dee? You can share your views directly, or through Scope.

https://campaigns.scope.org.uk/page/189537/action/1?ea.tracking.id=email&utm_campaign=6201343_2026_TimmsConsultations_ETTNAT_1&utm_medium=email&utm_source=dotdigital&dm_i=79CH,3OWZJ,3539P2,9WWQT,1,0,0,0

Share your experiences

15/04/2026

Job opportunity!

https://www.facebook.com/share/r/1DVtP5VAj8/?mibextid=wwXIfr

08/04/2026