Podcast - Interview with Joan Blaney CBE, CEO of the William Wilson Turner Foundation

Active Black Country’s latest podcast focuses on the work of the William Wilson Turner Foundation led by Chief Executive Joan Blaney CBE.

Established in 2022, the foundation collaborates with Black Country partners to help build healthy communities through a variety of initiatives. Among them are health and wellbeing workshops to empower people to make informed and healthy lifestyle choices.

Joan talks about the benefits of the workshops and the role of Miss Ida, an entertaining character who has captivated theatre and workshop audiences across the West Midlands. Miss Ida performances by Women and Theatre have helped to share essential health and physical activity messages in a humorous and engaging way that has resonated with huge numbers of people.

Our podcast guests are Joan Blaney, Vivienne Townsend and Aairon Dalton (pictured left to right).

Vivienne has participated in the health and wellbeing sessions and helps out at the Friday Soup & Social at Dorothy Parkes Centre in Smethwick. Aairon, who co-runs Food for Thought and also assists at the Friday social, has gained much from the workshops.

They share their thoughts on the impact of the initiatives run by the William Wilson Turner Foundation, how Miss Ida's health messages have resonated with them, and what they've taken away from the workshops.

Thanks to all three for contributing to the podcast.