109 schools, 34,613 pupils and 34 organisations are dedicating one hour a day to wellbeing and health through the Black Country Rainbow Hour.

The campaign, which launched in May 2020, has been developed by Active Black Country in partnership with the Black Country Local Authorities with the concept evolving through the work of ConnectEd Partnership and School Games Organisers.

The Black Country Rainbow Hour seeks to prioritise the well-being of all young people across the Black Country by dedicating one hour a day to help address this current national crisis. Schools and organisations are encouraged to pledge their support to ensure all pupils and young people experience a Rainbow Hour each day by signing up at blackcountryrainbowhour.co.uk.

The Rainbow Hour can be flexible in format so schools can tailor it to their school day. Schools can split the hour into various intervals throughout the day, staggering activities to suit timetables and to help with maintaining social distancing and adhering to the latest government and DFE guidance. Schools can also opt to deliver activity in a one-hour block. 

The campaign also encourages any pupils at home to complete a daily rainbow hour so ensures nobody misses out regardless of where their learning is currently taking place. The half termly Rainbow Booklet is available in print or to download electronically and provides a range of inclusive wellbeing and physical activities and ideas to support delivery of the Rainbow Hour both in schools and at home. 

From September schools can track their pupil’s participation, with children able to earn badges – bronze, silver, gold, when they complete their daily rainbow hours, with 3 to collect. Later in the academic year a Rainbow Bus which will be going out on tour across the Black Country to deliver activities at schools. Ian Carey, Active Black Country Director said:

“The Rainbow Hour campaign has gone from strength to strength throughout the summer benefiting thousands of children and young people during this incredibly uncertain time.

"Working with our partners across the Black Country Local Authorities we want to encourage all schools to sign up, the Rainbow Hour is flexible in approach so it can fit both within school and with pupils still learning from home, supporting through positive physical, mental, social and emotional companionship, challenge and fun, crucial support now more than ever.”

Find out more and sign up to support the Black Country Rainbow Hour at blackcountryrainbowhour.co.uk.