Through its partnership with the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games, GL events UK is thrilled to nominate a number of Batonbearers for the Queen’s Baton Relay. It is inspiring to put forward individuals whose community spirit and sporting talents make them worthy Batonbearers and we’re excited to announce that the latest of which, is Tim Phillips, Chair of the Disability Resource Centre.
A Birmingham local, Tim is passionate about his key role within this inspirational West Midlands Charity, “I’ve been with the Disability Resource Centre for 16 years now, 14 of those as Chairperson. We are proud to provide services across the region of Birmingham, Solihull, the wider West Midlands and into Staffordshire. It’s been an interesting journey, where a lot of positive change has taken place, alongside challenges within the sector itself. I think we’ve done particularly well recently given the COVID-19 pandemic. Unfortunately, other companies haven’t done so well, but thankfully we’ve survived to celebrate our 31st birthday this year.”
Specialising in social work and services for elderly people, Tim has been nominated primarily for his passion and continued efforts towards better support for the disabled community and other vulnerable groups. Tim has over 25 years’ experience serving on Boards and Committees and 22 years’ experience in local government. He continues this commitment through his work with the Citizens Voice Programme and as a Healthwatch Volunteer.
Tim comments: “I really enjoy my work at Disability Resource Centre. It happens that I took a sabbatical in 2017, but this allowed me to get involved with the community in other ways, through a volunteering role. This role involved anything pertaining to the council and associated health authorities.”
”Sport has been a huge part of my life. I feel very fortunate to be part of something as important as this.”
Tim PhillipsChair of Disability Resource Centre
A wheelchair user himself, Tim is a champion for sport for disabled people, particularly tennis and table tennis. He has represented GB teams many times at competition level and his notable contributions both to sport and to the disabled community make Tim an honourable Batonbearer.
Tim comments, “My involvement in sport is historic, from working on schools for disability, to being lucky enough to represent team GB in wheelchair sports. Amazingly, during the 1992 Barcelona Paralympics, I was voted player of the season in our league for winning the most singles matches! Sport has been a huge part of my life and one of the things that I love about it is its ability to create opportunities to engage people from a variety of backgrounds and abilities. I feel very fortunate to be part of something as important as this.”
Tim describes his perspective on Birmingham 2022. “Since 2018, I’ve enjoyed being involved in the Commonwealth Games via the Birmingham 2022 Advisory Forum, which has been enlightening. In fact, me and the rest of the team are set to conduct a site visit to Alexander Stadium in the near future, to look at the current building works in relation to disability access, which will be a fascinating excursion. I think the most important thing in sporting events for the disabled community is venue accessibility. Sporting venues have improved their provision for disabled attendees since I started out in the early 80’s, but it’s good to see this continuing.”
On sport in general, Tim comments: “I think that the successes of Team GB during the recent Paralympics have encouraged more young disabled people to take up sport. Birmingham 2022 is set to be incredibly inclusive in a way we haven’t really seen before, and I very much hope this will further inspire the region’s young people. At the end of the day, to be involved in such a landmark event is both fulfilling and rewarding.”
Tim is one of over two thousand Batonbearers who will be participating in the Queen’s Baton Relay at Birmingham 2022 and GL events UK wishes him every success. His motivation to improve the lives and sporting endeavours in the disabled community contributes to the wider lasting legacy that the Games aims to create.
For updates on more of the incredible individuals and organisations that we work with as part of our social value delivery, click here.
