Netwalking Willenhall: Sunshine, Community, Lifelong Learning & American Football!

Earlier this month saw the second successful Netwalking event take place in the heart of Willenhall Memorial Park, and what an energising morning it was!

Born from a simple but powerful idea to promote positivity in Willenhall, grow local business networks, and raise the profile of our beautiful park, Netwalking is proving to be more than just a stroll in the sunshine. It’s fast becoming a community staple.

This unique event blends informal networking with the great outdoors, giving professionals, community groups and charities a relaxed space to mingle, share ideas and connect with like-minded individuals. No name tags or business cards flying, just real conversations, new perspectives and fresh air.

Our Theme: Lifelong Learning

I had the pleasure of opening the event by sharing my own journey of returning to college just after my 50^th birthday, a deeply personal and motivational experience that reminded me it’s never too late to learn, grow, and stretch beyond your comfort zone.

That message tied in perfectly with our special guest speaker, Danny Pardoe of Birmingham City University, who brought a dynamic energy to the event. Using American football as a metaphor for lifelong learning, Danny led us through an interactive session where we literally got to throw ourselves into something new – American football shirts and all! It was a brilliant way to learn a new skill, build confidence and have a laugh together under the glorious sunshine.

Walking the Talk

The event ended as all good Netwalking sessions should, with a leisurely, uplifting walk through the serene beauty of Willenhall Memorial Park. It was the perfect close to a morning full of fresh thinking and community spirit.

We created this initiative to make networking more accessible, especially for those who may feel overwhelmed by traditional formats. Judging by the smiles, the chats and the energy on the day, we’re well on our way to achieving that.

A huge thank you to everyone who joined us and made the event special. Whether you’re a business, a charity or someone just curious to connect, we welcome you. Here’s to growing together, one walk at a time.

Our next Netwalking event takes place on 8^th August 2025 – We’d love to see you there! BOOK NOW

By Jeni Sellick, Business Centre Manager – West Midlands House