As the successful partnership with Nuffield Health concludes in 2026, we have an exclusive opportunity to become our new Greater Manchester Principal Partner.

Nuffield Health became Access Sport's official health and well-being partner in 2022, with the goal of transforming the lives of tens of thousands of young people's lives. 

Four years on, we are celebrating the success of the partnership and seeking a new Principal Partner for Great Manchester.

Launched in March 2022, the partnership set out to tackle stark health and activity inequalities across Greater Manchester. Young people in the region face disproportionately high poverty rates and low physical activity levels, with many missing out on the physical, mental and social benefits that sport brings.

Access Sport and Nuffield Health came together to directly address these challenges, combining our award-winning community sport development model with Nuffield Health’s world-class facilities and expert team.

Headline achievements across the four-year partnership

• Nuffield Health has calculated that £8,986,914 of social value was generated, demonstrating measurable community benefit
• 26,000 disabled and disadvantaged young people gained access to inclusive community sport opportunities that didn’t previously exist
• 68 community sport clubs received on-the-ground support, upskilling, and training to deliver more inclusive sessions 
• Three all wheel cycle tracks were reactivated in deprived neighbourhoods
• 2,445 young people were trained as Young Leaders, empowered with skills, confidence and pathways into further education and employment.

Shedding Light on the Struggles of Disabled Teenage Girls
The partnership also supported ground-breaking research to amplify the voices of disabled teenage girls.

Our Breaking Barriers research, delivered in partnership with the Sweaty Betty Foundation, Women in Sport and Nuffield Health, highlighted that 64% of disabled teenage girls do not regularly participate in sport.

This vital piece of research was a pivotal moment in the sector and identified an urgent need for more inclusive environments.

A Launch event, report, toolkit and digital campaign all helped shine a light on disabled teenage girls lived experiences, and crucially, helped shape more effective community offers across the country.

A Model for Inclusive, Sustainable Community Sport
This partnership has become a national case study in how cross-sector collaboration can address inequality. By investing in community sport and building capacity, the programme’s impact will continue long after the formal partnership period.

A great example of the impact of this work comes from Young Leader, Jamie. A passionate rugby player and coach, Jamie has ADHD, Tourette’s and Dyslexia, and through this partnership has become a role model in her community.

“I am smashing it. I've got more confident with speaking to groups of people, and I like getting to know different coaches and being able to learn how they work and then being able to put it into my own sessions” said Jamie, Young Leader.

Helen Rowbotham, Chief Executive at Access Sport said:

“Our four-year partnership with Nuffield Health has shown what’s possible when two organisations share a deep commitment to inclusion. Together, we’ve created life‑changing opportunities for thousands of young people across Greater Manchester, helping them access the life-changing benefits of community sport. I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone at Nuffield Health, who have gone above and beyond to make this partnership such a success!”

Dr Davina Deniszczyc, Charity and Medical Director at Nuffield Health, said:

 “Our partnership with Access Sport has exceeded every ambition we set and has outperformed in ways that leave the organisation in a strong position for the future. Together, we have created meaningful opportunities for young people across Greater Manchester, driven by the passion and dedication of both organisations and the individuals committed to making a difference. We are incredibly proud of what we have achieved together, and we look forward to seeing the continued impact of Access Sport’s vital work in the years ahead.” 

A New Principal Partner for Greater Manchester
As the successful partnership with Nuffield Health concludes in 2026, we are preparing for the next chapter. There is now an exclusive opportunity to become our new Greater Manchester Principal Partner.

The need remains urgent. Many disabled and disadvantaged young people continue to face barriers to participation.

If you want to create a game changing partnership with Access Sport that directly addresses the needs of these young people across Greater Manchester, contact our team today.

Contact: [email protected]