By combining our strengths over last 12 months, we have been able to reach over 7000 disadvantaged young people in Greater Manchester

Today Access Sport celebrates the one-year anniversary of our ongoing partnership with the UK’s largest healthcare charity, Nuffield Health. Over the last year, this partnership has worked to address the unmet needs of disabled and disadvantaged children and young people in the Greater Manchester region.

Large parts of the population in the Manchester region are missing out on the transformational mental and physical benefits of sport and physical activity. With 44%¹ of children being classified as living in poverty and only 40%² achieving the Chief Medical Officers’ target of 60 mins physical activity per day these communities need ongoing support.

By working collaboratively with Nuffield Health, we have been able to combine our award-winning community sport development model with Nuffield Health’s world-class facilities and expert team to support over 7000 disadvantaged young people.

By joining forces, we have:

• Developed 17 community clubs to become more inclusive, sustainable and engage more young people
• Reactivated three 3 cycling venues in the city’s most deprived areas
• Upskilled 837 young people to become young Leaders and peer role models in their communities.

Helen Rowbotham, the CEO of Access Sport said:
"Our ongoing partnership with Nuffield Health is a brilliant example of how the sector can work collaboratively to achieve a shared objective. By combining our strengths over last 12 months, we have been able to reach over 7000 disadvantaged young people in Greater Manchester, helping them to access the transformational benefits of sport and change their lives for the better. We look forward to working together in the future to support even more young people who are currently excluded from community sport”.

A Teacher from a local Pupil Referral Unit said of the young leaders academy their students have been attending: 
"The Young Leaders training really engages with our students who generally struggle in the school environment. Here they can learn key life skills in a fun and relaxed space.

You can see a full recap of this partnership’s progress below.

Find out more about out partner Nuffield Health here:

References:

¹ 44% of children in Manchester live in poverty
https://endchildpoverty.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Local-indicators-of-child-poverty-after-housing-costs_Final-Report-3.pdf

² 40% of children in Manchester meet CMO guidelines
https://www.gmmoving.co.uk/data-and-learning/manchester-children-young-people-activity-levels-201920