Political parties must prioritise the contribution of sport and physical activity if they are genuinely committed to tackling crime and anti-social behaviour more effectively, according to new research published today.

In its new report ‘Getting On Track’, the Sport for Development Coalition says the Government could and should be trusting and utilising more specialist organisations embedded within local communities to maximise the return on its investment into reducing youth offending and re-offending.

Furthermore at a national level, policy-makers must focus on helping to strengthen partnership working between the youth justice and sport sectors in order to address the inconsistencies in existing structures, and fully capitalise on the contribution that sport can make to society.

Getting On Track is based on learning and evaluation from the Youth Justice Sport Fund, a £5million fund from the Ministry of Justice which was managed and distributed to 218 local partners across England Wales throughout early 2023 by Coalition partners StreetGames and the Alliance of Sport in Criminal Justice.

Produced in collaboration by three Universities, it is the third report in a series underpinning the Coalition’s #OpenGoal framework, and includes five key recommendations aimed at maximising the contribution of sport for development to policy priorities and helping to stem spiralling public costs.

Hitesh Patel, Executive Director of the Sport for Development Coalition, said:

“We’re pleased to publish this third report in the #OpenGoal series and, on behalf of the many Coalition partners focused on reducing crime and anti-social behaviour, look forward to working with DCMS, the Ministry of Justice and other arms of Government to maximise the contribution of sport and physical activity to reducing youth offending and re-offending, and the mounting public costs associated with it.”

Mark Lawrie, CEO of StreetGames, commented:

“This report clearly demonstrates the positive impact on vulnerable young people of appropriately delivered sport and physical activity. Local interventions work. When designed with the evidence of what works by trusted adults in trusted community settings they develop pro-social behaviours and reduce anti-social and criminal behaviours. It is another piece in the jigsaw, creating the picture of how sport for development delivers individual and social impact.”

James Mapstone, CEO of the Alliance of Sport in Criminal Justice, added:

“As a Board member of the Coalition and a partner in this initiative, I’m proud to see our collective efforts leading to greater support for the sector and reinforcing the role of physical activity and sport as effective tools for tackling crime and anti-social behaviour. Together we will continue advocating for these transformative approaches to be integral, not optional, in crime reduction strategies.”

Dr Haydn Morgan, speaking on behalf of the research team drawn from the University of Bath, Loughborough University and Royal Holloway University of London, said:

“This report adds further weight to the significant evidence base that demonstrates the impactful role that sport and physical activity can have on crime and anti-social outcomes. It also demonstrates the clear benefits of connecting academics with policy-makers and practitioners to develop cost-effective solutions to addressing social challenges through sport and physical activity.”

The five recommendations in the report specifically call on policy-makers to:

1. Invest in the professional development and wellbeing of the workforce and prioritise staff retention
2. Utilise trusted specialist organisations to maximise the return on investment
3. Strengthen partnership working between the youth justice and sport sectors to address the inconsistency and fragmentation in existing structures
4. Support and empower organisations to commit to this work in the long term, to be agile and responsive to identified need, and exercise autonomy in their resource allocation
5. Facilitate the meaningful involvement of beneficiaries and experts by experience

The report also includes a series of practical and achievable next steps based on partnership working – for example through the Government’s recently-formed National Physical Activity Taskforce; workforce development; and the meaningful involvement of beneficiaries and experts by lived experience.

Hitesh added: “We invite policy-makers, funding bodies and practitioners to consider these recommendations, and welcome the opportunity to work together with partners on how best to implement them in a meaningful and impactful way.”

Read the report: ‘Getting On Track: Reducing Youth Offending and Re-offending Through Sport and Physical Activity’

Written by Joe Godwood & Joe Keohane, StreetGames Research & Insights Team

Sport England recently released the latest results from the Active Lives Children and Young People Survey, providing a comprehensive look into the state of physical activity among the younger generation. Published on December 7th, the report explores the overall participation in different sports and physical activity types, as well as the attitudes of children and young people towards staying active.

Whilst the survey shows that activity levels have increased in general, it also makes clear that the divide between the most and least affluent families continues to grow. More worryingly still, happiness levels amongst young people have gone down across the board, with children from the least affluent families faring worst of all.

Survey results show that 47% of young people are ‘active’- meeting the Chief Medical Officer’s (CMO) guidelines by participating in moderately vigorous physical activity for an average of 60 minutes a day. A further 22.8% are rated as ‘fairly active’ while 30.2% are categorised as ‘less active’ with less than 30 minutes a day on average. Encouragingly, the data from the 2022/23 academic year shows stability compared to the previous 12 months, signalling a sustained recovery in participation post-pandemic. Within this generally positive trend however, there are also causes for concern.

Activity Levels & Affluence: 

One standout aspect is the disparity in activity levels among children and young people from different socio-economic backgrounds. The report indicates that those from the least affluent families are the least likely to meet the CMO guidelines, with only 44% reaching the recommended activity levels compared to 55% from more affluent families.

While the proportion of children and young people from low affluence families who are active has increased from 42% to 44% over the past 12 months, a larger increase was observed in high affluence families (52% to 55%). This results in a widening gap from 10% to 11% between high and low affluence.

Decrease in Inactivity: The proportion of inactive children and young people from low affluence families has decreased from 36% to 34% over the past year, mirroring a similar drop in high affluence families (25% to 23%). Despite the positive trend, the gap between inactive high and low affluence children and young people remains unchanged at 11%.

Beyond participation in sport and physical activity, the survey also delves into the mental well-being of young people, considering factors like happiness, life satisfaction and feeling worthwhile:

While the Active Lives Children and Young People Survey presents positive trends in overall activity levels, it also uncovers areas of concern, particularly regarding socio-economic disparities and their impact on the well-being of young people. Acknowledging these nuances is crucial for designing targeted interventions that ensure every child, regardless of background, has equal access to an active and fulfilling lifestyle.

The Sport England Together Fund (TF) serves as a really great example of how targeted interventions can play a role in addressing the disparities highlighted above. During the 2022-23 period, 104 Locally Trusted Organisations (LTOs) within the StreetGames network benefited from TF investment.  This financial support played a crucial role in empowering LTOs to extend a diverse range of sport, physical activity, and engagement opportunities to young people living in low affluence, underserved communities.

The funding enabled LTOs across all regions of England to lead impactful community initiatives, designed to offer young people chances to engage in various sports, explore new activities, connect with diverse peer groups and foster excitement during major sporting events held throughout 2022-23.

A total of 8,746 young people actively participated in these initiatives – comprising 40% females, 46% from ethnically diverse communities, 5% disabled and 6% living with a long-term health condition.

Feedback, from a sample of these participants, highlighted the benefits they experienced, many of which align with the challenges identified in the Active Lives data:

From the participants who provided feedback, 61% stated that the fund helped them try new activities, 58% reported an increase in confidence to be active, 56% felt it had improved management of their physical health, and 49% acknowledged engaging in more activity than they would have without the project.

39% of participants noted that the project assisted them in managing their mental health. The social dimension of the projects played a pivotal role, with time spent with friends and the formation of new connections emerging as primary sources of enjoyment. The enjoyable and fun nature of the sessions was highlighted as a key motivator, encouraging regular attendance.

 “This activity has drastically improved my mental health and kept me out of other unbeneficial activities, making great use of my time. I think more activities like this should be pushed into action.”

The sport sessions were also viewed as opportunities for personal development, allowing participants to improve communication skills, health, leadership skills, and confidence. Many LTOs offered participants the opportunity to volunteer and undertake placements, which they saw as rare opportunities:

“I have never had any support like this before and never got placements elsewhere because they always say they are full.”

All TF funded LTOs received support and guidance to provide young people with opportunities to celebrate, get involved, and feel the ‘ripple effect’ of major sporting events through a broader StreetGames campaign called #Inspiration. Many projects took young people to watch live sports events and aligned sessions and festivals with major sport events to generate excitement among participants.

Feedback from LTOs underscored the impact of this funding on their ability to support the engagement of young people from low-income underserved communities in regular sport and physical activity. LTOs felt the intervention had most notably helped increase opportunities for people to be active (95%), provided the wider community with more opportunities to be active (89%), instilled more confidence in the local community to be active (82%), and assisted the local community in managing their physical health (81%). For 81% of the funded LTOs the TF investment was rated extremely important in helping their organisation to continue to exist and in supporting more young people to be active.

The data above highlights the crucial role such funding plays in reducing the disparity between young people from low-affluence families and high-affluence families highlighted in the Active Lives data – particularly in the current economic climate where rises in the cost of living mean that many young people and their families have very little disposable income and many community sports organisations are facing increased running costs. While Sport England’s multi-year commitment to £250 million additional investment in Place, targeted at areas of greatest need, is hugely welcome, there remains a clear and pressing need for immediate funding to support LTOs delivering on the ground today to enable more young people to be active right now.

At StreetGames one of our key roles involves sign-posting and supporting LTOs to access funding to support their doorstep sport activities, and whilst there have been many notable successes in the past year (e.g. via the NCLF- Million Hours fund, VRUs and HAF) – the majority of the funding sourced, has come from non-sports sources, which often come with very specific non-sport eligibility criteria.

With a General Election on the horizon, there are genuine risks that funding to support vital sporting infrastructure in low-income communities will not be available swiftly enough at a crucial time.

StreetGames recently conducted a visit in partnership with the Department for Education (DfE) and Active Humber, to two schools in Hull – Sirius Academy North and Kelvin Hall School – as part of its ongoing commitment to promoting youth voice and breaking down barriers to sports participation. 

The visit focused on celebrating the success of the DfE funded Opening Schools Facilities (OSF) programme and the positive impact that the projects had on young people in Hull. The OSF funding has played a crucial role in providing a diverse range of sporting opportunities through Doorstep Sport, emphasising the importance of making the right sporting offers available to all. 

Beverley Southward, Policy Officer, PE, School Sport and Physical Activity for the DfE, shared insights from the visit: “It was eye-opening to hear of the significant barriers for children at Sirius to overcome just to get them to a level where they could take part in OSF activities, and how the staff took it in their stride and came up with innovative ideas to overcome these barriers.” 

The visit also underscored the positive impact of OSF funding on extracurricular activities. Southward noted, “It was great to hear that students at both schools were engaged in PE and Sport, and that OSF funding has made a huge difference to them being able to attend extracurricular activities, and that all OSF clubs are oversubscribed.” 

Southward emphasised the value placed on youth voice in both schools, with programmes tailored to reflect students’ preferences. The inclusivity of sports was highlighted, with both boys and girls participating in a Futsal session. Notably, a student named Jacob chose to referee, showcasing the inclusive nature of OSF projects and how they contribute to personal development. “It was great to hear the coach say that his confidence level and leadership skills had increased massively through the club. What an inspirational young man,” Southward added. 

Lucy Gray, Active Humber’s Development Manager for Children and Young People, shared her observations from the visit: “It was great for me to visit Sirius Academy North and understand some of the challenges the young people and their families face who attend the school.” 

Gray emphasised the positive impact of OSF funding on physical activity opportunities for young people who need it the most. She also highlighted the vibrant after-school clubs at Kelvin Hall School, illustrating how OSF funding brings together diverse age groups for fun, socialising, and physical activity: “To see one of the after-school clubs in action at Kelvin Hall School shows the impact OSF funding is having for young people in our area, it brings a mixture of age groups together having fun, socialising, and being physically active.”

StreetGames’ Craig McFadyen emphasised the broader impact of the organisation’s efforts, stating, “Over the past 4 months, StreetGames have delivered Youth Voice consultation sessions, directly to students in 45 schools all across England. Carefully listening to the voices of over 500 students, who were identified by the schools as either inactive, un-engaged or simply not accessing the schools mainstream extra-curricular sporting offer.” 

McFadyen highlighted the goal of the Youth Voice initiative, aiming to support schools in understanding the needs of young people, and ensuring that sports offerings are inclusive and appropriate for all members of the community. He noted that this initiative provides an opportunity to share valuable insights across all OSF schools, Active Partnerships, and other partners dedicated to enhancing community sports for young people in underserved areas. 

Regarding the visit to Hull with the Department for Education (DfE) and Active Humber, McFadyen remarked, “This visit provided a fantastic opportunity for us to engage with two OSF schools that are working hard to improve their community sports offer for their young people.” He highlighted the importance of not only understanding the positive impact of OSF funding but also acknowledging the broader challenges schools face in designing and delivering effective community sports programmes.  

The visit to Sirius Academy North and Kelvin Hall School reaffirms StreetGames’ commitment to providing inclusive and accessible sports opportunities for young people, promoting physical activity, and breaking down barriers in underserved communities.  

Distinguished for their exceptional contributions to local sports communities, the recent StreetGames Regional Awards have highlighted the remarkable achievements of coaches and volunteers dedicated to fostering inclusivity and well-being within their regions.

London and SE:

Temi Johnson – Coach Temi Johnson’s unwavering commitment to inclusive sports at Youth Ngage, despite his disability, serves as a powerful inspiration for participants. As a volunteer coach, Temi assisted with Club sessions, demonstrating his knowledge of adapted sports, his understanding of disabled participants and his spirit of inclusivity. From day one, Temi has been determined that no one is left out of sport. In 2019, he became a qualified Level 1 Football Coach, and in 2023, he achieved a Level 2 Coaching Multi-Skills qualification, overcoming a learning difficulty to succeed. His empathetic coaching style and dedication to every individual’s sporting journey embody the values of a Disability Sports Coach (DSC).

North East:

Liam Roberts – Liam Roberts’ passion for engaging individuals in sports has left a lasting impact, evident in his dynamic sessions across Newcastle. Through his enthusiastic approach and dedication, Liam epitomises the essence of doorstep sport, fostering an active lifestyle among participants.

North West:

Pauline Melia – Pauline Melia’s relentless dedication as a volunteer shines through her instrumental role in providing nutritious meals and promoting physical activity during HAF and Fit & Fed programmes. She accommodates a wide range of complex needs when it comes to the eating habits of young people, taking an active part in encouraging them to eat well and explore new foods. She is often responsible for the feeding of 80-100 young people per day at HAF camps. Having a young son on the SEN spectrum, she fully understands how important physical activity is to the health and well-being of young people and strives to support other parents to take advantage of the programmes on offer at the centre. Her commitment to the well-being of young individuals extends beyond the confines of her responsibilities, positively impacting families within the community.

South West:

Jason Quiterio – Renowned for his expertise as a swimming coach, Jason Quiterio’s versatile coaching approach caters to individuals of all proficiency levels, reflecting his deep understanding of diverse learning styles and ability to tailor guidance accordingly. As Head Coach of both Caradon Swimming Club and Cornwall County ASA, and he runs a separate entity called “Ace Swimming”, he has & does support people from learning to swim right up to international athletes in the pool, open water & sea. Jason is also an excellent communicator and has a remarkable ability to connect with his swimmers and build strong relationships with them.

Midlands:

Alicia Davies – Lincoln City FC Foundation – Alicia Davies’ passionate advocacy for women’s football is exemplified through her dedicated involvement in the foundation’s holiday clubs, fostering a nurturing environment for children of all abilities. Her unwavering support for educational events highlights her commitment to inspiring the aspirations of future generations.

South Wales:

Ryan Davies – Ryan first got involved with RugbyWorks 6 years ago as a young person who had been excluded from mainstream education and was attending a pupil referral unit. He had been diagnosed with ADHD and struggled to control his aggression. Ryan’s transformative journey with RugbyWorks is a testament to his resilience and dedication to giving back to the community. He has since become a dedicated coach; Ryan draws from his personal experiences to inspire and guide others, embodying the transformative power of sports in building resilience and fostering personal growth.

The StreetGames Awards have highlighted outstanding contributions to mental health and well-being, honouring individuals and organisations that have demonstrated exceptional dedication to supporting and empowering their communities across the UK. These regional winners have made a profound impact on the mental health and well-being of individuals, fostering a sense of belonging and resilience. Let’s delve into the inspiring initiatives of these remarkable projects:

London and Southeast:

Youth Ngage: The organisation primarily focuses on engaging African and Caribbean young people and families in North Kent through sports, holistic support, and community events. From promoting mental well-being and talent/career development projects to offering crucial employability services, skills development training, and engaging community events, their multifaceted approach has garnered widespread recognition and trust within the community. A standout feature of their initiatives is the Well-being Hub, a central platform created in response to the pressing demands of the community. Through the Hub, the organisation provides comprehensive support for families in need, addressing issues such as loneliness, low self-confidence, unemployment, mental health challenges, disengagement, and domestic abuse. Weekly interactive sessions and 1-2-1 support have been instrumental in fostering a sense of belonging and solidarity among participants, while the distribution of essential items on a monthly basis has significantly alleviated the financial strain faced by many families. Beyond their direct support, the organisation has extended its outreach to adults through regular Keep Fit sessions, mental health and healthy living workshops, and free health check-ups, fostering a culture of holistic well-being within the community.

North East:

Ray Taylor: Ray Taylor’s steadfast dedication to the growth and holistic well-being of more than 70 underprivileged children within his football club serves as a resounding testament to his unwavering passion and commitment. Despite the demanding responsibilities of managing his own business, supporting his family, and navigating personal health challenges, Ray’s tireless efforts have continued to create a nurturing and empowering environment for the young individuals under his guidance. His selflessness and perseverance have not only positively impacted the lives of these children but have also inspired a culture of resilience and determination within the community.

North West:

The Cherry Tree Project: The Cherry Tree Project’s involvement in a Yoga and Mindfulness pilot aimed to create a safe and inclusive space for diverse young individuals to explore personal growth and well-being. By catering to a group of participants with various identities and backgrounds, including those facing mental health challenges and physical disabilities, the project successfully fostered a supportive environment for self-expression and development through yoga practice. The positive outcomes observed, such as improved mental well-being and increased self-esteem, underscore the empowering potential of yoga and mindfulness in nurturing holistic development among youth.

South West:

Madeline Doyle: Madeline’s selfless commitment and encouraging nature in promoting and supporting the club’s endeavours have been instrumental in uplifting each member of the club, demonstrating her unwavering dedication to the well-being of the community.

North Wales:

Youth Shedz: Over the past 12-18 months, Youth Shedz has prioritised small group engagement for young people uncomfortable with larger or mainstream youth club sessions. Leveraging golf and fishing activities, funded by their Youth Justice Sport grant, Scott and the team have fostered a safe and non-judgmental environment, enabling open conversations about mental health and life challenges. Their tailored approach has successfully encouraged hesitant participants to join open-access Doorstep Sport sessions, leading to improved mental well-being and sustained support for those in need.

South Wales:

Anneurin Leisure: The Aneurin Leisure Sports Development team’s Community Kit Room (CKR) has significantly improved local mental health by providing free access to sports clothing, breaking down barriers to participation and fostering essential life skills such as teamwork and resilience. Working in collaboration with StreetGames Wales, the CKR initiative serves as a ‘HUB’ within the community, facilitating easy access to appropriate clothing and footwear for individuals of all ages and abilities, thus promoting inclusivity and well-being. In just three months, the CKR has supported 51 families with 96 clothing items, demonstrating its impactful contribution to the health and fitness journey in the Blaenau Gwent area.

These regional winners have set an inspiring example of the transformative impact that community-driven mental health and well-being initiatives can have, reflecting a deep-rooted commitment to fostering inclusivity, support, and resilience within their communities.

The StreetGames Awards have highlighted exceptional Holiday Activities Projects across the UK, celebrating organisations that have dedicated their efforts to providing engaging and beneficial activities for young people during school holidays. These regional winners have demonstrated a strong commitment to fostering community well-being and inclusivity through their innovative holiday programmes. Let’s delve into the impactful initiatives of these outstanding projects:

London and Southeast:

Sport at the Heart: Since 2016, Sport at the Heart has actively addressed school holiday food insecurity, providing healthy meals and a diverse range of activities through collaborating with initiatives like Fit and Fed and leveraging resources from FareShare and the Felix Project. They have built a team and a solid operational template, enabling them to develop their capacity, increasing school holiday places to 120 per day for the 5-13-year-old age group and 30 per day for the 14-18-year-old age group. Since 2016, they have consistently delivered programmes in most major school holidays. Even during the pandemic, they shifted to providing school holiday programmes for the most vulnerable in our community in line with government guidance. This summer alone, they have delivered nearly 400 hours of activities and served 3000 healthy meals to over 180 children and young people. 

North East:

Elswick Community Leisure Centre: The Elswick Community Leisure Centre, located in the heart of the west end of Newcastle, has been running a successful Holiday Activity Project for about three years. The centre’s engagement with over 100 young people during the holiday period sets it apart, offering activities like swimming and scuba diving that are often beyond the reach of the local community. Additionally, the project provides meals prepared by the children themselves, creating a unique and engaging experience. The centre has provided opportunities for the deprived community, with limited access to such activities. 

Yorkshire:

Champions Community Sport: The Healthy Holidays programme, now in its third year, has witnessed remarkable growth, accommodating increasing members each year and providing diverse activities such as bushcraft, cooking and planting sessions, and cultural food initiatives. In 2023, their attendance target was 1000 attendees, yet they had a fantastic 1198 young people attend.

North West:

Abraham Moss Warriors: Actively engaging the community during school holidays, with over 5,000 participants over the past 12 months in various sessions. Their young leaders’ programme, developed in partnership with StreetGames, has empowered participants to become mentors. At the same time, the summer activities, including educational initiatives and water sports, have provided memorable experiences for the children. They provide young people with the opportunities to make new friends, get out of their comfort zone and the opportunity to do things that they never would otherwise. When they go back to school, if someone asks them what they did, they have a list of fun activities that they’ve experienced.

Midlands:

Pitch2Progress: Making significant strides in delivering the Holiday Activities and Food programme since 2021, their inclusive approach has attracted around 180 young people per session, promoting equal opportunities and empowerment. What truly sets Pitch 2 Progress CIC apart is its dedication to empowering participants beyond the programme’s duration. Former participants have seamlessly transitioned into volunteer roles within the organisation, highlighting the programme’s lasting influence on individuals. Notably, the organisation’s investment in training and development has led to the empowerment of 22 young individuals as staff members, emphasising the importance of professional growth and community engagement. 

North Wales:

Active Cambria: The Active Camp has provided over 18 full-time days of physical activity sessions, healthy snacks, and nutritious meals to more than 200 young people in the Flintshire and Wrexham areas during the school holidays. The project’s emphasis on physical activity has addressed concerns regarding sedentary lifestyles, promoting teamwork, leadership, and perseverance through various team sports and outdoor adventures. Furthermore, the camp’s focus on promoting healthy eating habits has instilled valuable nutrition education among the participants. With the support of funding and donations from Iceland, the camp ensured that children not only received nourishing meals during their stay but also took home surplus food for their families, positively impacting the wider community. The camp’s impact on social skills and mental well-being has been widely recognised, with participants expressing gratitude for the opportunity to try new activities and experience personal growth.

South Wales:

Wye Gymnastics & Galaxy Cheerleading: The Caldicot Community Fridge project, operated by Wye Gymnastics & Galaxy Cheerleading, focuses on collecting surplus food from local supermarkets daily and distributing it to the community at no cost to combat food waste and alleviate food poverty. Recognising the heightened struggles families face, particularly during school holidays, the project aims to address the challenges faced by those who rely on free school meals, ensuring they have access to nutritious meals during these periods. Throughout their initiative, the project has conducted 13 Fit & Fed sessions across two venues, impacting 252 children and introducing them to a diverse range of sports activities, including cricket, football, netball, rugby, and tennis. The overwhelmingly positive feedback has motivated the organisers to continue the program’s expansion, demonstrating their commitment to addressing food insecurity and promoting physical activities for the local youth during school holidays.

These regional winners have set an inspiring example of the transformative impact that engaging holiday activities can have on community well-being and empowerment. Their initiatives reflect a deep-rooted commitment to fostering inclusivity and support for young people and families within their communities.

The StreetGames Awards have recently acknowledged outstanding contributions in the realm of Doorstep Sport Projects, recognising organisations that have gone above and beyond to bring sports and physical activities to the doorsteps of underserved communities. These regional winners have exemplified a profound commitment to fostering inclusivity, community well-being, and personal development. Let’s take a closer look at their impactful initiatives:

London and Southeast:

Trapped in Zone One: Demonstrating a strong dedication to community health and well-being, Trapped in Zone One has been instrumental in fostering skill development and community achievements through engaging programs catering to people of all ages. Trapped in Zone One, it engages with people of all ages to improve their health and well-being through creative practices. Trapped in Zone One’s work to support young people and adults continues all year round. They offer a range of programmes and activities throughout the year to provide people with opportunities to learn new skills, make new friends, and have fun. 

North East:

Gateshead FC Foundation: Gateshead FC Foundation has been delivering weekly activities and exceptional Fit and Fed and HAF provisions, ensuring the happiness and safety of young people in underserved communities through a diverse range of sports activities. As a member of the Literacy Trust, they also allow all children and young people to access free books and participate in storytelling sessions, providing wider benefits.

North West:

ReflecTeen: Over the past three years, ReflecTeen has facilitated community sessions and holiday programs, offering diverse sports and multi-sports activities, social actions, and educational experiences to foster social and leadership skills among young people aged 8 to 18. Most recently, ReflecTeen delivered the summer holiday programme for four weeks, 32 sports and multi-sports activities alongside an exceptional commitment to providing a diverse range of engaging, educational, and socially impactful experiences for children and young people. ReflecTeen stands out for its comprehensive, holistic, and youth-led activities program. Session plans and delivery is dynamic and engaging, developing young people’s social and leadership skills. Activities present an opportunity for joy and excitement but also enable participants to explore their surroundings, fostering a sense of adventure and curiosity. They encourage their participants to be active in all areas of their community, including social action, environmental consciousness, cooking sessions, nutrition education, and leadership skills.

Midlands:

New Park Village: NPVFootball has been a pivotal force for over 25 years, empowering disadvantaged youth through sport and physical activities. Only last year, as part of the Commonwealth Games legacy, they delivered a Gen 22 project through StreetGames, which focuses on developing crucial life skills and qualifications for increased employability and ongoing community engagement. Those young people designing and delivering the project gained a wide range of experience, grew in confidence, developed their communication, teamwork, and organisational skills, and accessed a level 1 Sports Leader qualification. These skills have improved their employability, and many have continued volunteering within their local community to continue these activities. For those young children taking part in the activities again, confidence grew, and there was the opportunity to develop positive relationships and engage in fun activities that promoted the benefits of physical activity and were delivered in trusted, safe spaces. 

North Wales:

Youth Shedz: Led by Scott Jenkinson, Youth Shedz is one of StreetGames’ most longstanding and trusted LTOs in North Wales, and through their work in underserved communities, they consistently deliver on what Doorstep Sport is all about. These “sheds” are deliberately located in underserved communities and provide a varied and vibrant offer to young people, with multiple sports and food always on offer. Supported by their mobile youth bus, Betsi, the team can travel to car parks, community fields and leisure centres in true Doorstep Sport fashion, bringing opportunities directly to young people. They partner with local entities, including North Wales Police and Public Health Wales.

South Wales:

Valleys Gymnastics: VGA continuously strives to serve their community and provide a safe and inclusive environment for those who cannot access a traditional sports club setting, whether due to cost or lack of transport. They currently run 2 Us Girls programmes, which were developed from the StreetGames research projects. They deliver four fit and fed programmes in outreach locations and work with local organisations in each area to ensure the programme targets the appropriate demographics. They engage with various NGBs, including Golf Foundation and LTA Serves providers. During their sessions, they offer food, a Community Cupboard with food, toiletries, and sports kit to all participants, enabling more young people to participate.