“Sports belongs to everyone” Meet the charity on a mission to ensure sport is for all

For over a decade, Access Sport has been a source of hope for disadvantaged and disabled young people in Greater Manchester. 

As a social inclusion sports charity, Access Sport has been transforming the lives of countless individuals by making sports accessible and inclusive. Since its inception in London 20 years ago, and its expansion to Manchester a decade ago, the charity has focused on underserved communities, helping them unlock the benefits of sports and physical activities.

“We work in underserved communities with community sports clubs and groups to help them put on more provision for young people and make them more sustainable,” explained Mike Power, Programme Leader at Access Sport. 

“This approach not only brings sports to the doorstep of these communities but also empowers local volunteers and young leaders, fostering a sustainable ecosystem for inclusive sports.”

Access Sport Manchester

Access Sport’s mission goes beyond introducing sports to communities. Their club development model ensures that the initiatives are sustainable. “We support clubs by helping them grow, improving outreach, and getting more people involved,” said Mike. The charity provides on-the-ground support, upskilling volunteers, young leaders, and securing funding for qualifications to ensure these clubs can thrive long-term.

Mike highlights the importance of sustainability: “It’s not just about setting up a session and leaving. We aim to empower communities to take ownership, ensuring that these initiatives continue to benefit future generations.” This sustainable approach has been pivotal in areas like Trafford and Salford, where Access Sport has been deeply involved.

Success stories from Greater Manchester

One notable success story is the partnership with Stretford Victoria Football Club. “The support we have received from Access Sport has been pivotal to our incredible growth this last year,” says Sean Reid, the club’s founder. “Their help allowed us to restart our mini-soccer programme for under 7s and created a new pathway for girls within the club. We are now closer to offering inclusive football provision for all children in our community.”

Mike recalls another success in Partington, where Access Sport stepped in to address a lack of provision on Friday nights. “There was significant antisocial behaviour at the local shops, and we worked with the council to start a sports session on Friday nights,” Mike explains. 

“Initially, it was just a football session, but now it includes various sports and has over 100 kids participating regularly. This initiative, supported by local volunteers, has been running successfully for over five years.”

The partnership with Nuffield Health has significantly amplified Access Sport’s impact. Combining Access Sport’s community sport development model with Nuffield Health’s world-class facilities and expertise, the partnership aims to tackle the alarming statistic that only 40% of young people in Greater Manchester achieve the Chief Medical Officers’ target of 60 minutes of physical activity per day.

“Over the last two years, our partnership with Access Sport has had a huge impact on many young people living in Greater Manchester,” comments Dr. Davina Deniszczyc, Medical and Charity Director at Nuffield Health.

“By providing access to inclusive sports and physical activity, we’ve been able to offer the health and social benefits that come with it.”

Together, they have supported over 15,000 young people, provided assistance to 26 community sports clubs, and generated £4.5 million in social value for the local community. This collaboration aims to further expand, with plans to support an additional 10,000 young people by 2026.

Inclusion at the heart of Access Sport

A cornerstone of Access Sport’s philosophy is inclusivity. “Our main model has been working with any club, any sport, to make their sessions more inclusive,” Mike explained. 

“We aim to make disability inclusion the norm in sports, ensuring that sessions are not just for disabled young people but inclusive for everyone.”

Access Sport’s work in disability inclusion is exemplified by their “Changing Sports” model, which collaborates with national governing bodies to make sports more accessible. This model has been a game-changer, enabling clubs to seamlessly integrate disabled young people into their regular sessions, fostering an environment where everyone can participate equally.

Looking ahead, Access Sport is committed to expanding its reach and impact. “We have worked in most local authorities in Greater Manchester and are always looking for new partners to work with,” Mike says. The charity’s future plans include building more community sports infrastructure, such as BMX tracks, and enhancing their support for disabled young people through specialised initiatives.

The upcoming years promise even more growth and impact, with the extended partnership with Nuffield Health set to run until March 2026. This collaboration aims to upskill 800 coaches, volunteers, and young leaders, ensuring they can confidently work with disabled and disadvantaged young people, and support 20 community sports clubs to run inclusive sessions.

How to get involved with Access Sports

Mike Power encapsulates the essence of Access Sport’s mission: “It’s about creating opportunities, providing safe spaces, and empowering communities. We want to leave something that the community can sustain and grow, ensuring that inclusive sports become a permanent fixture in these areas.”

With its robust model, successful partnerships, and unwavering commitment to inclusivity, Access Sport continues to transform the landscape of community sports in Greater Manchester, making it a beacon of hope and opportunity for countless young people.

“We are exploring new partnerships to expand our club development for clubs offering disability-inclusive offers across Greater Manchester. We would welcome conversations with potential partners who aspire to increase opportunities for disabled young people.

“As the programme develops, we are also working closely with national disability organisations and local organisations with the ambition to create a Greater Manchester-wide Disability Sports Network that will support the region and empower more disabled people to be active.”