Local bus provider Stagecoach Manchester has announced its support for a new initiative by Access Sport in partnership with Nuffield Health, which aims to tackle the unmet needs of 15,000 disadvantaged local young people and their families.
Access Sport trains, equips, supports and creates community sports clubs, transforming the lives of young people who belong to disadvantaged and disabled communities. With 31% of the UK’s under-18’s considered physically inactive, the charity provides essential services and a route into sport.
The partnership will build upon Access Sport’s award-winning community sport development model whilst utilising Nuffield Health’s facilities, health and fitness experts and educational resources to give young people from marginalised groups the tools to live a healthier life and learn key skills such as cycling competency.
The initiative will be rolled out across Greater Manchester, with young people on the programme provided access to Nuffield Health’s Manchester Institute of Health & Performance (MIHP) – a world-class fitness and health facility used by performance athletes including the Great Britain Cycling Team.
Manchester has almost twice the UK average amount of children under 16 living in poverty, and Access Sport’s invaluable work has provided support to over 6,000 young people across Greater Manchester since 2014, teaching a further 1,200 young people how to ride a bike.
Stagecoach Manchester will support the partnership between Access Sport and Nuffield Health in Greater Manchester helping to raise awareness of the opportunities available to young people in the region. The campaign will see information on the initiative shared with customers across the Greater Manchester region.
Helen Rowbotham, Chief Executive Officer at Access Sport, said:
“We are thrilled to be working with Stagecoach in Manchester. All too often, the young people who would benefit the most from community sport simply don’t have access to it. That’s why we are working hard to make sure more children and young people in Greater Manchester can benefit from inclusive sporting opportunities in their own neighbourhoods. We are really excited about our partnership with Stagecoach that will support local young people to lead more active, healthier lives.”
Jon Taberner, Senior Rehabilitation Specialist at MIHP, said:
“We are hugely supportive of the fantastic work Access Sport already does in the community and are excited to take our partnership to the next level with the support of Stagecoach. As the UK’s largest healthcare charity, we are committed to building a healthier nation, and our work with Access Sport and Stagecoach will increase sport provision and social mobility in the Manchester area. We are looking forward to welcoming more young people at MIHP, helping to get them involved in sports whilst using our world-class facilities to learn new skills.”
Together with Nuffield Health, the campaign across Greater Manchester will see support offered to 11 communities across the region; Moss Side, Gorton, Partington, Old Trafford, Little Hulton, Levenshulme, Openshaw, Wythenshawe, Sale West, Blackley & Ardwick.
Rebecca Rathore, Operations Director of Stagecoach Manchester said:
“The amount of young people who are not able to participate in activities across the UK through no fault of their own, is staggering. Stagecoach Manchester has a long history of supporting the communities we serve, and we are proud to support this initiative, helping to introduce the next generation of Mancunians to sport, and transforming the lives of many young people in our region and helping to build stronger and healthier communities.”
Lee Wasnidge, Managing Director at Stagecoach Manchester added:
“As the leading bus operator in the region we are committed to promoting health and wellbeing, supporting young people and addressing social isolation. This initiative by Access Sport in partnership with Nuffield Heath will improve the ability and opportunity for young people to get involved in activity and lead heather lifestyles and is something we are proud to get involved with.”
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