Sport & Physical Activity

Healthy life expectancy gap of 16.8 years between most and least deprived wards — just 3 miles apart; 28% of children in Rochdale live in poverty (up to 50% in one ward); Hope Football programme engaged 27 refugees and sanctuary seekers in first 3 weeks; one walking footballer called up to England Walking Football team

Callum's case study: from introverted 13-year-old participant in 2021, through PL Kicks, mentoring, volunteering (200+ hours/year), to Education Development Squad combining football and Stoke-on-Trent College — on track for A-level equivalent results

Inspire Her: five-year mission with Nike as official partner to drive girls' football participation; Paul Canoville Foundation partnership (3 years, ~50,000 contact hours, ~10,000 participants); Blue Creator Fund year 2 — five creatives from underrepresented backgrounds awarded £20,000 each from 800+ applications

Sheffield Hallam University research (75,000+ responses) shows life satisfaction improves after as few as two events; benefits greatest for least active; £10 returned in healthcare benefits alone per £1 spent

DofE participation mitigates decline in life satisfaction seen nationally as young people age; life satisfaction improvements greater for girls, minority ethnic participants and those reporting poor health at start

94% of coordinators say scheme helps young people feel valued; 99% would recommend it to other schools and youth organisations

Over 10,000 people reached weekly through more than 650 hours of community delivery across 40+ programmes — one of the most active EFL club community foundations in the region

520 women and girls teams active across Yorkshire — reflecting sustained growth in female participation through targeted development work; 194 schools receiving Chance to Shine coaching in 2025