Around 4 million children in the UK live in poverty. For many families, the cost of sports clubs, equipment and travel puts out-of-school activities out of reach. Children from the lowest-income households are the least active, a gap that has widened since the pandemic. The impact goes beyond physical health: around 1 in 5 young people have a probable mental health condition, while 1 in 4 children leaving primary school live with obesity.

We will create Community Athletics Hubs in underserved communities, upskilling and equipping trusted local organisations to provide free, weekly athletics sessions where children can be active, make friends and build confidence. We will train local leaders, provide equipment and ongoing support, creating sustainable programmes that remove barriers to participation and give every child the opportunity to enjoy the lifelong benefits of movement and belonging.