Oldham Council is proud to announce that its flagship initiative, Active Through Football, has been nominated for the Community Sports Project Award at the highly respected Sporting Equals Awards. This nomination celebrates the project’s transformative impact in using sport as a force for inclusion, wellbeing, and social cohesion in Oldham’s most underserved communities.
Breaking Down Barriers to Physical Activity
Launched in September 2021, Active Through Football was created with a simple but powerful vision: to make sport and physical activity accessible to everyone, regardless of their background or circumstances. The project offers free, welcoming, and inclusive football and physical activity sessions for key priority groups, including:
- Refugees and people seeking asylum
- Ethnically diverse communities such as the Pakistani and Roma communities
- Women, older people, and people from low socio-economic backgrounds
By working in areas that rank highest on the Index of Multiple Deprivation, the programme ensures support reaches those who need it most, helping to break down historic barriers to participation in sport and physical activity.
A Partnership Approach for Long-Term Impact
Active Through Football is powered by a unique consortium of local partners, spearheaded by Oldham Council, in collaboration with Oldham Athletic Community Trust, Action Together, For Housing, and the West Oldham Trust. The project also builds strong connections with local Mosques, Churches, community centres, food banks, and grassroots organisations.
This partnership model ensures that local people are placed at the heart of decision-making, helping to co-design and co-produce the physical activity offer in Oldham. As a result, the programme has successfully grown into a thriving network of inclusive activities that not only promote fitness but also foster community cohesion, friendships, and improved mental health.
Real-Life Impact: Building Confidence and Connections
One shining example of the project’s success is its work with local asylum seeker hotels and shared accommodations. Weekly Thursday football sessions in local parks have become a lifeline for many young men who have fled challenging circumstances. Participants have reported improved mental health, reduced isolation, and a greater sense of belonging.
Hotel staff have also observed remarkable changes, noting that men from different nationalities now socialise more freely, creating new friendships across cultural lines. Additionally, access to free sports equipment, through a dedicated football equipment bank, has empowered participants to continue playing football throughout the week, further encouraging regular use of local parks and community facilities.
Celebrating a Movement for Change
The Sporting Equals Awards nomination is a testament to the dedication of local people, organisations, and community leaders who have worked together to make Active Through Football a beacon of positive change in Oldham.
This recognition is not just about football. It’s about building healthier, stronger, and more connected communities, where everyone feels they belong.
Oldham Council congratulates everyone involved in the project and looks forward to continuing this important journey of breaking down barriers and creating opportunities for all.
