Organisations in Sheffield use sport to tackle inequalities

The Sheffield Children, Youth and Families Consortium features 26 partners. It aims to help youths and families from under-served communities participate in enriching cultural, sporting and physical activities.

Membership comprises city anchor and front-line delivery organisations, both University of Sheffield Hallam and University of Sheffield, and the charitable arms of the city's professional sports clubs. 

Sheffield City Council and South Yorkshire Police’s Violence Reduction Unit are also part of the consortium, which is seeking to support a number of long-term outcomes - many of which are aligned to the Sport for Development Coalition’s #OpenGoal framework, such as ‘Improved health and wellbeing’, ‘Closing the gap in education and development’, ‘Reduced crime and anti-social behaviour’ and ‘Stronger communities and social cohesion’.

The #OpenGoal framework has been co-designed by members of the UK-wide Coalition over the last 18 months.

The consortium has identified eight outcomes which it is now working together to achieve. The consortium leaders have also established solid foundations over the past two years, including a shared vision, purpose and outcomes framework (as described in the consortium’s mission statement) establishing credibility and profile, developing trusting relationships between members and wider stakeholders.

Over the next 12 months the consortium will be building on the foundations described in this article through a practical programme of activities designed to impact positively on the lives of children, youth and families living in Sheffield's most disadvantaged and under-served communities. Priorities include the launch of a new interactive website and a strategic funding bid aligned to consortium priorities and the #OpenGoal framework. 

To find out more about the consortium, email [email protected] or [email protected]

Source: Sport for Development Coalition; Image by Sheffield United Community Foundation