UPDATE: Due to current water conditions, the Thames200 Swim element has now been replaced with rowing for 2024.

We believe in the power of sports + play to transform children’s lives

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SportInspired exists so that every child, regardless of background or ability, can develop the confidence + courage to follow their dreams.

Nelson
Mandela

           "Sport has the power to change the world."

The possibility of a happy, healthy and active life should be the birthright of every child. But for the 4.3 million children growing up in poverty in the UK, the odds are stacked against them.

Intervention is often too little, too late, and the gap in support for children living with the repercussions of poverty is widening. These children can fall into a vicious cycle from an early age. Consequences include poor mental and physical health, and low academic attainment along with a depleted sense of purpose, low aspirations, and confidence.

That’s why SportInspired exists. We’re a UK charity with a mission to improve the physical and mental wellbeing of children and young people living in the UK’s most deprived communities through the power of sport and being active.

Sport is a powerful and proven tool for driving change among disadvantaged youth. It equips young people with essential life skills that they may not always learn in school or at home. Sport unites people from diverse backgrounds. It creates hope, inspires, and strengthens communities.

What We Do

What children need is support and encouragement.

“This is where school-based sports clubs as well as community clubs can fill a massive gap, but the infrastructure has been dismantled to a significant degree. There needs to be a targeted, coordinated approach to rebuilding the relationships between sports providers and schools to get those clubs running again. And then we need to rebuild children’s confidence and enjoyment of sport.”

— Richard Raynes, Co-Founder & CEO of SportInspired for The Guardian

Our impact

Discover the transformative power of SportInspired and how ​​we provide positive change for children and young people across the country.
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SportInspired stories

“By the end of the day, the children had made new friends, learned new skills and clearly had a great day. Their energy and enthusiasm were infectious and even I was persuaded to have go, along with some of the teachers from the schools and a team of corporate volunteers from UBS. SportInspired lived up to its name and enabled the children to experience the fun, camaraderie and sense of purpose sport can create, with so many benefits to last a lifetime.”

— ALMT Grants Officer, Kate Richardson

“Our work with SportInspired has given the younger members of our community the motivation and encouragement to get active and make a real difference.”

— Cllr Maureen Worby, Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care and Health Integration, Barking and Dagenham Labour

“It’s inspiring to see the difference sport can make to a child and their ability to believe in themselves. An experience I’ll never forget.”

— Giorgia, Volunteer

“I have learnt that you should never give up and always keep trying.”

— Olive, Year 5 Student

“It was such a great experience for our pupils, especially as many would not have been exposed to activities like this before.”

— Mary Lim, Teacher

“UBS values its partnership with SportInspired because of the charity’s ability to develop and execute programmes that create lasting community change, engage employees year after year, and which help meet our Community Affairs programme objectives.”

— Nick Wright, Head of Community Affairs, UBS

“The links that SportInspired created for us by introducing us to local schools and securing us slots at PE coordinator forums has been an invaluable asset to us. And it’s a valuable partnership that we are actively looking to develop further.”

— Ross Williams, Development Coach, West Ham United Foundation

Your support creates lasting impact

Children cannot choose their circumstances. For one in three children and young people growing up in poverty in the UK, it can limit their choices, opportunities and outcomes in life. With your help, together, we can help them unlock better futures for themselves. Join us on our mission to break the cycle of disadvantage and transform these kids’ lives through sport and play.

How You Can Help