A new pilot programme taking place in Greater Manchester, is not only aiming to get local female communities active, but to encourage and upskill the participants to take the lead and deliver the sessions as well.

The programme is running in partnership with the national sports coach UK campaign, Reach into Coaching pilot funded by Sport England.

The project aims to recruit existing female coaches that are passionate about getting people doing physical activity, and matching them with already established social groups such as school gate mums, slimming clubs and community groups. The female coaches are utilised as mentors, to get the groups doing some type of activity and then identify participants within the groups to upskill and mentor, so that they become the group leader. Making the sessions sustainable and the leaders more reflective of the target group.

So far 7 sessions have been set up, engaging 70 participants in running or dancing activities.

Image: Gorton Community Centre showing off their dance moves with female mentor Lisa.

Case study provided by Greater Sport.