SportInspired has launched its new campaign ‘Year of Play’, with a plan to help UK children living in deprivation enjoy being active, re-unite with friends and overcome the damaging mental and physical health effects of lockdown.

During the pandemic, families living in the UK’s most deprived communities have had less space at home and in public places to exercise, and have faced increased food insecurity. After interviewing children in areas of high deprivation, SportInspired heard them say they felt ‘frightened’, ‘anxious’ and ‘depressed’ during Covid-19 lockdowns.

No child should feel this way.

This year, we will target 10,000 children from approximately 200 schools in the UK’s most deprived areas with free sports-based development programmes before the end of 2021. To help children find and take up a sport they enjoy, SportInspired will run multi-sports festivals at each school using local sports providers, before setting up and funding reoccurring clubs for the most popular sports. To bring children together and combat decreased levels of self-confidence after lockdown, the programmes will focus on fun, inclusivity and raising self-esteem.

The ‘Year of Play’ campaign will kickstart SportInspired’s mission to help all 9-year-olds In the UK’s most deprived areas to enjoy being active, reaching approximately 150,000 children annually by 2030.

Donate above to become a Year of Play ambassador and help us to boost the mental and physical wellbeing of children in the UK's most deprived areas. Together, we can help children re-unite with friends and enjoy being active after lockdown. You will join a community of people who believe sport and play have the power to change lives, and will receive campaign updates to see the change you've made in local communities.