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In Manchester, we recognise that school holidays for some families can be a challenging time. The pressure of reduced incomes and increased costs such as food and childcare can feel hard during these times, and for some children and young people this creates gaps in accessing organised holiday activity.   This can result in ‘unhealthy holidays’ - increased holiday hunger, limited access to nutritious and healthy meals alongside limited access to physical and fun activities. All of which can contribute to the likelihood of experiencing social isolation. Sadly, these issues have also been further exasperated by the Covid-19 pandemic.    In response to this, the Department of Education (DfE) has provided local authorities with Holiday Activity Funding (HAF) to develop a free activity and food programme during the holidays. This means we are able to work with clubs and organisations across the city to develop a food and activity programme to respond to the above, which we know will make a positive impact on the children and young people of Manchester. From Summer 2021 - Summer 2022, MCRactive and Manchester City Council offered thousands of FREE places to children eligible for benefit related free school meals and those with no recourse to public funds; to access a variety of activities over the school holiday periods. Activities range from Sport and Physical Activities, Arts and Crafts and sometimes can include a variety of Day Trips.  Our work with holiday activity has gone from strength to strength over the past year, with a focus on providing support for children and families eligible for free school meals, with funding secured from the Department for Education; allowing us to deliver enriching and inclusive activities alongside a healthy meal. This year, Manchester commissioned 115 unique providers to receive Holiday Activity Funding (HAF) to deliver a meal and activities over school holidays. Aimed at local 5-16 years old in receipt of free school meals, we delivered; - 3,466 Sessions - 81,847 engagements - 14,572 children MCRactive, the City Council are immensely proud of the work we have achieved over the past year, but we couldn't have done it without the hard work or local providers, volunteers and communities working tirelessly to provide free, engaging and vital activity and hot meals to disadvantaged children in our city. And we have no plans to stop anytime soon, with plans to expand the Holiday Activity Fund program even further in 2023 to ensure we reach all children in need accross Manchester.

On Saturday 26 November, we returned to the iconic Kimpton Clocktower Hotel for another evening of celebration and reflection on what has a been another fantastic year for sport in our city at the MCR Sports Awards 2022 The ever-wonderful duo of Katherine Merry and Iwan Thomas hosted the evening that featured star guests, star performances and most of all, starry smiles all around the room!   We celebrated the wonderful work our clubs, coaches, volunteers, athletes, schools and community groups have done following a hugely challenging post-pandemic period. The evening provided us with the opportunity to recognise the commitment and effort made by so many to maintain and develop sport and physical activity across our city. Check out the highlights from the night HERE MANCHESTER IS A CITY THAT LIVES AND BREATHES SPORT, AND COMMUNITY SPORT AND PHYSICAL ACTIVITY CONTINUES TO GO FROM STRENGTH TO STRENGTH AS WE WITNESSED AT THE AWARDS.  The videos and photos we shared were just a snapshot of the amazing work that goes on all year round by the many volunteers, community groups, clubs and partner organisations – many of whom were in attendance to celebrate together in person.   The evening was all about their achievements, offering the chance to pause, and take a moment and recognise how and where they have gone above and beyond.   We would like to say a huge thank you for their contribution to community sport and physical activity here in Manchester. Congratulations to all the finalists and the nominees. And a special thank you to all the sponsors, judges and team behind the scenes.   SEE THE LIST OF WINNERS BELOW, HIT THE LINKS TO WATCH THE FINALIST VIDEOS: EVENT RECOGNITION  Winner - UEFA Womens Euros 2022  As a host city, Manchester played its part in the success of the Lionesses. During the tournament Manchester welcomed visitors for many different countries and was a great meeting point for nations to enjoy the tournament. A record crowd of over 76,000 people at Old Trafford for the opening game of Euro 2022, a Fan Party in Piccadilly Gardens that welcomed over 20,000 fans from all over Europe, 3 Group games at the City Academy Stadium with over 12,000 fans and over 100 local volunteers soaking up the atmosphere and participating in a range of activations, The event also demonstrated a Legacy programme in Manchester that has seen a 33% growth in female participation in the last year alone, 10 ‘Just Play’ centers established in a range of diverse communities across Manchester & a programme of female only courses engaging 30 newly qualified coaches and referees OUTSTANDING CONTRIBUTION TO SPORT Winner - Belle Vue Aces This year’s award recognised a sporting achievement that has been 29 years in the making. This iconic Club has been part of Manchester’s sporting landscape for 94 years, and won their sports most coveted domestic trophy earlier this year. On a nail-biting October night in Sheffield, Belle Vue Aces lifted Speedway's Premiership Trophy for the first time in 29 years. The Aces lost by 10 points in the second leg of the Grand Final, but thanks to taking a 12 point lead with them from the first leg, they clinched the title. Following recent investment from Manchester City Council, there has been a notable reaching out by the club to the local community, and engagement opportunities for young people to learn mechanic skills as part of the backroom team. This investment has reshaped and modernised Belle Vue’s sporting offer and it’s fantastic to see this matched with success on the track OUR MANCHESTER  Winner - Richard Furber Richard has volunteered at Sporting events in Manchester for over 20 years. He has played a huge part in the success of our events and a worthy winner of this award.   COMMUNITY PROJECT OF THE YEAR Winner - Moston Cycling The club has a focus on walking and cycling, this helps to improve people’s confidence, physical and mental health by connecting people and reducing social isolation. The club ran 14 events and activities throughout Spring and Summer this year; including led rides to help people explore their local area, bike maintenance courses to give people the skills and the confidence to cycle independently making more journeys by bike.  Finalist - Al Hilal Regeneration Enterprise CIC Finalist - Foundation 92 JUNIOR SPORTS ACHIEVER Winner - Reuben Rowbotham Keating Swim England & COMAST swimmer Reuben won a silver medal at this summer’s European Championships, despite being the youngest eligible age. In addition to this, he won 9 Gold and 3 Silver medals over the two National Championships in 2022. Finalist - Leonardo Scott Finalist - Liam Gray   YOUNG VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR Winner - Megan Parker Megan was a worthy winner of this year's award for her brilliant work for Active Communities Network. Megan volunteered for 434 hours between September 2021 and August 2022, she continues to play an increasingly pivotal role in this local offer. Finalist - Lula -Parker-Morrison Finalist - Chloe Hamner CLUB OF THE YEAR Winner - Lancashire Lions The club have worked hard to ensure that club activities are accessible to all, with assistance with transport and free sessions available. All equipment is provided, and participants can participate at the level they wish, with novice and elite players catered for. Finalist - Taekwondo Machine Finalist - Greater Manchester Basketball Club COACH OF THE YEAR Winner - Paul Downing Paul's work with PD Coaching has inspired young players and provided a sporting opportunity for young boys and girls wh have come together to play football in a safe environment. Paul is a huge part of the local community and the players and parents all respect everything he's doing. Finalist - Ilya Ovechkin Finalist - John Robb PEOPLE'S CHAMPION Winner - Elaine Mann Elaine won the award for her tireless work for Taekwondo Machine. She spends a lot of her free time helping with the club, promoting the club and attending committee meetings. Without her help, the club wouldn’t be where it is today. Finalist - Helen Hardy Finalist - Steve Hempstock Finalist - Barbara Snelson Finalist - Liam Gray SCHOOL OF THE YEAR Winner - Ashbury Meadow Primary School This year the school introduced a range of sports-driven intervention groups for young carers, children suffering with anxiety and children requiring emotional well-being support. Their introduction of an ‘emerging talent’ afterschool club for years 2/3/4 and an ‘elite development’ afterschool club for years 5/6 enabled more girls to access structured football sessions and created a real passion for the game.  Finalist - Rolls Crescent Primary School Finalist - St Johns Primary School

Network Space Developments has gifted a Multi-Use Games Area (MUGA) to Manchester City Council after the outdoor games kit was discovered following its acquisition of the former Manchester College site on Welcomb Street.   The Openshaw site comprises of eight buildings of varying sizes which were previously used as classrooms and workshops by the Manchester School of Building. During a site inspection the NSD team also discovered an installed MUGA kit, worth circa £40,000, that was still in excellent condition.   With plans underway to redevelop the site, the high-spec MUGA needed to be removed and was offered to Manchester City Council’s Parks team which readily agreed to take the equipment. NSD has also agreed to cover the removal, cleaning and installation costs at its new home at Fog Lane Park.   Fog Lane park, East Didsbury is one of Manchester’s first public parks and is well used by the local community and beyond. In addition to the new MUGA the park offers an existing MUGA, children’s play area, tennis courts and football pitches.   Joe Burnett, Development Director for Network Space Developments, said: “As part of the site inspection we came across the MUGA kit but didn’t really know what to do with it. Once we realised its value and that it was still in good condition we wanted to give it a new lease of life.   “The partnership with the Manchester Parks team is ideal and we’re delighted that they have been able to find it a new home where it will be enjoyed by the local community.”   Councillor Lee-Ann Igbon, Executive Member for Vibrant Neighbourhoods, added: “This is a perfect example of the importance of social value and commitment from companies to Manchester.”   Initial NSD development plans for the Welcomb Street site look to deliver up to 70,000 sq. ft of multi-let industrial accommodation with work due to start on site in the first half of 2023, subject to securing planning permission later this year. About Network Space Network Space is a specialist industrial warehouse developer, investor and manager operating across the North of England. Established in 1982, Network Space has created and modernised more than 10 million sq. ft of industrial warehouse property in over 150 locations.   Press Enquiries: Deborah Hastie: M: 07799575558 E: Deborah.hastie@gempr.co.uk