Clubs and organisations

Across Greater Manchester, thousands of clubs, groups and organisations help people live active lives – from grassroots sports clubs and community organisations to informal social groups.

Why clubs and organisations matter

Clubs and organisations play a key role when we're enabling Active Lives For All.

  • They provide opportunities for competitive and social sport and activity  

  • They are community hubs – places to meet, connect, and build friendships 

  • They help people take their first steps into lifelong activity  

Further details please contact

How We Support Clubs and Organisations 

As an Active Partnership, we work alongside clubs, groups and system partners to help them thrives. This includes:  

  • Practical support – around topics including funding, facilities, safeguarding and community engagement  

  • Capacity-building - developing the workforce, paid and voluntary, as leaders and champions  

  • Inclusion - offering advice and guidance on creating welcoming, inclusive spaces for diverse communities 

  • Signposting and connectivity - to other organisations or resources which can support, linking into health, local authorities and wider networks 

We recently hosted the Greater Manchester Sports Club Conference. See the highlights from the day, and revisit the insights from our partners across Greater Manchester. 

 

If you would like to join us at our next conference, or hear of the work our Sports Partnership are delivering, email us or sign up to our newsletter.

 

Further Resources and Support

Alongside GM Moving, organisations such as National Governing Bodies, Local Authorities, local VCFSE infrastructure organisations, and charities play a vital support role in helping grassroots clubs and communities thrive. 

Buddle 

Clubs and organisations across Greater Manchester can also access tailored support through Buddle – Sport England’s digital hub for club development. Explore Buddle at buddle.co. to discover:

  • Practical resources and training on governance, safeguarding, funding, volunteering and more 

  • A health check tool to assess your organisation’s strengths and development areas 

  • Case studies and stories to inspire your club or group to take positive action 

GM Moving host Buddle workshops across Greater Manchester. If you would like to hear about our events, please follow us on Eventbrite and sign up to our newsletter.

GM Moving Resources

Explore our resources on volunteering, sports welfare, and funding.

Inclusion support

Help for clubs and organisations to make activity welcoming and accessible for everyone. This includes guidance and networks focused on protected characteristics such as disability, gender, ethnicity, LGBTQ+ inclusion, and age, ensuring all communities can take part and thrive.

Disability Sport

Activity Alliance - The leading voice for disabled people in sport and activity. They provide guidance, resources, and campaigns to reduce barriers and make sport accessible for everyone.  

Access Sport – Create inclusive opportunities for disabled and disadvantaged young people to participate in community sport.   

National Disability Sport Organisations - These organisations provide specialist expertise, programmes, and resources to ensure disabled people can access and enjoy sport and physical activity  

Sense - Supports people with complex disabilities, including those who are deafblind, through Sense Active programmes, resources, and an Activity Finder.  

Women and Girls

This Girl Can (Sport England) - National campaign inspiring women and girls to get active, tackling barriers of confidence and access.  

Women in Sport - A charity dedicated to transforming sport for women and girls. They offer research, advocacy, and practical support to ensure gender equality and greater participation.  

LGBTQ+ Inclusion

Ethnically Diverse Communities

  • Sporting Equals – promote race equality and equity across sport and physical activity by raising awareness, empowering individuals and communities, and supporting policy-makers and delivery bodies.  

Older Adults

Children and Young People

  • StreetGames is a national charity focused on tackling inequalities through sport and physical activity in underserved communities, making sport accessible to young people in low-income areas through their Doorstep Sport model.   

Inclusion Support

  • Moving to Inclusion Hub: A UK Sports Council initiative providing practical resources, frameworks, and guidance to embed equality, diversity, and inclusion across sport.
  • Join our GM Moving Tackling Inequalities Network, or one of our other Inclusion networks to connect with other local organisations making sport and physical activity a space for everyone.  
  • Sported: A UK charity supporting community sport and youth groups in disadvantaged areas, offering mentoring, resources, and funding advice to help them thrive. 

Sport-Specific Support

These partners provide pathways, programmes, and tailored advice to help grow and develop sport.  

  • UK Coaching empower, champion, and develop everyone in the coaching community to build healthier, happier communities through great coaching.  

  • SportsAid support talented athletes to achieve their ambitions in sport and life  

  • Football Foundation is the UK’s largest sports charity, investing in grassroots facilities and pitches to grow community sport.  

Support for Safeguarding and Mental Health

Sport and physical activity can be a powerful tool for improving mental wellbeing. Clubs and organisations can access guidance and resources from national charities and networks that specialise in mental health.

  • Mind: Practical resources and training to help clubs support participants’ mental wellbeing. 
  • Sport in Mind: UK charity delivering sport and physical activity programmes to improve the lives of people experiencing mental health problems.  
  • Local NHS & community wellbeing services: Tailored support linking physical activity with mental health services in local areas. See our GM Moving mental health page for how you can connect into these services.

Local support: Councils and leisure trusts

Local councils and leisure trusts will have different support offers for sport and activity

Local support: Voluntary support organisations

Local voluntary support organisations can help with development, volunteering, funding, policy, insight and influence