Impact & Evidence
Data and stories that show our shared impact on physical activity, wellbeing and inequalities across Greater Manchester.
Making moving matter more
We work tirelessly across all parts of the Greater Manchester community to help improve access and opportunities for people to move more. From grassroots clubs to public sector organisations, from local sports teams to national governing bodies, we’ve been making great progress towards our goal of ‘active lives for all’.
How is GM Moving in Action doing in Greater Manchester?
Despite some fierce headwinds, Greater Manchester was reducing inactivity at nearly three times the national rate before the pandemic and recovered twice as quickly afterwards.
Today: Adult physical activity is at an all-time high and inactivity has reduced over the last five years. Children and young people’s activity levels are at an all-time high, above the national average for the first time.
For more on the latest Sport England Active Lives data, click the button below.
Elsewhere, a major independent study by the Health Foundation found that in the years following devolution, life expectancy in Greater Manchester increased more than expected compared to similar areas — with the biggest gains in places with higher deprivation and poorer starting health.
There were also improvements in wider public service outcomes — including employment, crime, school readiness, smoking rates and hospital admissions.
We are also seeing change in the system itself. We are seeing stronger alignment between Greater Manchester and local strategies, greater prioritisation of active lives and prevention, increased co-investment, more community-led decision-making, improved environments, and growing trust across partnerships.
Explore the Story of our Work
It’s been another impactful year, and we want to take this opportunity to share some highlights from the past 12 months.
“The collaboration across Greater Manchester shows how powerful it can be when a whole system comes together around a shared purpose.”
Simon Hayes, Chief Executive – Sport England