Kate Harding

Job role: Strategic Lead – Health Inequalities. I provide strategic leadership to spread and grow the integration of movement, physical activity and sport into health and care systems, to improve the health and wellbeing of people in Greater Manchester and reduce inequalities.

Date joined: September 2023

Professional Background: Most of my working life has been within the VCSE sector, working at Citizens Advice, Shelter, and an occupational benevolent charity. Across these roles I have worked to tackle inequalities and support those experiencing the impact of them. In 2021/22 I facilitated Trafford Poverty Truth Commission, which built relationships between residents living in poverty with senior leaders from across Trafford to work together and shape recommendations for change. My background isn’t in sport, but I’m passionate about the benefits of physical activity, movement, and sport, and aware personally and professionally of the barriers that exist for lots of people in being active. I thrive on bringing people, organisations, and communities together and seeing the power and impact of building relationships to work together to address inequalities.

What type of movement/sport/physical activity brings me joy: I love being active, and enjoy a weekly mix of strength training, running, and cycling. I am an advocate of walking or cycling to school, and the commitment to doing this throughout my three children’s school lives has given us all the benefit of regular fresh air, movement, and time together.