Burnley Girls Receive New Trainers Through National Campaign to Break Down Barriers to Physical Activity.
Young girls at Burnley High School are stepping into a more active future thanks to a generous donation of over forty pairs of trainers from the Sweaty Betty Foundation as part of the Department for Culture, Media and Sport’s (DCMS) Let’s Move! Campaign.
The Let’s Move! campaign encourages children across Lancashire aged 7-11 to be more physically active by breaking down the barriers that prevent them from taking part in sport and exercise. The campaign aims to help children and young people achieve the NHS recommendation of 60 minutes of daily activity, which can start with 10 minutes.
The trainers were awarded to Together an Active Future with a clear purpose: to help remove barriers that prevent girls from participating in sport and physical activity. Our Active Schools Lead, Helen Newman, quickly identified Burnley High School as an ideal partner.
Burnley High School has been on an inspiring journey to develop a stronger culture of physical activity and wellbeing over the past year. The school has recently committed to joining TaAF’s Secondary School Leadership Programme, demonstrating its ambition to further embed sport and physical activity into school life and create positive opportunities for young people.
Helen Newman comments:
“It has always been an ambition of mine to secure funding, donations and opportunities like this and, hopefully one day, even establish a charity that can provide local children with the trainers, clothing and equipment they need to lead active lifestyles.”
What the school said…
The trainers have already had a significant impact on the girls who’ve received them, helping boost their confidence, improve inclusion, and encourage greater participation in sport and physical activity.
Assistant Headteacher Mr Roberts says:
“The girls are absolutely buzzing with their trainers! Things like this can make a real difference to our pupils. Thank you so much.”
And some of the student’s appreciation is shared below:
“Having the right trainers means I can take part in sport and physical activities without feeling different to everyone else. They give me confidence to join in, be active and enjoy spending time with my friends.”
“These trainers will make a big difference to me because I love being active. Having proper sports kit helps me feel comfortable and ready to take part in PE, clubs and activities both in and out of school.”
“Receiving these trainers has made me feel supported and valued. Having the right footwear means I can focus on enjoying sport, improving my fitness and being more confident when trying new activities.”
“Being active is important to me because it helps me stay healthy and feel good about myself. These trainers will help me take part more often and make the most of every opportunity.”
“Sometimes it’s the small things that make the biggest difference. Having a new pair of trainers means I can join in with confidence, stay active and not worry about whether I have the right kit.”
The initiative highlights the power of partnership in tackling inequalities and ensuring that every young person has the opportunity to enjoy the physical, social and mental benefits of being active. Through the support of the Sweaty Betty Foundation and DCMS, and the commitment of schools like Burnley High, barriers are being removed and opportunities created for girls to thrive through sport and physical activity.
Millie Pattison from the Sweaty Betty Foundation remarks:
“For too many girls, not having the right kit can be the difference between getting active and missing out. Something as simple as a new pair of trainers can help build confidence and make girls feel like they belong. One girl described receiving her trainers as ‘like opening your new self’ – a powerful reminder of the difference the right support can make.
We’re proud to have partnered with DCMS on the Let’s Move! campaign, helping more girls across the UK get active and enjoy movement.”
Sports Minister Stephanie Peacock responds:
“It’s fantastic to see ‘Let’s Move!’ and our partnership with the Sweaty Betty Foundation making such a tangible difference to these young girls.
Whether it’s targeted initiatives like this, our £400 million of funding for grassroots facilities or the £1 billion we’re investing in school sport, this Government is determined to break down barriers and make it easier for people to lead healthy, active lives.”
Learn more about Active Schools and the Let’s Move campaign
Learn more about our Active Schools workstream, click here
The next phase of the Let’s Move campaign will commence in the Autumn. Find out more about the Let’s Move campaign, click here