City in the Community furthered its mission, to empower healthier lives through football, during the 2024-25 season, by introducing new programmes and initiatives.
First amongst these was the introduction of a pilot programme at the Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital (RMCH).
The sessions – which include physical activities for young patients, sibling support and community transition mentoring – helped 73 young people and their families throughout the season.
So successful was the pilot, which was funded by Manchester City’s Christmas campaign, that it led City in the Community to create a full-time programme at the RMCH for 2025-26.
Other initiatives saw the BTEC programme expanded to include a new esports course. The qualification offered a unique opportunity for students who are passionate about both esports and education to combine their interests as part of an academic journey.
Delivered at Oldham College, in partnership with Manchester City Esports, the inclusive programme allowed students to develop technical skills and gain invaluable insight into the esports industry.
The Club’s Christmas campaign, meanwhile, continued to deliver significant impact for the charity.
More than 1,000 participants attended free Christmas parties organised by City in the Community, including over 100 participants and their families, who enjoyed the first-ever One City Disability Disco at the Etihad Stadium.
As ever, staff from across the Club continued to demonstrate the Christmas spirit by volunteering their time to support local charities such as Emmeline’s Pantry, The Stirling Centre and The Grange Food Pantry.
City stars also spread festive cheer across Manchester. Local students were surprised during a City in the Community session by the appearance of Erling Haaland and Scott Carson, whilst City in the Community BTEC students at five Manchester colleges were visited by Bernardo Silva and İlkay Gündoğan during a festive football tournament.
Rico Lewis, Joško Gvardiol, James McAtee and Phil Foden joined in the fun by visiting City in the Community esports participants alongside City esports player and City Studios presenter ‘FG’.
Manchester City Women’s players Jill Roord and Naomi Layzell attended a City in the Community session at Ronald McDonald House with patients and their families. A combined group of Men’s and Women’s players also visited patients at the RMCH.
City in the Community delivers its programmes to thousands of people across Greater Manchester
Source: City in the Community
Rúben Dias, was announced as a Manchester City PFA Community Champion, following multiple visits to City in the Community sessions during the 2024-25 season.
A standout appearance at a City Inspires session saw him surprise a participant, Randa, with a very special City in the Community Matchday experience. Randa was given free tickets to City’s fixture against Brighton & Hove Albion, alongside the opportunity to announce Dias off the bus on the Blue Carpet.
During the Community Matchday, Randa was one of many City in the Community participants given once-in-a-lifetime opportunities.
Last year I was diagnosed with cancer, which meant I had to take time out of education and out of football, which was a hard thing to do. The course helped me while I was diagnosed with cancer. They organised a fundraising scheme, and when they had games, I was invited down, whenever I was healthy enough to come down. It really made me feel appreciated and good that I had a community around me.
Winnie
City in the Community participant
Each month, City in the Community spotlighted its work and programmes by telling the stories of its participants in a video series. Growing from strength to strength throughout the season, “We Are City in the Community”, aims to bring to life the voice of its participants, staff and settings.
In one “We Are City in the Community” story, a BTEC participant, Winnie, spoke about her journey with City in the Community and her hopes for the future after returning to college following a period of time away due to a cancer diagnosis, saying: “Last year I was diagnosed with cancer, which meant I had to take time out of education and out of football, which was a hard thing to do. The course helped me while I was diagnosed with cancer. They organised a fundraising scheme, and when they had games, I was invited down, whenever I was healthy enough to come down. It really made me feel appreciated and good that I had a community around me.”
City in the Community marked the departure of Belgian superstar Kevin De Bruyne with an auction: “A Decade with King Kev”. It featured a unique series of photographs, marking key moments in KDB’s ten-year Manchester City career. Launched during the player’s final home game, the items were displayed across the Etihad Stadium. The auction raised in excess of £15,000.
