Healthy Goals

The Healthy Goals initiative, which raised £180,000 last season, aims to uplift the physical and mental health of young people by creating new community football spaces in Manchester.

Thanks to the success of last year’s campaign along with the support of the fans, City in the Community regenerated multi-sports pitches at Ravensbury, St Wilfrid’s, Ashbury Meadow, Southern Cross and Holy Name – all schools where the charity delivers its programmes.

A person with arms outstretched stands on a sports court with children and blue mascots posing behind them under a blue sky.

Children wearing white shirts participate in an outdoor activity. Their faces are blurred to ensure privacy.

Children wearing white t-shirts engage in a football activity on a colorful outdoor court, high-fiving each other. The event takes place in a neighborhood with houses visible in the background.

A Manchester City football coach is training children while the team's mascot and other participants are present on a sports court.

An outdoor basketball court with colorful floor markings, including bees, circles, and a kite. The court's design is inspired by Maira, Age 8, with a slogan encouraging respect, safety, and responsibility. There are houses and a small building in the background.

At a community event, two people dressed as Manchester City mascots, Moonchester and Moonbeam, accompany children and an adult holding up a ceremonial ribbon on a sports pitch.

A group of children wearing athletic attire interacting with a ball outdoors in a fenced area. One child is pointing while another holds the ball.

A man is seen teaching a group of young kids on an outdoor football pitch. The children are standing in line as they listen to the man who appears to be giving instructions.

Group of children in white shirts and black shorts participating in an outdoor training session with soccer balls and cones on a blue court.

A child wearing a white shirt and black pants runs on a blue surface outdoors, with other children in the background.

WHAT OUR PARTICIPANTS SAID

City in the Community participant, Kurtley, took part in the charity’s Kicks sessions – one of the programmes which will be delivered at the new football spaces built through Healthy Goals - for many years. Commenting on its impact, he said:

What I enjoy most about CITC’s sessions is that I get to play football and make new friends. It really helped me to get out of my comfort zone; making me feel good and like a better person. Before I came to CITC, I didn’t speak English at all, but the coaches really helped me to get involved and learn the language whilst playing football. We really built a formidable bond.

Another participant, Leila, added:

Coming to CITC sessions is like a break from everything else that I do - with just finishing high school, it became a real outlet. Joining the sessions has helped with everything from football skills to communication skills and leadership skills, so I’m really pleased to see that CITC has committed to creating more spaces where young people like me can play and learn.