City Onside | City in the Community

City onside is CITC’s NEW provision supportING patients and their families at the Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital

City Onside launched in November 2025 following a successful pilot year, since the pilot the programme has expanded to reach over 250 patients and their families, thanks to funding from Manchester City’s ‘Christmas Together’ campaign.

Sessions support physical and mental wellbeing, as well as education and skills development for patients, their siblings, parents and carers.

A community engagement activity with Man City personnel assisting children in stacking colorful plastic cones indoors.

A group of adults and children are sitting and interacting in a room with toys and soccer balls scattered on the floor.

Manchester City player engages with a young fan, wearing a 'City in the Community' hoodie, indicating CITC involvement.

City Onside has been co-designed in consultation with Manchester City players, the programmes key four workstreams are:

Support for siblings: creating a space for patients and their siblings to play and learn together, which is not otherwise always possible for inpatients.
Family engagement Hubs: a holistic approach to family support for the youngest patients, bringing together mental health support and physical activity for under 5’s.
Transition mentoring: bespoke mentoring programme for young people aged 8-18 who have long-term involvement with the RMCH. CITC staff focus on supporting transition from hospital into various positive outcomes, such as education or community provisions.
Parental Hubs: group mentoring for parents, creating a space away from the hospital ward to chat with other parents, CITC coaches and RMCH staff.

For more information on the City Onside workstreams, you can view the programme booklet below.

City Onside is supported by the Premier League and Professional Footballers’ Association Players’ Fund.