StreetGames is a charity that works across Wales – and England – to transform the lives of young people living in low-income, underserved communities through sport and physical activity.
Its ‘vision’ is to create healthier, safer, more successful communities through sport, strengthening communities and transforming lives in the process.
StreetGames’ core tool of engagement is ‘Doorstep Sport’ – the opportunity for young people to take part in informal sport within their community through vibrant, varied, fun and sociable sessions. This can be within the car park of a local supermarket, spare grassland on a street corner, or even the yard of the local fire station.
In effect, Doorstep Sport is StreetGames’ evidence-based delivery approach, and often sees traditional sport played in non-traditional settings, chosen locally by young people. It is underpinned by five rights: sport delivered at the right time, the right place, in the right style, by the right people, at the right price. Over two thirds of Doorstep Sport participants play no other sport in their communities.
Doorstep Sport offers an opportunity for regular participation. Appropriately delivered, Doorstep Sport transforms young lives as it develops confidence, competence, and new skills for life. It offers positive pathways to young people, helps them see themselves in ways that encourages positive behaviours, and can alleviate some of the impacts of living in a low-income, underserved community. It also offers a route to healthier, safer, more successful young people and neighbourhoods.
Key to StreetGames’ strength and community impact is its partnership with Local Trusted Organisations (LTOs). It works with approximately 1,600 community organisations in the UK, over 400 of which are in Wales, and a wider partner network of National Governing Bodies (NGBs), Sport Wales, Welsh Government, the Youth Sector, Public Health, Community Safety, Food Poverty, Housing Associations, Leisure Trusts, and corporate partners.
This means the community insight and data StreetGames has is the latest, most accurate community information, and ensures the charity understands the specific needs of individual communities, and how best to support them. Its network in Wales is therefore regional, local, or hyper-local and is delivering ‘on the ground.’ Only 14% of the StreetGames network in Wales is affiliated to an NGB, and the charity works within the “most deprived communities” across Wales – the top 30% according to the Welsh Index of Multiple Deprivation.
Through StreetGames’ work, tangible social value outcomes can be achieved. Getting young people participating in sport leads to good physical and mental health. Ensuring young people benefit from enhanced life skills, personal development, and increased resilience leads to people with the right skills for long-term employment. And helping create a pro-social identity means greater community connectivity.
The charity believes it will achieve its vision when:
- All young people from low-income, underserved communities can engage in life-enhancing Doorstep Sport
- There is a year-round, multisport offer available in every low-income, underserved community
- All young people from low-income underserved communities can access a pathway to become volunteers and future community leaders
- All mainstream sports providers change their practice to meet the needs of young people from low-income, underserved communities
StreetGames’ impact in the words of the young people themselves:
“There is a place that I go round the corner from where I live where I can try new things, get a say in how things are run and where I can take my mates and make new ones. The people that run it know me and the people that live around here.”
“I started off going to the holiday club when I was little, so I could get my lunch and run around while mum and dad were at work. Now I go after college on week nights to play sport, see mates and stay connected in my community. I help out with the things happening at the weekends and in the holidays for the younger kids.”
“The people that run the sessions are from around here and I can follow in their footsteps. I can start to help out and then get training and new experiences so that I can support the next generation of people growing up here.”
