Manchester United Foundation has joined forces with the Wayne Rooney Foundation to provide an inclusion programme for young people of all abilities.
Following Wayne Rooney’s testimonial match in 2016, he formed his Foundation and committed to support four charities, including Manchester United Foundation.
Funding from the former Manchester United and England captain’s charity has enabled MU Foundation to launch the ‘Rooney’s Inclusive Reds’ programme – a ten-week course that is delivered across local schools, enabling disabled and non-disabled participants to play together and learn from each other on a level playing field.
Postponed due to lockdown in 2020, Manchester United Foundation is now officially launching the partnership with the Wayne Rooney Foundation, by delivering Rooney’s Inclusive Reds in a two-day event of Euros-themed activations, hosted at the Manchester United training ground in Carrington. Participating schools from across Greater Manchester took part in various football challenges to celebrate inclusivity across the programme.
Experience, education and data garnered by the pioneering Prehab4Cancer (P4C) programme in Greater Manchester has helped to shape national guidelines on cancer care adopted by the NHS and Macmillan Cancer Support.
By understanding cultural norms, feelings of belonging, and how safe people feel in a space, we can make physical activity more inclusive for everyone.
As the NHS makes the shift from ‘hospital to community’, we must ensure that physical activity is embedded at the heart of community-centred care, says Sarah Price, Director of Public Health at NHS England.