Sports Traider - Sports Changes Lives

Aim

To provide effective sports-based programs that help young people dealing with many emotional and mental health challenges.

Sports Traider operates in the top 10% economically deprived areas supporting the most disadvantaged and underrepresented groups communities in the UK, to provide employment and volunteering opportunities for young people with complex needs. Increasing access to sport and physical activity for beneficiaries include ex-offenders, those at risk of offending, the homeless and people with disabilities. In doing so they gain confidence, self-esteem, life skills and improved emotional and physical well-being.

The money donated will fund effective sports-based programs that help young people experiencing mental health challenges, and prevent issues such as self-harm, suicidal thoughts, depression, and anxiety.

Physical activity (NHS - Every Mind Matters) such as swimming, jogging, cycling, skipping, and golf, make people healthier and happier. Boosting self-esteem and confidence, reducing tension, anxiety, stress and mental fatigue, helping to calm the mind, especially when dealing with difficult emotions like anger, frustration and sadness.

For example, our successful Jump4Health project, used skipping in schools to foster engagement with leisure centres and boxing clubs. Creating safe places for young people to gain new experiences, offered counselling services, and cultivated supportive communities to aid individuals grappling with mental health and well-being challenges. Skipping releases brain endorphins, and increases fitness and balance, and can be done anywhere. 

Sessions support those suffering from emotional and mental health issues and provide an opportunity to raise awareness about the dangers of grooming (county lines, sexual exploitation) spiking, stalking, and trafficking. Sports Traider aims to encourage young people to pick up skipping ropes instead of knives, scissors etc. Recognising that young people are not just 30% of the population but 100% of our future. 

We increase the opportunity for young people to participate in sport with by acquiring surplus sportswear and equipment. While preventing these goods reaching landfill or incineration.

This project successfully funded on 13th November 2025