We're proud to say that the Game Changer project has supported over 1,000 residents in Kendray and Worsbrough since it began in 2022. 

Funded by Sport England and the Football Foundation, the project aims to get more people physically active by focusing on mental and physical health and wellbeing, food security, employability and skills, and bringing the community together. 

A range of activities have been developed as a part of the project, including litter picking walks, a football festival held across several local parks and a women’s only exercise class called Move to Lose. British Sign Language classes, coffee mornings and boxercise sessions also formed part of the delivery. 

In total, 1,508 sessions have been delivered, providing 872 hours of community engagement to 1,093 participants. Over three quarters (75.3%) of those reporting as being physically inactive before joining the sessions. 

Tuesday night football sessions were delivered alongside South Yorkshire Police and South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue to help combat anti-social behaviour amongst the young people engaging with the activity, leading to a reduction in the number of incidents in the area. 

Another success story is the formation of Game Changer FC, an 11-a-side football team started by a group who had previously come together to play five-a-side to support their mental health. The team competes in the Sheffield Hallamshire Flourish League and the Fair Play League with fixtures on Saturdays and Sundays. 

Despite their lack of experience playing 11-a-side, the team have gone from strength-to-strength in their first season and hopefully there are plenty more to come in the future. 

Matt O'Neill, Executive Director for Growth and Sustainability, said: “It's been fantastic to see the positive impact and success of the Game Changer project in Kendray and Worsbrough over the past two years. 

“It's so important that our residents have the opportunities to be physically active so they can move more, live well and feel better. 

“The participation figures across the various activities show there is a real appetite in our communities for projects like Game Changer. 

“We’re grateful to Sport England and the Football Foundation for their funding and thank the partners involved in the delivery of the project including Barnsley FC Community Trust, our Central Area Council, our Sport and Physical Activity team, Coalfields Regeneration Trust and Sheffield FA.” 

You can watch the full story of Game Changer FC on our YouTube channel.