Leading charities, Youth Sport Trust and StreetGames, have partnered to launch Enrich Her, a new London-based programme supporting girls to influence change for their communities through sport. Supported by the National Lottery Community Fund, Enrich Her recognises girls not just as participants, but as leaders, creators, mentors and changemakers, encouraging them to step into roles that include advocating, organising, co-designing, and delivering activities.

Designed to engage girls aged 11–16 from under-served communities, the programme will use sport and physical activity as a platform to develop leadership, life skills and overall wellbeing, while tackling the barriers which prevent many girls from staying active during their teenage years. The initiative will connect and create stronger pathways between schools and grassroots community organisations across London boroughs, including Camden, Islington, Newham and Haringey, supporting girls’ development beyond the school gates.

Research by Youth Sport Trust shows girls are twice as likely as boys to not like taking part in physical activity. Even worse, girls are nearly four times more likely to not feel confident in or like taking part in PE at school than boys. By addressing these barriers early on, the programme aims to equip girls with the confidence and tools to achieve their full potential and tackle negative perceptions and attitudes towards PE, sport and physical activity.

Ali Oliver MBE, Youth Sport Trust CEO said, “We know there is a gender gap in participation and enjoyment with physical activity and sport. In our most recent Girls Active survey we found fewer than 2 in 5 girls with multiple characteristics of inequality are meeting daily physical activity guidelines. Wider research shows girls who engage in physical activity experience benefits which extend far beyond physical health; sport can be a powerful vehicle for improving mental wellbeing, building confidence, strengthening connections with others, and developing essential skills for life and work.  In an increasingly digital and disconnected world, it is imperative that we give young women and girls spaces and opportunities to discover these benefits.

“Our experience working with students through the Youth Sport Trust Girls Active programme has taught us that if we want to engage and empower girls in and through sport, we must listen to their hopes, fears and what they want. By placing their voices and needs at the centre of the programme, Enrich Her will give girls the necessary skills, confidence, and opportunities to influence and shape the spaces and provision available to them and their peers.”

The programme brings together the strengths of both organisations, building on the success of Youth Sport Trust’s Girls Active programme and StreetGames’ Us Girls initiative. Youth Sport Trust will lead engagement with schools, while StreetGames will work with trusted local community organisations, creating a more joined-up pathway to bring girls together and build stronger relationships in and across communities.

Over two years, the programme aims to train around 400 girls as Young Leaders, giving them the skills and confidence to lead activities, influence decisions and act as role models for other young people. A further 1,800 girls will benefit from new opportunities designed by the young leaders themselves, helping create activities that truly reflect the needs and interests of local communities. Enrich Her will also support educators and community leaders by providing specialist training and resources to help them create inclusive spaces and empowering spaces for girls.

Mark Lawrie, CEO of StreetGames, said,“Enrich Her is an opportunity to open doors for girls who too often miss out on access to the right sport and physical activity for them. At StreetGames, we see every day how the right support, trusted community spaces and meaningful opportunities can help young people build confidence, stay active and feel a stronger sense of belonging. By working alongside the Youth Sport Trust and our incredible network of community partners, we can ensure girls are not only taking part in sport, but shaping it - leading activities, influencing decisions, and creating positive change in the places that matter to them. We’re delighted to be part of a programme that puts girls’ voices at the heart of the solution and helps them thrive both on and off the pitch.”