Lower Socio-Economic Groups

The cost-of-living crisis is continuing to have a negative impact on the number of opportunities for children and young people to be active, particularly for those growing up in lower income households. The wellbeing impact of school sport and physical activity is doubled for those from low affluence families and the prospect of many of those missing out is of critical concern.

Evidence of Need

It is widely known that economic inequality is a major drive of health inequalities. For example, for children living in the most deprived areas of England, obesity prevalence is twice as high compared to those living in the least deprived areas.

In a global study across seven countries, it was found that children from high-income households spend more time playing sport each week compared to those from low or medium income families. Therefore, it is likely that the cost-of-living crisis may have a negative impact on activity levels for young people from low affluent families.

NHS Digital data shows that more than 1 in 4 children aged 8 to 16 years old with a probable mental health disorder in England had a parent who could not afford for their child to take part in activities outside of school or college compared to 1 in 10 of those unlikely to have a mental health disorder.

Did you know?

1 mill.
The number of young people which have experienced destitution in the UK tripled between 2017 and 2022 to around one million.
24.6%
The number of pupils in England eligible for Free Schools Meals continues to increase, rising to nearly a quarter of all pupils in 2024.
35%
Of young people in the Street Games '1,000 voices' study said that the cost-of-living crisis was having a negative impact on their sports participation.

Our Work

Set for Success

Set for Success is an intensive youth leadership initiative funded by the Wimbledon Foundation in partnership with Barclays and delivered by the Youth Sport Trust. It seeks to support young people at risk of not achieving their full potential.

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Well Schools - Wellbeing Resources

Well Schools aims to help improve education outcomes by placing wellbeing at its very heart to support school staff, senior leaders and young people. It isn't a programme, quality mark or intervention; it's all of us coming together to drive change, share challenges and solutions and help find support.

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Keeping young people with SEND active

Vicci Wells, Head of Sport at the Youth Sport Trust, Trustee of a large Multi Academy, and a parent, blogs about the role schools can play to keep young people with SEND moving during the cost-of-living crisis.

Read

Cost-of-living Factsheet

Our Research & Insight team summarise the key facts and findings around the impact of the cost-of-living crisis.

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Impact to Date

Sport outside of school often has significant costs (clubs, kit, lessons, travel). This is a serious barrier, and one that is growing due to the ongoing impact of the cost-of-living crisis. Conversely, physical activity and sport provided at school is free and available to all. Crucially, the impact of it on wellbeing is almost double for those children who are disabled and/or receiving Free School Meals (FSM) than for those who are not.

Through our recent research we know that the benefits of physical activity is greater for those young people who most need access to free school sport provision. Tim Hollingsworth, CEO of Sport England, reiterated this, saying: "For too long, people with the most to gain from being active have been the least able to take part."

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If you would like to find out more about this area of our work then get in touch with us today.

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