Active Cheshire

Charity Number: 701764

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Quick Stats

  • Annual Income: ??991,064 (from government grants, year ending March 2024)
  • Grant Range: ??200 - ??25,000 (through partnership programs)
  • Geographic Focus: Cheshire East, Cheshire West & Chester, and Warrington
  • Organization Type: Active Partnership (Sport England System Partner 2022-2027)
  • Charity Number: 701764

Contact Details

Website: www.activecheshire.org

Phone: 01606 330212

Email: Available through website contact form

For pre-application support for Active Futures Programme: grants@cheshirecommunityfoundation.org.uk

Overview

Active Cheshire is a registered charity (founded as charity number 701764) serving as the lead Active Partnership for sport and physical activity in the Cheshire sub-region. Commissioned by Sport England as a Systems Partner for 2022-2027, Active Cheshire plays a coordinating role in bringing together local people, organizations, and national sports bodies. The organization uses local knowledge, influence, and insight to ensure national funding and resources reach places where they will have most impact on participation. While primarily a coordinating body, Active Cheshire manages selected grant programs in partnership with other funders, including the Active Futures Programme (with Cheshire Community Foundation and the Office of Police and Crime Commissioner) and the Active Minds investment fund. The organization co-developed the All Together Active strategy launched in October 2022, aiming to help 150,000 inactive residents become more physically active by 2026.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Active Futures Programme (in partnership with Cheshire Community Foundation and Office of Police and Crime Commissioner for Cheshire)

  • Tier 1 Grants: ??5,000 - ??10,000 (for reaching new groups or expanding existing provision)
  • Tier 2 Grants: ??10,001 - ??25,000 (for developing new, targeted provision in areas of high need)
  • Focus: Early intervention and diversionary activities for young people at risk of Child Criminal Exploitation and Serious Youth Violence
  • Must engage children and young people aged 0-18 through physical activity or sport
  • Annual programme returning in 2025
  • Application method: Online through Cheshire Community Foundation website

Active Minds Investment Fund

  • Total available: ??30,000
  • Focus: Improving mental health and quality of life through physical activity
  • Part of the Blueprint to Tackle Physical Inactivity in Cheshire and Warrington

Movement for Change Fund (in partnership with Sport England)

  • Awards up to ??18,000
  • Supports social entrepreneurs helping marginalized communities access sport and physical activity
  • Includes business and leadership skills development support

Funding Signposting: Active Cheshire maintains a comprehensive grant funding opportunities page listing various national and local funding sources for sports and physical activity organizations.

Priority Areas

  • Children and young people's physical activity and sport participation
  • Mental health improvement through physical activity (Active Minds pillar)
  • Early intervention and youth violence prevention
  • Tackling physical inactivity and health inequalities
  • Community sport and grassroots participation
  • Supporting inactive populations, particularly those facing barriers due to gender, race, disability, poverty, sexuality, religion, and parental status
  • Economic and community development through sport

What They Don't Fund

Specific exclusions not published, but funding is restricted to:

  • Geographic area: Cheshire East, Cheshire West & Chester, Warrington, and Halton (for Active Futures)
  • Must involve physical activity or sport as a component
  • Focus on their strategic pillars and the All Together Active strategy priorities
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Governance and Leadership

Leadership Team

Mike Watson - Chief Executive Officer (appointed 2021)

  • Quote: "Physical activity is a proven catalyst for mental health improvement, resilience, and social inclusion. Programmes like TRY HARD and Leaders of Tomorrow show that when you invest in young people's potential, the ripple effects across the community are profound."
  • On his appointment: "I am very pleased to have been offered this role and look forward to working with our partners to reverse the huge dent 2020 has left on many people's physical and mental wellbeing."

Michelle - Finance role, provides financial support and direction

Jack - Strategic Lead for Active Environments, focuses on identifying opportunities to integrate conditions that promote physical activity

Staff members focused on:

  • Children and young people's physical activity
  • Healthy Weight and Obesity work across Cheshire and Merseyside
  • Data and insight, leading collaboration with NHS Cheshire & Merseyside
  • Strategic relationships and partnerships, supporting workforce needs
  • Club Welfare Officers and safe sport practice locally

Board of Trustees

Adam - Chair

  • Created Baywater following management buyout of Air Products PLC healthcare division in 2013
  • 22 years in commercial and operational leadership roles

Kate - Group Resources & Transformation Director at Harworth Group

  • Responsibility for HR, Business Support, Technology, Workplace Development and Internal Communications

Joseph - Executive Search Consultant with Sherrington Associates

  • Leads future leaders recruitment arm

Jonathan - Executive leadership experience in pharmaceutical, pharma services and biotechnology sector

  • Worked with Baxter, Medtronic and Danone

Note: No trustees receive any remuneration, payments or benefits from the charity.

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

Active Futures Programme:

  • Pre-application consultation available via email: grants@cheshirecommunityfoundation.org.uk
  • Online application through Cheshire Community Foundation website
  • Annual funding round (2024 deadline was July 21; 2025 round forthcoming)
  • Foundation encourages applicants to discuss ideas before applying

Other programmes: Contact Active Cheshire directly through their website or by phone

Decision Timeline

Specific timelines not published for most programmes. Active Futures operates on an annual cycle with specific application windows.

Success Rates

Success rate data not publicly available.

For Active Futures 2024: Programme invested ??210,000 into 11 community projects, suggesting selective but meaningful funding for successful applicants.

Reapplication Policy

Not explicitly stated. Contact Active Cheshire or partner organizations for guidance on reapplication.

Application Success Factors

Key Success Factors for Active Futures Programme:

  1. Clear focus on physical activity/sport: All grants must engage children and young people through physical activity or sport - this is non-negotiable
  1. Target population alignment: Projects must focus on early intervention and diversionary activities for young people at risk of Child Criminal Exploitation and Serious Youth Violence
  1. Geographic specificity: Must serve Cheshire, Warrington, and Halton areas
  1. Age range: Must work with children and young people aged 0-18
  1. Evidence of need: Tier 2 grants specifically require demonstration of “areas of high need”
  1. Pre-application engagement: The Foundation encourages pre-application discussions - take advantage of this opportunity

Recent Funded Projects Examples:

The Active Futures Programme invested ??210,000 into 11 community projects in 2024, supporting initiatives like:

  • TRY HARD programme
  • Leaders of Tomorrow programme
  • Various youth initiatives in Warrington combining physical activity with youth development

Language and Terminology to Use:

  • “Physical activity as a catalyst” for health, social inclusion, and resilience
  • “Early intervention” and “diversionary activities”
  • “Tackling inactivity” and “embedding physical activity into everyday life”
  • “System partner” approach - demonstrating collaboration
  • “Health inequalities” and addressing barriers
  • Reference to the “All Together Active” strategy if relevant to your geographic area

Standing Out:

  1. Demonstrate ripple effects: Mike Watson's quote emphasizes the “ripple effects across the community” - show how your project impacts beyond individual beneficiaries
  1. Address mental health: Given the Active Minds pillar and CEO's emphasis on mental health benefits, highlight this dimension
  1. Show partnership working: Active Cheshire values system-wide collaboration
  1. Evidence-based approach: As a Sport England System Partner, they value data and insight
  1. Sustainability: Show how physical activity habits will be embedded long-term

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Understand their role: Active Cheshire is primarily a coordinating Active Partnership, not a traditional grant-making foundation. Most of their grant programs are delivered in partnership with other funders like Cheshire Community Foundation and Sport England.
  • Physical activity is non-negotiable: Every funded project must have physical activity or sport at its core - this is fundamental to their mission.
  • Partnership applications may be stronger: Given their role as a system partner bringing together multiple organizations, applications showing collaborative approaches may resonate.
  • Target the right programme: Active Futures is for youth at risk; Active Minds focuses on mental health; Movement for Change targets social entrepreneurs and marginalized communities. Ensure alignment.
  • Use their signposting service: If Active Cheshire's own programmes don't fit, their grant funding opportunities page lists numerous other sources - they can help you find the right funder.
  • Geographic specificity matters: Projects must serve Cheshire East, Cheshire West & Chester, Warrington, and/or Halton.
  • Pre-application engagement is welcomed: For Active Futures, contact Cheshire Community Foundation before applying. This shows good practice and increases chances of strong applications.

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