Exhibition shines a spotlight on sport as a force for positive change

Community organisations using sport and physical activity to strengthen communities and transform lives across Wolverhampton have been celebrated at the launch of the UK’s first Sport for Change Cities exhibition.

Hosted by the University of Wolverhampton in partnership with ConnectSport CIC, the exhibition brings together powerful photography, films and stories highlighting the people and organisations using sport to make a positive difference across the city. Wolverhampton has been selected as the pilot city for the wider Sport for Change Cities initiative.

The exhibition was launched at a special event at the University’s MC Gallery on Thursday 1 October, attended by local dignitaries and MPs alongside representatives from community organisations and partners involved in the initiative.

Twelve local leaders from community organisations using sport and physical activity to deliver positive social, health, environmental and economic outcomes are featured in the exhibition.

A key feature of the project has been the involvement of University of Wolverhampton Photography and Journalism students, who have helped create the images and films being exhibited.

The stories demonstrate the many ways sport can make a difference, from improving health and wellbeing and tackling inequality and exclusion to building young people’s confidence, reducing crime and anti-social behaviour, strengthening communities and creating local opportunities.

Sara Aslett, Strategic Business Development Manager, University or Wolverhampton said:

“Sport has an extraordinary ability to bring people together, create opportunities and make a real difference within communities.

“Wolverhampton has so many organisations and individuals doing inspiring work through sport and physical activity, and this exhibition gives us an opportunity to celebrate those stories and bring them to a wider audience.

“We’re particularly proud that our students have played an important role in telling these stories. It gives them valuable experience of working on a live project while using their creative skills to shine a light on the positive impact being made in communities across our city.

“As a civic university, we are delighted that Wolverhampton has been chosen as the pilot city for Sport for Change Cities and to be working with our partners to demonstrate the role sport can play in creating healthier, stronger and more connected communities.”

Simon Lansley, founder and Managing Director of ConnectSport CIC, is a former national journalist who was born and bred in Wolverhampton. He said:

“We are grateful to the School of Creative Industries at the University of Wolverhampton for their support in helping to tell the stories of so many amazing people and projects using sport to drive social good across different faiths, ethnicities and communities. As we look towards 2027, we want more local organisations to get involved and join the movement.”

The exhibition is the first of its type in the UK and has been co-ordinated by ConnectSport CIC in partnership with the University, with support from Wolves Foundation and Active Black Country. At the launch, attendees watched a powerful short film by Masters graduate Israel Ogundare called ‘Out of Darkness Cometh Light’.

The wider Sport for Change Cities initiative showcases community organisations using sport and physical activity to address issues including health inequalities, wellbeing, employability and skills, education and development, crime and anti-social behaviour and social cohesion

The pilot also gives University students real-world experience of creating content and telling the stories of community organisations, helping them build their CVs and future career pathways.

More information about the initiative is available through Sport for Change Wolverhampton.

Photo caption: Local filmmaker Reece Hibbert-Reid of Social Creation (centre) with Mayor of Wolverhampton Cllr Paul Singh and Mayoress Mrs Ranjit Dhillon-Kaur. Photo credit Debbie Bellingham.