The scheme provided sport, activity and food to underserved children and young people in Birmingham, Liverpool, London and Manchester. It attracted around 737 participants this year – up from 535 in 2021.

The Open Doors model forms part of ukactive’s Schools-As-Community-Hubs policy, making the case on a local and national level, to unlock school playing fields, halls and courts, which make up 39 per cent of community sport facilities in England but are usually closed or inaccessible during the holidays.

Championed by Nike athlete and Iron Man, John McAvoy, the programme ran in 10 schools over the summer holidays. The report shows that 63 per cent of participants were eligible for free school meals, 34 per cent were White or White British, 26 per cent Asian or Asian British, 17 per cent Black or Black British, 7 per cent Mixed, and 15 per cent Other.

Children and young people reported benefits including improved mood, new social connections and new experiences.

The programme first piloted during 2020 in London, through collaboration with the Greater London Authority, and in Birmingham with West Midlands Combined Authority, before expanding to Manchester and Liverpool in 2021 – with the latest results reflecting further growth in 2022.

Research by ukactive’s Research Institute shows that children and young people suffer a loss in cardiorespiratory fitness levels over the summer holidays of up to 74 per cent – with those from lower socio-economic groups suffering a drop in fitness around 18 times faster than their more affluent peers.

“The feedback we have received from children and young people who joined Open Doors this summer is testament to the incredible power of this model, and the inspirational efforts of the coaches and activity providers,” said Huw Edwards, CEO of ukactive.

“Supporting the physical and mental health of our youngest citizens will be vital for reducing the nation’s health inequalities and as such should be recognised as a key part of the government’s ambitions for levelling up.”