Sporting Equals is proud to announce the launch of Bridging the Gap, a transformational organisational resilience and sustainability programme funded by City Bridge Foundation. The initiative will empower community-led sport and physical activity organisations serving ethnically diverse communities across London, supporting them to build the structures, skills and confidence they need to thrive.

Bridging the Gap will initially support nine London-based Sporting Equals Associate Members: Asian Girls Run, Black Girls Do Run, Pulse Social, Pro Touch SA, Sporting Foundation, Supporting Humanity, Sikhs in the City, Step Up 2 Fitness, and WO Sports.

A Comprehensive Capacity-Building Programme

Across the first year, Sporting Equals will deliver 6 practical workshops covering core organisational development themes, including:

• Introduction & Welcome
• Who You Are & Where You’re At
• Marketing, Communications and Social Media
• Data Management, Consent and Copyright
• Bid Writing & Fundraising Readiness
• Monitoring & Evaluation (M&E)
• Using Your Voice – Networking & Advocacy
• Embedding Lived Experience
• Governance (Charity/CIC)
• Long-Term Vision Setting

Over the next five years, the programme will scale to support 50 organisations, deliver 60 workshops, and provide over 500 hours of 1:1 mentoring.

Strengthening the Foundations of Community Sport

Bridging the Gap aims to:

• Equip community-led organisations with the capacity and expertise to generate new and diverse revenue streams.
• Help groups create realistic, long-term sustainability plans to strengthen financial resilience.
• Build confidence among leaders so they can secure their organisations’ futures and continue delivering vital sport and physical activity opportunities.

Community Voices

“The Bridging the Gap programme will support my organisation around building the structure, processes and strategic decisions to build capacity, sustainability and future growth.” – Asian Girls Run

“This programme will help BGDRUK grow stronger as an organisation by building our capacity, improving our funding knowledge, and helping us form meaningful partnerships that will allow us to create lasting impact in our community.” -Black Girls Do Run UK

“By opening doors to new connections, funding avenues, and skills development, this programme empowers us to grow strategically and deliver greater impact.” -Supporting Humanity

Leadership Commentary

Nik Trivedi, Acting CEO of Sporting Equals, said:

“Bridging the Gap is more than a programme — it’s a commitment to strengthening the foundations of community sport organisations that champion diversity and inclusion. By investing in their capacity, we’re investing in stronger, healthier, and more equitable communities.

Community organisations working with ethnically diverse groups play a vital role because they are deeply attuned to the cultural, faith-based, and social needs of the communities they serve. They are trusted voices and connectors. If we want to create meaningful and lasting change, we must ensure these organisations are not only supported to sustain their work, but also empowered and resourced to grow, scale, and shape the future of inclusive sport and physical activity in the UK”

If you know of community groups interested in taking part in our next phase of the programme register by clicking here.