Community Group nomination – In2Health & Wellbeing CIC

Community Group nomination – In2Health & Wellbeing CIC

In2Health & Wellbeing CIC is helping to improve the health and wellbeing of disadvantaged young people in Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire.

It was co-founded in 2021 by University of Staffordshire alumnus Ben Gibson, who graduated in Sports Development and Coaching in 2008, as part of the University’s Be-Inspired programme.

Ben now runs In2Health & Wellbeing alongside three fellow directors. A group of around 20 freelancers and volunteers use sport, physical activity and mentoring to improve the lives of six to 18-year-olds.

Sessions such as holidays clubs, growth clubs, employability skills, mindfulness and nutrition classes aim to improve the physical and mental health of children and young people.

The project is delivered in locations including Guerrilla Training and The Yard in Meir, which IN2Health and Wellbeing recently took over and has helped to restore.

IN2Health and Wellbeing CIC has been nominated in the Community Group of the Year category of the Your Heroes Awards by Tina Allen, Course Director of Apprenticeships and Professional Programmes at University of Staffordshire.

She said: “In2Health focuses on some of the most vulnerable children and young people in areas of high deprivation, to reach those most in need. They bridge the gap between traditional health and education services and the environments where young people naturally gather, using sport, mentoring and accessible programmes to connect where conventional routes may not.

“Their work is innovative and responsive. The interventions are shaped around the needs and voices of children and young people themselves. Crucially, they aim to empower those that attend their community events and promote them as active contributors. Many of the children and young people go on to become volunteers or staff through their successful grow your own model, which ensures the cycle of leadership, inspiration and positive change continues.”