Manchester United Foundation is celebrating one year of positive engagement and delivering diversionary activities in Bury – one year on from launching a Street Reds session in the Greater Manchester suburb.

Philips High School lies fewer than eight miles from Old Trafford, and has been the base for a thriving high school partnership since 2021, but more recently host to one of 19 free weekly football sessions across the region as part of our Street Reds programme.

In February last year, the Foundation began a unique collaborative effort with Greater Manchester Police [GMP] and Bury Council, to bring Street Reds to the borough, which sees free football sessions for 8-18 year olds delivered by our community coaches.

GMP have funded the session for the past 12 months, and officers are present at the session to engage with the young people and parents and guardians who watch from the sidelines – leading to improved relationships in the Bury community.

“It’s been excellent having Street Reds here in Bury, and to have this collaboration between Street Reds, the police and the local authority,” said Samantha Jackson, Bury’s Chief Inspector for partnerships and neighbourhoods.

“It’s been a huge benefit for our children in the borough; not only have we been educating them about healthy lifestyles, but building trusted relationships with the children and breaking down those barriers between the police and local young people.

“While the kids are playing, we can speak to parents and listen to any concerns they have, and in the session itself, the coaches have been excellent. We are looking for positive role models who can inspire our children and allow them to be themselves in a safe environment.”

The celebration was marked with a football tournament where mascots of the Reds and GMP, Fred the Red and PC Panda, joined in the fun with the young people, and some of the officers even got involved by playing in matches.

Participant Leo, 12, who also attends Philip High School, said: “I enjoy coming to Street Reds because I meet new people who I wouldn’t normally spend time with.

“I really like playing football, and I think my ability has improved and I feel more confident. It’s made me happier coming here, and now I like football even more than I used to before.”

Meanwhile, Ilah, 9, added: “I enjoy meeting other people and practising with other boys and girls; normally, we do dribbling and also go into shooting.

“I like being out at Street Reds, because I’m very energetic, and it makes me happy. The coaches are really nice too.”

More than 150 young people have accessed Street Reds sessions in Bury over the last year, with more than 500 hours of delivery. Click here to find out more about Street Reds.