The exhibition, a collaboration between the University and ConnectSport CIC, features powerful photography, films, and stories highlighting local initiatives. Wolverhampton has been selected as the pilot city for this national programme.
Launched at the University's MC Gallery on Thursday 1 October, the event was attended by local dignitaries, MPs, and representatives from partner organisations. Twelve local leaders from community groups making a difference through sport are featured.
Photography and Journalism students from the University played a key role in creating the visual content for the exhibition, gaining valuable experience on a live project.
The showcased stories illustrate sport's diverse impact, including improving health and wellbeing, tackling inequality, building confidence in young people, reducing crime, and strengthening community bonds.
“"Sport has an extraordinary ability to bring people together, create opportunities and make a real difference within communities."
Sara Aslett added, "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."
“"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 kind in the UK, co-ordinated by ConnectSport CIC in partnership with the University and supported by Wolves Foundation and Active Black Country. A short film by Masters graduate Israel Ogundare, titled ‘Out of Darkness Cometh Light’, was also shown at the launch.
The wider Sport for Change Cities initiative aims to showcase community organisations addressing issues such as health inequalities, wellbeing, employability, education, crime reduction, and social cohesion. The pilot also provides students with real-world content creation experience.
More information is available via Sport for Change Wolverhampton.
The photo caption for the event shows local filmmaker Reece Hibbert-Reid of Social Creation with the Mayor of Wolverhampton Cllr Paul Singh and Mayoress Mrs Ranjit Dhillon-Kaur. The photo credit is Debbie Bellingham.
