Feedback from our community is helping shape more welcoming, accessible and enjoyable sport and physical activity across The University of Manchester
Your feedback is helping shape sport and physical activity at The University of Manchester. From gyms and wellbeing to campus sport, events and volunteering, you told us what’s working, what could improve and what you’d like to see next.
Improving the places where you get active
At Armitage, you highlighted the clean facilities, friendly staff, classes and value for money. We’re responding with new gym equipment and improvements to space, storage and the overall customer experience.
At Sugden, we’re focused on maintaining the quality and variety you value. Our Wellbeing Rooms were also praised for their classes and instructors, with new equipment and further improvements planned.
“The classes are great and so too the instructors. Extremely well prepared!” , “Excellent facilities and really good customer service.”
Creating a sense of belonging through sport
You described Campus Sport as fun, social and well organised. We’re improving guidance for student leaders, reporting routes and equipment and umpiring standards.
Our recreational clubs continue to offer friendly, accessible sessions for all abilities. Sporticipate was also praised as a free, welcoming way to try something new. In response to busy sessions, we’ve reduced numbers for swimming and badminton and introduced timed badminton rotations.
For Team Manchester, coaching and community stood out, alongside a need for clearer performance support and goal setting. We’re working with teams to identify their goals and support needs.
“Good coaching. Good community.”, ““o see so many students all taking part, competing and enjoying themselves was amazing.”
Making events and volunteering better
You praised our participation events for their organisation, atmosphere and community, while highlighting the importance of accurate information and follow-up. Future events will include printed backup entrant lists to help resolve issues quickly.
For performance events, we’re also working on communication, scheduling, decision-making and venue logistics.
Volunteers value the range of opportunities available, and we’re improving induction and guidance while feedback on the volunteering portal has been shared with its developers.
“Many opportunities to choose from.”
Supporting our people and wellbeing
Student leaders told us that committee roles are rewarding, but asked for clearer information around key responsibilities. We’ve added a Team Manchester information session to Student Leaders Day to support new leaders and smoother handovers.
Wellbeing activities received particularly strong feedback for their instructors, atmosphere, yoga and sound baths. In response to feedback on capacity, comfort, signage, timing and value, we’ve limited numbers, improved signage and trialled a lower-priced evening format.
“The yoga sessions were excellent, and the sound bath was amazing.”
Keep sharing your voice
Keep sharing your feedback and help shape what comes next for sport and physical activity at Manchester.
Meet Jude: Our Share Your Thoughts bike winner
When Ancient History student Jude Kirkland-Smith completed our Share Your Thoughts survey, he didn’t expect it to result in a £1,000 Manchester Bikes voucher.
Jude is already heavily involved in sport at Manchester. He’s part of the Cricket Society, President of Woolton Hall FC and a Sport Co-ordinator for the Campus Football League. His week usually includes football training and matches at Wythenshawe, strength training at the Armitage and running around the Fallowfield Loop. He’s also currently training for the 2027 Manchester Marathon.
Taking part in the survey was a simple decision:
“I saw it in my emails and instead of ignoring it I thought, why not? It only took about five minutes out of my day, and having won it, I’ve done every survey since!”
Although Jude hasn’t cycled much before, the new bike will give him another way to stay active while travelling to and from university.
“Instead of sitting on a bus, I can make what would’ve been a more time-consuming and boring commute to Uni into a great form of exercise and improve my cardiovascular health.
His advice for anyone looking to become more active is simple: don’t rely on motivation alone. Jude believes making activity a regular habit is the key to prioritising your health, even on those rainy Manchester days when exercising is the last thing you feel like doing.
From Pilates to Pedals: Rachel Welsby-Maiden’s Active Life
Originally from Liverpool, Rachel has lived in Manchester for over 20 years, having first moved to the city to study for an MA in Social Work at The University of Manchester. Now a Pilates instructor, she keeps active through teaching, running, football and cycling.
Rachel completed the Share Your Thoughts survey after attending UoM Sport’s Yoga Retreat with friends from work. She enjoyed two different yoga classes and a sound bath and wanted to share her feedback on what she described as a really well-run event.
Already a keen cyclist, Rachel plans to use her winning voucher to enjoy even more cycling with her family and discover new routes around the local area.
“I do already cycle, but this voucher means that as a family, we can do more cycling together! I am keen to take any opportunities to get out with my kids. Getting out and moving together is really worthwhile and good for all of us. I am really excited to explore some new local cycle paths together.”
Rachel also teaches a weekly Pilates classes and takes part in additional events and courses when she can. Her advice to anyone looking to become more active is to find something they genuinely enjoy.
“Find a way of moving that you enjoy, and keep at it, every week. Group exercise classes or going for a run with friends can help keep you motivated, as it can be a good way to make friends, but it’s also a good challenge to try something on your own too, and notice your body and how you feel and what you can do!”
Contact Us
+44 (0)161 529 4444
sport@manchester.ac.uk
