Getting young people involved in sport, movement and outdoor learning can be transformational. It supports physical development, builds confidence, and plays a vital role in improving mental health and wellbeing.

UK Youth’s Active Futures Community champions physical literacy and equity, working to ensure that all young people, whatever their background or circumstances, have the opportunity to build lifelong relationships with movement and physical activity.

Throughout 2026, UK Youth will bring together practitioners, partners and young people to share learning, explore what works and highlight best practice in physical literacy.

We’ll be focusing on 4 big questions:

1. How can we provide the spaces and support so young people can build positive relationships with their peers and trusted adults? What works well and can be implemented more widely?
2. What skills need to be focused on first to empower young people to take part in physical activity vs what should be a developmental focus during the physical activity?
3. How can we give young people ownership and choice over the spaces and activities that support their physical literacy?
4. What big changes are needed for all young people to understand their right to take part in leisure and physical activity and the benefits?

We want to hear from across the youth sector, and beyond. If you have insights, experience or learning to share, you can get involved by writing a blog, contributing a quote, or sharing your work through a webinar.

Active Futures Cohort

Alongside this work, we’re also running the Active Futures Cohort, a fellowship and development programme for sport, movement and outdoor learning practitioners working with young people.

Delivered by UK Youth in partnership with The Young Foundation, the cohort supports a group of practitioners to develop, test, and strengthen new approaches to physical literacy. Together, they’ll explore how to help more young people build positive, lasting relationships with movement and physical activity.