Physical development
Strength, confidence and coordination.
to help improve her strength alongside her gymnastic and trampoline clubsMichelle
Calisthenics Academy CIC
Sustainability & impact report
Developing confidence, strength, resilience and positive opportunities for young people.
17,600+exercise experiences since 2020
120+attend 3+ sessions a month
Overview
Executive summary
Behind Bars Calisthenics Academy is a Community Interest Company based at the Cavendish Community Hub in Birkenhead. Its mission is to empower people of all backgrounds through fitness, building physical health, confidence and resilience alongside strong community connections. This report covers its impact since it opened in 2020.
17,600+
exercise experiences delivered to children and young adults since 2020
120+
children and young adults attend 3 or more sessions each month
Families
Parents and carers take part, give feedback and help shape sessions.
Mentoring
Trusted adults and positive role models work alongside young people.
Partnerships
Schools, local authorities and funders help keep provision open and accessible.
Why we started
Where the idea came from
Behind Bars opened in 2020 to enhance the physical, psychological and emotional wellbeing of children in a safe, supportive environment. Our coaches know first-hand the challenges of growing up in a disadvantaged area, which is why children connect with them and look up to them.
Birkenhead: deprivation and child health
23%
of Wirral areas in England's most deprived 10%
#1 & #2
England's two most deprived neighbourhoods for health and disability are in Birkenhead
29%
of 10–11s in the poorest areas live with obesity
Birkenhead has some of England's most deprived neighbourhoods. Child obesity is more than twice as common in the poorest areas as in the wealthiest (14%), and Wirral's own evidence shows the same pattern locally.
Indices of Deprivation 2025, Wirral Council · NHS England, National Child Measurement Programme · Wirral Council, public health evidence
The unmet need
Child obesity is rising, and it is highest where families have the fewest affordable ways to stay active. Children need an hour of activity a day (NHS physical activity guidelines). We give Birkenhead children somewhere fun, affordable and local to get it, every week.
Enhancing the physical, psychological and emotional wellbeing of children.Our mission, since 2020
Little Ninjas survey
Impact at a glance
Little Ninjas parent and carer survey. All figures are from 42 respondents.
100%
reported a good or big improvement in confidence and self-esteem
42 of 4298%
reported a good or big improvement in fitness and physical confidence
41 of 4295%
reported a good or big improvement in social skills
40 of 4288%
reported a good or big improvement in behaviour and focus
37 of 42. All 42 reported at least some positive change.93%
rated their child's overall experience “Excellent”
39 of 4295%
said their child “loves” attending
40 of 42. The other 2 said they “really enjoy” it.98%
would recommend Little Ninjas to another parent
41 of 4238%
said their child has additional needs or support requirements
16 of 42
Little Ninjas survey
Little Ninjas impact
The core survey findings for the Academy's youngest members, in their parents' own words.
100%
Confidence and self-esteem
reported a good or big improvement (42 of 42).
Why it matters
The Mental Health Foundation notes that physical activity helps manage stress, improve mood and increase self-esteem, with habits built in childhood carrying benefits into adulthood. UCL, on Mental Health Foundation research
98%
Physical confidence and fitness
reported a good or big improvement (41 of 42).
Why it matters
Children and young people aged 5–18 are recommended to average 60 minutes of activity a day, for strength, movement skills and long-term health. NHS physical activity guidelines
95%
Social skills
reported a good or big improvement (40 of 42).
Why it matters
The UK Chief Medical Officers' guidelines list confidence and social skills among the core benefits of being active for children and young people. UK Chief Medical Officers, physical activity guidelines
88%
Behaviour and focus
reported a good or big improvement (37 of 42). All 42 reported at least some positive change.
Why it matters
The Education Endowment Foundation finds persistence and attention are linked to physical development, with knock-on benefits for concentration and executive function. Education Endowment Foundation, physical development
95%
Enjoyment
said their child loves attending (40 of 42). 93% rated the overall experience “Excellent”.
Why it matters
Sport England's own research finds children who are more active are happier and more resilient, and that positive early experiences of sport are what keep them coming back. Sport England, positive experiences
In parents' own words
What parents wrote about
Confidence, perseverance, willingness to try new things, mood, personal bests, social confidence and feeling supported by the coaches.
Confidence
Why confidence matters
What families told us
All 42 survey respondents reported a good or big improvement in confidence and self-esteem.
At such an impressionable age of 15 this gym has brought about and instilled confidence in my sonClare
How we measure it
While parents are often the first to notice changes in their children's confidence, it also shows in class:
- Speaking up
- Joining in with the group
- Trying something new
Coaches observe every regular attendee against these signs and score their progress over time.
What wider evidence tells us
The Mental Health Foundation says physical activity helps manage stress, improve mood and increase self-esteem, and that habits built in childhood carry mental health benefits into adulthood. (UCL, on Mental Health Foundation research) Sport England reports that children who are more active are happier, more resilient and more trusting of others, and that positive early experiences of sport build a foundation for lifelong activity and mental health. (Sport England, positive experiences)
Development
Physical, social and personal development
Why it matters
Sport England's Active Lives survey finds active children are more resilient: 49% strongly agree “if I find something difficult, I keep trying”, against 29% of less active children. Sport England, Active Lives Children and Young People Survey
Active children
Less active children
Coaches' view
Psychosocial development
Coaches see each child week in, week out. Their view of how children grow socially and emotionally sits alongside what families tell us.
One of our primary goals at the Academy when it comes to active participation is to work with young people to identify and celebrate their strengths quickly. While some children are more nimble, and might excel on monkey bars, for example, others might be relatively stronger and better positioned to push heavy sleds or pick up sandbags. Showcasing these attributes early on is key to developing the self-esteem to try other things.Liam, Outreach Manager
One of the most rewarding things I get from service delivery at the Academy is routinely witnessing children and young people develop their physical and emotional health. It's important they understand that exercise can be fun and is so important for everyone; I really believe it's vital to instill constructive habits and positive perceptions like that from an early age.Kate, Fitness Instructor and Personal Trainer
What coaches look for
- Speaking up
- Joining in
- Trying new things
- Handling frustration
- Helping others
A broader view
By building positive relationships with parents, our coaches take a broader view of each child's psychosocial development, inside and outside the Academy.
Youth Project
Youth Project: ages 12–17
Our partnership with the Youth Empowerment Scheme and CBE Services Ltd enables free weekly exercise sessions and one-to-one mentoring for 12–17-year-olds, building social skills, strength and teamwork.
Free
for young people aged 12–17
Weekly
exercise sessions
1-to-1
mentoring sessions
Encouraging constructive activities, improving community connections and tackling anti-social behaviour in our area.
What the Youth Project sets out to do
My son looks forward to the teens session all week. The kids are given lots of encouragement to develop their individual abilities.Parent
It boosted my mental health and self-image more than words can describe.Attendee
Supported by
Mentoring and schools
Mentoring, schools and alternative provision
Trusted adults, positive routines and a safe place to be active. Partners include Youth Justice, local authorities, schools and community organisations.
What the national evidence says about mentoring
21%
less violence
14%
less offending
19%
less reoffending
The Youth Endowment Fund's review of the evidence finds one-to-one mentoring by trained adults reduces violence by 21%, offending by 14% and reoffending by 19%. (Youth Endowment Fund, mentoring toolkit)
Locally, the Merseyside Violence Reduction Partnership's preventative work, which supports community programmes like ours, has helped prevent an estimated 3,220 hospital admissions for violent injury since 2019. (Merseyside VRP)
What we offer
Role models, discipline, engagement, healthier routines and positive use of time.
These sessions are invaluable to help develop our young people, both in terms of fitness and self-esteem.Parent
Mentoring and schools
Schools and alternative provision
Schools and alternative-provision settings bring students to the Academy for sessions built around strengths, goals and a safe, structured space to be active. This is what they told us.
This space was safe, leaders are people our youngsters looked up to, and they led by example.Alternative provision
Identifying strengths
The staff make a concerted effort to identify the strengths of each student, which is often a key factor for young people starting their fitness journeys.Additional-needs school
Engagement and focus
It was amazing to see how staff engaged with the students to build confidence and ability. The students were fully engaged for the full session.School
Behaviour in school
Attitudes changed. Behaviour in school has gone a lot better. Confidence from the students has perked up.School
Variety and challenge
The boys really enjoyed it and they had the opportunity to participate in a variety of challenges.School rugby team
Move Together
Move Together: SEND family sessions
Small-group sessions for children aged 5–12 with higher support needs, with parents and carers alongside, in a calm, supportive space.
5–12
years old, with higher support needs
Small
groups, with each child at their own pace
Family
sessions, with parents and carers taking part
What families say
Calm and flexible
Children take part at their own pace, with parents and carers alongside.
Inclusive
Supports regulation, sensory needs and confidence.
Why it matters
The National Autistic Society says sport can increase self-esteem, help develop social skills and improve mental health and wellbeing for autistic people. National Autistic Society, sports guidance
Spotlight: the next generation of coaches
From participant to role model
George joined Behind Bars in late 2021, nervous and unsure of himself. Today, at 16, he helps coach the younger children, and he volunteered at the Academy for his Duke of Edinburgh's Award.
Where it started
The first time I went I was extremely nervous. The coaches told me I didn't have to do anything I didn't want to, even if everyone else was. That gave me the confidence to flip a tyre, and they showed me how to do it safely. I couldn't wait to come back, and over the next few sessions my strength and confidence grew.George, 16
Growing through the Academy
Covid's isolation had left me awkward and antisocial, and I felt self-conscious about my weight. Behind Bars showed me that even if I didn't see myself as fit, I was incredibly strong. I went from flipping a small tyre to deadlifting 110kg at 14, and 140kg this year.George, 16
Deadlift at 14: 110kg
Deadlift this year: 140kg
Confidence
Behind Bars made me see who I really was before I could see it myself.George, 16
Duke of Edinburgh's Award
For his bronze Duke of Edinburgh's Award, George volunteered at the Academy, supporting the younger children's classes and tidying up afterwards.
DofE research finds 78% of young people finishing their Award feel they belong in their neighbourhood, against 53% nationally. The Duke of Edinburgh's Award, impact research
Taking responsibility and giving back
At the charity events I started helping the younger kids, to take some weight off the coaches' busy shoulders. Now I help in classes, holding a band for pull-ups or sitting at the top of the wall giving advice, and I talk to them about problems at school. They've named me ‘Old man’ because of the age gap, which makes me happy.George, 16
George shows what the Academy is built for: a young person moving from receiving support to giving it.
Community
Giving back every Christmas
Every December, members take on a day of group challenges, with men's, women's and Ninjas events completing thousands of reps together. The money supports local groups helping struggling families and homeless people over Christmas. To thank them, the children who take part enjoy a trip to Ninja Warrior UK in Speke, a reminder that giving back to their community matters.
over£24,000
raised for the local community since the Academy opened
over£4,000
raised at last Christmas's fundraiser
Hot meals
Hot meals and warm spaces for homeless people over Christmas.
Hampers and presents
Food hampers and Christmas presents for struggling families.
Fifth year
An annual tradition, now in its fifth year.
Partners
Partners and sponsors
None of this runs without the organisations that back it.
Listening to families
Feedback shows us what is working, what families need and what to run next.
It also shows funders and partners the value of the work.
Looking ahead
Sustainability and future impact
In order to further develop provision and enhance community impact, it is vital that the Academy continues building and strengthening ties with local businesses and external partners.
Forging new relationships is a crucial part of our sustainability strategy in the months and years ahead.
Keep it accessible
Community provision that local families can afford and reach.
Grow SEND and mentoring
More Move Together sessions and stronger referral pathways.
Develop volunteers
Help participants move into supportive roles, as George and many others have.
Measure what matters
Score confidence, focus and social skills for every regular attendee, and report progress to funders.
References
Sources used in this report
- NHSPhysical activity guidelines for children and young people
- UCL Evidence-Based Practice Unit, on Mental Health Foundation researchThe importance of physical activity for young people's mental health and wellbeing
- UK Chief Medical OfficersPhysical activity guidelines for children and young people (5–18)
- Education Endowment FoundationPhysical development, Early Years Evidence Store
- Sport EnglandPositive experiences for children and young people; Active Lives Children and Young People Survey
- National Autistic SocietyA guide for sports coaches and clubs
- Youth Endowment FundToolkit: Mentoring
- NHS EnglandNational Child Measurement Programme
- Wirral CouncilEvidence in support of policy (childhood obesity); Wirral Indices of Deprivation 2025
- Merseyside Violence Reduction PartnershipViolence reduction units prevent thousands of violent offences
- The Duke of Edinburgh's AwardImpact research: wellbeing, skills, community ties and physical activity
All Behind Bars figures in this report come from the Academy's own Little Ninjas feedback survey, its coaches' records, its public reviews, and behindbarscalisthenicsacademy.co.uk.