Moving in Madrassah pilot to launch in Bolton

By GM Moving | 13 November 2025 | TAGS: Inequalities, Leadership, Children and young people

A new female leadership programme commissioned by GM Moving will pilot in Bolton this winter to develop confident, skilled leaders within Madrassah settings.

Moving in Madrassah will support participants to learn skills including physical activity and sports delivery, mental health awareness, and pastoral care.

It will be delivered by KRIMMZ Girls Youth Club and Bolton Muslim Welfare Trust – Health and Wellbeing Forum to raise the confidence and capability of female leaders working with young people in Bolton mosques.

More than 90% of the young Muslim population attend Madrassah to learn about Islamic teachings, limiting the out of school opportunities for them to attend physical activity sessions.

The pilot will test whether working with Madrassah leaders to embed physical activity mosque settings can increase activity levels and boost mental wellbeing of young people.

The leadership programme will also upskill staff, providing them with the tools and confidence to embed sustainable, youth-led physical activity opportunities in their communities.

In Greater Manchester, nearly 1 in 3 children (29.8%) are doing less than 30 minutes of physical activity every day while government guidance is for them to do 60+ minutes.

Sport England’s Active Lives adult data also shows that nearly half of Muslims (44.5%) in Greater Manchester are inactive (less than 30 minutes/day of physical activity).

Umar Ahmed, GM Moving’s Active Adults Equalities Lead, said:

“I’m really excited to be working with Khadija and the Krimmz team to build moving more into our faith settings and in this case the Madrassahs that are so important to our children.

“Movement is a key component of the Muslim faith so it makes perfect sense to align physical activity and the teaching within Madrassahs as we’ve seen done so successful in Lancashire.

“There are stubborn inequalities in health outcomes and physical activity levels across faith groups in Greater Manchester which we must tackle alongside our partners.”

Lauren Whaley, GM Moving’s Active Young People Lead, added:

“We know it is so important for all our children and young people to develop a positive relationship with movement and physical activity at the earliest possible opportunity.

“Through positive, enjoyable experiences of movement and physical activity, we know children and young people feel happier, healthier, and more resilient.

“I hope the Moving in Madrassah pilot will become a shining light for our Feel Good Your way work so that more and more girls develop a positive relationship with moving.”  

Khadija Patel, Founder and CEO Krimmz Girls Youth Club, said:

“By bringing movement into madrassahs, we’re shaping a generation that values health, connection and spirituality all at the same time.

“Moving in Madrassah is more than just about getting children active, it’s about creating balance between faith and wellbeing.

“When our young people move their bodies, it uplifts their minds and hearts, helping them grow spiritually stronger too. It’s a chance to enjoy physical activity in a space where they’re understood and represented.”

To register your interest in joining the Moving in Madrassah programme and to learn more about the pilot, get in touch with Khadija.