New Funding Boosts Health & Wellbeing Programme

Cambridge United Foundation (CUF) has secured almost £400,000 in new funding to continue and expand its Health & Wellbeing programme, backed by grants from The National Lottery Community Fund and the The Premier League Fans Fund.

The National Lottery Community Fund has awarded CUF £296,355 over five years to deliver Man On, the Foundation's men's health programme supporting men aged 50+ facing poverty, poor health and social isolation across Cambridge. Over the next five years, Man On aims to engage with men in physical activity sessions, deliver NHS health checks and screenings, and train 'Men's Health Champions' across the city, with a particular focus on the most deprived Cambridge wards of Abbey, Arbury, King's Hedges and East Chesterton.

Separately, the Premier League Fans Fund has confirmed £100,000 of funding, split equally across the 2026/27 and 2027/28 seasons, to support CUF's wider Health & Wellbeing programme — encompassing both Man On and Forever United, the Foundation's programme tackling loneliness and frailty among older adults.

Together, the two grants will allow CUF to sustain and grow a programme that power of the Cambridge United badge, to reach people who are often reluctant to engage with traditional health services — offering free, non-clinical activity including walking football, walking cricket, wellbeing walks, strength and balance sessions, and community cafés, delivered at the Cledara Abbey Stadium and community venues across the city.

Simon Wall, CUF's Health & Wellbeing Manager, said:

"This funding will help us continue to change lives. It means five more years of Man On sessions, where men who might otherwise struggle in silence find a reason to get out of the house, get moving, and get talking. It also strengthens our wider Health & Wellbeing programme, giving us the stability to keep supporting people of all ages across Cambridge."

Vicky Neal, Head of Foundation, said:

"Securing almost £400,000 of new funding is a significant milestone for the Foundation and reflects the strength of our Health & Wellbeing programmes and the impact they have across Cambridge. The trust that people place in Cambridge United allows us to engage individuals who may not otherwise access support, and this investment will help us build on that success for years to come. We look forward to working with our participants, partners and funders to create lasting improvements in health, wellbeing and community connectedness."

To celebrate this achievement, the Foundation hosted a special event at the Cledara Abbey Stadium that was attended by over 25 regular participants, attended by special guests from the Club including men’s first team players Glenn McConnell & Cathal Heffernan, and women’s team player Jade Bell, as well as two scholars.