About Achieve More Scotland
Based in Glasgow, Achieve More Scotland delivers programmes to improve young people’s physical and mental well-being, by engaging them in structured, positive activities. These activities take place within schools and communities and within areas of high social deprivation.
The need
Many areas of Scotland have been identified as experiencing issues including child poverty – 220,000 children living in relative poverty in Scotland between 2021 to 2024 – and growing childhood obesity levels – the percentage of children at risk of overweight or obesity rose to 24% in 2024/25 from 22% in 2023/24, according to Public Health Scotland.
Poverty in childhood can have significant impacts, potentially leading to developmental delays, mental health issues, poorer cognitive development and long-term health problems, as well as lost economic earnings of £12 billion per year in the UK, according to UNICEF.
Poor accessibility, due to increasing venue hire costs, transport costs and suchlike has meant that sports and physical activity projects are becoming increasingly rare. More people are becoming isolated and are not actively engaged in sport/activity within their community. This has a number of negative impacts on health and well-being, personal development and community development.
What the LTA Tennis Foundation funded
The LTA Tennis Foundation awarded a grant to Achieve More Scotland to deliver its Tennis Returns programme. The project aims to engage young people aged 7–18 in weekly tennis sessions delivered across communities in Glasgow and Lanarkshire, supported by trained local activators, coaches and volunteers. Through consistent participation, the programme promotes positive routines and reinforces healthier lifestyle choices.
As well as costs associated with the project, the grant funds a Tennis Coordinator role, who is responsible for engaging with local partners; identifying coaches, volunteers and young people; and creating an accessible tennis network delivered by trained and enthusiastic local people.
Its core objectives are to divert young people from antisocial behaviour, improve their physical and mental wellbeing, strengthen personal skills and resilience, and enhance learning, employability and future opportunities. The project also aims to increase participation, volunteering and employment among young people from underserved communities, helping to build stronger and more inclusive local networks.
Statistics only tell one side of the story, with feedback from parents highlighting further positive impacts on their children. One parent remarked that, “Being awarded player of the week many times has improved their confidence and motivation”, while another underlines the positive change in their child’s behaviour, stating that, “he can lose his temper sometimes but he really enjoys the tennis now whereas beforehand his behaviour was so bad that he'd often have to sit out or not want to play. Now he speaks about playing with his dad at the weekend.”
Improving Lives Through Tennis
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