It has been a busy summer at KRIMMZ, with activities running across Bolton for women, girls, young people, families and selected groups including fathers, lads and SEND participants.
Between June and August 2026, KRIMMZ recorded 3,410 attendances across 234 sessions, with activity taking place on 85 days throughout the quarter. A total of 30 different activity types were delivered, with an average of 14.6 attendances per session.
The summer programme included regular activities such as swimming, cycling, ParkPlay and Learn to Ride, alongside HAF Club, Adventure Club and a wide range of specialist opportunities including SEND football, horse riding, fishing, paddleboarding, tennis, cricket, archery and golf.
August was the busiest month, with 1,274 recorded attendances, while overall recorded attendances increased by 37% from June to August.
It has been fantastic to see so many people getting involved, trying new activities and making the most of the opportunities available through KRIMMZ.
You can read the full June to August 2026 Impact Report attached below to find out more about the activities delivered, engagement across the summer and what KRIMMZ is looking to build on next.
We’re incredibly proud to see our co-founder, Khadija Patel, featured by Leading the Movement.
Khadija’s journey is a huge part of the story behind Krimmz. What started from seeing the barriers that Muslim girls and women faced in sport became a passion for creating spaces where girls can feel comfortable, included and empowered to take part.
In this feature, Khadija opens up about her journey, the experiences that shaped her, the realities of leading change, and why creating opportunities for others has always been at the heart of what we do at Krimmz.
It’s a lovely reflection on how far she has come, but also a reminder of why Krimmz exists in the first place.
We couldn’t be prouder of her and the work she continues to do.
We are proud to share our KRIMMZ Impact Report for 2025, highlighting what has been an incredible year for our community.
Over the past year, we reached more than 16,000 people and delivered over 950 sessions across Bolton, providing girls, young people and families with opportunities to take part in sport, skills and wellbeing activities in a safe and welcoming environment. KRIMMZ Impact Report 2025
From football and netball to swimming, cycling and creative workshops, our sessions are designed to help girls build confidence, try something new and feel part of a supportive community.
2025 was also a very special year for us as we were honoured to receive The King’s Award for Voluntary Service, recognising the dedication of our volunteers and the impact of our work. KRIMMZ Impact Report 2025
We are incredibly grateful to our volunteers, partners, funders and families who continue to support KRIMMZ and help make our work possible.
You can read the full 2025 Impact Report below to learn more about the difference we are making together.
LTA Tennis Foundation (LTA TF) has just completed its fifth grant funding round, awarding £1.6m in grants to 22 organisations. This round saw the highest number of applications to date, reflecting the growing demand for organisations seeking to use tennis to make a positive social impact.
As with every funding round, applications must align to the LTA TF’s mission to improve lives through tennis and support the outcomes the charity is seeking to achieve. These include improved physical and mental wellbeing, increased life skills, and expanded social connection. In addition to this, funded programmes must work with groups who are more likely to experience inequalities in access to tennis and padel, such as lower socio-economic groups, disabled people, and women and girls.
New partners through Innovate (test and learn) grants
We are delighted to welcome several new partners into our Innovate test‑and‑learn community, including:
Global Diabetes Initiatives, who will support members of local Black communities across the country living with, or at risk of developing, diabetes
Karmabank CIC, funded to deliver tennis opportunities within underserved communities in London
Coalfields Regeneration Trust, which will activate tennis across 15 underused miners’ welfare parks in South Wales
Ryan Jones, Development Manager, The Coalfields Regeneration Trust, highlighted the significance of this investment: “We are incredibly grateful to the LTA Tennis Foundation for supporting the ‘Game On: Reawakening Tennis in South Wales Coalfield Communities’ project. This funding gives us the chance to bring tennis back to the heart of historic miners’ welfare parks – places built by local people, for local people, to improve health, happiness and community life.
“By opening up these under-used courts and offering free, welcoming tennis sessions, we can help more people of all ages and backgrounds get active, connect with others and feel proud of their local spaces. We’re really excited to get started and to work with communities to create a lasting, positive impact through tennis across South Wales.”
Similarly, Karmabank CIC emphasised the transformative potential of their newly funded programme. Founder Andrew Standen‑Raz said: “The LTA Tennis Foundation grant will be a vital part of our ongoing commitment to using tennis as a tool for positive change in our community, by encouraging more women to lead in sports, and as a fun and healthy way to improve wellbeing.”
“This funding gives us the chance to bring tennis back to the heart of historic miners’ welfare parks – places built by local people, for local people, to improve health, happiness and community life.”
Ryan Jones, Development Manager, The Coalfields Regeneration Trust
Scaling impact with multi-year grants
Alongside new innovations, LTA TF remains committed to helping organisations scale and sustain their work through multi‑year funding. Several existing partners received Scale grants in this round, including:
Greenhouse Sports, which brings tennis into schools within underserved communities across Britain
The Tim Henman Foundation, who will be expanding their Inclusive Activity Programme which focusses on delivering tennis to underrepresented groups across London and the southeast
Bright Ideas for Tennis, who will grow the I Play 30 programme delivering inclusive tennis sessions for disabled children and young people throughout Britain
Jamie Feaver, CEO of the Tim Henman Foundation, said: “We are incredibly grateful for the award of a second grant, which will enable us to build on the success of our Inclusive Activity Programme, put rackets into the hands of children with special educational needs and disabilities, and inspire them to engage in tennis and physical activity on a more regular basis.”
Our commitment to open and trusting grant making
Our Grant Making Framework is rooted in openness, honesty, and in 2025 we strengthened that commitment by formally adopting the Institute for Voluntary Action Research’s eight principles for open and trusting grant making. We also became a member of the Association of Charitable Foundations, the UK’s leading network for foundations and independent grant-makers.
Reflecting on the latest grant round, Tom Gibbins, Head of Foundation Development said: “We are delighted to welcome so many new partners to the LTA Tennis Foundation through this latest round of funding, and to continue supporting existing partners as they grow their programmes and deepen their impact.
“This is our fifth funding round, and the significant increase in applications shows both the need and the appetite to use the power of tennis to improve lives. We’re excited to work alongside our new and returning partners and to see the positive changes these funded programmes will create for people and communities across Britain.”
Full list of grantees
Bright Ideas for Tennis
Community Action Derby
Dan Maskell Tennis Trust
EA Tennis Group CIC t/a National Tennis Association
Give it Your Max
Global Diabetes Initiatives
Greenhouse Sports
The Hertfordshire Association for the Care and Rehabilitation of Offenders
International Community Organisation of Sunderland
A youth club been honoured with the highest award that can be given to community groups in the UK.
KRIMMZ Girls Youth Club received the King’s Award for Voluntary Service at a celebration evening last week with a range of special guests, volunteers, supporters and partners.
The award recognises the hard work the club does to support ethnically diverse women and girls through sport, leadership, and community development.
Bolton Council cabinet member for Stronger Communities and the VCSE sector Cllr Rabiya Jiva said: “It’s so well deserved and what a fabulous evening celebrating and seeing new leaders taking the stage with such confidence!
“It has been amazing seeing Khadija and the team going from strength to strength over the years.”
“The beauty of it all is seeing women and girls claiming their space and owning it!”
The award was announced last November as part of the King’s birthday and has now been presented to the group.
Special guests included the Lord Lieutenant of Greater Manchester Diana Hawkins, Mayor of Bolton Cllr David Chadwick, council leader Cllr Nick Peel with Bolton CVS also attendance.
Both Ms Hawkins and Cllr Peel praised KRIMMZ for its deep community roots and its impact on improving access to opportunities for girls and women who are often underrepresented in sport.
They reflected on KRIMMZ’s journey from a grassroots group to a nationally recognised organisation, highlighting its culturally responsive approach and strong local partnerships.
Representatives from a wide range of partner organisations were also present, showing the collaborations that have supported KRIMMZ’s growth and sustainability.
KRIMMZ Girls Youth Club director Khadija Patel said she feels the award belongs to the whole Bolton community.
She said being honoured like this reflects years of trust-building, volunteer commitment, and belief in creating spaces where women and girls feel welcomed and valued.
The club not only recognised their achievements so far but also took a moment to renew its commitment to continue working together to improve opportunities for future generations.
It now aims to continues to deliver inclusive programmes across Bolton, using sport as a tool to build confidence, leadership, and community connection among women and girls.
Four volunteers have been awarded the Bolton Civic Medal.
The medals recognise contributions to the community and were presented during a special reception at the Mayor’s Parlour.
This year’s recipients are Khadija Patel, Stephen Tonge, Ryan Yates, and Jimmy Hark.
Mayor of Bolton, Councillor David Chadwick, said: “Bolton’s volunteer and community sector is the envy of towns and cities across the UK.
“Events like this are an important reminder of how lucky we are to have so many kind-hearted and generous residents who give their time to help others.
“As Mayor, it was my great honour to formally present the Bolton Civic Medal to this cohort of worthy recipients.”
Ms Patel was recognised for her work as founder of KRIMMZ Girls Youth Club, which provides a safe space for girls to build confidence, enjoy sports, and develop leadership skills.
She also supports families during the cost-of-living crisis, offers bereavement support, and serves as a Female Muslim Chaplain at the Royal Bolton Hospital.
Mr Tonge was honoured for more than 25 years of service to the Kearsley community.
He supported the development of Stoneclough Community Centre and co-founded the Kearsley Youth Brass Band, which provides free instruments and tuition to children.
Mr Yates, a former member of the armed forces, turned his experience with PTSD into a mission to support others.
He founded Veterans Army CIC, which helps ex-service personnel and their families with mental health, addiction, homelessness, and employment.
He has also delivered medical aid to Ukraine and volunteers with the Bolton Sea Cadets.
Mr Hark was celebrated for his work as a personal trainer and leader of Nob End Run Club.
