Our Projects
At The Swans Community Partnership, we believe in the power of sport, movement, and meaningful connection to create safer, stronger, and more inclusive communities. Our projects below reflect this mission — from coordinating vital youth referrals through the Towards Sport – MST Programme, to promoting confidence and resilience through our kickboxing collaboration with Top Marks Kickboxing Academy, to expanding access to health and wellbeing with the Milton Keynes Women’s Walking Group.
Each initiative is rooted in partnership, empowerment, and a commitment to positive change for people of all ages and backgrounds.
Expanding Opportunities Through Partnership
Milton Keynes Women’s Walking Group & The Swans Community Partnership
The Swans Community Partnership is proud to announce a new collaboration with Milton Keynes Women’s Walking Group. Moving forward, the walking group will now operate under The Swans Community Partnership name and branding, aligning with our shared commitment to empowering women and promoting community wellbeing.
​
This partnership represents an exciting new chapter for the walking group, allowing it to benefit from the broader support, infrastructure, and resources offered by The Swans Community Partnership. Together, we will work to further develop and expand the programme, extending its reach into more communities across Milton Keynes and surrounding areas.
​
Our joint vision is to create inclusive, accessible, and supportive walking opportunities for women of all ages and backgrounds. By integrating the walking group into The Swans’ wider programme portfolio, we will enhance the group’s offer with new pathways for physical activity, wellbeing support, and community connection.
​
Key outcomes of the partnership include:
Wider Reach: Expanding the walking group’s footprint to engage women in new neighbourhoods and communities.
​
Enhanced Wellbeing: Promoting both physical and mental health through regular, social, and supportive walking activities.
Empowerment and Connection: Creating safe spaces where women can build confidence, friendships, and a sense of belonging.
​
Sustainable Growth: Leveraging The Swans Community Partnership’s infrastructure to ensure long-term sustainability and development.
​
Together, we aim to increase participation, amplify women’s voices in community sport and wellbeing, and inspire positive lifestyle changes across a growing and connected network.
​
For more information email info@swanscommunitypartnership.co.uk
Towards Sport Programme
YEF Multi-Systemic Therapy Referrals Programme in Milton Keynes
The Swans Community Partnership is proud to be working in collaboration with StreetGames and Milton Keynes City Council to coordinate the Towards Sport – Youth Endowment Fund (YEF) Multi-Systemic Therapy (MST) Referrals Programme locally in Milton Keynes.
​
This innovative programme aims to use sport and physical activity as a referral pathway to support young people who are at risk of involvement in crime or serious youth violence. Through early intervention and relationship-based engagement, the programme connects young people to trusted local Delivery Partner Organisations (DPOs) that can provide tailored, high-quality opportunities to promote positive behaviour change, improved wellbeing, and social connection.
​
As the Milton Keynes programme co-ordinator, The Swans Community Partnership will:
Respond to referrals in a timely and appropriate manner.
​
Match young people to the most suitable DPO based on individual needs and local context.
​
Liaise with early help practitioners, schools, and families to ensure all relevant information is gathered to support successful referrals.
​
Support DPOs through regular communication, project visits, and troubleshooting to ensure quality delivery and positive youth outcomes.
​
Monitor and evaluate progress alongside StreetGames’ Monitoring, Evaluation & Learning (MEL) leads.
​
Convene local partners, sharing insights and facilitating reflective practice to ensure joined-up working across Milton Keynes.
This partnership brings together local expertise, national learning, and community connections to create a more integrated, effective approach to supporting vulnerable young people through sport and physical activity.
​
Together, we are working to provide safer pathways, stronger communities, and brighter futures.
New Partnership Brings Kickboxing & Self-Defence to the Community
We’re proud to announce a powerful new collaboration between Top Marks Kickboxing Academy (TMKA) and The Swans Community Partnership — a partnership built on shared values of inclusion, confidence, and community empowerment.
Under this exciting new initiative, TMKA will begin delivering community-based kickboxing and self-defence sessions as part of the Swans Community Partnership’s growing programme of inclusive physical activity and wellbeing. Sessions will be accessible for all ages and abilities, with a strong focus on removing barriers to participation — whether financial, social, or psychological.
At the heart of this collaboration is a shared belief in the power of martial arts to build confidence, discipline, and resilience in both young people and adults. By working together, TMKA and The Swans aim to make these benefits available to even more people across our communities — especially those who may not otherwise have access to such opportunities.
Importantly, this partnership will also maintain TMKA’s well-established competitive kickboxing pathway, providing an ideal exit route for anyone who wishes to progress into more advanced training or competitive sport. Whether you’re a complete beginner or have ambitions to compete at a higher level, this programme offers a welcoming and inspiring journey.
More Than Just a Sport
Kickboxing isn’t just about punches and kicks — it’s about self-respect, focus, and finding strength in mind and body. TMKA’s experienced coaches are passionate about helping people develop real-life skills that go far beyond the mat.
We’re excited to see this partnership bring positive energy and lasting impact to our local communities — and we’re just getting started.
Collecting Community Voices to Shape the Future of Physical Activity in Milton Keynes
The Swans Community Partnership (TSCP) has been commissioned by The Open University to play a major role in one of Milton Keynes’ most significant community insight projects. Working alongside Leap and the MK Places and Engagement Project Board, TSCP will engage two communities identified by Sport England as “inactive”, ensuring their voices lead future investment decisions.
The project will reach over 500 residents to understand their experiences, barriers, and aspirations around physical activity. This insight will support Leap’s bid for major Sport England funding to create new community spaces designed with - not just for - local people. The work aligns directly with TSCP’s mission to champion local voices, remove barriers, and strengthen community wellbeing.
Two core engagement strands:
-
Informal Semi-Structured Interviews
Across forty half-day sessions, TSCP will hold relaxed, conversational interviews in trusted community settings - from shops and food banks to parks, social groups, and local events.
The aim is to collect 120+ high-quality interviews using ethically approved research processes. Structured written records will be securely shared with the Principal Investigator, Linda Plowright-Pepper. -
Creative, Inclusive Community Focus Groups
TSCP will deliver forty creative, accessible focus groups across four age groups: early years, children and young people, working-age adults, and older adults.
Sessions will use mind-mapping, visual prompts, group discussion and other creative methods. Data will be captured through notes, photos of materials (non-identifiable), and optional short audio contributions.
Why TSCP?
The Open University selected TSCP for their deep community roots, trusted networks, proven engagement experience, strong track record in physical activity programmes, and ethical, community-led approach.
Looking Ahead:
This project will ensure future physical activity spaces in Milton Keynes reflect real resident experiences. TSCP’s work will produce insight that not only strengthens Leap’s funding case, but amplifies community voices and supports the creation of meaningful, inclusive, and sustainable activity opportunities across the city.
Empowering Grassroots Coaches Through Learning and Mentorship
Our growing partnership with Newport Pagnell Town Football Club (NPTFC) marks an exciting new chapter for both organisations. Over the coming season, The Swans Community Partnership will lead on the mentoring, support, and development of all coaches across the club, helping to create a consistent, player-centred approach to learning and development at every age group.
The NPTFC U7 Coach Development & Mentoring Programme was the first step in this long-term collaboration — a pilot project designed to give new and volunteer coaches the tools, confidence, and guidance to deliver high-quality, engaging football experiences for young players.
Delivered by FA Coach Developers Anthony Lands, Adam Colley and Caroline Moran, the five-week programme combined off-pitch education with on-pitch mentoring. Coaches progressed from observing and assisting to co-delivering and independently leading sessions, supported every step of the way.
Guided by the FA’s core coaching principles, the project helped participants explore how to plan effective sessions, manage young players, and build positive, inclusive learning environments. What began as “a bit chaotic” in week one soon evolved into well-structured, energetic, and enjoyable sessions where every player had a ball at their feet and a smile on their face.
Key Outcomes:
-
From Chaos to Confidence — Coaches went on a real journey. Early sessions felt hectic, but by the final week they were calm, structured, and full of purpose. As one coach shared, “How to structure a session, especially for a new coach, is really important — I feel so much more organised now.”
-
Better Coaching, Better Football — Coaches learned how to plan, adapt, and engage players through fun, age-appropriate activities. The result? Sessions that were not only more effective but also far more enjoyable for players and coaches alike.
-
Happier, More Engaged Players — Parents and mentors noticed a visible difference. “If I was a parent, I would definitely have noticed a change between five weeks ago and yesterday,” said one FA Coach Developer.
-
A Culture of Mentoring — The programme created a foundation for lasting change. Coaches supported one another, reflected openly, and shared best practice — embedding a culture of collaboration that will continue to grow across the club.
-
Community Impact — This project demonstrated how professional mentoring and community values can combine to strengthen grassroots football. Together, we’ve built stronger coaches, happier players, and a shared vision for the future of development at NPTFC.