Building a healthier and happier Southampton

Will Atterbury

I grew up on the outskirts of Southampton in Nursling and went to secondary school at Mountbatten in Romsey. After a gap year travelling, I returned to study Criminology at the University of Southampton. Following a short stint as a Special Constable in the Metropolitan Police, I started building career in the physical activity and education sector – the point at which my career as a coach and educator truly began. Today, I live in Chandlers Ford with my young family and work with schools across Southampton, helping children stay active and healthy.

Since I was young, sports has been a huge part of my life. Whether it was competing with football teams, playing cricket and tennis on the lane I grew up on with friends, or enjoying a round of golf with family, being active has always been something I love. But it’s more than just a hobby; I’ve seen firsthand the positive effect sport can have on mental, physical and social.

When I first started coaching in primary schools, I quickly realised just how transformative being physically active can be for children. It wasn’t just about fitness either – I watched their confidence grow, friendships develop, and moods improve as they moved more. It became clear to me that I wanted to do more than simply teach sport – I wanted to create a lasting, meaningful impact on young people’s lives. That’s when I decided to take the leap and start my own organisation. In 2018, ActiveMe 360 was born as a social enterprise, with a mission to change lives through the power of physical activity, sport, and education.

Being a social enterprise is fundamental to everything we do. It ensures we stay true to our belief that the benefits of sport and physical activity should be accessible to everyone, regardless of circumstance. Rather than focusing solely on profit, we reinvest our success into projects that directly benefit communities. This includes building our team, offering employment and apprenticeship opportunities as alternatives to full-time education, and developing innovative programmes like Swim:ED – a project that brings swimming lessons directly to school playgrounds to overcome access barriers.

Supporting the local community has always been at the heart of our work. I’ve been particularly proud of getting involved with The Agency project in Southampton – a programme centred around young people becoming  creative leaders and change makers in St Mary’s and Northam.

I spent time volunteering on The Agency panels to guide young people as they develop their own initiatives. One project we later facilitated, Sport with Support, created a safe, girls-only space for young people to continue participating in sport and staying active. Another highlight has been seeing one of our apprentices, who came through The Agency, now thriving in his second year with ActiveMe 360 – a tangible reminder of the difference these opportunities can make.

I’ve learned that no single organisation can create real, lasting change on its own. Collaboration is key and that’s one thing organisations in Southampton do really well. By working with local leaders, schools, and community organisations, we can break down barriers, increase awareness, and make sure children and young people have the chance to lead happy, healthy lives. The challenges facing families today – from the rising cost of living to stretched school budgets – make this work more important than ever. Being a social enterprise means we can ensure access to sport and wellbeing programmes isn’t limited by external pressures.

One programme I’m particularly proud of is Swim:ED, currently being delivered across six Southampton schools, reaching around 800 pupils each year. As a coastal city, the fact we can see children gain confidence in the water, many for the first time, is incredibly rewarding and a reminder of why I started this journey in the first place.

Looking ahead, my goal is to continue expanding ActiveMe 360’s reach, providing more opportunities for young people, and finding new ways to engage the community. I’m excited by the potential for collaboration with other organisations, sharing skills and ideas to tackle challenges together, and ultimately building a city where every child has the chance to thrive.

At the heart of it, my work is personal. Growing up in Southampton and now raising children around the city, I experienced the joy of being active, the camaraderie of sport, and the opportunities it brings. I want to give that same experience to the next generation – helping them grow and discover the power of movement, confidence, and community.