Inspiring Leaders

MISPA began in 1997 through the vision and determination of its founders, Andrew Ramwell and Prof. Les Burwitz. They saw that Higher Education did not always translate its research and theories into everyday practice in neither the community nor policy planning.

With the support of Manchester Metropolitan University they set up the ‘Exercise and Sport Centre’ in Manchester. Andrew Ramwell was appointed Head of the Centre. Designed as a self funded unit, it operated by building clients and services connected to the promotion and investigation of physical activity in the community.

Andrew was quickly joined by Dr Gillian Burgess (nee Liggett) who has since pioneered the research of physical activity’s impact within schools. Together they established a national reputation as experts in the fields of physical activity, education and public health. This culminated in assisting the Government of the day to write a national sport and physical activity strategy called, ‘Game Plan’ (2002) and work with the planning and delivery of the Manchester Commonwealth Games 2002.

As the Centre’s work developed it became clear that a wider focus was necessary. In 2004 a successful bid was submitted for a grant of £1.132m from the European Union and in 2005 the ‘Manchester Institute of Sport and Physical Activity’ was created. This four year project brought the institute into the world of capacity building and the Third Sector. From consultations and research with community organisations the work of the institute has rapidly developed.

The Institute is now commonly known under its anacronym, ‘MISPA’, and has broadened into a range of services and specialisms that empower and enable public, private and third sector organisations to maximise their effectiveness. MISPA recognises that to deliver large scale changes in public attitudes to health, activity and well being traditional mechanisms such as sports clubs or the NHS are inadequate. By engaging the voluntary and community sector in solutions to these issues MISPA has set the standard for partnership projects involving the public, private and third sectors.

Through 'Lead Change' MISPA now focuses on a suite of products and projects, often delivered with the expertise of partners and associates, which covers areas of interest such as:

MISPA is recognised as a pioneering social enterprise operating in a unique fashion. Its reputation ensures (built on the foundation of a set of shared core values) that small, local community groups as well as governments and international companies benefit from our activities.