Inequality remains a prominent issue within Sheffield, from the stark health divide which sees disparities in life expectancy from one postcode to another within the city, to rising rates of poverty which impacts one in four Sheffield people at any one time. Children’s health – and in particular obesity – is another challenge for the region, with 24.3% of Sheffield children aged 10 and 11 classed as obese as of November 2023.

With the above in mind, and with the desire to enrich its existing links to Sheffield and give back to the community, Canon Medical Systems UK built the Canon Medical Arena, in collaboration with partners Park Community Arena (PCA) Ltd and The LivingCare Group. The doors opened to the Sheffield public in October 2023.

The Arena – combining a multi-purpose community sports facility and medical diagnostic centre – sits within Sheffield Olympic Legacy Park, and was designed to help address health and social inequality head-on.

So, how has the Arena positively impacted the community since its opening?

A medical diagnostic centre in the heart of the community

Improving accessibility to essential diagnostics and bringing these services closer to the community was a key driver when designing the Arena. Due to its central location within Sheffield Olympic Legacy Park, the Arena is easy to get to via local transport links, and offers a welcoming, relaxed environment for those who may feel apprehensive in a traditional hospital setting. The diagnostic services available at Canon Medical Arena range from MRI scans and ultrasounds to CT scans and X-rays.

Since opening in 2023, the fully equipped diagnostic suite, operated by LivingCare, has played a crucial role in supporting the NHS in reducing the waiting list backlog by delivering a diverse and growing array of timely healthcare services – from prostate biopsies to cardiology and physiotherapy. To date, over 140 prostate biopsies have been completed for the NHS, with training on how to complete a lower-risk method provided to local NHS radiologists to improve future patient outcomes.

The Arena also houses the South Yorkshire Heart Centre, a collaboration between local cardiologists and LivingCare, providing crucial cardiac services to support community health. Further partnerships have also been made with the White House Clinic to support the delivery of physiotherapy services, supported by a team of five clinicians and over 40 physiotherapists across the business. This partnership has enabled the availability of a wide range of treatments while building a pathway for MRI and CT referrals, further strengthening Sheffield’s healthcare services network.

Giving Sheffield a sporting chance

Now the permanent home of Sheffield Sharks professional basketball team and Sheffield Hatters women’s basketball team, the lively Arena attracts thousands of fans every week – inspiring the next generation of basketball players and strengthening the spirit and sense of pride in the community.

Since opening, attendance has doubled, and over 50 professional basketball games have been hosted, all televised to a sporting platform. When the courts aren’t being used for basketball, the multi-use facility is home to sporting university students in Sheffield, and available for hosting a variety of other sporting events – from dance competitions to the national amateur karate championships aiming to encourage healthy, active lifestyles.

In 2025, the Arena has brought even more sporting professionals through its doors – including British Para table tennis, world amateur karate championships, professional and amateur boxing, and super league netball. The flexible space is also being utilised for culture and leisure including an opera performance, as well as business events such as a Sheffield Chamber of Commerce business exhibition and large company conferences with 300+ delegates in attendance.

Yuri Matischen, Director of Park Community Arena Ltd commented: “We are extremely proud of the thriving sporting environment we have created here in Sheffield. It is important for us to ensure our facility offers a broad range of activities to attract and inspire all from the diverse communities around us, and emphasise the importance of physical activity on our health and overall wellbeing.”

Engaging young people and setting them up for success

Another key driver of the Arena is to encourage healthy lifestyles and establish a place to grow young people’s self-respect. So, in addition to hosting professional sports and events, the facility also acts as a central hub for young people with nearly 1,000 juniors across Junior Sharks, Sheffield Hatters, and Sheffield Steel Netball Club using the courts. Young people have also taken part in dance workshops, organised school holiday activity programmes, and weekly wheelchair basketball sessions.

The Arena is also home to the RESPECT programmes, sponsored by Canon Medical UK and in association with the Sheffield Sharks. These include citizenship workshops and sports sessions designed to lift young people out of a cycle of negative behaviours by involving them in sports and exercise. Since 2020, 5,000 children have taken part in RESPECT (aimed at schoolchildren aged 9–11) and RESPECT TOO (aimed at ages 13–14).

But that’s not all that’s on offer for young people. Sheffield Sharks also work with other education specialists to provide opportunities for over 400 local and international learners, including those who have underachieved in traditional education settings. Classes are delivered in the Hitchman Study Support Centre, a dedicated space for education.

This year, Canon Medical UK has also collaborated with Sheffield Sharks to pilot the Youth Ambassador Scheme. The exciting pilot programme offers two students, who graduated from the RESPECT TOO programme, access to business mentoring, careers and guidance, and work experience at the Arena.

Giving back to the community and inspiring the next generation

The Arena has also supported the local community via job creation and investment – and, in doing so, expanded the opportunities available for Sheffield citizens. In just six months of opening, PCA Ltd ploughed £700k back into the local economy via contracts with local suppliers. Job creation in healthcare, administration and support services is expected to grow as the Arena continues to thrive, providing opportunities for young people to enter new and exciting career paths. Currently, employment has been created for 57.5 people.

Jenna Roberts, a Health Care Assistant with LivingCare – operators of the Arena’s medical diagnostic suite – is currently studying to become a radiographer. She commented: “Getting hands-on experience with the equipment within the diagnostic suite is extremely beneficial whilst I study. I feel extremely lucky and am excited to accelerate my career in radiography.”

With a long-term goal of tackling the shortage of staff in healthcare, LivingCare launched the LivingCare Healthcare Employers Skills Academy in 2023. This academy gives students from a local college hands-on experience and insights into healthcare careers, supporting the development of the next generation of healthcare professionals.

Through regular engagement, LivingCare helps students gain professional knowledge and prepares them for diverse roles in the health sector. “The aim is to inspire and educate students about careers in healthcare and the latest advancements in medical technology. Participating in the academy can have a significant impact by fostering an early interest in healthcare careers, promoting health literacy, and engaging the local community”, explained Helen White, Managing Director at LivingCare.

Commenting on the success of the Arena, Mark Hitchman, Managing Director at Canon Medical Systems UK concluded: “When we first opened Canon Medical Arena, we couldn’t have imagined just how impactful it would be within the local community. Addressing inequality within the Sheffield region and paving the way for a more preventative approach to healthcare has always been a key driving force in this project.

“We are extremely pleased to see the engagement the Arena has had – and the lives it is already starting to change. When we set out to build an arena, it wasn’t something we had to do; we did it because we knew it was the right thing to do. At Canon Medical, we are true believers that by promoting active lifestyles from a young age, we can reduce the risk of chronic disease and work towards a future based on preventative rather than reactive healthcare.”