At the Youth Sport Trust our aim is to ensure every child has the opportunity to take part in high quality PE and sport opportunities at school. To achieve this, we work with a number of partners; whether it's securing corporate funding from Sky, Bupa and Matalan to deliver interventions, using individual donations to get our Girls Active work up and running, or working with government to deliver programmes such as the Sainsbury's School Games and Change4 Life Clubs.

Working across such a wide range of partnerships doesn't come without its challenges. Our work with government can mean walking a tightrope of campaigning, influence and delivery. Recognising the work of successive governments; be that significant investment into the policy area; encouraging partnership working across local schools; embracing physical literacy within primary schools; encouraging autonomy for Head teachers to implement what they believe works best for their schools; and ensuring that OfSTED inspect PE and sport provision - we are always keen to state that more can be done. Especially when you read reports about growing obesity levels in young people and their physical activity not yet at the recommended level.

That is why we are pleased to be part of the current government's Ministerial Group on School Sport- helping inform Ministers about what the sector needs and the best ways of spending the money available. It's a group that we hope will continue whatever government comes into power after May. It is also why we have published 'Unlocking Potential: a manifesto for PE and School Sport'. Our manifesto calls on whoever the next government is to commit to a joined-up, cross departmental, approach to ensure every young person has access to high quality physical education and sport opportunities.

Specifically we are calling for:

• EDUCATION

More time for higher quality PE: to ensure all children are physically literate and can move competently and confidently

• HEALTH

Physical activity opportunities embedded into every school day: to ensure every child has the opportunity to live a healthy, active lifestyle

• SPORT

Sustained competitive sport in schools: to ensure sport remains at the heart of a young person's life

As an independent charity we believe it is essential to campaign for what we believe in however, as other charities can appreciate, it can be difficult to raise a neutral issue without being caught in political headlights. This is why we look to build understanding across political dividing lines; responding to policy consultations and engaging with MPs from across the political spectrum, each time carrying the same message- that school sport is essential to the health, wellbeing and happiness of our young people.

We know that consensus is also essential for effective campaigning and that's why we were delighted to receive cross-party support for our manifesto; with Conservative former Sports Minister Sir Hugh Robertson MP and Labour Shadow Health Secretary Andy Burnham MP, united in their belief in the power of sport when speaking at our launch event at the House of Lords. Indeed, building on this, we have had MPs from all parties sign up to be 'School Sport Champions'- acting as advocates for high quality school sport in their constituency and in Parliament.

Looking ahead, there is no way of knowing what the government will look like in three months time- but what we can guarantee is that, no matter what its make-up, the Youth Sport Trust will be looking to engage decision makers to ensure that our message is heard loud and clear.

Phil Chamberlain is Director of External Relations at the Youth Sport Trust