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Sheena Kotecha

Recycle Week 2025: Rescue, Recycle, Reward!

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Recycle Week 2025: Rescue, Recycle, Reward!

It’s Recycle Week 2025 (22–28 Sept) and this year’s theme “Rescue Me! Recycle” is all about giving overlooked items, from yoghurt pots to aerosols, a second life.

Here in Westminster, you can take part in a fun and impactful way: by using the Reverse Vending Machine at Paddington Recreation Ground. Simply drop in your empty plastic bottles or aluminium cans and not only are they recycled properly, but 10p per item is donated to North Paddington Youth Club.

Every container counts toward protecting the planet, reducing waste, and giving back to the community. Join us this Recycle Week and turn your empties into positive action.

Recycle your bottles and cans — and turn everyday empties into community impact!

Drop. Donate. Do Good.

Every bottle or can diverted from general waste helps in:

  • Reducing energy and emissions, because recycling requires less raw material and less processing
  • Preventing pollution and landfill pressure, especially in dense urban areas
  • Supporting local causes, in Westminster, the Reverse Vending Machine dona­tes 10p per container to North Paddington Youth Club. 

That’s community impact made from individual actions.

Your Recycling in Action

Here’s a little reminder of what you need to do to turn your recycling into rewards:
  • Drop in empty plastic bottles or aluminium drink cans
  • The machine captures them cleanly
  • For every item deposited, 10p is donated to North Paddington Youth Club
  • To date, over 188 items (159 bottles, 29 cans) have been deposited – a great start to raising funds and awareness.
Turn Trash to Treasure

New Play Streets Bring Families Together on Car Free Day

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New Play Streets Bring Families Together on Car Free Day

 

Car Free Day, celebrated globally on 22 September, is all about reimagining our streets without cars and encouraging people to walk, cycle, scoot and play in safer, healthier environments. It’s a chance to experience the benefits of cleaner air, reduced traffic, and more active neighbourhoods, while highlighting the importance of sustainable transport.

Here in Westminster, Car Free Day is a key moment in the year to showcase programmes like Play Streets, Street Play, and School Streets, which all form part of the council’s Active Streets Programme. By turning roads into spaces for people, the day helps residents see how streets can be used differently, supporting Westminster’s ambition for greener, safer, and more connected communities.

The first of this year’s new locations opened in Northumberland Place on 4 August, quickly becoming a hub of laughter, cycling, and outdoor fun. Building on this success, Kilravock Street and Ashmore Road officially joined the programme in September. To mark Car Free Day, the council also hosted Street Play sessions in Church Street and Capland Street, where young people enjoyed activities with Everyone Active coaches and Cycle Confident helped build cycling skills.

Cllr Cara Sanquest, Cabinet Member for Communities, said:

“We’re pleased to be able to launch this Play Streets scheme, which facilitates play, physical activity, leisure and sport opportunities outside for children, young people and families, literally on the doorstep of people’s homes.

There are lots of children and families who live along the same street who don’t get the chance to interact together, and these sessions allow them to do so safely and play on a traffic-free road.

This new scheme highlights the power of communities coming together to create cleaner, safer, healthier, and more active neighbourhoods across the city.”

Residents have already been quick to share their appreciation, with one parent from Northumberland Place saying:

“It has been such a good way to get the kids out of the house and active. It has also been instrumental in making friends with neighbours and building a real community spirit.”

See how Westminster’s streets came alive on Car Free Day with new Play Streets, bringing families, neighbours and communities together in safe, traffic-free spaces.

The impact of Active Streets

The Active Streets initiative is about more than play, it’s about healthier streets, cleaner air, and stronger communities. By reducing traffic and reclaiming space for people, the programme helps deliver Westminster’s ActiveWestminster Strategy, supporting the council’s vision for an Active City where infrastructure, neighbourhoods, and local communities make it easier for everyone to be active every day.

With four Play Street locations now open (Northumberland Place, Kilravock Street, Ashmore Road, and Luton & Fisherton Street), the scheme continues to grow, giving families more opportunities to enjoy safe, welcoming spaces for activity and connection.

You can play a part too. Street Makers are local residents who lead on bringing Street Play sessions first and can then apply for a more permanent setting with a Play Street. The programme aims to help neighbours come together and create spaces where children and families can enjoy safe, traffic-free play.

To learn more about the Active Streets Programme, use the link below.

Get to Know Active Streets

Make Fitness a Lifestyle This National Fitness Day in Westminster

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Make Fitness A Lifestyle This National Fitness Day With ActiveWestminster

National Fitness Day is here, and ActiveWestminster is inviting everyone to celebrate by making fitness a part of everyday life. This day isn’t just about a single workout, it’s about embracing a lifestyle that prioritises health, well-being, and community.

In line with the ActiveWestminster Strategy 2024–2028, which aims to make physical activity more accessible for everyone, we offer a range of free activities across the city. From outdoor fitness classes and family-friendly Play Streets to guided walks and wellness sessions, there’s something for everyone, regardless of age or ability.

Powered by ActiveWestminster: Helping you move, play, and stay active every day.

National Fitness Day is a reminder that fitness isn’t just for one day, it’s a lifestyle choice, and we’re committed to helping residents integrate movement into their daily routines, fostering a healthier and happier Westminster.

These activities align with the goals of our strategy to:

  • Help more people be active every day
  • Make it easier to get involved in sports and activities
  • Ensure all communities can access safe, welcoming places to be active
  • Work with partners to support healthy, active lifestyles across Westminster 

 

Whether you’re looking to try something new, reconnect with your community, or simply enjoy some fresh air, ActiveWestminster has an activity for you.

Breathe Easy As You Explore Our Wonderful City

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Breathe Easy As You Explore Our Wonderful City

We’re excited to share the launch of  Clean Air Routes London – a new interactive map designed to help you find the cleanest way to get around our city.

Whether you’re walking or cycling, simply enter your starting point and destination to discover the healthiest route using forecasted air quality data from across London.

Scan the QR code or click on the flyer above to find how you breathe better, wander smarter 

and explore London’s cleanest routes!

By choosing a cleaner route, you can avoid polluted roads, protect your health, and enjoy safer, more enjoyable journeys through Westminster and beyond.

This initiative is a partnership between Westminster City Council, Cambridge Environmental Research Consultants (CERC), and the Department for Food and International Affairs (DEFRA), working together to support residents, visitors and commuters in making healthier travel choices.

Get full details for the initiative: Westminster Council launches Clean Air Routes London to reduce public exposure to air pollution

Discover Cleaner Paths

Secure Your Spot: Safeguarding And Protecting Children Workshop

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Secure Your Spot: Safeguarding And Protecting Children Workshop

Act fast! ActiveWestminster is offering a fully funded, in-person Safeguarding and Protecting Children course. But with only 20 spaces available, spots are filling up quickly. This is your chance to gain essential skills to keep children safe in sport and physical activity, boost your confidence as a coach or youth leader, and earn a certification that adds real value to your practice.

Every child deserves to enjoy sport in a safe, supportive, and empowering environment – and this interactive 3-hour workshop, delivered by UK Coaching, will give you the knowledge and tools to make that happen

Whether you’re a coach, youth leader, or volunteer, this certification equips you with the skills and confidence to protect children and ensure every young person enjoys sport in a safe, positive, and empowering environment.

The benefits of this certification:

  • Build Confidence: Gain the knowledge and skills to confidently safeguard children in sport and physical activity.
  • Practical Tools: Learn how to identify, respond to, and report concerns about a child’s safety and wellbeing.
  • Create Safe Spaces: Foster inclusive, supportive environments where children feel valued and protected.
  • Boost Professional Credibility: Enhance your coaching or youth work experience with a recognised certification.

Workshop Details:

  • Date: Wednesday 8 October 2025
  • Time: 6:00pm – 9:00pm
  • Location: North Paddington Youth Club, 229 Lanark Road, London, W9 1EA
  • Age Requirement: 16+
  • Spaces Available: Maximum 20

Spaces are limited, so make sure to register now to secure your place.

Claim Your Place Now!

Excited To Announce: LGBTQ+ Boxing Is Back And It’s FREE!

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FREE LGBTQ+ Boxing Classes Return to Westminster – Join the Community!

We’re thrilled to announce that LGBTQ+ boxing sessions are back in Westminster at a new location: Queen Mother Sports Centre in Pimlico. Starting Thursday 25th September, these FREE, inclusive boxing classes run every week from 7:30–8:30pm, welcoming anyone who identifies as LGBTQ+.

These non-contact boxing sessions are perfect for beginners and experienced participants alike. You’ll learn boxing fundamentals, build fitness, and improve strength and coordination – all in a safe and supportive environment. No equipment is needed; everything is provided on-site.

Ready to join? Scan the QR code or click to register now!

Boxing is not just about fitness. It’s a way to boost mental health, reduce stress, and gain confidence, while connecting with a like-minded LGBTQ+ community. These sessions offer a space where you can be yourself, meet new people, and enjoy an empowering, energising workout. Whether you want to get fit, learn boxing, or simply have fun, these sessions are designed for you.

It’s time to Punch with Pride – come and be part of a vibrant, inclusive community where fitness, friendship, and fun come together!

Box, Bond, Belong – Sign Up Today