Sheena Kotecha

Help Shape LGBTQIA+ Health & Wellbeing In Our Boroughs

Help Shape LGBTQIA+ Health & Wellbeing In Our Boroughs

 The Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea ad Westminster City Council are proud to launch a new Joint Strategic Needs Assessment (JSNA) focused on health, wellbeing and everyday experiences of LGBTQIA+ people across our two boroughs.
 
This important work will help build a clearer understanding of the lived experiences of LGTBQIA+ residents in Kensington and Chelsea and Westminster ensuring future services, support and strategies are inclusive, informed and responsive to community need.

Listening to Lived Experiences 

The assessment will explore the key issues affecting LGTBQIA+ communities including:

  • Physical and mental health
  • Access to health and support services
  • Community safety and sense of belonging
  • Social connection and wellbeing
  • Barriers, inequalities and opportunities for improvement

By gathering meaningful insight directly from residents and service providers, we can better understand what is working well and where change is needed.

rainbow flag on the wind

Choose how to take part 

 
You can contribute by completing the online survey or taking part in a confidential interview, whichever feels right for you
  • Online Survey now live and will remain open until 29 March: This is an opportunity for LGBTQIA+ residents who live, work or study in Kensington and Chelsea or Westminster to share experiences and help shape future health and wellbeing support across boroughs. Your insight will contribute to a stronger, evidence base, helping ensure services are inclusive, responsive and designed around real community needs.

         Taking part is quick, confidential and an important step towards meaningful, long term improvement.

  • Confidential one-to-one interviews for in-depth insights: If your prefer to speak more detail, SMST Research Angency who are commissioning the survey are also offering confidential one-to-one interviews as per of this assessment.  
         Interviews are open to LGBTQIA+ community members and representatives from statutory and non statutory support services  
         operating across Kensington and Chelsea and Westminster. 
 
         These conversations will explore lives experiences, across services, barriers and opportunities for improvement. All discussions will be               handled sensitively and in strict confidence. 
 
To find out more or express interest in taking part in the interviews, please contact the SMSR research team at info@smsr.co.uk.
         

Historic Clash Confirmed As Women’s T20 World Cup 2026 Schedule Lands


Historic Clash Confirmed As Women's T20 World Cup 2026 Schedule Lands

 
The stage is set. The full schedule for the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026 has officially dropped and it’s bringing a historic home nations showdown with it.

England will face Scotland at Headingley on 20 June 2026, marking the first time the two sides have met in a men’s or women’s World Cup on English soil. It’s a fixture packed with rivalry, pride and big match energy and it’s already shaping up to be one of the standout moments of the tournament. 

12 teams, one trophy and a landmark summer to remember

Following a fiercely contested qualifier in Nepal, Bangladesh, Ireland, Netherlands and Scotland have secured the final four spots., completing the 12-team line up for next summer’s global spectacle across England and Wales (12 June – 5 July 2026)

European nations make up a third of this year’s competition which is a huge milestone for the growth of the women’s game.

image of some of the cricket players and full fixture

The Groups

  • Group 1: Australia, South Africa, India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Netherlands
  • Group 2: West Indies, England, New Zealand, Sri Lanka, Ireland Scotland

World Class Venues and Unmissable Moments

Across 24 days, 33 matches will played iconic venues including Headingley, Old Trafford, Lord’s, The Oval, Edgbaston, Bristol County Ground and the Hampshire Bowl, culminating in the final at Lord’s on 5 July.

With elite international talent, fierce rivalries and record-breaking ambition driving the tournament, the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026 promises to be one of the defining sporting events of the summer.

Tickets on sale now

Tickets for all matches, including the historic England v Scotland are on sale now. With strong demand already building, fans are encouraged to secure seats early.

A New Era Of Outdoor Sport, Fitness And Community Shine at Johnsons Place Launch

A New Era For Outdoor Sport, Fitness And Community Spirit Shine At Johnsons Place Launch

A fantastic community celebration marked the official launch of the new Multi-Use Games Area (MUGA) and outdoor gym at Johnsons Place on Monday 9th February.

Residents, partners, councillors and coaches from SportWestminster came together to mark the official opening of the upgraded outdoor sports facilities, designed to give residents of all ages more opportunities to get active in the heart of the community. The event really showcased the energy, enthusiasm and community spirit the the new space is set to inspire.

A great turn out from the community, and plenty of happy faces as children tried out the new facilities for the first time, some of our councillors got in on the action too!

Built for play, training and everyday fitness

The upgrade includes eight brand new pieces of outdoor gym equipment, new lighting, fencing, multi-use surfacing, goals, basketball hoops, and seating, delivered by the amazing team at Play Innovation, who have recently been shortlisted for a SAPCA (Sports and Play Construction Association), award for their groundbreaking work on this project. 

The investment in Johnsons Place forms part of Westminster’s wider commitment to improving access to outdoor sport and physical activity spaces. By enhancing local facilities, we are helping to remove barriers to participation and encourage healthier, more active lifestyles across the city.

Whether you’re organising a casual kick about with friends, trying out a new fitness routine or looking for somewhere for the kids to blow of some steam, Johnson’s Place is ready and waiting to become a vibrant hub for outdoor sport and community activity.

Celebrating Erma: A Bikework’s Community Champion

Celebrating Erma: A Bikeworks' Community Champion

We wanted to shine a light on one our local Bikeworks’ All Ability instructors, Erma. She has been an integral part of of the Cycle Connect Westminster Pilot and has recently been rcognised as a Community Champion in Cycling UK’s 100 Women in Cycling 2025.

Community Legend Erma In Action

Erma has been a long standing member of the local community, is well known and highly regarded across the club and through Cycle Connect Westminster. She  consistently delivers sessions no matter what the weather, always putting the needs of residents first.

Erma’s leadership is grounded in putting the community first, with her work being firmly centred on day to day contact, building trust with participants over time. For her, cycling is more than just a physical activity. She uses it as a tool to provide an inclusive space and her presence has been key in making these services accessible to all.

Invest in a Greener Westminster

Invest In A Greener Westminster

Residents this is your opportunity to support local climate action while investing in a greener future for the City of Westminster.

The council has partnered with Abundance Investment to launch the Westminster Green Investment, giving people the chance to invest directly in local sustainability projects from as little as £5. 

Investing in local climate action

Westminster is working towards becoming a net zero city, and this investment helps fund practical projects that reduce carbon emissions and improve energy efficiency across the borough.

By investing, residents can support climate action happening right here in the City, to help create a cleaner, more sustainable environment for everyone.

How the Westminster Green Investment Works

UK residents aged 18 and over can invest online through Abundance Investment’s platform. Investors can earn a return over a fixed term while knowing exactly where there money is being used.

Investments can also be held within an Innovative Finance ISA, meaning any returns may be tax-free.

Projects currently being supported

Funds help deliver energy-saving improvements in community buildings including leisure centres and day centres, such as LED lighting, insulation, draught proofing and solar technology.

Get involved

 This scheme offers a simple and accessible way to support ethical investing while backing real projects that benefit people and the planet.

Smash Into Saturdays With Junior Squash At Lord’s

Smash Into Saturdays With Junior Squash At Lord's

Our brand new Junior Squash sessions at Lord’s Cricket Ground designed to give young residents a fun and welcoming way to get active, learn new skills and be part of a sporting community.

Lords Squash Sessions

 

Sessions will take place every Saturday from 12:20 – 13:40pm at the Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC), Lord’s Cricket Ground, NW8 8QN, and are open to juniors of all abilities.

Squash is a fast-paced sport that helps young people develop fitness, agility, co-oridnation and reaction speed, whilst also building confidence, focus and resilience. It’s a great way for juniors to stay active, make friends and enjoy learning in a supportive environment.

Whether your child is picking up a racket for the first time or looking to improve their game, these sessions offer a fantastic opportunity to move, play and grow through sport.

For more information contact Ivy Deltiends at admin@middlesexjuniorsquash.co.uk