Diversity & Inclusion

On The Ground – Sharing Your Stories: December’s NSC Spotlight is The Avenues Youth Project

On The Ground - Sharing Your Stories: December's NSC Spotlight

 
This month we’re featuring  the story of Leo and his Judo progress with The Avenues Youth Project

The Avenues Youth Project is an open-access youth provision based in Queen’s Park ward in Westminster, one of the UK’s 10-20% most deprived neighbourhoods. It is an area of high youth crime, where serious incidents are frequent. Their team of qualified youth professionals welcome young people aged 8-18 to engage in activities, create positive relationships, ignite a passion, and have fun. 

Their youth work is primarily delivered on-site in their purpose-built youth centre, but they also take our young people out into their community and beyond. With the support of Everyone Active and ActiveWestminster’s NSC Programme they run free weekly Saturday Judo sessions for young people in our community aged 8-15 years.

Read Leo’s story 

Leo is a regular member of The Avenues and participates in our Saturday Judo sessions.
Over the past year, Leo has developed from a beginner to a competitor, showing not only improvement in his techniques but also in his personal development. The physical and mental demands of Judo, the structured nature of the sessions, along with personalised attention from our Judo coach have been a huge benefit to Leo. Judo's discipline is helping Leo to direct his energy in a positive way. As a result of his hard work Leo was selected to participate in a Judo competition. Despite nerves and a highly stimulating environment, Leo maintained focus and performed exceptionally well; winning a medal for his efforts. This achievement reflected not only Leo’s Judo skills but also his increased confidence, resilience, and ability to face challenges head on. Leo’s journey with a dedicated Judo coach, who has also become a mentor, highlights the importance of focused, personalised mentorship in sports.

You can check these sessions and others on the NSC programme by clicking the button below.

As always we can’t wait to hear more of your inspiring stories. Contact us if you want to share your experiences from any of the NSC sessions by clicking the button below.

Introducing the New ActiveWestminster Strategy 2024-2028

Introducing the New ActiveWestminster Strategy 2024-2028

We’re excited to announce the launch of the ActiveWestminster Strategy 2024-2028! This forward-thinking plan is designed to transform how physical activity, leisure, and sport are integrated into daily life across Westminster. Building on the successes of previous strategies, this updated vision focuses on inclusivity, accessibility, and community wellbeing.

Using the ‘Move for Life!’ framework, the strategy outlines three core themes of delivery:

  1. Active Lives: Encourage more residents to engage in regular physical activity by offering tailored programmes that focus on targeting different needs and abilities.
  2. Active Neighbourhoods: Create vibrant local environments with parks and open spaces, safe streets, and community-led initiatives that inspire movement and connection.
  3. Active City: capitalising on Westminster’s top-class facilities and meaningful partnerships to make physical activity a central part of its identity.

Why This Matters:

Westminster faces unique challenges, such as high rates of inactivity and childhood obesity. The strategy emphasises reducing health disparities, promoting sustainability through active travel, and fostering strong community networks. It also supports programs like Active Streets, which repurpose residential areas for play and active lifestyles, and Active Lives for All, ensuring no one is left behind.

With this strategy, Westminster aims to create a healthier, happier city where everyone has the opportunity to thrive through movement and physical activity.

young adults playing basketball

For more details, visit the ActiveWestminster Strategy page by following the link below.

Celebrating the Winners of the ActiveWestminster Awards 2024

Celebrating the Winners of the ActiveWestminster Awards 2024

The 15th edition of the ActiveWestminster Awards shone a spotlight on the incredible individuals, clubs, and organisations that make Westminster an active, inclusive, and vibrant community. Held at the historic Porchester Hall on Friday November 15, the event recognised the inspiring efforts that bring physical activity, leisure, and sport to the heart of our community.
 
The winners of the 2024 Active Westminster Awards are:
 
Thanks also to our wonderful host Qasa Alom https://qasaalom.co.uk/ and special guest Oliver Lam-Watson, Team GB Paralympian.
Also special thanks to Guy Lansiquot (Winner of the Dance Westminster 2024) who performed a fantastic opening dance with professional dancer from Step Change Studio, Georgia.
 
Well done everyone to all the winners and finalists! It was a great inspiring night. 

Highlights of the night of the Awards 2024

The Action-Packed Lord Mayor of Westminster Boxing Cup is on Saturday 9 November

Lord Mayor of Westminster Boxing Cup - Saturday 9th November 2024

The Lord Mayor of Westminster Boxing Cup is back on the afternoon of Saturday 11th November. This is a brilliant Amateur Boxing event, organised by partners All Stars Boxing Gym
 
SAVE THE DATE:
  • Saturday 9th November
  • Doors Open: 6pm
  • Boxing Commences: 6.45pm
  • Venue: Porchester Hall, 45 Porchester Rd, W2 5HS
  • Tickets Adults: £20. / Kids: £10
Lord Mayor of Westminster Cup 2024

For more information, please visit https://www.allstars-gym.co.uk/ or call 07475 426327 

Come and join Girls Allowed on Lancefield Street for a Street Play on 30 Oct

Come and join Girls Allowed on Lancefield Street for a Street Play on 30 Oct

Come Girls Allowed on Wednesday 12pm – 3pm for a Street Street set up in Lancefield Road, just outside the Jubilee Community Leisure Centre.

A few hours every week where children and youth can play in the street takes priority with no “through traffic”. Amazing!

Neighbours will be able to come out and enjoy a cup of tea, talk with other residents or just enjoy the outdoors with limited car traffic (only access to residents and deliveries). Staff will be available to facilitate street games and ensure everyone has a great time. This time we have group Girls Allowed run by the ESP Foundation, in partnership with ActiveWestminster and Everyone Active.

Everyone is welcome! 

So get ready for a few fantastic afternoons of Play Street with a wide range of activities indoor and outdoors, from basketball and badminton to skateboarding, dancing and more.

No booking is required. Just come along and join the fun!

LANCEFIELD STREE ACTIVE PLAY (1)
October Half Term 2024

Find out more about Westminster’s Active Streets Programme but clicking the button below.

Dance Westminster 2024 Grand Final – Celebrating Every Step Together!

Dance Westminster 2024 - List of winners

Our annual pan-disability dance competition, designed to encourage disabled people to be more active through dance, celebrated the Grand Final on Tuesday 15 October.

All the participants attended the workshops and auditions led by Step Change Studios. As a result, the finalists going had their final dance off competition. This is the list of winners for the Dance Westminster 2024.

 

DANCE WESTMINSTER CHAMPION 2024

Guy and dance partner Georgia with song ‘Let’s get loud’

Guy and Georgia dancing

SECOND POSITION

Martia and dance partner M with song ‘See the day’

Martia and M

THIRD POSITION

Nazifa and dance partner Chloe with song ‘What Jhumka’

Nazifa &Chloe

PEOPLE’S CHOICE AWARD

Jacob and dance partner Evelyn with song ‘Atia Donko’

Jacob and Evelyn

Photography by John Trigg.

Congratulations and thank you to all the other finalists for their inspiring performances:

  • Sandra & Jessica with song ‘Do You Love Me’

  • Sam & Georgia with song ‘Can’t Stop The Feeling

  • Fadwa & Lily with song ‘Zero to Hero’

  • Lorraine & Rachel with song ‘Sisters’

  • James & Ellen with song ‘Something Just Like This’

  • Angelo & Joelle with song ‘Level Up’

Visit the main Dance Westminster page for more information.