Fairer Westminster

#Lead with Love this Easter and Make it Stress Free – Stress Awareness Month April 2025

Stress Awareness Month 2025 - #Leadwithlove this Easter

As we enjoy a well-deserved pause over the Easter break, it’s the perfect moment to slow down, reflect, and check in with ourselves. We’re already halfway through April, which also means we’re halfway through Stress Awareness Month—an annual initiative led by the Stress Management Society for over 30 years.

This important campaign shines a spotlight on the impact stress can have on our mental, physical, and emotional wellbeing, while providing helpful resources and techniques for managing it effectively.

What is Stress?

Stress is a natural physical response—your body’s way of preparing to deal with perceived threats by switching into “fight or flight” mode. While stress in small doses can be useful, being in a constant state of stress can take a toll on your health and wellbeing.

In today’s fast-paced, tech-driven world, it’s easy to miss the early signs of stress and burnout. Taking a step back during times like Easter can help us recognise when we need rest, support, or a change in routine.

This Year’s Theme: #LeadWithLove

The 2025 theme for Stress Awareness Month is #LeadWithLove—a powerful call to action rooted in the idea of Unconditional Positive Regard. It encourages us to show kindness, compassion, and acceptance not just to others, but to ourselves too.

We often speak to ourselves far more harshly than we would to a friend. This theme invites us to flip that script and become our own biggest supporters—especially during challenging times

Nourish Yourself Physically and Mentally

In stressful moments, things like exercise and proper nutrition are often the first to fall off our schedules—but they’re vital for helping us manage stress.

Regular movement can increase the production of feel-good endorphins, ease anxiety, and improve overall mood. The Department of Health recommends 2.5 hours of moderate-intensity activity each week, but studies show only 65.5% of men and 54% of women are meeting that goal.

The good news? You don’t need to hit the gym to feel the benefits. A walk in the fresh air, a short yoga session, or even some calming breath work can make a real difference.

A Gentle Reminder this Easter

As we relax and recharge over the Easter break, let’s remember to take care of ourselves with the same love and patience we’d offer someone we care about.

We’re halfway through Stress Awareness Month—there’s still plenty of time to tune in, reset, and take positive steps for your mental and emotional wellbeing.

For more support and resources, visit the Stress Management Society website.

Wishing you a calm, kind, and restorative Easter

#Lead with Love this Easter and Make it Stress Free – Stress Awareness Month April 2025

Stress Awareness Month 2025 - #Leadwithlove this Easter

As we enjoy a well-deserved pause over the Easter break, it’s the perfect moment to slow down, reflect, and check in with ourselves. We’re already halfway through April, which also means we’re halfway through Stress Awareness Month—an annual initiative led by the Stress Management Society for over 30 years.

This important campaign shines a spotlight on the impact stress can have on our mental, physical, and emotional wellbeing, while providing helpful resources and techniques for managing it effectively.

What is Stress?

Stress is a natural physical response—your body’s way of preparing to deal with perceived threats by switching into “fight or flight” mode. While stress in small doses can be useful, being in a constant state of stress can take a toll on your health and wellbeing.

In today’s fast-paced, tech-driven world, it’s easy to miss the early signs of stress and burnout. Taking a step back during times like Easter can help us recognise when we need rest, support, or a change in routine.

This Year’s Theme: #LeadWithLove

The 2025 theme for Stress Awareness Month is #LeadWithLove—a powerful call to action rooted in the idea of Unconditional Positive Regard. It encourages us to show kindness, compassion, and acceptance not just to others, but to ourselves too.

We often speak to ourselves far more harshly than we would to a friend. This theme invites us to flip that script and become our own biggest supporters—especially during challenging times

Nourish Yourself Physically and Mentally

In stressful moments, things like exercise and proper nutrition are often the first to fall off our schedules—but they’re vital for helping us manage stress.

Regular movement can increase the production of feel-good endorphins, ease anxiety, and improve overall mood. The Department of Health recommends 2.5 hours of moderate-intensity activity each week, but studies show only 65.5% of men and 54% of women are meeting that goal.

The good news? You don’t need to hit the gym to feel the benefits. A walk in the fresh air, a short yoga session, or even some calming breath work can make a real difference.

A Gentle Reminder this Easter

As we relax and recharge over the Easter break, let’s remember to take care of ourselves with the same love and patience we’d offer someone we care about.

We’re halfway through Stress Awareness Month—there’s still plenty of time to tune in, reset, and take positive steps for your mental and emotional wellbeing.

For more support and resources, visit the Stress Management Society website.

Wishing you a calm, kind, and restorative Easter

Active Streets Programme: Transforming Westminster’s Streets into Spaces for Play

Active Streets Programme: Transforming Westminster’s Streets into Spaces for Play

The Active Streets Programme is an exciting initiative designed to bring physical activity to your doorstep in Westminster. By transforming residential streets into spaces for play, the programme encourages local engagement, boosts active travel, and improves air quality.

Let’s Play Outside!

With options such as Street Play and Play Street for residents and School Streets for schools, the programme allows to host safe play sessions that promote community connections and healthier lifestyles.

So explore now how you can take part in creating a more active and vibrant community right outside your door.

JUST OVER A WEEK TO GO! Network Funding Applications closing on Sunday 30th March

JUST OVER A WEEK TO GO! Network Activity Project Funding Applications Closing Sunday 30th March

The deadline for the ActiveWestminster Network partners to submit a proposal for funding support of up to £2000 is fast approaching. Make sure you apply by next Sunday 30th March at midnight.

This funding can be used to support a new or to upscale an existing health and wellbeing physical activity community project. 

Project Delivery Timeframe: April 2025 – March 2026

Please note funding is subject to network partners and their projects meeting specific criteria as outlined on on our dedicated page on our website – you can find all the information you need here: Network Activity Project Funding 

Submission Deadline Fast Approaching: Sunday 30th March 2025 at midnight 

Please note funding is subject to network partners and their projects meeting specific criteria as outlined on on our dedicated page on our website – you can find all the information you need here: Network Activity Project Funding 

Make an impact in your community, APPLY NOW!

Don’t Throw Away Your Chance to Help! Deposit It!

Deposit Your Single Use Bottles and Cans - Help North Paddington Receive £500 from Everyone Active!

 
Following one of the Climate Assembly’s recommendations, we installed in a new Reverse Vending Machine at Paddington Recreation Ground – a winning idea from the Westminster City Council Innovations Challenge hosted at the end of 2021. 
  
We just wanted to remind you that every little contribution helps!
 
Did you know that recycling aluminium cans saves energy and avoids the mining of new Bauxite Ore used for aluminium production. Every year, recycled cans help to avoid nearly five percent of the world’s total mining of Bauxite. 

How it works – Help North Paddington Youth Centre get a £500 donation!

Deposit all your single-use plastic bottles and aluminium drinks cans into the machine at Paddington Recreation.

Oh and by the way, for every item deposited, 10p will be donated to the North Paddington Youth Club!

And it get better! The wonderful folks at Everyone Active have kindly agreed to donate £500 if the youth club hits their target of 2,500. Let’s help them get there – not only are you doing something good for the planet but you are also contributing to a worthy cause! It’s a win-win!

So come on down to Paddington Recreation Ground and get depositing!

Champions of the Future Programme 2025 – Applications Deadline EXTENDED!

Champions of the Future Programme 2025 - Applications Deadline EXTENDED!

This one is for all you talented athletes in Westminster! Don’t miss out on this fantastic opportunity brought to by Westminster City Council, Everyone Active, London Sports Trust and Kings College London. 

Elevate your training and development to the next level!

The ActiveWestminster Champions of the Future programme gives Westminster’s gifted and talented athletes an opportunity to access financial support and mentoring to help with training and development.

 

The window for applications has now been extended until Monday 25th March 2025.

How to apply

To be considered for the Champions of the Future programme, you must first make an application for the Everyone Active’s Sporting Champions programme. 

Visit Everyone Active’s Sporting Champions websit

deadline EXTENDED

Qualifying Criteria

Athletes accepted on to the scheme are selected based on their sporting success and the level at which they compete.

To be considered for the programme applicants must:
  • Live, study or work in Westminster
  • Be registered with a National Governing Body affiliated club

and either:

  • Be ranked in the top 20 at a regional competition in the current year (2024 – 2025), or
  • Be a member of a regional squad (age band to senior) with regional squad results in the current championship year (2024 – 2025).
For more information about the process, the benefits and how the Champions of the Future application is linked to the Everyone Active Sporting Champions programme visit our dedicated page by clicking the button below.