Fairer Westminster

A street full of play

No sign-up, no fuss, just local families turning up, joining in and making memories together. From scooters whizzing past to pavement art taking shape, the street transformed into a playground for the afternoon, proving that all you really need for a brilliant day out is some open space and a sense of fun.

A huge thank you to our partners Everyone Active, Cycle Confident, Change4Life and Play England and Play Their Way, who brought the energy, activities and expertise that made the day so special.

Days like this matter more than ever. Play England, alongside Play Their Way, is calling on the government to revive a National Play Strategy, making the case that free, accessible play needs long-term investment and support, not just one day a year. Ashmore Road is a small snapshot of what that could look like across the country. Read the full press release here to find out more.

One weekend. One community. One ball.

This September, pitches across Paddington Recreation Ground come alive for Unity in the Community – our free grassroots football tournament that’s been bringing Westminster together for years. This isn’t just a competition. It’s neighbours becoming teammates, strangers becoming supporters, and a whole community showing up for each other on and off the pitch.

Support tailored to the individual

SfC Connect is a new early help service from Sport for Confidence CIC, in partnership with Everyone Active and Active Westminster. Occupational therapists work with each person to understand their goals and barriers, then build a personalised plan to help them reconnect with activity, people and community.

Available at three of our Westminster Leisure Centres

• Little Venice Sports Centre
• Moberly Sports Centre
• Queen Mother Sports Centre

Meeting people where they need

Not every barrier to activity is visible, and that’s exactly what this service is designed to address. For some residents, the challenge has nothing to do with fitness levels or ability; it’s more personal than that, and that first step can be the hardest part of the whole journey. Ultimately, this is about making sure activity feels accessible to everyone, not just those who already feel comfortable getting started, and it reflects a wider ambition building a borough where residents feel genuinely supported, not just catered to.

Working together for Westminster

Hear from key partners and the Cabinet Member as they share why SfC Connect is an important step in helping more Westminster residents become active, improve their wellbeing and access personalised support when they need it most.

From confident new riders taking on Cycle Confident’s guidance, to families getting active together with Happy Lizzy, to bikes getting a free tune-up from Dr Bike – every corner of the street had something going on. Neighbours chatting on doorsteps. Kids making new friends over a game of tag. Parents catching up while the little ones burned off some energy. THIS is what happens when you give a community room to breathe and be free.

And the best bit? This isn’t a one-off.
Barnsdale Road Play Street is on every Tuesday, 4-6pm, all summer long.

So grab your bike, your scooter, your neighbours, your kids and family and come claim the street again next week. See you there!