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Leisure • Physical Activity • Sport

Active Westminster Awards 2026 – Shortlisted Finalists Announced

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The Active Westminster Awards 2026 - Shortlisted Finalists Announced

The ActiveWestminster Awards 2026 recognise those who change lives through their outstanding contribution to physical activity, leisure and sport.

We received over 450 nominations from residents this year. Thank you to each and everyone one of you who have taken the time to recognise the hard work of inspiring people and organisations across Westminster.

The shortlisted finalists have been invited to the awards ceremony taking place on Friday 13 November at Porchester Hall.

AWAwards banner

This year’s shortlisted finalists

Inclusive Award

Make It Happen Parents CIC
Bikeworks CIC
Caxton Youth Organisation

Rewarding and Celebrating Diversity Award

Hurdles2Hoops
Khaoula Fitness Women & Family Wellness
Proud Sports

Change4Life Award

Carjez Bryan (Everyone Active Schools Games Offer)
Girls Allowed
Happy Hub Programmes

OneYou Westminster Award

KAYAV Community Programmes
WeSwim Programme at Moberly Sports Centre
Open Age Physical Activity Programmes

Active Space or Place Award

Norton House Care Home
The Courts at Regent’s Park
Porchester Centre
Beechcroft Care Home

PE & School Sports Award

St Augustine’s C of E High School
Queen’s Park Primary School
St Gabriel’s C of E Primary School

Club or Coach of the Year Award

Sideout Volleyball Club
London Frontrunners Club
WeSwim

Sports Personality of the Year

Kevin Constantin Vrasneag
Oliver Lam-Watson
Sonny Allen

The Lord Mayor of Westminster Unsung Hero Award, In memory of Mariam Sabir

Shiasta Miah
Raphael Chiwandire
Zoe Kennedy (WeSwim)

COUNTDOWN TO THE EVENING OF THE 2026 ACTIVEWESTMINSTER AWARDS

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Good luck to all the finalists and thank you again to everyone who submitted a nomination.

For more information, please visit the main ActiveWestminster Awards page.

Paddington Recreation Ground Strikes Gold Again With Record-Breaking London In Bloom Score

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Paddington Recreation Ground Strikes Gold Again With Record-Breaking London In Bloom Score

A 2026 London in Bloom Gold award celebrates outstanding care, ambitious improvements and another milestone year.

Paddington Recreation Ground has done it again – securing Gold at the 2026 London in Bloom Awards and achieving its highest score to date.

London in Bloom 2026 - Ceertificate
Paddington Rec celebrates Gold - and its highest-ever London in Bloom score.

A record-breaking gold

The award marks Paddington Rec’s 12th consecutive year in the competition, and this year’s result is its strongest yet. Announced at the London in Bloom ceremony at Kensington and Chelsea Town Hall, the Gold award recognises the care, quality and ambition behind one of Westminster’s best-loved green spaces. London in Bloom celebrates the capital’s green spaces and the people who care for them, making this latest Gold another standout achievement in Paddington Rec’s growing record of success.

Upgrades that made a difference

The record score caps a busy year of upgrades across the site. Improvements to the Village Green, new signage introduced across 2025 and 2026, and further enhancements have made the park even more welcoming, attractive and enjoyable for everyone who visits.

A brilliant team achievement

The result is even more impressive after a challenging year of weather, which placed extra pressure on planting and grass areas. Through it all, the team’s commitment, skill and attention to detail kept Paddington Rec looking its best.

Retaining Gold while setting a new record score is a brilliant result, and a proud moment for everyone who helps the park continue to grow and thrive.

Come and experience the magic  for yourself. Explore the upgraded facilities and enjoy everything this award-winning green space has to offer.

Paddington Recreation Ground Unveils It’s Active Upgrade

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Paddington Recreation Ground Unveils It's Active Upgrade

Community leaders, partners and young people came together to celebrate the official launch of Paddington Recreation Ground’s transformed MUGA and outdoor gym.

A launch to celebrate

The new-look facilities were officially launched with the Lord Mayor, Cllr Karen Scarborough and Cllrs Richard Rigby, Geoff Barraclough and Nafsika Thalassis in attendance.

Champion of the Future and basketball professional Melita Carr Emanuel brought even more energy to the morning, shooting hoops with young people from St Augustine’s CE High School and putting the refreshed court through its paces.

A launch to celebrate

A huge thank you goes to Play Innovation and MSConsulting for delivering the makeover, with some of the wonderful team members from the Everyone Active and ActiveWestminster teams also joining the launch celebration.

The investment gives this much-loved community space a fresh MUGA surface, new markings, goals and sports equipment, plus a resurfaced outdoor gym with replacement machines, new resistance-based kit and wheelchair-inclusive stations.

Fresh facilities, ready for action

The launch marked an exciting new chapter for a site that welcomes up to two million visits a year and holds an “Excellent” QUEST rating. Paddington Recreation Ground also recently achieved its highest-ever Gold score at London in Bloom.

With its wide mix of gardens, courts, pitches, fitness spaces and play facilities, the Rec continues to offer something for the whole community.

Fancy shooting some hoops or powering through a workout?

The new MUGA and outdoor gym are ready and waiting! Head on down to Paddington Rec, check them out and make your move!

Pitch Perfect: Westminster’s SEND Football League Gets Rolling

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Pitch Perfect: Westminster’s SEND Football League Gets Rolling

Thirty young players, four schools and one seriously soggy pitch – Westminster’s new Schools SEND Football League got off to a brilliant start.

SEND Football League at PRG - players on pitch
SEND Football League PRG - Player in action kicking the ball
SEND Football League PRG 2026 players on pitch
SEND Football League PRG - Player in action
“The students LOVED the day, all were buzzing when they got back despite being soaked!”
Teacher Participating School
“I’m currently fixated on how the entire tournament was organised - specifically how, despite the rain and weather, we still managed not to cancel the whole thing.” -
PlayerAbingdon House Player
“From a teacher’s perspective, the league is an excellent initiative that provides valuable sporting opportunities for young people with additional needs. It encourages participation, confidence, teamwork and a sense of achievement. It was a fantastic event, and our students thoroughly enjoyed the experience. We look forward to the next one!”
TeacherOdyssey House

Last week, 30 young people with special educational needs and disabilities took centre stage at Paddington Recreation Ground for the launch of Westminster’s new Schools SEND Football League.

Could they do it on a cold, rainy Wednesday morning in Westminster? Absolutely.

Four schools battled through the downpour as the first fixtures of the 2026/27 campaign kicked off. Abingdon House and St Marylebone CE Bridge School represented Westminster, joined by Wembley Manor School from Brent and Odyssey House School from Camden.

Big tackles, brilliant teamwork

Each school played three seven-a-side matches, with girls and boys from under-16 secondary school year groups taking part. Friendly fixtures have brought some of the schools together before, but the new league adds a competitive goal for players to chase, giving teammates the chance to test their game plans in a league of their own.

One Abingdon House player summed up the determination on display:

Building confidence through the game

The league is about much more than goals. It creates valuable opportunities for young people with additional needs to build confidence, develop teamwork, represent their schools and enjoy the buzz of competitive sport in a positive, supportive setting.

Move, Connect And Feel Better This World Mental Health Day

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Move, connect and feel better this World Mental Health Day

This World Mental Health Day, let’s talk, listen and support better mental health together, and celebrate how movement can help our minds as well as our bodies.

Move your body, connect with others and support your mental wellbeing this World Mental Health Day.

Real voices, real change

World Mental Health Day takes place on Saturday 10 October. This year’s theme, “Lived experiences heard: real voices, real change”, reminds us that listening to people’s experiences is essential to creating understanding, inclusion and meaningful change.

Move you way, feel the difference

Movement can lift mood, ease stress and anxiety, improve sleep and build confidence. It matters: Mental Health Foundation research found that inactive people experience three times the rate of moderate to severe depression seen in active people, while regular activity can reduce the risk of depression by up to 30%.

Yet 36% of UK adults do not meet recommended activity levels. The good news? Every move counts. Walk, swim, wheel, dance or join a class — choose something enjoyable, start small and move with others to boost connection as well as wellbeing.

Move with us

ActiveWestminster can help turn intention into action. From free or low-cost Neighbourhood Sports Club sessions and the FREE ActiveWestminster Card to leisure centres, swimming pools, parks, open spaces, accessible facilities and Exercise on Referral support, there are plenty of ways to get moving. Events, training and volunteering opportunities also make it easier to find something local, affordable and right for you.

Start small, move your way – we’re with you every step.

Lord Mayor Joins ActiveWestminster’s Lifesaving First Aid Course

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Lord Mayor Joins ActiveWestminster’s Lifesaving First Aid Course

Take your CPR Skills further

Knowing how to recognise cardiac arrest, call 999, perform CPR and use a defibrillator could help save a life. If you are ready to build your confidence, explore our Further Training Offer for additional CPR learning and development opportunities.

Our First Aid Foundation Course is also set to return next year. Keep an eye on the ActiveWestminster website and social channels for dates — then discover the other ways our Skills & Training Programme can help you learn, develop and make an impact in your community.

First Aid Training_CPR - Skills & Training October 2026 - Lord Mayor

More ways to learn

The course is part of our Skills & Training Programme, offering free foundation courses, routes into further training and access to bursary support for people who live, work or study in Westminster.

Next up is our Inclusive Coaching Workshop on Wednesday 4 November, 6pm–9pm at North Paddington Youth Club. Discover practical ways to make sport and physical activity more welcoming and accessible – book your place now.

Thank you to North Paddington Youth Club for hosting our first aid training.

Explore Further CPR Training

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