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Physical Activity

Porchester Centre Centenary Open Day: Join Us For A Celebration To Remember!

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Porchester Centre Centenary Open Day: Join Us For A Celebration To Remember!

That’s right! We’re getting ready to celebrate 100 years of community, health, and swimming, and we want you all to join. Next Thursday, 6 November, we will be hosting an open day event at the Porchester Centre, to celebrate this monumental milestone, and it would not be the same without you, our wonderful residents.

Find out all about the Centenary Open Day by clicking on the flyer above.

Centenary Schedule

It will be a day full of fun, free activities, and a celebratory ceremony.

Morning Sessions (08:00 – 11:00 am)

  • 8:00 – 9:00 am: Free Public Swim (Teaching Pool)
  • 9:30 – 10:30 am: Free Lane Swimming (Main Pool)
  • 10:00 am: Refreshments (Teas, coffees, and a slice of centenary cake)
  • 11:00 am: Official Plaque Unveiling Ceremony: Join us in the lobby as Councillor Cara Sanquest officially unveils the commemorative plaque.

Midday and Afternoon Activities (11:30 am – 4:00 pm)

  • 11:15 am: Guided tour
  • 11:30 am: Open Age Over 55’s Chair Class with Armand Botha
  • 11:30 am– 2:30 pm: Free Lane Swimming (Main Pool)
  • 2:30 pm – 4:00 pm: Free Lane Swimming (Main Pool)

Evening Fitness and Fun (4:00 pm onwards)

  • 4:00 pm: Free Yoga Session (Wellness Studio)
  • 4:00 – 6:00 pm: Free Lane Swimming (Main Pool)
  • 5:30 – 9:30 pm: Evening DJ Set
    Get fit or just hang out with a DJ spinning tracks on the gym floor!
  • 6:00 pm: Free Group Cycling Session

Booking your free sessions

Book in advance to avoid disappointment!

Free swimming and fitness sessions will be running throughout the day. Due to high demand and limited availability, please make sure you book in advance. Spaces will be limited and will operate on a first come first serve basis.

Book Your Free Sessions!

You’ve Still Got Time! Sign Up For The Female-Only Lifeguard Course at Porchester

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You've Still Got Time! Sign Up For The Female-Only Lifeguard Course at Porchester

Missed out earlier this year? Here’s your chance to get qualified this October with our Female-only National Pool Lifeguard Qualification (NPLQ) course at the Porchester Centre, Queensway, next Wednesday 29th October. Gain a nationally recognised qualification and vital lifesaving skills that can kickstart your journey in leisure.

Whether you’re looking to start a career in leisure, boost your employability, or build confidence in the water, this intensive training programme provides the perfect opportunity. Accredited by the  Royal Life Saving Society (RLSS UK), this course is internationally recognised and can open doors to employment in leisure centres, health clubs, holiday resorts, and even cruise ships, while also giving you transferable skills such as teamwork, responsibility, and quick decision-making.W

Gain a qualification that builds confidence, creates opportunities, and makes a difference.

Course details

  • Dates: Wednesday 29 October – Sunday 2 November 2025
  • Times: 9am – 6pm daily
  • Assessment Day: Sunday 2 November (included in course timetable)
  • Cost: £300 or funded if you:
  • Commit to working full-time with Everyone Active
  • Stay with Everyone Active as a lifeguard for at least one year
  • Attend an interview at the site where you may be placed **Please note that the decision will be made by the General Manager and Operations Manager of the site, as they will be covering the costs**
Alternatively you may be eligible for support through the ActiveWestminster Bursary Offer via the Skills and Training Programme. 
 
Requirements
 
To be considered you must fulfil the below requirements:
  • Be aged 16+ by the date of assessment
  • Be able to swim 50m in under 60 seconds
  • Be able to swim 100m continuously on front and back
  • Be able tread water for over 30 seconds
  • Be able to surface dive to the deepest part of the pool
  • Be able to climb out of the pool unaided

What You Will Learn

  • Pool Rescue Techniques
  • Lifeguard Theory
  • First Aid & CPR
  • AED & PXB Certification included!

This female-only course is designed to create a supportive and empowering environment. Whether you are looking for a rewarding part-time job, a stepping stone into the leisure industry, or just a new personal challenge, this is your opportunity!

Enrol Now

It’s quick and easy!

  • If you aren’t already a member of the RLSS UK, you need to set up a RLSS UK account
  • Download and complete the NPLQ Enrolment Form
  • Once completed please send it to Anis Ukaye at EveryoneActive: anisukaye@everyoneactive.com
  • Anis is the main point of contact for all enquires, bookings and employment opportunities
Find Out More About Porchester Centre

Drum Roll Please! Announcing DanceWestminster 2025 Winners!

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Drum Roll Please! And The Winners Of This Years DanceWestminster Grand Final Are……

And that’s a wrap for another year! What a wonderful final we had for our annual pan-disability dance competition, DanceWestminster. All our finalists were truely fanatastic, and although the judges found it hard to pick, below are our winners for this year.

Dance Westminster Champion 2025

Daniel and dance partner Liam dancing to ‘Take me to church’

SECOND POSITION

Faheem and dance partner Joelle dancing to song ‘Killin it’

THIRD POSITION

Manel and dance partner Ellen dancing to song ‘Good Morning/Singing in the Rain’

OUR PEOPLE’S  CHOICE WINNER

June and dance partner Ruth dancing to song ‘Swan Lake’

Congratulations and thank you to all of our finalists for their heart felt and inspiring performances:

  • Sam Y & Ellen with song ‘In Your Eyes’
  • Yursa & Goergia with song ‘APT/Gangnam Style’
  • Jonsidney & Chloe with song ‘Unsteady, X Ambassadors’
  • Ana & Jaimee with with song ‘Perhaps, Perhaps’
  • Manal & Ellen with song ‘Good Morning/Singing in the Rain’
  • Sam H & Patricia with song ‘Timber’
  • Mariam & Georgia with song ‘Say Na Say Na’
Visit our main Dance Westminster Page for more information and find out how you can be at this spectacular event next year!

It’s Nearly Time For Camp! Join Edutain And Edutain+ This October Half Term

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It’s Nearly Time For Camp! Join Edutain & Edutain+ This October Half Term

Keep the kids of the screens this October half term with Edutain and Edutain+ Camps! These exciting, affordable camps are packed with multi-sport activities, arts & crafts, drama, swimming, and extra special fun Friday trips. Perfect for making new friends, staying active, and having a great time.

Edutain+ is designed to provide children with disabilities the chance to connect, engage, and play safely with their peers in an inclusive and supportive environment

Edutain Camps Details

Edutain+ Camps Details

Plan Your Camp Week:

We’ve made it easy to plan your child’s week of fun, friendship, and movement, find all the details below:

  • For children and young people aged 8–13 for Edutain and 8-16 for Edutain+
  • FREE spaces available for those eligible for free school meals

Whether it’s football, arts and crafts, team games, or just making new friends — there’s something for everyone

Edutain camp dates:

Camps are open to children aged 8-13 and run from 10:00am to 3:00pm from Monday 27 – Friday 31 October

Two Locations:

  • Academy Sport, Torquay Street W2 5EW
  • Community Centre (Under Morgan House), Lillington Gardens, SW1V 2LF

*BOOKING IS REQUIRED*

For more information or to book, call Ryan Denys on 07956 956167 or email ryan.denys@sportwestminster.org

Book Edutain @ Academy Sport
Book Edutain @ Lillington Gardens

Edutain+: Where Every Child Belongs

With Edutain+, children and young people with disabilities can explore, create, and stay moving in a fully supported, welcoming setting.

Camp will be open to children aged 8–16 where they enjoy exciting, accessible activities that spark imagination and build confidence and will run from 10:00 am to 3:00pm from Tuesday 28 – Thursday 30 October.

Location: Academy Sport, Torquay Street W2 5EW

*BOOKING IS REQUIRED

Book Edutain+

For more information or to book, call 07891 386 688 or email leonard.lionel@sportwestminster.org

Brought to you by our trusted delivery partners SportWest – www.sportwest.org.uk

On The Ground – Sharing Your Stories: October’s NSC Spotlight

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Unity in the Community: Football, Fun & Friendship Every Spring & Summer

Westminster’s young players came together once again for the Unity in the Community Football Tournament, part of the ActiveWestminster Weekend on 30–31 August 2025. This popular event, held every spring and summer, brings together local children and teens, male and female to enjoy football in a fun, safe, and inclusive environment.

A Tournament for Everyone

This year, around 110 players competed across 14 teams in four age groups. With fast-paced matches, team spirit, and plenty of cheers, the tournament offers more than just football—it’s a celebration of confidence, friendship, and community.

A Prestigious Moment: The Lord Mayor Presents Trophies

Adding an extra sparkle to the tournament, the Lord Mayor of Westminster joins every year to present medals and trophies to the winning U14 and U16 teams. Their presence not only celebrates the players’ achievements but also reinforces the event’s community spirit and sense of occasion. For many young participants, receiving a trophy from the Lord Mayor is a highlight of the day – a moment of pride, excitement, and inspiration that encourages them to keep playing, improving, and enjoying football.

Missed the action? Cick on the photo above to see how the community came together this summer!

More than just football

Unity in the Community isn’t just about the matches—it’s about building confidence, making friends, and feeling part of something bigger. With separate spaces for mixed teams and girls, support from inspiring coaches, and a safe, inclusive atmosphere, every participant leaves with new skills and memories.

Voices From the Pitch

Join the community action

Unity in the Community runs every spring and summer, giving Westminster’s young residents the chance to show off their skills, make new friends, and be part of the action on the pitch. Watch this space for next year’s tournaments, and in the meantime, discover how you can stay involved and keep playing—from local Neighbourhood Sports Club (NSC) sessions to football and other exciting activities happening all year round.

Find out more about the Neighbourhood Sports Club programme, upcoming sessions, and how to register for future Unity in the Community tournaments on the NSC event page or contact Ryan Denys at ryandenys@everyoneactive.com.

NSC Programme

Want to share your experience?

Your stories inspire us — and others! If you’ve taken part in an NSC session and want to share your experience, we’d love to hear from you. Click the button below to reach out.

Share your story

Supporting Mind and Body Together: Free and Inclusive Activities in Westminster

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Supporting Mind and Body Together: Free and Inclusive Activities in Westminster

World Mental Health Day (10 October) serves as a poignant reminder that mental wellbeing is integral to our overall health. This year, the theme “Access to Services – Mental Health in Catastrophes and Emergencies” emphasises the critical need for accessible mental health support during crises. While global events highlight this urgency, it’s essential to recognize that fostering mental health resilience begins within our communities.

At ActiveWestminster, we are committed to ensuring that every resident has the opportunity to engage in activities that promote both physical and mental health. Through our Move for Life! Strategy 2024–2028, we aim to create a fairer, healthier, and happier Westminster by providing inclusive and accessible movement opportunities for all.

Inclusive activities for mental wellbeing

Westminster offers a diverse range of free and low-cost activities to support both mental and physical wellbeing:

  • Gentle Movement: Engage in activities like yoga, somatic therapy walking, and cycling. Whether it’s high-impact or slower-paced, movement makes a difference

  • Be Active in Your Neighbourhood: Participate in guided walks and outdoor community activities to connect with nature and others.

  • Community leisure offers: Access discounted services through the ActiveWestminster Card, making movement accessible for every community member.

  • Inclusive programs for all residents: Our goal is to provide safe and welcoming environemnts for every resident from every walk of like to move and get active in a way that works best for them. That’s why we run initiatives like Edutain+ (in partnership with Everyone Active and SportWest) – a school holiday camp that is suitable for children with disabilities to engage, and connect with their peers. We’ve recently launched a brand-new swimming club for adults with disabilities, which is delivered by WeSwim, an organisation dedicated to supporting inclusive swimming ActiveWestminster’s Commitment to Mental Health

ActiveWestminster’s Commitment to Mental Health

Our approach is guided by three strategic pillars:

  1. Active Lives: Encouraging residents to engage in regular physical activity through tailored programs that focus on different needs and abilities.
  2. Active Neighbourhoods: Creating vibrant local environments with parks, 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.

These pillars ensure that mental wellbeing is at the heart of how Westminster moves.

Take a Step for Your Wellbeing

This World Mental Health Day, we encourage you to take a simple step: move for your mind. Whether it’s a walk with a friend, trying a new class, or just taking five minutes to stretch, every bit counts.

We’re committed to a fairer, healthier, happier Westminster, where everyone has the chance to move, connect, and thrive.

Move for Your Mind This World Mental Health Day