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A Street Transformed: Northumberland Place Play Street Launches

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A Street Transformed: Northumberland Place Play Street Launches

On Monday 4th August 2025, Northumberland Place (W2 5BS) was officially transformed into Westminster’s newest Play Street and what a great success it was!

Families and neighbours turned out to enjoy a car-free street buzzing with play, creativity, and community spirit. Highlights from the launch included:

  • Playful games and friendly competition
  • Scooting, cycling, and free play for all ages
  • Neighbours connecting and celebrating a shared community space
  • Special guests to help us celebrate including the Lord Mayor and Councillor Cara Sanquest 

Transforming streets, one at a time

Northumberland Place will regularly be closed to traffic during set times on evenings and weekends, creating a safer, community-driven space for families to play, connect, and enjoy the outdoors.

Next, the scheme will expand to Kilravock Street (W10) and Ashmore Road (W9) in Queens Park this September:

  • Kilravock Street: Friday 5 September, 4–6pm
  • Ashmore Road: Saturday 6 September, 1–4 pm

Each launch is another step towards turning busy streets into vibrant neighbourhood spaces where children can play safely and communities can come together.

A resident-led movement with real impact

Led by residents and supported by local volunteers, Play Streets are transforming urban streets into friendly, active place. This initiative coordinated by Westminster City Council, forms part of the wider Active Streets Programme and marks a fourfold increase in Play Streets since the first one was designated (Luton and  Fisherton Street) in 2019 

By reducing traffic, Play Streets aim to:

  • Create safer play areas
  • Encourage stronger community connections
  • Promote physical activity and children’s wellbeing
  • Support cleaner, greener neighbourhoods

The bigger picture

Northumberland Place is conveniently located near Shrewsbury Road’s permanent School Street, one of 13 such schemes across the borough. School Streets close roads during school drop-off and pick-up times, enabling safer, cleaner travel for families.

A huge thank you to everyone – families, neighbours, volunteers, and councillors, and of course the Lord Mayor who made the Northumberland Place launch such a joyful transformation of a street into a vibrant, shared community space.

Want to learn more or apply to host your own Play Street? Visit the Active Streets page to get all the details and application info

Bring Play to Your Street

Your Weekly Boost: Football For Mind, Body And Community

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Your Weekly Boost: Football for Mind, Body & Community

A new community-led initiative is bringing people together through the power of football to support mental health, tackle social isolation, and promote physical wellbeing.

The Football for Wellbeing Hub, run in partnership with West London NHS Trust, QPR in the Community Trust, Everyone Active’s Neighbourhood Sports Clubs programme, and Footy Addicts, offers free, safe, and inclusive football sessions for adults aged 18+ across West London.

Open to everyone — including community members, NHS service users, and West London NHS Trust staff — the hub provides therapeutic and social sessions designed to boost confidence, foster connections, and encourage healthy lifestyles. No prior football experience is needed.

Sessions are available in men-only, women-only, and mixed-gender formats at venues in Shepherd’s Bush, Paddington Recreation Ground, and Amberley Pitch in Westminster:

  • Men Only: Wednesdays, 3–4pm – PowerLeague, Shepherd’s Bush
  • Women Only: Saturdays, 11–12pm – Amberley Pitch, W9
  • Mixed Gender: Saturdays, 12–1pm – Amberley Pitch, W9
  • Mixed Gender: Fridays, 6–7pm – Paddington Recreation Ground, W9

The programme is delivered by the Lived Experience Hub, an outreach initiative that creates safe, supportive spaces for wellbeing in the local community.

Whether you want to meet new people, get active, or simply enjoy a kickabout in a welcoming environment, the Football for Wellbeing Hub is here to help you take that first step.

Sign Up and Play!

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

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

Feel Stronger and Fitter with Open Age’s Keep Fit Class!

Looking for a fun, friendly and effective way to keep active? Open Age’s Keep Fit: Exercise to Music session is perfect for older adults looking to boost strength, mobility and confidence in a supportive environment.

Session Details:

  • Location: St Margaret’s Activity Centre, 1 Carey Place, SW1V 2RT
  • Time: Wednesdays between 10:00 – 11:00 a.m (**This session is not running during the summer period and will be back in action as of September**)

The class is part of Open Age’s popular activity programme in South Westminster and is designed to support physical and mental wellbeing through accessible, low-impact exercise.

Whether you’re recovering from injury, building back strength, or just looking to stay active and social, this session is a great way to move more and feel good. The class is inclusive and professionally led, with exercises tailored to individual needs.

Participant Case Study: LC Keep Feet, St Margrats

Interested in other physical activity sessions?

Then discover everything else the NSC programme has to offer — just hit the button below!

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

Don’t Miss Out On The Mile That Brings Westminster Together

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  • News

Don't Miss Out On The Mile That Brings Westminster Together

The Vitality Westminster Mile 2025 is back on Saturday 27th September 2025. You’ve still got time to take part in one of London’s most iconic and inclusive mile events! Whether you run, jog, walk, glide or are move on wheels, this is your chance to get moving with family friends, and neighbours.

One Mile, One Community and Other Waves to Catch!

Courtesy of our wonderful partners at London Marathon Events we are excited to bring back the Westminster Community Wave which starts at 9:55 a.m on the day. 

This wave is open to all Westminster residents completely FREE, whether you’re moving solo, with family, or as part of a group. And all participants will receive a FREE souvenir medal to remember the great day and a FREE picnic lunch to enjoy in Green Park as part of the Vitality Wellness Festival!

There are also other waves to suit different groups and ages. Find full details about all the waves and how to join them on the Vitality Westminster Mile event page.

Time is Ticking – Entries Close on Friday 12 September 2025!

Be sure to book quickly, as there are only 500 FREE spots available for the Community Wave. Entires will close on Friday 12 September or when the 500 free places get filled.

 
Get the full details about the event, how to register, and costs for the the Adult Wave & Family/Group Wave on the event page mentioned above.
 
As always if you need more specific information or have any questions, please feel free to contact the ActiveWestminster team @activewestminster.gov.uk.
Don’t miss your chance to be part of this celebration of local pride, fitness, and togetherness!
Secure Your Spot!

Bronze for Westminster at the London Youth Games Finals!

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  • News


Bronze for Westminster at the London Youth Games Finals!

A huge congratulations to our young athletes! Westminster proudly clinched Bronze in Boys Table Tennis at the London Youth Games Finals Festival, held at Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park this July.

With 10,000+ young Londoners competing across 37 sports, our team rose to the challenge, and the podium!

More highlights from Westminster:

  • Silver in Boys Cricket
  • 4th in Girls Judo
  • 5th in Boys Basketball

Cllr Cara Sanquest, Cabinet Member for Communities at Westminster City Council, said:

“It’s brilliant to see so many children and young people living or studying in Westminster excel in the London Youth Games this year. It’s fantastic that a Westminster competitor has taken home bronze in table tennis, and that we had impressive successes in cricket and basketball. All of our athletes have done Westminster proud – congratulations to everyone who took part.”

As the 50th anniversary Golden Games approaches in 2027, LYG is inviting Londoners to share their stories and celebrate the life-changing impact of the Games here: The London Youth Games Helped Me...Since 1977, more than two million young people aged 7–17 have taken part – including sporting legends like Mo Farah, Christine Ohuruogu MBE, David Weir CBE, and Raheem Sterling MBE.

Show your support, find out more and share your story!

London Youth Games 50th Anniversary

We Are Now Officially ActiveWestminster!

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We Are Now Officially ActiveWestminster!

We’re thrilled to share some exciting news! Our team has a new name: ActiveWestminster!

This change marks an important step forward, bringing our name in line with the work we do every day to support inclusive participation, wellbeing, and community activity across Westminster.

Why the name change?

We’ve moved away from our former name, Sport, Leisure and Active Communities, because ActiveWestminster is already a recognised, trusted brand across the borough.

It’s simpler, more memorable, and better reflects how residents, partners, and stakeholders know and connect with us. We’re proud to align even more closely with the ActiveWestminster Strategy and the council-wide Fairer Westminster Strategy as we continue working for a healthier, more active borough.

This update will help us:

  • Strengthen our identity
  • Streamline communications
  • Improve visibility and recognitio
ActiveWestminster and City of Westminster logos

About the ActiveWestminster Partnership

The ActiveWestminster Partnership is a borough-wide network of organisations, schools, sports clubs, charities, voluntary sector, health services and local people, all working together to make Westminster more active and inclusive.

Facilitated by Westminster City Council, the partnership focuses on:

  • Reducing health inequalities
  • Embedding physical activity in everyday life
  • Creating inclusive, accessible opportunities for all

Stay connected

Want to stay up to date and connected?

Thank you for being part of this exciting new chapter and for supporting everything we do as the ActiveWestminster Team.