Sport

Kickstart Your Volunteering Journey with Westminster Connects

14 October 2025 by Sheena Kotecha

October 14, 2025

Kickstart Your Volunteering Journey with Westminster Connects

Volunteering is a powerful way to make a difference, build new skills, and connect with your community. At Westminster City Council, we value the time, energy, and passion that volunteers bring to our borough, helping to strengthen communities, support services, and make Westminster a better place for everyone.

Our Introduction to Volunteering Session is open to anyone aged 16+ (many of our volunteers are in their 80s!) who wants to explore opportunities, meet inspiring people, and find a role that suits their interests.

Sessions Details:

Date: Monday 17 November 2025
Time: 10:00am – 2:00pm
Location: Westminster City Hall, SW1E 6Q

Get ready to:

Meet fellow participants and enjoy a warm, friendly welcome
Explore a variety of volunteering roles and organisations in Westminster
Take part in interactive activities and real-life group case studies
Hear inspiring stories from current volunteers making a difference
Learn about training, induction, and ongoing support available to volunteers
Take a guided tour of our Westminster Connects Volunteering Platform
Reflect on your skills and interests to find your ideal volunteering role
Enjoy free refreshments and network with like-minded people
Book a one-on-one chat for personalised advice tailored to you
Meet fellow participants and enjoy a warm welcome
Explore a variety of volunteering roles and organisations
Take part in interactive activities and group case studies
Hear inspiring stories from current volunteers
Learn about training, induction, and ongoing support
Guided tour of our Westminster Connects Volunteering Platform
Reflect on your goals to find your ideal role
Enjoy free refreshments and networking opportunities
Book a one-on-one chat for personalised advice

Sign up:

This session is a fantastic resource for anyone looking to start their volunteering journey — whether you’re completely new or just looking to try something different outside your current networks.

Reserve your place for the session here. If you can’t make this date, you can register to hear about future sessions or explore opportunities on the Westminster Connects Volunteering Platform.

Partner with us:

If your organisation wants to promote volunteering roles at our 2026 sessions, please contact us at communitywestminsterconnects@gmail.com.

Come along, meet like-minded people, and discover how your time and skills can make a real difference in Westminster!

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

13 October 2025 by Sheena Kotecha

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.

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.

New Refurbished Church Street Pitch Opens for the Community

10 October 2025 by Sonia Martinez-Roura

News
October 10, 2025

New Refurbished Church Street Pitch Opens for the Community

We’re thrilled to announce the official opening of the newly refurbished pitch at Kennet House in Church Street! This is a fantastic new space for the community to get active, play and connect.

The pitch was officially opened by Councillor Aicha Less, who joined local residents and young players to celebrate this exciting addition to the neighbourhood.

Councillor Aicha Less joins local residents to officially open the new Church Street pitch – another fantastic community space for everyone to enjoy and get active!

As part of ActiveWestminster’s commitment to investing in local facilities, this new space provides more opportunities for everyone to stay active, healthy and connected — right in the heart of Westminster.

Whether you’re looking to play football with friends, get involved in community sport, or simply enjoy being outdoors, the Church Street pitch is open to all. Come down and check it out!

The Final Countdown: Dance Westminster 2025 Grand Final Is Almost Here!

8 October 2025 by Sheena Kotecha

News
October 8, 2025

The Final Countdown: The Dance Westminster 2025 Grand Final Is Almost Here!

The wait is nearly over! The Dance Westminster 2025 Grand Final is just around the corner!

After weeks of inspiring Heats across the city, our amazing finalists are ready to take centre stage and show Westminster how it’s done. This free, pan-disability celebration of dance is open to all — so come along, cheer them on, and be part of the movement!

In partnership with Step Change Studios, Dance Westminster celebrates inclusion, creativity, and confidence through the joy of dance. Whether you’re a dancer, supporter, or spectator, this event brings our community together in rhythm and spirit.

Check out the video from last year to get a glimpse of the energy, talent and joy you’ll experience at the Grand Final!

Don’t miss out!

Your Front-Row Look at the Grand Final

The spotlight is on Westminster’s finest! Here’s what’s coming up at the Dance Westminster 2025 Grand Final:

10 incredible finalists will take to the stage, showcasing routines they’ve perfected with professional dance partners.
Experience a thrilling celebration of movement, creativity, and inclusion.
You, the audience, will have the power to vote and help crown the People’s Champion 2025.
Expect an evening full of energy, inspiration, and community spirit, perfect for dancers and spectators alike.

Don’t miss out, ticket are completely FREE but going very fast!

Secure your place today and join us for an evening full of movement, music, and community celebration. Click on the flyer above or button below. If you need any support with your booking please contact Ian Bannister at ibannister@westminster.gov.uk.

Cheer, Support, and Celebrate!

Not keen on dancing yourself? No problem! Come along to watch, cheer on participants, and soak up the energy of Dance Westminster 2025. Your support helps make the event even more special—every clap, cheer, and smile counts! Reserve

Westminster, let’s make this an event to remember. It’s time to move, groove and celebrate!

Get moving with AC-TI-VATE at Churchill Gardens!

2 October 2025 by Sonia Martinez-Roura

News
October 2, 2025

Get moving with AC-TI-VATE at Churchill Gardens!

We’re excited to introduce AC-TI-VATE, a new project designed to bring young people and families together through fun, active, and healthy experiences and delivered by our partners Sportwest.

Every Wednesday from 4–5pm at Churchill Gardens, AC-TI-VATE offers a space for the community to get moving, try out enjoyable physical activities, and build confidence in leading a more active lifestyle.

But AC-TI-VATE is about more than just exercise. It’s about:

Ownership and involvement – young people and families are encouraged to help shape the programme and make it their own.
Community connection – providing a safe, welcoming environment where people can come together, meet new friends, and feel part of something positive.
Healthy living – fresh fruit is provided each week, reinforcing the importance of healthy eating and balanced habits.

Whether you’re coming along for fitness, fun, or simply to connect with others, AC-TI-VATE is here to support you. Bring your family, friends, and energy – and let’s build a healthier, more connected community together.

Vitality Westminster Mile – A brilliant celebration of community and activity

1 October 2025 by Sonia Martinez-Roura

News
October 1, 2025

Vitality Westminster Mile - A brilliant celebration of community and activity

What a day!

The Vitality Westminster Mile took place on Saturday 27 September and it was a joyful, inclusive celebration – a wonderful sunny day with people of all ages and abilities coming together to move, cheer and connect.

The 2025 Vitality Westminster Mile saw more than 6,000 people take in the iconic one-mile route around St James’s Park, starting on The Mall and finishing in front of Buckingham Palace. This included almost 400 in the Westminster Community Wave, featuring families from across Westminster’s diverse communities.

The participants also enjoyed the Vitality Wellness Festival in Green Park, which featured free activities for friends and family, as well as the general public. It was a record-breaking edition of the event, with a new Guinness World Record set and a new record for the oldest-ever participant, aged 99! Recognisable names taking part on the day included former England Cricket captain Sir Alastair Cook, TV personality Rachel Riley and The Body Coach Joe Wicks. What a brilliant day.

Huge thanks to the organisers, sponsors, volunteers and every single participant. It was a soul warming fun day for everyone.