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Volunteering

Join Friday Community Football Sessions At Paddington Rec With Rachel Yankey Foundation

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She Shoots, She Scores! Girls’ Football With Rachel Yankey At Pad Rec Every Friday!

Girls aged 11–16, this one’s for you!  The Rachel Yankey Foundation (RY11) is bringing girls-only community football sessions to Paddington Recreation Ground, and all levels are welcome.

Learn, play, and be Inspired by one of football’s greatsl

This is your chance to train with Rachel Yankey OBE — a trailblazer of the women’s game and former star for Arsenal Ladies, Fulham Ladies, and England. Alongside her dedicated team of coaches at RY11, Rachel brings a wealth of experience, passion, and energy to every session.

More than just a footballing icon, Rachel is a pioneer who continues to inspire the next generation of young female players. Her journey from grassroots to the international stage shows what’s possible, and now she’s sharing that knowledge and drive with girls across Westminster and beyond.

RY11, is all about:

  • Inspiring and empowering girls through the power of football
  • Building skills and confidence
  • Creating opportunities to thrive both in football and beyond

Whether you’re stepping onto the pitch for the first time or already love the game, these sessions are all about fun, growth, and teamwork.

Got Questions? Contact: info@rachelyankeyfoundation.co.uk

Spread the word — let’s fill the pitch and shape the future of girls’ football together!

Silver Sunday 2025: A Celebration for Westminster’s 50+ Community

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Silver Sunday Week 2025: Move More, Live Well

As part of Silver Sunday (29 September 2025), join us for a special week of events celebrating and supporting Westminster’s local community members aged 50 and over. Brought to you by Age UK, ActiveWestminster, and Everyone Active, Silver Sunday Week is all about health, wellbeing, and fun for the 50+ community.

With over 50 activities across our leisure centres and community spaces, there’s plenty to choose from. From fitness classes, swimming, dance, and yoga to social events and wellbeing workshops, there’s something for everyone to enjoy.

Scan the QR code above or check the Everyone Active app to discover activities, book and join the fun!

Move More, Live Well: The Benefits of Active Ageing

Staying active as we age isn’t just about keeping fit, it’s about living well. Regular activity helps maintain independence, boosts energy, supports mental health, and reduces the risk of long-term conditions. Just 30 minutes of movement a day can make a real difference to mobility, confidence, and overall wellbeing.

That’s why ActiveWestminster and everyone are dedicated to making it easier for residents over 50 to stay active. With inclusive programmes, community classes, and welcoming leisure centres, we’re here to help you keep moving, stay connected and live life to the fullest.

Your Week of Fun and Fitness

Take a look at the Everyone Active schedule and find an activity that’s right for you. All sessions are designed to be fun, accessible, and a great way to celebrate being active. Whether you want to improve fitness, try something new, or simply enjoy social connection, there’s something for everyone.

See the Schedule, Join the Fun!

Recycle Week 2025: Rescue, Recycle, Reward!

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Recycle Week 2025: Rescue, Recycle, Reward!

It’s Recycle Week 2025 (22–28 Sept) and this year’s theme “Rescue Me! Recycle” is all about giving overlooked items, from yoghurt pots to aerosols, a second life.

Here in Westminster, you can take part in a fun and impactful way: by using the Reverse Vending Machine at Paddington Recreation Ground. Simply drop in your empty plastic bottles or aluminium cans and not only are they recycled properly, but 10p per item is donated to North Paddington Youth Club.

Every container counts toward protecting the planet, reducing waste, and giving back to the community. Join us this Recycle Week and turn your empties into positive action.

Recycle your bottles and cans — and turn everyday empties into community impact!

Drop. Donate. Do Good.

Every bottle or can diverted from general waste helps in:

  • Reducing energy and emissions, because recycling requires less raw material and less processing
  • Preventing pollution and landfill pressure, especially in dense urban areas
  • Supporting local causes, in Westminster, the Reverse Vending Machine dona­tes 10p per container to North Paddington Youth Club. 

That’s community impact made from individual actions.

Your Recycling in Action

Here’s a little reminder of what you need to do to turn your recycling into rewards:
  • Drop in empty plastic bottles or aluminium drink cans
  • The machine captures them cleanly
  • For every item deposited, 10p is donated to North Paddington Youth Club
  • To date, over 188 items (159 bottles, 29 cans) have been deposited – a great start to raising funds and awareness.
Turn Trash to Treasure

New Play Streets Bring Families Together on Car Free Day

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New Play Streets Bring Families Together on Car Free Day

 

Car Free Day, celebrated globally on 22 September, is all about reimagining our streets without cars and encouraging people to walk, cycle, scoot and play in safer, healthier environments. It’s a chance to experience the benefits of cleaner air, reduced traffic, and more active neighbourhoods, while highlighting the importance of sustainable transport.

Here in Westminster, Car Free Day is a key moment in the year to showcase programmes like Play Streets, Street Play, and School Streets, which all form part of the council’s Active Streets Programme. By turning roads into spaces for people, the day helps residents see how streets can be used differently, supporting Westminster’s ambition for greener, safer, and more connected communities.

The first of this year’s new locations opened in Northumberland Place on 4 August, quickly becoming a hub of laughter, cycling, and outdoor fun. Building on this success, Kilravock Street and Ashmore Road officially joined the programme in September. To mark Car Free Day, the council also hosted Street Play sessions in Church Street and Capland Street, where young people enjoyed activities with Everyone Active coaches and Cycle Confident helped build cycling skills.

Cllr Cara Sanquest, Cabinet Member for Communities, said:

“We’re pleased to be able to launch this Play Streets scheme, which facilitates play, physical activity, leisure and sport opportunities outside for children, young people and families, literally on the doorstep of people’s homes.

There are lots of children and families who live along the same street who don’t get the chance to interact together, and these sessions allow them to do so safely and play on a traffic-free road.

This new scheme highlights the power of communities coming together to create cleaner, safer, healthier, and more active neighbourhoods across the city.”

Residents have already been quick to share their appreciation, with one parent from Northumberland Place saying:

“It has been such a good way to get the kids out of the house and active. It has also been instrumental in making friends with neighbours and building a real community spirit.”

See how Westminster’s streets came alive on Car Free Day with new Play Streets, bringing families, neighbours and communities together in safe, traffic-free spaces.

The impact of Active Streets

The Active Streets initiative is about more than play, it’s about healthier streets, cleaner air, and stronger communities. By reducing traffic and reclaiming space for people, the programme helps deliver Westminster’s ActiveWestminster Strategy, supporting the council’s vision for an Active City where infrastructure, neighbourhoods, and local communities make it easier for everyone to be active every day.

With four Play Street locations now open (Northumberland Place, Kilravock Street, Ashmore Road, and Luton & Fisherton Street), the scheme continues to grow, giving families more opportunities to enjoy safe, welcoming spaces for activity and connection.

You can play a part too. Street Makers are local residents who lead on bringing Street Play sessions first and can then apply for a more permanent setting with a Play Street. The programme aims to help neighbours come together and create spaces where children and families can enjoy safe, traffic-free play.

To learn more about the Active Streets Programme, use the link below.

Get to Know Active Streets

Secure Your Spot: Safeguarding And Protecting Children Workshop

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Secure Your Spot: Safeguarding And Protecting Children Workshop

Act fast! ActiveWestminster is offering a fully funded, in-person Safeguarding and Protecting Children course. But with only 20 spaces available, spots are filling up quickly. This is your chance to gain essential skills to keep children safe in sport and physical activity, boost your confidence as a coach or youth leader, and earn a certification that adds real value to your practice.

Every child deserves to enjoy sport in a safe, supportive, and empowering environment – and this interactive 3-hour workshop, delivered by UK Coaching, will give you the knowledge and tools to make that happen

Whether you’re a coach, youth leader, or volunteer, this certification equips you with the skills and confidence to protect children and ensure every young person enjoys sport in a safe, positive, and empowering environment.

The benefits of this certification:

  • Build Confidence: Gain the knowledge and skills to confidently safeguard children in sport and physical activity.
  • Practical Tools: Learn how to identify, respond to, and report concerns about a child’s safety and wellbeing.
  • Create Safe Spaces: Foster inclusive, supportive environments where children feel valued and protected.
  • Boost Professional Credibility: Enhance your coaching or youth work experience with a recognised certification.

Workshop Details:

  • Date: Wednesday 8 October 2025
  • Time: 6:00pm – 9:00pm
  • Location: North Paddington Youth Club, 229 Lanark Road, London, W9 1EA
  • Age Requirement: 16+
  • Spaces Available: Maximum 20

Spaces are limited, so make sure to register now to secure your place.

Claim Your Place Now!

Excited To Announce: LGBTQ+ Boxing Is Back And It’s FREE!

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FREE LGBTQ+ Boxing Classes Return to Westminster – Join the Community!

We’re thrilled to announce that LGBTQ+ boxing sessions are back in Westminster at a new location: Queen Mother Sports Centre in Pimlico. Starting Thursday 25th September, these FREE, inclusive boxing classes run every week from 7:30–8:30pm, welcoming anyone who identifies as LGBTQ+.

These non-contact boxing sessions are perfect for beginners and experienced participants alike. You’ll learn boxing fundamentals, build fitness, and improve strength and coordination – all in a safe and supportive environment. No equipment is needed; everything is provided on-site.

Ready to join? Scan the QR code or click to register now!

Boxing is not just about fitness. It’s a way to boost mental health, reduce stress, and gain confidence, while connecting with a like-minded LGBTQ+ community. These sessions offer a space where you can be yourself, meet new people, and enjoy an empowering, energising workout. Whether you want to get fit, learn boxing, or simply have fun, these sessions are designed for you.

It’s time to Punch with Pride – come and be part of a vibrant, inclusive community where fitness, friendship, and fun come together!

Box, Bond, Belong – Sign Up Today