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Westminster Council

Confidence, Inclusion And Smiles All Round At Westminster’s First SEND Swim Gala

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Confidence, Inclusion And Smiles All Round At Westminster's First SEND Swim Gala

On Friday 15 May, Queen Mother Sports Centre was full of smiles, cheers and growing confidence as Westminster hosted it’s very first schools SEND Swim Gala.

Delivered in partnership with Panathlon Challenge, the event welcomed pupils from College Park School and Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee School for a fun and inclusive day of races, team challenges and water based activities designed to help young people with special needs and disabilities build confidence in the pool

swimming cap on the water
A brilliant day of teamwork, encouragement and young people building confidence in and around the water

More than just a gala

For many participants, the gala was about much more than just swimming. It was about trying something new, feeling included and enjoying the calming sensory benefits the water can provide. 

A huge thank you goes to the teachers and school staff who brought amazing energy and support throughout the day, alongside the team at Everyone Active Queen Mother Sport Centre for helping create such a welcoming and inclusive environment.

As a pilot event, the gala provided valuable learning opportunities and a brilliant foundation to build on for the future – and after such a positive first edition, we’re already excited for what next year could bring! 

Find Your Calm This Mental Health Awareness Week

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Find Your Calm This Mental Health Awareness Week

This Mental Health Awareness Week, ActiveWestminster is creating more opportunities to pause, reset and prioritise your wellbeing.

Across our centres, we’re offering supportive spaces and wellbeing-focused sessions designed to help you feel calmer, more focused and more connected, both physically and mentally.

Quiet Gym Sessions

Our Quiet Gym sessions provide a calmer, low-sensory environment for anyone who may find busy gym spaces overwhelming. These dedicated sessions are part of our commitment to making fitness more inclusive and accessible for everyone.

Members and pay-as-you-go customers can enjoy full gym access in a more relaxed atmosphere, helping you move at your own pace and feel more comfortable while exercising.

Check the timetable below to find a Quiet Gym or session that suits you.

quiet gym timetable
Sometimes, a little less noise and a little more breathing space can make all the difference.

Breathwork & Mindfullness Sessions

We’re also partnering with Everyone Active to deliver guided breathwork and mindfulness sessions using simple, science-backed techniques designed to support emotional wellbeing.

man meditating outdoors

These sessions can help you:

  • Reduce stress
  • Improve focus
  • Feel more balanced and present

Each session focuses on one of three wellbeing themes:

  • Reconnect
  • Gratitude
  • Regulate & Focus

Sessions are available at:

Find out more about the sessions here: Everyone Active Breathwork Sessions

Women’s Self Defence Classes: Feel Stronger, Safer And More Confident

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Women's Self Defence Classes In Westminster

Calling all our female residents. Want to boost your confidence and feel more in more control of everyday situations? These women only self-defence classes are designed to help you do exactly that.

Led by female professional martial artist, these practical 1 hour sessions will give you the skills, awareness and confidence to stay safe, all in a supportive welcoming environment.

Scan the QR Code to join something that is more than just a class – it’s a skillset you can rely on for life.

Where and When

  • Location: St Jude’s Community Hall, W10 4QL
  • When: Every Wednesday between 6:00 – 7:00 pm until 1st April.

      Make sure you arrive at 5:45 pm to sign in

What you’ll learn

  • Build confident body language
  • Manage distance and stay in control
  • Learn simple, effective blocks and strikes
  • Practical safe breakaway techniques
  • Understand self-defence law and personal safety

Whether you’re completely new or looking to build your confidence, these sessions are a great way to feel stronger, safer and more prepared.

Book Your Spot

Invest in a Greener Westminster

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Invest In A Greener Westminster

Residents this is your opportunity to support local climate action while investing in a greener future for the City of Westminster.

The council has partnered with Abundance Investment to launch the Westminster Green Investment, giving people the chance to invest directly in local sustainability projects from as little as £5. 

Investing in local climate action

Westminster is working towards becoming a net zero city, and this investment helps fund practical projects that reduce carbon emissions and improve energy efficiency across the borough.

By investing, residents can support climate action happening right here in the City, to help create a cleaner, more sustainable environment for everyone.

How the Westminster Green Investment Works

UK residents aged 18 and over can invest online through Abundance Investment’s platform. Investors can earn a return over a fixed term while knowing exactly where there money is being used.

Investments can also be held within an Innovative Finance ISA, meaning any returns may be tax-free.

Projects currently being supported

Funds help deliver energy-saving improvements in community buildings including leisure centres and day centres, such as LED lighting, insulation, draught proofing and solar technology.

Get involved

 This scheme offers a simple and accessible way to support ethical investing while backing real projects that benefit people and the planet.

FInd Out More and Invest

Smash Into Saturdays With Junior Squash At Lord’s

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Smash Into Saturdays With Junior Squash At Lord's

Our brand new Junior Squash sessions at Lord’s Cricket Ground designed to give young residents a fun and welcoming way to get active, learn new skills and be part of a sporting community.

Lords Squash Sessions

 

Sessions will take place every Saturday from 12:20 – 13:40pm at the Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC), Lord’s Cricket Ground, NW8 8QN, and are open to juniors of all abilities.

Squash is a fast-paced sport that helps young people develop fitness, agility, co-oridnation and reaction speed, whilst also building confidence, focus and resilience. It’s a great way for juniors to stay active, make friends and enjoy learning in a supportive environment.

Whether your child is picking up a racket for the first time or looking to improve their game, these sessions offer a fantastic opportunity to move, play and grow through sport.

For more information contact Ivy Deltiends at admin@middlesexjuniorsquash.co.uk

Six Years Of junior parkrun At Paddington Recreation Ground!

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Paddington Recreation Ground Celebrates 6 Years Of junior parkrun This Jan!

On Sunday 26th January, Paddington Recreation Ground junior parkrun chanted “cheers to 6 years” as local children, young people, parents, guardians and volunteers set off for another weekly run. 

Humble beginnings

Starting with just 1 or 2 participants on occasion, the junior parkrun at Paddington Recreation Ground has gone strength to strength since launch. The site has since hosted 1,159 participants (approcx 85 runners per week) aged 4-14, who have run, walked, jogged and even skipped the 2K around the mapped out route. 

Our volunteers make it happen

The run solely relies on our dedicated troop of 370 primarily local volunteers (and some volun-tourists from as far as Texas and Australia). They do everything from setting, to ensuring the safety of participants and managing, marshaling, time keeping and tail walking.

We want to take this opportunity to give a special, heartfelt thanks to a number of our volunteers who have volunteered with us 100 times! This includes David Phillipa, Jawaid, Florentina, Kathy, and Genevieve. Local Resident John May has volunteered a whooping 216 times! Now that’s what you call dedication.

Through this initiative we have also supported 18 young peopke with volunteering opportunities as part of the their Duke of Edward Award.

Join us

Whether you want to volunteer or become one of our junior runners, we will welcome you with open arms to be part of this thriving community event. 

Join us every Sunday morning at 9:00 am at Padding Recreation Ground. 

Where little legs go far and big hearts make it happen

Join Junior Parkrun: run, cheer or volunteer