community

One weekend. One community. One ball.

This September, pitches across Paddington Recreation Ground come alive for Unity in the Community – our free grassroots football tournament that’s been bringing Westminster together for years. This isn’t just a competition. It’s neighbours becoming teammates, strangers becoming supporters, and a whole community showing up for each other on and off the pitch.

Fancy trying a new sport, rediscovering an old favourite, or just getting the family moving? ActiveWestminster Weekend is your excuse.

On Saturday 22 and Sunday 23 August, Everyone Active leisure centres across Westminster open their doors for a weekend of free activities for residents, families, children and visitors alike (some age restrictions may apply).

Running twice a year, this is the perfect chance to explore facilities on your doorstep, whether that’s a class you’ve always meant to try or a return to a sport you haven’t picked up in years. No pressure, no cost, just a weekend to get active, on your terms.

Young people aged 11–16 can enjoy free basketball sessions this summer at Johnsons Place MUGA in Churchill Gardens, delivered by the London Basketball Association.

Open to all abilities, the mixed sessions will include basketball skills, drills and games, giving participants the chance to develop their skills while meeting new people and having fun on court.

Session details

• Activity: Basketball
• Location: Johnsons Place MUGA, Churchill Gardens
• Every Wednesday from 29 July to 2 September 2026
• Time: 4pm–6pm
• Age group: 11–16 (mixed sessions)
• Delivered by: London Basketball Association

Whether you’re new to basketball or already enjoy the sport, come along and get involved this summer.

Even a small spark can quickly spread through dry grass and vegetation, putting people, wildlife, buildings and outdoor spaces at risk.

If you’re spending time outdoors, please help keep our parks and facilities safe by:

• Do not light BBQs, campfires or any open flames in parks or outdoor spaces.
• Dispose of cigarettes and matches safely, ensuring they are completely extinguished.
• Take your litter home if bins are full, particularly glass bottles, which can contribute to fire risk.
• Never leave disposable BBQs or hot coals behind.
• If you see a fire, move to a safe place and call 999 immediately.

By taking a few simple precautions, everyone can help protect Westminster’s parks, outdoor facilities and green spaces, ensuring they remain safe for everyone to enjoy throughout the summer.

For more information and fire safety advice, visit the London Fire Brigade’s guidance on grass and wildfires on the link below.

Support tailored to the individual

SfC Connect is a new early help service from Sport for Confidence CIC, in partnership with Everyone Active and Active Westminster. Occupational therapists work with each person to understand their goals and barriers, then build a personalised plan to help them reconnect with activity, people and community.

Available at three of our Westminster Leisure Centres

• Little Venice Sports Centre
• Moberly Sports Centre
• Queen Mother Sports Centre

Meeting people where they need

Not every barrier to activity is visible, and that’s exactly what this service is designed to address. For some residents, the challenge has nothing to do with fitness levels or ability; it’s more personal than that, and that first step can be the hardest part of the whole journey. Ultimately, this is about making sure activity feels accessible to everyone, not just those who already feel comfortable getting started, and it reflects a wider ambition building a borough where residents feel genuinely supported, not just catered to.

Working together for Westminster

Hear from key partners and the Cabinet Member as they share why SfC Connect is an important step in helping more Westminster residents become active, improve their wellbeing and access personalised support when they need it most.

From confident new riders taking on Cycle Confident’s guidance, to families getting active together with Happy Lizzy, to bikes getting a free tune-up from Dr Bike – every corner of the street had something going on. Neighbours chatting on doorsteps. Kids making new friends over a game of tag. Parents catching up while the little ones burned off some energy. THIS is what happens when you give a community room to breathe and be free.

And the best bit? This isn’t a one-off.
Barnsdale Road Play Street is on every Tuesday, 4-6pm, all summer long.

So grab your bike, your scooter, your neighbours, your kids and family and come claim the street again next week. See you there!