community

A New Era Of Outdoor Sport, Fitness And Community Shine at Johnsons Place Launch

A New Era For Outdoor Sport, Fitness And Community Spirit Shine At Johnsons Place Launch

A fantastic community celebration marked the official launch of the new Multi-Use Games Area (MUGA) and outdoor gym at Johnsons Place on Monday 9th February.

Residents, partners, councillors and coaches from SportWestminster came together to mark the official opening of the upgraded outdoor sports facilities, designed to give residents of all ages more opportunities to get active in the heart of the community. The event really showcased the energy, enthusiasm and community spirit the the new space is set to inspire.

A great turn out from the community, and plenty of happy faces as children tried out the new facilities for the first time, some of our councillors got in on the action too!

Built for play, training and everyday fitness

The upgrade includes eight brand new pieces of outdoor gym equipment, new lighting, fencing, multi-use surfacing, goals, basketball hoops, and seating, delivered by the amazing team at Play Innovation, who have recently been shortlisted for a SAPCA (Sports and Play Construction Association), award for their groundbreaking work on this project. 

The investment in Johnsons Place forms part of Westminster’s wider commitment to improving access to outdoor sport and physical activity spaces. By enhancing local facilities, we are helping to remove barriers to participation and encourage healthier, more active lifestyles across the city.

Whether you’re organising a casual kick about with friends, trying out a new fitness routine or looking for somewhere for the kids to blow of some steam, Johnson’s Place is ready and waiting to become a vibrant hub for outdoor sport and community activity.

The Half-Term Countdown Is On: It’s Time To Hit The Pool!

The Half-Term Countdown Is On - Time To Hit The Pool

The February half term is fast approaching, and in Westminster that means one thing – it’s time for families to get active with our popular FREE Swimming sessions, available every school holiday.

*Terms and conditions apply

Spaces fill up quickly during the school holidays, so book early and get ready to get those lengths in this February half term!

Westminster resident children can swim for free when accompanied by an adult at our leisure centres with pools, making it an easy, affordable way to keep children active, build water confidence and enjoy quality time together during the break.

Check eligibility and rules

  • One free adult per qualifying child.
  • Free swim session times vary by leisure centre – check websites for details.
  • Children under 8 must be supervised in the water by an adult (18+), with a maximum ratio of two children to one adult.
  • Participants must register for the ActiveWestminster card in advance. All children must be residents to quality for the scheme.
  • All swim sessions must be pre-booked. Wristbands to be collected at reception.
  • Available Monday – Friday, from 10am to 4pm during school holidays (times may vary by pool).

FREE Swimming Session Slots

Booking your free swimming sessions is simple! Sessions are available in one-hour slots. Times vary by pool, please check beforehand to avoid dissappointment.

This is just one of our swim offers – explore what else we have on

Network Activity Project Funding Applications NOW OPEN!

Applications for the Network Activity Project Funding are now Open

As of today Monday 9th February 2025, ActiveWestminster Network partners are invited to submit a proposal for funding support of up to £2000.

This funding can be used to support a new health and wellbeing community project or to upscale an existing one. 

Submission Deadline: Sunday 16th March 2026 at midnight 

Project Delivery Timeframe: April 2026 – March 2027

Please note funding is subject to network partners and their projects meeting specific criteria as outlined on on our dedicated page on our website – you can find all the information you need here: Network Activity Project Funding 

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

The Abbey Centre Is Impacting Women's Wellness With Their Weekly Yoga Sessions

The Abbey Centre  is spreading the zen throughout the borough with their weekly women’s wellness yoga sessions, which have been designed to give women a space to connect, socialise, stay active  and find their calm.

What to expect in the sessions

The sessions every Friday between 9:30-10:30 pm (with the exception of Easter and Christmas holidays).

Each session combines a series of stretching exercises and guided breathing techniques with a goal to help improve strength and flexibility whilst reducing stress and enabling participants to find balance in the fast moving chaotic place the world can sometimes be.

Programme Case Study

Highlights
  • The programme engaged 29 participants during December 2024 over three classes, maintaining consistency in attendance throughout the quarter.
  • Successful introduction of breathing techniques which have been positively received
  • Participants have reported feeling more relaxed and connected, reducing stress and isolation
  • This year there are plans to expand the offering in partnership with VICEC by providing classes at St Andrew’s Youth Club.

Participant Case Study

Participant Profile: Josephine, in her 70s, enjoys participating in the sessions  
Reasons for getting involved in the programme: Having had spinal surgery, Josephine wanted to regain her strength
Programme Impact: Getting involved in the programme has enabled her to gain hope, confidence and connection from being in a shared space with others. She has also been able to take the exercises learnt in the sessions to practice yoga at home. Josephine aspires to continue attending the sessions and build on the strength and confidence she has already gained.

Find out more about the Abbey Centre and the other sessions available through our 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.

Panathlon SEND Schools Competition Brings Energy and Inclusion to Moberly Sports Centre


Panathlon SEND Schools Competition Brings Energy and Inclusion to Moberly Sports Centre

Moberly Sports Centre was full of energy on Thursday, 13 November as the annual Panathlon SEND Schools Multi-Sports Competition returned, bringing together pupils from across Westminster for a full day of inclusive sport.

Across morning and afternoon sessions, 64 young people took part: 38 primary pupils from five schools and 26 secondary pupils from four schools. With more schools keen to join next time, the event continues to grow as a key fixture for SEND engagement in the borough.

The competition featured a wide range of accessible and highly interactive activities, all designed to encourage teamwork, confidence-building and fundamental movement skills. Corporate volunteers from Aspen partnered with Panathlon to support each challenge, helping pupils rotate through stations, track scores and keep the momentum high throughout the day.

Everyone Active provided the space and coaching support, creating a dynamic environment where pupils could try new activities, compete with enthusiasm, and celebrate each other’s achievements. Representatives from London Marathon Events were also on-site, allowing schools to secure places in the Mini London Marathon 2026 – a highlight that captured the imagination of many pupils and teachers.

Both the primary and secondary school competitions were closely contested, with strong performances and evident team spirit across all participating schools. Edward Wilson Primary School emerged as the morning winners, and in the afternoon, our champions were Abingdon House School.

This event serves as a fantastic lead-in to UK Disability History Month (20th November – 20th December), highlighting the achievements of disabled people and the importance of inclusive opportunities for young people with SEND. 

ActiveWestminster continues to champion inclusive sport, ensuring children and young people with SEND have the chance to participate, grow and thrive through physical activity. Looking for more inclusive physical activity opportunities across the borough? Explore our full range of programmes by clicking on the button below

This year, we captured some of the thoughts of teachers, volunteers, partners, and participants on film. They shared their reflections on what inclusive sporting opportunities mean for their school communities. 

Watch this space for a deeper look into what makes this event so valued across Westminster.

Temporary Car Park Closures At Paddington Recreation Ground


Temporary Car Park Closure At Paddington Recreation Ground

We would like to inform all visitors of scheduled temporary car park closures at Paddington Recreation Ground over the coming weeks. These closures are required to support planned operational activity on site and ensure the space can be managed safely and efficiently.

Closure dates and times

  • Thursday 27 November 2025: 6:30 am – 9:30 pm
  • Friday 28 November 2025:  6:30 am – 9:30 pm
  • Saturday 6 December 2025: 6:30 am – 8:30 pm

During these periods, no vehicle access or parking will be available. All other areas of the park will remain open as usual.

We appreciate your understanding and cooperation while these arrangements are in place. Please plan your visit accordingly and allow extra time for travel where needed.

If you require further information, please contact the site team.