An innovative community activity hub in one of the capital’s most deprived neighbourhoods has been recognised on one of London sport’s biggest stages. The inclusive space,designed to break down barriers to participation and bring residents of all ages and abilities together,has been honoured at the London Sport Awards,highlighting how targeted investment and grassroots partnerships can transform physical activity opportunities in areas facing deep social and economic challenges. The accolade, reported by Yahoo Sports UK, underscores a growing recognition that sport and active recreation are not just about competition, but about inclusion, wellbeing and rebuilding community cohesion where it is needed most.
Community led design transforms derelict site into inclusive activity hub in deprived borough
Once a fenced-off dumping ground on the edge of a major estate, the site has been reimagined through months of workshops, walkabouts and kitchen-table consultations with residents who rarely see themselves reflected in formal planning processes. Parents,youth groups,disability advocates and older neighbours mapped out their daily routes and frustrations,then co-drafted a brief that prioritised safe play,low-cost sport and social connection over glossy landmark architecture. The resulting layout is deliberately porous,with multiple entrances aligned to bus stops and school gates,and a clear line of sight across the entire space to give carers and young people greater confidence.
- Free-to-use exercise equipment co-designed with local disability charities
- Floodlit mini-pitches that convert to market or event space
- Calm garden pockets requested by older residents for quiet conversation
- Street art walls curated by local creatives and youth mentors
| Group | Key Ask | Design Response |
|---|---|---|
| Teenagers | Safe evening hangout | Lit social zone & multi-use games area |
| Parents | Visibility of children | Open sightlines & low planting |
| Disabled users | Step-free access | Ramps, wide paths & adaptive kit |
| Older residents | Places to sit and talk | Benches with armrests near activity zones |
The impact is already measurable: local schools report increased physical activity among pupils, community coaches have a permanent base for low-cost sessions, and crime prevention officers note a drop in anti-social behavior around the perimeter. By giving residents control over everything from surface materials to programming, the project has shifted perceptions of who gets to shape public space in one of the capital’s most disadvantaged postcodes, turning a former symbol of neglect into a working blueprint for equitable, health-focused urban regeneration.
Targeted programmes boost physical activity among underrepresented groups including women and disabled residents
Through a mix of outreach, locally-led coaching and adaptive equipment, the center has quietly dismantled many of the barriers that once kept residents on the sidelines. Women who previously cited safety, childcare and confidence as obstacles are now taking part in evening fitness sessions and social sport leagues that fit around shift work and family life. Disabled residents, simultaneously occurring, benefit from tailored programmes co-designed with lived-experience advocates, ensuring that activities are not simply “accessible” on paper but genuinely usable and welcoming in practice. These efforts are supported by partnerships with community organisations, who help staff identify individuals least likely to engage in traditional gym environments.
The impact is visible on the ground, with participation data showing a clear shift in who uses the facility and how frequently enough. Flexible memberships, women-only time slots and adaptive classes have created a more balanced mix of users, while targeted communications in multiple languages have broadened the centre’s reach. Among the most popular initiatives are:
- Women’s Lift & Learn – coached strength sessions paired with short workshops on confidence and health.
- Wheels in Motion – inclusive cycling and wheelchair skills on custom-adapted equipment.
- Quiet Hour Fitness – low-sensory gym time for neurodivergent and anxious residents.
- Family Move Mornings – activities that allow parents and children to be active together.
| Group | Previous weekly users | Current weekly users |
|---|---|---|
| Women (all ages) | 40 | 120 |
| Disabled residents | 15 | 55 |
| Women-only programmes | 2 classes | 7 classes |
Partnerships between local authorities charities and schools secure sustainable funding and long term impact
Behind the headlines and the awards ceremony lights is a web of collaboration that makes this inclusive activity space possible day after day. Local councils,education leaders and grassroots organisations have pooled their reach,data and on-the-ground insight to build a model that is financially resilient rather than grant-dependent. The local authority provides access to underused public land and planning support, schools contribute timetables, pupil needs assessments and family engagement routes, while charities leverage specialist coaches and national funding streams. This shared ownership means running costs, staffing and maintenance are spread across partners, safeguarding programmes from the uncertainty of short-term sponsorships and one-off donations.
Crucially, the partnership goes beyond finance to embed inclusive sport into the fabric of community life and school culture. Decisions on programming, pricing and outreach are taken jointly through regular coordination meetings and shared data dashboards, allowing rapid responses to emerging needs such as rising inactivity or youth anxiety levels. This joined-up approach typically includes:
- Co-designed timetables that align PE lessons, after-school clubs and community sessions.
- Joint funding bids targeting infrastructure, coaching qualifications and adaptive equipment.
- Shared monitoring of participation and wellbeing outcomes across schools and youth services.
- Targeted access schemes ensuring children from low-income households are prioritised.
| Partner | Main Role | Key Benefit |
|---|---|---|
| Local Authority | Space & strategic oversight | Secure, long-term venue |
| Schools | Pupil access & data | Consistent participation |
| Charities | Coaching & funding bids | Specialist inclusive delivery |
Scaling the model across London with data driven evaluation and co creation with marginalised communities
As interest in the initiative grows beyond its original neighbourhood, the team is using a data-led framework to understand what makes it work and how it can be replicated in other boroughs without losing its local soul. Participation numbers are broken down by age, gender, disability and ethnicity, while anonymous feedback and on-site observation help capture the less visible outcomes: confidence, trust and a sense of belonging. This evidence is visualised in dashboards shared with partners across London,shaping decisions on where to pilot new hubs,which activities to prioritise and how to adjust programming in real time. Crucially, quantitative metrics are paired with lived experience, ensuring that success is not measured solely in footfall but in how safe, seen and listened-to residents feel when they walk through the doors.
Extension plans are being built in partnership with those who have historically had the least say in local provision. Community workshops and street-level conversations inform everything from session timings to language used on posters, and residents are invited to sit alongside policymakers and coaches in co-design panels. Their priorities frequently enough differ from traditional sports planning, emphasising:
- Low-commitment, drop-in activities that fit around precarious work
- Spaces where families, not just individuals, can participate together
- Visible leadership roles for women, young people and disabled residents
- Free or symbolic pricing to remove financial stigma
| Planned London Borough | Key Local Partner | Primary Community Focus |
|---|---|---|
| Newham | Youth-led social enterprise | Young carers and care leavers |
| Haringey | Women’s support network | Migrant and refugee women |
| Southwark | Disabled people’s forum | Residents with physical impairments |
The Conclusion
As recognition at the London Sport Awards underscores, the impact of the Inclusive Activity Space extends far beyond bricks and mortar. In one of the capital’s most deprived areas, it has helped dismantle barriers to participation, fostered a stronger sense of community, and offered a practical blueprint for how targeted investment in sport can drive social change.
With local authorities, partners and residents now looking to build on this momentum, the project’s success raises a broader question for London: if an inclusive, accessible and genuinely community-led space can thrive here, what might be possible in every borough? The answer could shape not only the future of grassroots sport in the city, but also how policymakers think about health, wellbeing and prospect in the neighbourhoods that need it most.
