Wandsworth Backs Accessible Sport and Fitness with Investment-Funded Accessibility Initiative
The scheme, to include and ‘online activity finder’ tool, aims to improve quality of life across the borough
Wandsworth Council has backed accessible sport and fitness, yesterday unveiling a comprehensive plan aimed at making sports and leisure activities affordable and accessible for all residents. This initiative, part of the council’s broader “Access for All” scheme, seeks to address disparities in access to council services and ensure that everyone in Wandsworth can enjoy the borough’s offerings.
The “Access for All” scheme includes an ambitious goal to develop the UK’s most generous concessions programme. This initiative will cover a wide range of council services, from pest control and bulky waste management to birth registrations and access to leisure centres. Notably, the funding for these services will come from council investment returns, not from council tax.
Currently, residents receiving various means-tested benefits can enjoy free access to council gyms and swimming pools. Additionally, the newly refurbished Tooting Bec Lido offers 250 free tickets daily. To expand this accessibility and promote physical activity, the council has introduced a new five-year strategy named “Wandsworth Moves Together.”
Key commitments for the first year of this strategy include:
- A Play Charter: Guiding a £1 million investment in play areas annually for four years.
- Physical Activity Programmes: Initiatives on council estates to encourage exercise.
- Adult Parkrun: A new event in Battersea Park to boost community fitness.
- Women and Girls: Encouraging female participation in sports, inspired by the Women’s Rugby World Cup.
- Online Activity Finder: A new tool to help residents discover local activities.
- Leisure and Sport Infrastructure Investment: A £21 million fund for upgrades, including a new 3G pitch and efforts to reduce carbon emissions from leisure facilities.
The Council considers collaboration with voluntary and community organisations crucial in raising awareness about the benefits of staying active and providing better opportunities for residents to engage in physical activities. The progress of these initiatives will be monitored by a Community Sports and Physical Activity Network, which includes representatives from various key organisations across the borough.
Judi Gasser, the Cabinet Member for Environment, emphasised Wandsworth’s commitment to promoting physical activity. “Wandsworth is already one of the most active boroughs in the country, and we have a great network of facilities, parks, clubs, and organisations helping to keep people moving,” she said. “Most of us know that exercise is important for our physical and mental health, but for some people, there are barriers including cost, time, or just feeling that exercise is not for them.”
Gasser highlighted that the new leisure strategy is based on research involving local residents. “Our leisure strategy builds on research asking local people living real, complicated lives what could work for them. This will be a key part of our Access for All plan to improve access to all council services and will help us deliver our pledge to make Wandsworth fair, sustainable, and compassionate.”
With this initiative, Wandsworth Council aims to use accessible sport and fitness to improve the physical health and well-being of its residents but also to foster a more inclusive and active community.
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Header image: Thomas van de Weerd
