Sport for Confidence Launches Community Model with Everyone Active
Posted on 28th March 2025 at 11:34
Sport for Confidence CIC and award-winning leisure operator, Everyone Active, have launched a new community focused delivery model in Westminster, London. The model is based on a proven, successful blueprint, to improve access to Occupational Therapy services and meaningful physical activity. Building on the success of the existing leisure centre model, the partnership extends support to individuals with physical and learning disabilities, sensory impairments, and long-term health conditions, alongside their carers.
Robert Walker, Occupational Therapist and Clinical Lead at Sport for Confidence, highlights the significance of this new model: “The Westminster Community Model has been created in response to the unique challenges individuals face in accessing meaningful physical activity.
“By integrating Occupational Therapy into community settings, we are breaking down barriers and opening engagement opportunities to more people, regardless of their ability. Everybody has a right to experience physical activity and sport, which can empower, provide meaningful choice and a sense of belonging. Through this collaborative approach, we are seeking to build active lives and active neighbourhoods, reducing health inequalities, and creating lasting positive experiences for all residents of Westminster.”
The Borough of Westminster already offers a wide range of physical activity opportunities, supported by a network of dedicated local providers. Through the design and delivery of this new model, The Sport for Confidence community team, working alongside Everyone Active, will complement and enhance existing provisions by embedding a therapeutic approach to physical activity that promotes health, prevents ill-health, and enables participants to achieve goals beyond sport alone.
Robert adds: “The Westminster Community Model will ensure that Occupational Therapists are accessible throughout the borough, allowing more residents to benefit from expert support. Working closely with local providers, we will help to deliver inclusive physical activity sessions tailored to the needs of diverse communities, hosted in Everyone Active managed leisure centres. While the model has been adapted to reflect local nuances, it is based on our successful delivery model already active across Essex, where we are supporting thousands of people traditionally furthest away for physical activity, every month.
“Strengthening partnerships with Adult Social Care, NHS services, and other community organisations is key to fostering a connected approach to community wellbeing. Participants will be provided with personalised support by ensuring activities align with their unique needs and aspirations. To create a more welcoming and accessible environment, local coaches and leisure centre workers will receive specialised training from Sport For Confidence, helping to build capacity for inclusive opportunities across Westminster that specifically target those furthest away from physical activity.”
As part of this initiative, Sport for Confidence is also introducing the Sport for Confidence “Smiley Face” Partnership Mark. This symbol signifies an activity has been co-created with Sport for Confidence Occupational Therapists and coaches, providing a quality stamp and reiterating the program’s inclusive, accessible, and person-centred focus.
“The Smiley Face symbolises partnership between Sport for Confidence and local groups dedicated to community wellbeing. It also recognises and celebrates the commitment of local providers to making physical activity welcoming and beneficial for all.”
Sport for Confidence is also calling on local providers, community groups, and organisations to join a movement towards a healthier, more connected Westminster. Those interested in partnering with the Westminster Community Model are being invited to complete a short survey available here
Speaking about the program, Rebecca Phillips, Everyone Active’s Strategic Lead - Health and Wellbeing, says: “At Everyone Active, we’re proud to be recognised for the role we play in supporting local communities. Extending our partnership with Sport for Confidence to deliver this new Community Model in Westminster allows us to tackle the barriers to being physically active and improves access to Occupational Therapy services. By providing solutions to improve health and wellbeing outcomes, we can help build more resilient neighbourhoods.”
For more details on our Community Model click here
Learn more about Everyone Active here
Tagged as: community, community impact, community model, Creating Opportunities, inclusion, meaningful activity, occupational therapy, preventing ill health, promoting good health, Sport for Confidence, Westminster
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