How to get Active in the Community
Children and young people should engage in moderate to vigorous physical activity for an average of at least 60 minutes per day across the week. This can include all forms of activity such as physical education, active travel, after-school activities, play and sports. Children and young people should engage in a variety of types and intensities of physical activity across the week to develop movement skills, muscular fitness, and bone strength. Children and young people should aim to minimise the amount of time spent being sedentary, and when physically possible should break up long periods of not moving with at least light physical activity. (UK Chief Medical Officer’s Physical Activity Guidelines, 2019).
.png "Get active in the community - picture 1")
Access to Sport - Access to Sports
Offering a weekly community sports programme run by qualified coaches at various locations across Islington, also in Haringey and Hackney. Also offering opportunities for coach education and volunteering opportunities for young people looking to get into sport. Everything is run for Free.
Offering a weekly community sports programme run by qualified coaches at various locations across Islington, also in Haringey and Hackney. Also offering opportunities for coach education and volunteering opportunities for young people looking to get into sport. Everything is run for Free.
Active Islington - Active Islington
Council directory of all the known sport and physical activity opportunities run across the borough, includes various community groups and sports clubs. The site identifies each of the leisure centres, hireable facilities and green spaces used for sport and physical activity as well as providing details for the various activities on offer allowing users to search by particular sports depending on their interest or by a particular type of related to them including women and girls or older individuals.
Council directory of all the known sport and physical activity opportunities run across the borough, includes various community groups and sports clubs. The site identifies each of the leisure centres, hireable facilities and green spaces used for sport and physical activity as well as providing details for the various activities on offer allowing users to search by particular sports depending on their interest or by a particular type of related to them including women and girls or older individuals.
Park Run and Junior Park Run- Park Run
Parkrun is a free, community event where you can walk, jog, run, volunteer or spectate. parkrun is 5k and takes place every Saturday morning. junior parkrun is 2k, dedicated to 4–14-year-olds and their families, every Sunday morning. Parkrun is positive, welcoming and inclusive, there is no time limit, and no one finishes last. Everyone is welcome to come along.
Parkrun is a free, community event where you can walk, jog, run, volunteer or spectate. parkrun is 5k and takes place every Saturday morning. junior parkrun is 2k, dedicated to 4–14-year-olds and their families, every Sunday morning. Parkrun is positive, welcoming and inclusive, there is no time limit, and no one finishes last. Everyone is welcome to come along.
Rose Bowl Youth Hub - Rosebowl Islington
Rose Bowl is a purpose-built youth centre in the heart of Canonbury, on the edge of St Paul's Park and the New River Estate. Over three floors it has a garden, roof terrace, ball court, music studio, art space and fitted kitchen. The play and youth provision is for children and young people aged 8 - 21. We provide a fun, friendly and inclusive environment aimed to build resilience, aid social skills, and improve physical and mental health.
Rose Bowl is a purpose-built youth centre in the heart of Canonbury, on the edge of St Paul's Park and the New River Estate. Over three floors it has a garden, roof terrace, ball court, music studio, art space and fitted kitchen. The play and youth provision is for children and young people aged 8 - 21. We provide a fun, friendly and inclusive environment aimed to build resilience, aid social skills, and improve physical and mental health.
We are open during the school term and holidays at different times for our various age ranges. All our services are free of charge and we welcome people from all backgrounds and areas. Activities include arts, crafts, cooking, outdoor play and gardening, sports, music production and general play and youth sessions.
Better gym junior membership (for ages 11 years and above) - Better Gym
This junior membership for under 18s offers children aged 11-17 access to every junior gym sessions and junior fitness class at Better locations in their local area. These junior sessions are for everyone and help kids learn how to use their local gym in a fun, supportive environment, with instructors on hand to offer advice and encouragement.
This junior membership for under 18s offers children aged 11-17 access to every junior gym sessions and junior fitness class at Better locations in their local area. These junior sessions are for everyone and help kids learn how to use their local gym in a fun, supportive environment, with instructors on hand to offer advice and encouragement.
But that’s not all. Junior members under 18 years also get inclusive access to every Better swimming pool across the UK (with a UK wide junior membership) and are eligible for discounts on other junior activities – like our lessons and courses - helping them learn about and enjoy fitness from a young age.
Plus, since Better is part of a social enterprise, so are our members. When you visit our centres you’re helping us run inclusive activities and provide services like our free induction sessions, so the whole community can enjoy getting active. Please note, juniors must attend an induction before using the gym.
Lift Youth Hub - Lift Youth Hub
The former Victorian school now has large multi-use halls, a 30-station gym equipped, large multi-use halls, indoor and outdoor kitchens, a large dance studio and a roof top terrace with fabulous views over London. Young people aged 13-21 take part in healthy activities like dancing, cooking, gym and exercise classes. We also have creative spaces including a recording studio.
The former Victorian school now has large multi-use halls, a 30-station gym equipped, large multi-use halls, indoor and outdoor kitchens, a large dance studio and a roof top terrace with fabulous views over London. Young people aged 13-21 take part in healthy activities like dancing, cooking, gym and exercise classes. We also have creative spaces including a recording studio.
Children’s Centres - Islington Children's Centres
Children’s centres offer play and other activities for young children such as Stay and Play. Please review the Islington website. This is where you can find out full details about the service, access a range of helpful parenting information, as well as details about local groups and other services available for you and your family.
Children’s centres offer play and other activities for young children such as Stay and Play. Please review the Islington website. This is where you can find out full details about the service, access a range of helpful parenting information, as well as details about local groups and other services available for you and your family.
Adventure Playgrounds - Adventure Playgrounds
Various locations, dates, and times- see link for more details.
In Islington there are free, safe, open-access adventure playgrounds for children aged six and up. They have exciting outdoor structures and play activities in term-time, after school and during holidays. Playing outdoors can help children to develop self-confidence and social skills, as well as keep healthy. Our adventure playgrounds are designed and built with children and young people and supervised by trained play workers.
Adventure playgrounds are free to access for children who live or go to school in Islington. There is no booking required, but children will need to register.
Various locations, dates, and times- see link for more details.
In Islington there are free, safe, open-access adventure playgrounds for children aged six and up. They have exciting outdoor structures and play activities in term-time, after school and during holidays. Playing outdoors can help children to develop self-confidence and social skills, as well as keep healthy. Our adventure playgrounds are designed and built with children and young people and supervised by trained play workers.
Adventure playgrounds are free to access for children who live or go to school in Islington. There is no booking required, but children will need to register.
Inclusive physical activities in Islington
Listed below are some sports and activity groups tailored towards SEND children and young people.
Keen London - Keen
KEEN London is a charity in London providing one-to-one support at free sports and activity sessions for children with additional needs or disabilities. We believe no child should miss out on the benefits of sports and physical activity. With the support of our amazing volunteers, our weekly sessions give our athletes the chance to play games, make friends and, most importantly, have fun!
KEEN London is a charity in London providing one-to-one support at free sports and activity sessions for children with additional needs or disabilities. We believe no child should miss out on the benefits of sports and physical activity. With the support of our amazing volunteers, our weekly sessions give our athletes the chance to play games, make friends and, most importantly, have fun!
Disability Sports Coach - Disability Sports Coach
Our Club is especially popular with young disabled participants who enjoy playing a range of sports, which are delivered by our specialist coach and volunteers. Sessions take place in the Body and Mind Studio but will return to the main sports hall when it re-opens. Siblings are welcome to join in and parents/carers are encouraged to stay, watch and even take part!
Our Club is especially popular with young disabled participants who enjoy playing a range of sports, which are delivered by our specialist coach and volunteers. Sessions take place in the Body and Mind Studio but will return to the main sports hall when it re-opens. Siblings are welcome to join in and parents/carers are encouraged to stay, watch and even take part!
MMARAP Martial Arts - MMARAP
MMARAP promotes empowerment, discipline, self-esteem, confidence, team building and fun, important life skills to deaf, blind, disabled and disadvantaged young people, by focussing on teaching the disciplines of: Karate, boxing and kick-boxing, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu (BJJ), Meditation, Educational and motivational skills. Our sessions promote a positive, determined and focused approach to life.
MMARAP promotes empowerment, discipline, self-esteem, confidence, team building and fun, important life skills to deaf, blind, disabled and disadvantaged young people, by focussing on teaching the disciplines of: Karate, boxing and kick-boxing, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu (BJJ), Meditation, Educational and motivational skills. Our sessions promote a positive, determined and focused approach to life.
Safe Haven Basketball - Safe Haven Basketball
Fun and welcoming basketball team for young people with learning disabilities. No experience of basketball needed.
Fun and welcoming basketball team for young people with learning disabilities. No experience of basketball needed.
Arsenal Football Club - Arsenal Football Club
Weekly football sessions also take place for young people and adults. There are also sessions for visually impaired and blind people (over 14s), upper and lower body amputees, deaf (under 18s) and people with mental health diagnoses. To find out more about any of these sessions and to take part, please contact Luke Howard at lhoward@arsenal.co.uk
Weekly football sessions also take place for young people and adults. There are also sessions for visually impaired and blind people (over 14s), upper and lower body amputees, deaf (under 18s) and people with mental health diagnoses. To find out more about any of these sessions and to take part, please contact Luke Howard at lhoward@arsenal.co.uk
Pedal Power - Pedal Power
All network partners have years of experience of making cycling accessible for small groups of people with all impairment types: – visual impairments, lower and/or upper limb impairments – including amputations, balance issues, muscle wasting conditions, neurological conditions, learning disabilities, cognitive impairments, autism mental health issues, etc.
All network partners have years of experience of making cycling accessible for small groups of people with all impairment types: – visual impairments, lower and/or upper limb impairments – including amputations, balance issues, muscle wasting conditions, neurological conditions, learning disabilities, cognitive impairments, autism mental health issues, etc.
Better Gym - Inclusive Swim Session Better Gym
Swim session for people with disabilities. The session is also open to family/friends/carers. Book place on the Better website.
Swim session for people with disabilities. The session is also open to family/friends/carers. Book place on the Better website.
Whizz Kidz - Whizz Kidz
Whizz Kidz’s activities for disabled children and young people are designed to build your confidence while you make friends and have fun. Activity days are a great way to meet other young wheelchair users in our community and try a host of activities in an open, supportive environment. From wheelchair rugby to rock climbing, adventure days, creative arts and digital skills, the range of activities on offer means there’s something that everyone can enjoy. To have access to the whizz-kidz club information you need to register on their website.
Angel Shed - Angel Shed
A Barrier-smashing Inclusive Performing Arts Charity. We provide a safe place for our members to express themselves, develop confidence, and grow into curious, creative and courageous young people. We are inclusive in every aspect of our work: anyone is welcome to join, work shops are free to those who cannot afford them, 1:1 support is provided to those who need it, there are no auditions. We provide an inclusive, creative, and supportive space in which there are no barriers to participation, everyone’s needs are supported, and all voices are listened to and valued.
Whizz Kidz’s activities for disabled children and young people are designed to build your confidence while you make friends and have fun. Activity days are a great way to meet other young wheelchair users in our community and try a host of activities in an open, supportive environment. From wheelchair rugby to rock climbing, adventure days, creative arts and digital skills, the range of activities on offer means there’s something that everyone can enjoy. To have access to the whizz-kidz club information you need to register on their website.
Angel Shed - Angel Shed
A Barrier-smashing Inclusive Performing Arts Charity. We provide a safe place for our members to express themselves, develop confidence, and grow into curious, creative and courageous young people. We are inclusive in every aspect of our work: anyone is welcome to join, work shops are free to those who cannot afford them, 1:1 support is provided to those who need it, there are no auditions. We provide an inclusive, creative, and supportive space in which there are no barriers to participation, everyone’s needs are supported, and all voices are listened to and valued.
Online physical activity resources
PE with Joe Wicks - PE with Joe Wicks
BBC Tiny Happy People - Tiny Happy People
Better Health - Better Health Activities
BBC Tiny Happy People - Tiny Happy People
Better Health - Better Health Activities
Last updated28 Nov 2024