Community Sports Grant

The London Borough of Bexley recently secured £240,000 grant from Sport England’s Community Activation Fund for a three-year, £400,000 project in partnership with Trust Thamesmead, Royal Borough of Greenwich, Peabody and Gallions Housing Association, with each organisation demonstrating its commitment by investing in the project and will be responsible for delivering different parts of the scheme.

The project called ‘Now’s the time’ which will encourage adults to get involved in new, exciting and affordable activities throughout Thamesmead in a range of traditional and non-traditional settings. The project is due to start in spring 2014 and is largely based on consultation with local residents who provided feedback on the type of activities in which they would like to participate.

To kick the project off, staff employed through the Royal Borough of Greenwich's 'Greenwich Get Active Scheme' will be at Morrisons in Thamesmead every week for nine weeks, encouraging local people to get a free New Year Health Check and take part in sporting activities. During this local engagement partners are keen to identify local volunteers who are passionate about their community and are willing to act as local champions in promoting the project in their neighbourhood.

In January a mini pilot scheme will also start at Sporting Club Thamesmead aimed at people over 25 who currently do little or no exercise but feel they could benefit from being more active. This will involve a short course of gentle physical activity with close support from health professionals who will monitor participants' progress and provide advice on leading a healthier lifestyle.

If you are interested or want to for more details contact the London Borough of Bexley's Sport and Leisure team T: 020 3045 4881 or E: [email protected]