Community Sport Update

Date posted 15 Sep 2026

Summer Programming a success in Enfield.

The Enfield Summer programme came to an end in August. Following the successful launch of the ‘Small wins, big Summer campaign’ in July, facilities across the partnership welcomed hundreds of families to keep active and enjoy the plethora of activities on offer in centre. The partnership welcomed just over 5072 swims in the month of August and just over 2500 soft play bookings across Southbury and Edmonton. To further expand the offer, centres offered bespoke aqua splash inflatable sessions, and a series of themed Holiday Fun Parties at Southbury Leisure Centre, which attracted over 92 attendances. Popular events included a vibrant Aloha Summer Party, Under the Sea pool Party, and other themed sessions that created memorable experiences for families across Enfield.

Better team up with the Enfield occupational health team.

Following initial introductions through the Enfield Integrated Learning Disability Network, the Better team met with the organisation's Occupational Health team to explore opportunities to support adults with learning disabilities living in supported accommodation to become more physically active. As a result, a new 12 week men's weightlifting programme has been developed and will be delivered at Southbury Leisure Centre by a qualified fitness instructor. The sessions will provide a structured and supportive environment, incorporating a blend of cardiovascular, functional, and strength based exercises within a quieter gym setting. To further support participants in making sustainable lifestyle changes, each session will be followed by mentoring and educational discussions focused on healthy eating, weight management, and wellbeing. The programme aims to build participants' confidence, knowledge, and independence, encouraging long term engagement with physical activity beyond the funded programme. The sessions are scheduled to commence in late September.

Enfield one-to-one autism service host swimming sessions at Southbury Leisure centre.

In August, service users from the One-to-One Autism Service were welcomed to Southbury Leisure Centre for another successful activity session. Building on the positive engagement seen in previous months, the programme followed a structured format, combining one hour of physical activity with a facilitated information and wellbeing session. In August, participants took part in a structured swimming session, followed by refreshments and a healthy living discussion delivered by the organisers. Following the success of the programme, the organisation has committed to delivering monthly sessions through to the end of 2026, ensuring participants can continue to benefit from regular physical activity opportunities. The Better team has also extended its support beyond the leisure centre, providing sports equipment from Southbury Leisure Centre to assist with a community sports day hosted by the service in a local park. Work is continuing to further diversify the physical activity offer available to adult service users, with plans currently being explored for group cycling sessions and gym-based circuit training activities.

Better team meet with the Enfield GP Federation.

In August, the Community Team met with the Enfield GP Federation to discuss plans for a health and wellbeing open day at Albany Leisure Centre, scheduled to take place in October. The free event will be aimed at patients registered with local GP practices, particularly those living with long term health conditions who have not accessed healthcare services within the last two years. The initiative is designed to provide an accessible and welcoming opportunity for residents to engage with health professionals, receive key health screenings, and access support services available within the community. Attendees will be able to receive a range of free health checks, including blood pressure (BP) monitoring, BMI assessments, diabetes screenings, and vaccinations where appropriate. The event aims to support the early identification of health concerns and encourage residents.

Better Supports the LTA with volunteer recruitment.

The Better team recently met with the local Lawn Tennis Association (LTA) team in Enfield to discuss opportunities to expand community tennis provision across the borough. During the meeting, LTA representatives highlighted that while there are 12 public parks with tennis courts in Enfield, only three parks currently offer free tennis sessions through the LTA's Free Park Tennis programme. The ambition is to extend this provision to more parks, making tennis more accessible to residents. Funded by Barclays, the Free Park Tennis initiative aims to remove barriers to participation by providing free, weekly tennis sessions for people of all ages and abilities. A key element of the programme is the recruitment of local volunteers to become Tennis Activators, who receive free training, resources, and equipment to deliver welcoming and inclusive sessions within their communities. To support the growth of the programme, the Better team has agreed to work alongside the local LTA team to help recruit Tennis Activators and promote opportunities across the borough.