Sports centre wins top diversity award for making fitness accessible to all

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A North Kensington sports facility that helped nearly 25,000 local residents access fitness last year has been recognised as the borough's most inclusive business, after investing more than £3.6 million in breaking down barriers to sport and exercise.

A standout feature of Westway’s award-winning approach is its comprehensive Equality, Diversity and Belonging training programme for its staff. The training equips employees to welcome and value every visitor, regardless of background, age, gender, race or ability. Key areas include understanding different cultures, addressing unconscious biases, and practicing daily inclusivity.

Westway’s model has been so impactful that Everyone Active, which manages the centre in partnership with Westway Trust, has expanded the programme across its 230-plus sites nationwide. This recognition makes Westway not only a local leader in inclusivity but a benchmark for fitness centres across the UK.

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The centre offers free memberships to registered carers, children in care, and individuals with Parkinson’s disease, making fitness affordable for those who need it most.

Westway Sports & Fitness Centre teamWestway Sports & Fitness Centre team
Westway Sports & Fitness Centre team

The judges also praised Westway's work with local community groups including Minds United, Thrive Tribe, and Youth Action Alliance, noting how these partnerships have helped reduce social isolation in the area.

The centre also recently upgraded its facilities to include a new hoist in one of its disabled changing rooms, earning it recognition from Action Disability as the most accessible sports facility in the borough.

Ian Ling, Everyone Active Contract Manager, said: "We’re incredibly proud to have been recognised with this award, which affirms our commitment to creating an inclusive and welcoming environment for everyone in our community.

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“We’re seeing people from all walks of life coming through our doors, and it’s rewarding to witness the impact of our inclusivity initiatives. Whether it’s our blind climbers using specialist communication equipment with their belayers or our Minds United football team bringing people together through sport, we’re showing that fitness really can be for everyone.

"Not only has our staff training programme been rolled out across all Everyone Active centres nationwide, we are also hoping to extend this impact even further by working with local businesses to build awareness and understanding across our borough. By sharing our resources and expertise, we aim to create a ripple effect that promotes inclusivity across the broader business community.”

The award was presented at Porchester Hall on October 17, with university leaders and local dignitaries in attendance.

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