From multi-sports and tennis, to hockey and street dance, a range of sessions across the borough is helping children and young people get active in a supportive environment.

Sport helps children have fun, make friends and feel better but children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) are 23% less likely to take part than their peers according to the Youth Sports Trust. The trust listed lack of confidence and a fear of getting hurt among the possible reasons.

Fortunately, however, there are a range of SEND-friendly activities available in the borough.

Multi-sports sessions

SEND multi-sports sessions are back at Greenford Sports Centre. The weekly sessions are run by Brentford FC Community Sports Trust and supported by Ealing Council.

Chris Tribe is the disability sports manager for the trust. He said: “We offer a variety of sports each week in a friendly and inclusive atmosphere, and we’d love to see more young people join in the fun. It’s a great chance to get active, build confidence and make friends.”

The sessions run from 6pm to 7pm until 15 July. For more information contact Chris Tribe by email at ctribe@brentfordfccst.com

Swimming

Inclusive family swimming sessions at Everyone Active Acton Centre and Dormers Wells Sports Centre are generally quieter sessions that may be more suitable for children with SEND, a disability or neurodivergence. Contact the centres for details of when the sessions are held.

Fitness classes

London Tigers is offering fitness and circuits classes to young people with a disability aged 10 to 16 years old at Spikes Bridge Park on Tuesdays from 5pm to 6pm, starting on 14 April. 

You can email sports@londontigers.org or call 07708 470917.

Tennis

Inclusive sessions for 5 to 15 year-olds are held on Thursdays from 4:30pm to 5:15pm at St Columba’s Lawn Tennis Club, Carbery Avenue W3 9AL. For more details, email  tennisdjames@gmail.com

West London Hockey

Flyerz Hockey sessions are held for children from 10 years old, right up to adults, every Thursday from 6:30pm to 7:30pm. The sessions are held at St Benedict’s School playing fields, in Perivale Lane, UB6 8TL. Find out more and register via email at jeff@westlondonhockey.co.uk

SEND Street Dance Club

Every Saturday, Society Dance Academy runs street dance sessions: 11am to midday for 8 to 12 year-olds and from midday to 1pm for the over-17s, at North Acton Pavillion, W3 0JF. Find out more on the academy’s website.