Physical Activity
For children and young people with visual impairment, details of additional sport and leisure activities can be found here.
About: Specialist SEND holiday club, Funded by Southwark Council Short Breaks
Location: Trinity College Centre, London, SE15 6EF
Dates: Saturdays
Times:
5-8 years: 09:30am - 11am
9-12 years: 11am - 12:30am
13-15 years: 1pm - 2:30pm
16-18 years: 2.30pm - 4pm
Sessions must be booked online
For further information and to book each session, please visit the: EEQU booking page
These sessions are:
- Inclusive multi-sports sessions for D/deaf, disabled, and/or neurodivergent children, young people and their families
- All disabilities/abilities welcome
- Sessions adapted to the needs of the group
- All genders welcome!
- Activities will include lots of sports such as football, dodgeball and tennis.
When: Saturdays (term time)
Where: Marlborough Sports Gardens, Union Street, SE1 1NJ
Time: 3.00 – 4.00pm
Age: 6 – 16 years
Cost: First session free, £4 thereafter
Registration and bookings: Click here to register.
Once registered, you will receive an email in a few days with a link to Coacha where sessions can be booked each week.
Further information
Tel: 020 7993 9883 email: Disability.Inclusion@AccessSport.org.uk
Click here to download the SEND Multi Sports Flyer (png, 793kb)
Useful to know
Parking:
- There are paid barking bays on Union Street or on roads nearby.
Public transport:
- The nearest bus stops are Union Street where the 21, 35, 133 and 343 stop and The Hop Exchange where the 381 stops.
- The nearest train station is Borough station which is a 6 minute walk away. London Bridge is a 7 minute walk.
Ballers Academy offers a year-round youth SEND multi-sports programme, providing free fun activities.
When: Every Wednesday 4-5pm.
Where: 400 Dockland Settlements Community Centre, Salter Road, SE16 5AA
Cost: Free
Where: Dulwich Lawn Tennis Club, Burbage Road, SE24 9HP
All abilities and disabilities welcome. Please click here to register.
Cost: The first session is free, then £5 thereafter. Booked termly.
Contact: Tel: 0207 993 9883 or Email: Disability.Inclusion@AccessSport.org.uk
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to get in touch.
Pulse Social, are delivering new SEND inclusive Multi-sport sessions, starting 7th April 2024
Please see the details below and attached:
- Where: Whitechapel Sports Centre, 55 Durward St, London E1 5BA
- When: Sundays (first Sunday of the month - term time)
- Time: 11am - 12pm
- Ages: 10-17
- Cost: First session free, £5 thereafter, £2.50 siblings rate
- Sign up here: https://bit.ly/PulseSocialTowerHamlets, or scan the QR code on the flyer (below and attached)
Here’s a video showcasing just some of the fun activities from Pulse Social’s SEND sessions: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=drfmHoQjpTg
Download the Pulse Social Brochure
(pdf, 11.4mb)
Free Swimming Lessons for Southwark Residents
Southwark Council is offering residents free swimming lessons. 12-week courses for beginners are available at leisure centres operated by Everyone Active on behalf of Southwark Council. If you’re a Southwark resident, a non-swimmer and aged 16 or over you can book free swimming lessons.
• Residents with disabilities can book at any centre below.
- Camberwell Leisure Centre, Artichoke Place, London SE5 8TS
- The Castle Centre, 2 St Gabriel Walk, Elephant and Castle, London SE1 6FG
- Dulwich Leisure Centre, 2b Crystal Palace Road, London SE22 9HB
- Peckham Pulse Leisure Centre, 10 Melon Road, London SE15 5QN
- Seven Islands Leisure Centre, 100 Lower Road, Rotherhithe SE16 2TU
For more information, please visit Southwark Free Swimming Website and also download the Southwark Swimming Leaflet (pdf, 443kb).
Disability Swimming Sessions
Sessions for children and adults with disabilities or long-term medical/health conditions are available to Southwark residents. Further details of availability are below.
- Dulwich Leisure Centre
Supported swimming sessions take place on Sunday afternoons at Dulwich Leisure Centre from 2.00pm-2.50pm
Check availability and book sessions here.
- Seven Islands Leisure Centre
Supported swimming sessions take place on Monday afternoons at the Seven Islands Leisure Centre from 2.00pm-2.50pm
Check availability and book sessions here.
- Peckham Pulse - Disabled Swimming Hydrotherapy Pool
Sessions are available at the following times throughout the week:
Monday:12:30 - 13:20
Tuesday:19:00 - 19:50
Thursday:20:30 - 21:20
Friday:12:00 - 12:50, 14:00 - 14:50
Saturday:15:00 - 15:50
Sunday:15:00 - 15:50, 18:00 - 18:50
Check availability and book sessions here.
- The Castle Centre
Supported swimming sessions take place on Fridays 3:00pm-3:50pm and Saturdays 2:00pm-2:50pm at the Castle Centre
Check availability and book sessions here.
- Camberwell Leisure Centre
Supported swimming sessions take place on Fridays 2:30pm-3:20pm and Sundays 10:00am-10:50am at Camberwell Leisure Centre
Check availability and book sessions here.
Providing a range of activities, PESSN (PE School Sport's Network) allow students with SEND (special educational needs and disabilities) to attend their Saturday Sports Club at Bacon's College. We are a term-time club only which means we are closed during school holidays. The club caters for students between 5-18 years old for a 1 hour time slot each Saturday. Some of the sports include: Trampolining, Basketball, Badminton, Football, Tennis Table, Tennis Gymnastics, Nature Walk Gym.
How this is provided
We have 4 time slots available 10:30-11:30, 11:30-12:30, 12:30-1:30 and 2:00-3:00pm. Each session will have students with a range of disabilities making it open to all. Students must come in correct kit - trainers and socks must be worn during the session so they can use the trampolines.
Age: 5-18 years
Eligibility
Students must have SEND (special educational needs or disabilities) and live in Southwark, aged 5-18 years
How to access the service
People who would like to come to the club should email Glyn or George and we will send you a client application form and provide you with a time slot.
Dates: Saturdays, term-time only
Times: There are 4 time slots available 10:30-11:30, 11:30-12:30, 12:30-1:30, 2:00-3:00pm
Location: Bacon's College, Timber Pond Road, London, SE16 6AT
Cost: £25 per student
Confidentiality
Client application forms are kept under lock and key so nobody has access apart from the managers of the club. We have a safeguarding policy that we adhere to which helps us keep confidential information between the parties involved.
Contact
The best way to contact us is through emailing Glyn or George
You can also call 0207 2371928 ext: 4086
For further information please PE and School Sports Network / Saturday Sports Club Website
Club Southwark is a thriving club, which takes place at The Castle Centre. With new members joining each week, this multi-sports club is certainly bursting with characters who are all enthusiastic about sport.
The members love the social side of the club as well as the competitive side! So if you fancy trying new sports and having a good chat we urge you to come along. Basketball, Boccia and Athletics are amongst the popular sports at this club.
Specialist taster sessions also take place in the club from time to time including boxing, dance, golf and more.
Siblings are welcome to join in and parents/carers are encouraged to stay, watch and even take part!
All disabilities and impairments welcome.
Club Details
Date: Saturday (term-time only)
Time: 2.00pm - 3.30pm
Venue: The Castle Centre, 2 St Gabriel Walk, London SE1 6FG
Price: £4
Further information and registration details here
Contact: Melissa Vanachter via email clubs@disabilitysportscoach.co.uk or telephone 07496 737507
Tideway Sailability is a unique volunteer-run, sailing club in central London where people with disabilities participate on equal terms to those without a disability. For more information Tel: 020 7237 9001 or go to their website: www.tidewaysailability.org.uk
Inclusive cycling sessions
We run inclusive cycling sessions for Disabled people and their families, carers or friends, from the following three bases in south London:
Croydon Sports Arena (outdoors) Albert Road, South Norwood, SE25 4QL
- Tuesdays at 10am, 11am and 12pm
- Wednesdays at 10am and 11am
- Saturdays at 10am and 11am
Please click here to book a session
Herne Hill Velodrome - (outdoors) 104 Burbage Road, Herne Hill, SE24 9HE
- Mondays at 11am and 12pm
- Thursdays at 12pm and 1pm
- Sundays (Kids on Wheels only) at 1pm and 2pm
Please click here to book a session
Ladywell Day Centre - (outdoors) 148 Dressington Ave, Lewisham, SE4 1JF
- Fridays at 10.30am and 11.30am
Please click here to book a session
Cost
We try to keep prices affordable and good value, while using suitable venues, excellent staff and volunteers and a range of specialist cycles. It costs us £25 per head to provide these sessions, and we ask for a contribution towards this as below. We are always grateful to those who are able to make an additional donation to support our work.
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Per disabled cyclist: £5 (if you need a supporter/carer they are included in the price)
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Per non-disabled cyclist: £5
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Special family price (up to 4, including at least one disabled cyclist): £10
How to access the service
At all venues our qualified instructors, supported by fantastic volunteers, help participants try our cycles or get comfortable on the one that suits them, and offer ongoing support.
Contact
Telephone: 020 7346 8482
Email: info@wheelsforwellbeing.org.uk
Website - Wheels for Wellbeing
Address: 336 Brixton Road, London, SW9 7AA
The session is open to anyone who may benefit from additional support that we are unable to provide in mainstream sessions and focuses on what a person can do, not on what they can’t do. Classes are small in size. Where it is appropriate, 1:1 coaching is provided. If we are able to provide additional support within a mainstream session, we will also offer this. Please contact us for more details.
This organisation also provides sessions for young children (Tiny Gym) and adults. Please contact the organisation for more information about sessions available.
When: Saturdays 5:00pm-6:00pm
Location: Camberwell Leisure Centre, Artichoke Place, London, SE5 8TS
Monthly Fees:
- £8.50 per session paid monthly
- 20% Sibling discount
Click to Enrol here (subject to availability)
If the class is showing as full please keep checking regularly until a space comes up.
Contact
Telephone: 07960 001 572
Email: info@southwarkgymnastics.co.uk
Visit the Southwark Gymnastics website
Girls Win is a free, inclusive sports and games club for young women with SEN, aged 15-25.
We support young women with disabilities ages 15 – 25 to set and achieve personal and professional development goals.
Day: Every Thursday
Time: 4:30pm – 5:30pm
Location: The Africa Centre, 66 Great Suffolk Street, SE1 0BL (close to Southwark station)
Activities: Dance, sport, yoga, arts and crafts, mentoring, personal development, career support, free trips and residentials, holiday and term time.
Contact: Maddy Ford, Women and Girls Programme Manager
T: 07824 589443
E: maddyford@changefdn.org.uk
Click here to download the flyer
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Age Range:
0-18 years +
The Service:
The MahaDevi Yoga Centre offers 1:1 sessions of yoga therapy to children with special needs to help them build balance, strength and confidence.
The sessions are for babies and children with autism, Down’s syndrome, epilepsy, Prader-Willi syndrome, Hemiplegia, ASD, ADD, ADHD, eye impediments, ME, sciatica, cerebral palsy, speech impediments, behaviour issues, wheelchair users and many more.
The practice involves:
- An integrated series of yoga postures to increase body awareness and strength
- Specialised breathing exercises, eye exercises and relaxation techniques, to improve focus and concentration
- Vocal work to improve speech, strengthen lungs, and deeply oxygenate the whole body
Yoga for the Special Child: The Sonia Sumar Method is an acclaimed international yoga therapy method developed by renowned senior yoga teacher Sonia Sumar.
Who is the service for?
The service is open for any baby or child with special needs in the UK to apply for.
It is currently provided to babies and children with Down’s Syndrome, Cerebral Palsy, Microcephaly, Autism, Attention Deficit Disorder, ADHD, learning disabilities, and many other conditions and developmental challenges.
Criteria for access to service
Any parent or carer for a child with special needs may apply for the service direct with the MahaDevi Centre.
Accessibility of this service
The Maha Devi Centre is in North London, Highbury & Islington and open 7 days a week. A parent or carer is required to be present during the session.
How this is provided:
The centre has full wheelchair access and fully caters for families.
How can I access this service?
To access the service, please email info@mahadevicentre.com or visit www.mahadevicentre.com
How is this service funded?
The Centre is in the process of becoming a registered charity and will move into an Islington Council run building this autumn.
Currently the centre subsidises Yoga for the Special Child sessions by running adult Hatha yoga classes.
Do you need to pay for this service?
Parents are asked to pay a minimum fee subject to their circumstances.
Useful to know
The MahaDevi Yoga Centre is run by the founder of the centre Denisa Nenova, who is the principal therapist.
She will be your main point of contact.
Contact us
The MahaDevi Yoga Centre, 102A Holloway Road, London, N7 8JE
Nearest tube Highbury & Islington
Training provided:
If a Southwark resident wishes to train in delivering Yoga for the Special Child they are very welcome, Sonia Sumar and Denisa Nenova run trainings annually at the MahaDevi Centre.
Drop in service
The Centre currently runs only scheduled 1:1 sessions for children and bookable adult classes.
Whether you are a first time rider or a regular cyclist looking to improve your skills, our free 1-to-1 sessions are tailored to suit your individual abilities and goals.
Choose the course that’s suitable for you from the following options:
Basic Cycle Skills
In this session you can learn to cycle in a safe, off-road environment with a qualified instructor. You’ll learn the basics, build your skills and gain the confidence to be able to navigate around your local area.
Click here to book a basic cycle skills session.
Urban Cycle Skills
Improve your cycling skills and confidence. You'll start in a safe, off-road environment to refresh your cycling technique and develop new skills before moving on to practise on quiet roads. Your qualified instructor will support you throughout.
Click here to book an urban cycle skills session
Advanced Cycle Skills
Perfect your cycling techniques with a qualified trainer. Improve your performance when dealing with complex junctions, heavy traffic or cycling at night and receive assurance that you are cycling efficiently and effectively.
Click here to book an advanced cycle skills session
Whichever option you choose your instructor will assess your abilities and progressively build on them. Once competent, we can help plan the best routes to work, to friends’ houses or wherever you want to go. And we can incorporate these routes into your sessions. By working through the National Standards our instructors will help you cycle safely and with confidence on the roads.
Individuals with disabilities that still allow them to balance/cycle can learn to ride or advance their skills by booking here: www.cycleconfident.com/courses/individual (please outline medical requirements when booking).
Tel: 0203 031 6730
Sporting Recovery develop and promote ways of helping people with mental health issues cope with their recovery journey and find ways of integrating back into their community. Their programmes integrate sports, nutritional advice and education (with nationally recognised qualifications leading to employment) into an accessible form for participants.
Sporting Recovery offer team sports and exercise for people with complex needs at whatever point in their recovery journey, in-patient or in the community. They provide practical support and information about the nutritional needs required to sustain a healthy lifestyle for sporting activities. They also offer opportunities to develop coaching certificates in the various sporting and exercise disciplines alongside basic healthy cooking classes.
As a non-profit organisation , any profits made by the company are invested to create a positive impact within the community. As part of their investment programme, they select and train service users to become Sporting Recovery coaches across a number of sport and exercise disciplines. Once trained the service users can gain work experience within Sporting Recovery or can work/volunteer with other local leisure/sporting companies.
Who the service is for:
They support people with complex care needs achieve structure and promote social interaction in their daily lives.
How to access:
Call 0300 030 1233 or help@sportingrecovery.org.uk or visit Sporting Recovery Website
Oxygen Freejumping is the UK’s number one trampoline park operator with 4 parks across the UK
PEACEFUL PLAY
Going to a standard Freejumping session can be a challenge for Jumpers on the autistic spectrum, or with sensory or learning disabilities. With this in mind, our Peaceful Play sessions were created. They are specially designed to be all the fun of a Freejump, just a little more peaceful.
Locations
- The O2, Peninsula Square, London, SE10 0DX
- Unit 5, The Colonnades, Purley Way, Croydon, CR0 4RQ
Cost
See website for different activity prices
Football coaching sessions for anyone who is Autistic/Neurodivergent aged 5-13 years old.
Location: Hayes Lane, Bromley, BR2 9EF
To book, please email contactus@caspabromley.org.uk
About: Online and in-person Pilates stretching classes for Southwark SE16 residents with disabilities.
When: Wednesdays at 3pm
Where: Rotherhithe Community Centre, 30 Plough Way, SE16 2LJ
Cost: Free
How can I register: Visit www.RJ4All.info/GETACTIVE or call 07708 758 600 or scan the QR code on the leaflet to book your space.
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About: In-person group and 1-1 PT gym sessions Southwark SE16 residents with disabilities.
When: Mondays at 5pm and Fridays at 11am or 3.30pm.
Where: Rotherhithe Community Centre, 30 Plough Way, SE16 2LJ.
Cost: Free.
How can I register: Visit RJ4All.info/GETACTIVE or call 07708 758 600.
As the first of London's professional football clubs to launch a Down's Syndrome football team in 2005, our commitment to disability and inclusive sport is highly regarded. From Blind/Partially Sighted Football tennis to Active Autism, our football provision for young boys and girls on the autism spectrum, and pan-disability holiday camps, our programmes provide specialist coaching for people of all ages with varied disabilities.
Location
Sessions take place at locations across London including various venues in the neighbouring borough of Lambeth.
Dates and fees
Please click on the links below for further information.