Wandsworth Sets Out Borough's Strategy for Leisure
Over £24million to be invested over next decade to help residents get active
The launch of the Wandsworth Moves Together strategy at Roehampton Family Hub in 2024. Picture: Mickey Ling-fan Lee/Wandsworth Council
September 25, 2025
Residents will get more help to be active in Wandsworth borough due to a £24million investment in its leisure centres over the next decade. Wandsworth Council has outlined progress it has made so far and next steps in its new five-year leisure strategy, Wandsworth Moves Together, which aims to get more people taking part in physical activity.
A new report by council officers said it has made good progress in the first year of the strategy, approved in June 2024, including launching the UK’s “most generous and compassionate” concession scheme. The scheme provides low-income residents with free or discounted access to leisure centres and other council services, with more than 6,500 residents signed up so far.
The council also awarded Places Leisure a 10-year contract to manage its leisure centres and invest £24m in facilities. It launched parkrun in Battersea Park and upgraded playgrounds, while redesigning services at Roehampton Sports and Fitness Centre and Wandle Recreation Centre and improving community partnerships.
The report said the second year of the strategy aims to improve access and inclusion so that all residents, regardless of age, ability or background, can benefit from an active lifestyle. The council plans to recruit volunteers to mentor people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) in sport, expand the range of discounts available to young disabled people and launch a small grants programme to get more women and girls involved in sports.
The authority also plans to offer grants to help local sports organisations to expand, investigate sites to build new 3G pitches and provide funding for schools to open their facilities to communities.
The report said: “Wandsworth Moves Together, launched July 2024, is an ambitious strategy driving a more active borough through a powerful partnership of the council, communities, health, and sports sectors. It targets barriers faced by underrepresented groups like women and girls, people with disabilities, carers, older adults, ethnically minoritised communities, and young people.
“Despite strong local activity options, many residents still miss out on opportunities to be active. This report highlights impactful council and partner efforts to boost health and happiness across Wandsworth.”
It added that the second year “will bring more successes for Wandsworth’s activity infrastructure”.
Charlotte Lillywhite - Local Democracy Reporter