It's Active August

It's Active August in Waltham Forest and we've got so many ways to help you get moving and enjoy a programme of sports and activities for all ages, and sample a wealth of opportunities to get the best out of cycling and walking this summer. 

Cycling

It’s a great time to dust off your cycle and enjoy our borough by bike, and we have so many options for residents who need a helping hand to get going: 

• Our Community Cycle Loan Scheme gives you the chance to borrow a range of cycles for up to 30 days for free with a small refundable deposit. The loan scheme is available for anybody who lives, works or studies in Waltham Forest. As the scheme is so popular, there is sometimes a waiting list. 
   
• All Ability Cycling Clubs are free to access for young people and adults. Regular sessions offer a social and friendly place to meet other people, and our experienced team will provide advice on the right fit of cycles and any adaptations. Sessions are run from Leyton Jubilee Park on Saturday mornings from 9:30am to 12:30pm and we have additional sessions running on Thursday 14, 21 and 28 August from 2:30pm to 4:30pm. 
   
• BWOW (Black Women on Wheels) is a beginner-friendly group offering rides and maintenance courses for Black women. Designed to be practical and empowering, these bike maintenance workshops get you feeling confident about maintaining your bike and fixing common bike problems. These sessions normally cost £90, but are free to attend this month – there are just a few places left for the Saturday workshop in Walthamstow on 9 August.
   
• Join Joyriders for The Big Family Cycling Summer coming up over the next few weeks. This local cycling group have a series of family-friendly rides heading out to different locations across the borough. Rides are on Sundays from 10am to 1pm.
   
• Dr Bike cycle maintenance roadshows tour the borough to help you with smaller repairs to your cycle and general advice. Experienced mechanics check everything on your bike from wheels, brakes, gears and tyre pressure to lights, racks, pedals, saddles and more. Any minor adjustments are done there and then, and for anything they cannot fix, they will let you know estimated costs.

Walking

If a gentle stroll is more your thing, we have something for everyone when it comes helping you find the right level and group for walking activities: 

• Ace Community Sport Disability Fun Walks are groups for children and adults with disabilities, taking place on Sundays between 12pm and 2pm at a range of locations across the borough.
   
• elop LGBTQ+ Summer Walk Programme offers a range of walking groups taking place over summer. You can join others and walk together, enjoying some hidden gems in and around Waltham Forest while chatting to others in a relaxed environment. The walks offer a welcoming space to meet up and connect with others and are for different groups within the LGBTQ+ community.
   
• The Geek Café Senior ‘Walk and Talk’ sessions are a group for older people in Leytonstone, designed to be a great opportunity to socialise and meet people. The sessions start and end at Geek Café, Leytonstone High Road on Mondays and Fridays from 6pm to 7pm.
   
• Sapphire Arts and Crafts is a walk, talk and sketch project. Sapphire is providing a new walking group with a twist: you'll take inspiration from the walks to create art. It is open to all women living in Waltham Forest and sessions take place on either Monday or Wednesday mornings. You can register your interest to find out more by completing the Sapphire's form.
   
• Waltham Forest Wanders are a series of walks through the borough, designed to take you through the best of our green spaces while showing you some of the borough’s history and culture. 

Sports

Looking to take up a brand-new hobby this summer? We’ve got you covered in Active August: 

• Summer is the perfect time to get back onto the court and play some tennis – or even try it for the first time! There has been significant investment in local facilities, and there are 18 high quality courts and four mini courts across the borough. You can book and pay for a court easily through the play tennis online booking system. Plus, check out the brand-new facilities at the Chingford School of Tennis in Rolls Park (near Highams Park and Chingford Mount), freshly renovated using the Levelling Up Fund and soon to be officially launched.
   
• AFC Leyton Pay and Play Soccer Sessions are the perfect opportunity for women and girls to get involved with football this summer. Whether you are an absolute beginner or seasoned league player, all are welcome at AFC Leyton.
   
• Coping Through Football is a transformational project run by the London Playing Fields Foundation and Leyton Orient Trust, in partnership with the NHS. It supports the wellbeing of adults and young people experiencing mental health issues and is available through NHS referral. The aim is to use football to get fitter, increase self-esteem and confidence, make new friends and ultimately help people feel better in their lives. 

Enjoying green spaces

• The excellent Our Parks team help local people stay fit and healthy through manageable outdoor activity in some of our most beautiful green spaces. Classes are delivered by fully qualified and registered coaches and can be short or up to one hour to ensure a good healthy workout. There are classes to suit all ability levels and ages, ranging from HIIT and strengthening to yoga and Pilates. 
   
• Walthamstow Wetlands nature reserve runs regular events and activities including free walks, talks and other events well as ticketed activities designed to get visitors involved and inspired about the amazing wildlife on their doorstep. The wetlands are an ideal spot for a walk this summer and as a renowned place to watch urban wildlife, you may see something truly special.
   
• Join The Conservation Volunteers in parks across the borough this summer. The group provides lots of practical conservation volunteer opportunities in Waltham Forest, working on projects to improve our local biodiversity. It’s an ideal opportunity to get involved in climate action initiatives in your local community. 

Activities for young people

Looking for fun activities for your child over the holidays?

• The Holiday Activity Fund (HAF) offers school-aged children and young people who are in receipt of benefit-related free school meals the opportunity to get involved in a wide range of fun activities and holiday clubs and enjoy a daily meal during their Summer holidays. From water-sports and football, to multi-sports activities and eco-adventures, it’s all here! 
   
• Space4All is the council’s service providing young people with a safe space to socialise and spend time in their neighbourhood. Most of the sessions are aimed at 11 to 25 year-olds, but we also have some junior sessions for eight to 12 year-olds. Sessions are free to attend and include games and activities, music and podcast production, health services and sports.

Older people

There are a range of events and activities this August aimed at supporting older people in the borough stay active, get creative and meet people: 

• Why not give walking football a go this summer with Leyton Orient Walking FC? Aimed at over 50s, this is a fun, safe, social activity ideal for improving physical mental health. The club now has more than 200 members registered with regular attendances of up to 24 on each of the four long running weekly sessions which includes a Women's Over 40s walking football session.
   
• Waltham Forest’s University of the Third Age (U3A) is place where people who are no longer in full-time employment make opportunities to come together and learn for fun. There are regular lunches, talks meetings, walks and much more.

Sports and Wellbeing Programme

Activities are running in August, all designed to help you get moving in fun and rewarding way thanks to our Sports and Wellbeing Programme. Sessions take place at The Pastures Centre in Leytonstone and Leyton Sport Ground and absolutely no experience is necessary. All the sessions are indoors in a sports hall and everyone is welcome. 

• At the Pastures Centre, there's adult Pilates on Tuesdays, 12:30pm to 1:30pm, adult Zumba: on Fridays, 12:30pm to 1:30pm; and inclusive children Multi Sports Sessions (for ages 4 to 14) on Sundays 9:15am to 10:15am. 

• Tai Chi sessions take place on Tuesdays 1pm to 2pm at Leyton Sports Ground. 

  
   

Cricket

• Everyone is welcome to join the Walking Cricket at Leyton Sports Ground on Tuesdays from 11am to 12:30pm. These sessions are completely free and open to men and women, regardless of ability. It’s lots of fun and there’s a chance to have a cup of tea after the session. These sessions run term time only, for more information email Feel.Good@walthamforest.gov.uk 
   
• Visually Impaired Cricket sessions take place at Leyton Sports Ground in Association with Waltham Forest Blind Association on Wednesdays, 11am to 1pm.