Community space in Lewisham wins award for wellness impact

By Keerthana Syam

A community space was honoured with a prestigious award for its impact on health, physical activity, and social inclusion.

Lewisham’s Enable bagged the Active Design Award at the London Sport Awards for promoting wellness through innovative design solutions which offer accessibility.

Enable has delivered more than 500 activity sessions engaging 266 women in fitness, 560 parents in physical activities and welcomed more than 260 drop-in participants. 

Nick Atkins, chief community officer, said: “This award is an incredible honour and a testament to the dedication of our staff, volunteers, and community members.

“This space was built with the community, for the community. It’s inspiring to see the positive changes it has created in Lewisham.”

Once a retail unit, Enable has also hosted pop-up workshops, work experience for 40 students, and volunteer opportunities.

Cllr Paul Bell, Lewisham council’s cabinet member for health and adult social care, said: “We are incredibly proud of Lewisham’s community space. We congratulate all the volunteers, community partners and Enable staff whose tireless efforts made this possible.

“Together, we have transformed a once disused space into a vibrant hub that promotes physical health and mental well-being.”

Pictured top: From left, Denean Rowe, judge for the Active Design category, Caroline Dubois, Nick Atkins chief community officer at Enable and Navida Gilchrist, community spaces manager at Enable (Picture: London Sport Awards)