Clubs, Coaches, Volunteers News – September 2025
Active Kent & Medway's 2025 Conference
Bookings are now OPEN for our 2025 Conference taking place on Wednesday 15 October 2025, 9:30 to 15:30 at the Kent Event Centre, Detling, ME14 3JF.
Our keynote speakers include Lisa Dodd-Mayne, Executive Director of Place at Sport England and Sarah Philpott, five-time Solo Channel Swimmer, Ocean and Environment Activist.
You will also hear from representatives across sport, physical activity, and health sectors as they take part in a Q&A session and talk about the contribution they are making to ‘Move Together’, the county-wide strategy for sport and physical activity. There will be a choice of bite-sized briefings on key topics, as well as the opportunity to network with other delegates throughout the day.
Supporting Sport Welfare
Sharing Stories
In May 2025, Sarah Tinson became the Welfare & Safeguarding Officer for Westbere Sailing Opportunities after her predecessor stepped down. As someone new to the role, Sarah reached out to Stuart, one of our dedicated Sport Welfare Officers to find out what additional support was available to her and the organisation. She was keen to increase her own safeguarding knowledge, add value to their current safeguarding practices, and network with other welfare officers to share best practice.
Sarah was invited to attend some free local welfare events and training sessions. In turn, she invited Stuart to visit their Canterbury facility to meet other committee members and some of the participants.
“Stuart’s visit underscored the importance of integrating safeguarding discussions into all committee meetings and team leaders’ briefings.” Sarah Tinson, Welfare & Safeguarding Officer
Club Welfare Officer Drop-In Session
Our next Club Welfare Officer Drop-In session is taking place on Monday 6 October 7pm-8pm.
A supportive space for Club Welfare Officers to connect, share challenges, and explore best practice. This session will spotlight resources and ideas for ‘Keeping Your Child Safe in Sport Week’, which runs from 6-12 October, including how to engage parents and promote positive behaviour.
Club Welfare Officers, Committe Members and Volunteers are welcome to attend this FREE online information and networking event.
Safeguarding Weeks
Keeping Your Child Safe in Sport Awareness Week
Everyone has a role to play in keeping children safe in sport. This year’s Keeping Your Child Safe in Sport Week runs from 6-12 October 2025. The national campaign is all about asking sports parents to play their part and talk to their children about how they can bring out their best through positive actions and support.
This is a great way for everyone involved in your sport or activity to get together to play, chat or connect, and provide an opportunity to let parents, carers, volunteers and staff know about the part they play in keeping children safe.
Follow this link to access support and resources
Safeguarding Adults Week
Safeguarding Adults Week is a time for organisations to come together to raise awareness of important safeguarding issues. Safeguarding Adults Week 2025 is all about Prevention: Act Before Abuse.
Throughout the week, Ann Craft Trust is encouraging people to take a closer look at their approach to prevention, ensuring that prevention is embedded in their policies and procedures.
Learn more about the key themes for the week and access free resources, including webinars, posters, fact sheets and social media graphics to support your promotion of this important week.
Follow this link to learn more and access free resources and events
Training Opportunities
Safeguarding & Protecting Children Workshop
Did you know it’s essential that you renew your safeguarding knowledge every THREE years, as recommended by NSPCC Child Protection in Sport Unit and most governing bodies of sport. Our next Safeguarding & Protecting Children Workshop is taking place on Monday 20 October 2025, 6:30 pm at White Oak Leisure Centre, Swanley.
This in-person workshop, delivered in partnership with UK Coaching is ideal for anyone working with children and young people in sport and physical activity.
“Safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility. These workshops help us stay informed, connected, and confident in supporting children and young people.” Jimmy, Sport Welfare Officer
Follow this link to book your place
Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) Webinars
Want to better understand DBS checks and safeguarding in sport? Whether you’re a community volunteer, club welfare officer, or involved in recruitment, these upcoming DBS workshops are designed to help you make safer decisions and support your participants confidently.
Workshops, delivered by Kelly Matthews, Regional Outreach Adviser, are running throughout the coming months — all online, free to attend, and tailored for the sport, leisure and voluntary sector.
Follow this link to view full list of DBS Webinars
Everyday Active Workshop
The Everyday Active Workshop is for anyone wanting to improve their knowledge and understanding of the benefits of physical activity, to feel confident about having conversations with others to help get more people, more active across Kent and Medway.
Our next FREE workshop is taking place on Tuesday 2 December, 13:00 – 14:30, Online.
“I’m a football coach but I certainly learnt a great deal more that I could promote with my parents and adults alike.” Attendee
Funding Opportunities
Small Grant
Small grants of up to £500 for local clubs and organisations looking to encourage and increase participation in physical activity for those living in Kent or Medway.
Funding could be available to cover facilitator or coaching costs, venue hire, equipment, marketing and publicity for projects such as new programmes, festivals, events, launches or celebrations of activity, that re-engage with previous audiences and/or encourages those new to activity to continue to be active.
“A simple application and fast to be approved. It’s made such a difference to the lives of the people within the group.”
Workforce Development Bursary
Thinking about becoming an activity leader or yoga instructor for your local community group? Perhaps an assistant coach to support your club’s weekly sessions?
Our Workforce Development Bursary can cover up to 50% of the costs (maximum £500) towards qualifications or awards that increase the quantity and quality of leaders, coaches, instructors and officials in Kent, and therefore assist the development of sport and physical activity in the county.
Active Thames Fund 2025
Active Thames is a partnership programme designed to support the development of watersports on the tidal Thames and inland waterways in London, Kent, and Essex. The Active Thames Fund is dedicated to fostering growth in watersports and enhancing the use of the Thames Path National Trail. It is focused on improving access, diversity, and inclusion, while raising awareness of the benefits of physical activity in blue space.
Applications are currently open with over £100,000 funding available for sports clubs and community groups. Application deadline is 19 October 2025.
Other News
Contact Us
We’d love to hear from you
If there’s anything in this newsletter you’d like to discuss, then just get in touch and one of our team members will get back to you as soon as possible. Please email: activekent@kent.gov.uk
If you received this newsletter via a colleague and you’d like to receive future newsletters into your own inbox, just follow the link below: