Active Thames, the community sport and wellbeing programme led by the Port of London Authority (PLA), has announced a major expansion of its funding model to support long-term community development along the River Thames. The programme has awarded over £210,000 to 28 community projects across London, Kent, and Essex, marking a significant increase in investment aimed at improving access to water-based physical activity and strengthening local rowing and boating organisations.
Of the total funding, more than £110,000 will support immediate delivery during the summer season, while an additional £100,000 will initiate a new multi-year investment approach. This forms part of a wider £300,000 commitment over three years, designed to provide sustained financial support to key community delivery partners and ensure long-term programme stability.
The new funding strategy will benefit several Thames-based organisations, including AHOY Centre, Brentford Community Boat House, Fulham Reach Boat Club, London Youth Rowing, and Shadwell Basin Outdoor Activity Centre. These organisations focus on expanding access to rowing, boating, and water-based education for young people and underserved communities across the region.
The programme represents a shift toward long-term funding relationships, allowing community clubs to plan more effectively, develop stronger infrastructure, and deliver deeper social impact. According to PLA leadership, this approach is intended to increase participation in water sports, especially among groups who traditionally face barriers to physical activity, including young people, individuals with disabilities, ethnic minority communities, and low-income households.
Individual project funding includes targeted initiatives such as youth rowing programmes, coaching development pathways, and school-based participation schemes. For example, Brentford Community Boat House will run structured watersports and education programmes, while Fulham Reach Boat Club will expand rowing access for state school students and create coaching and volunteering opportunities. London Youth Rowing will extend its Active Row Kent programme to reach hundreds of young participants, helping build confidence, wellbeing, and community engagement.
Other supported clubs, including Lower Thames Rowing Club and Putney Town Rowing Club, will use funding to increase coaching capacity, expand learn-to-row programmes, and strengthen participation pathways for new rowers. These initiatives are expected to enhance both physical and mental wellbeing while building sustainable community networks around river-based sports.
Overall, Active Thames has now supported more than 70 organisations and invested over £770,000 since 2021, reinforcing its long-term commitment to inclusive access to the River Thames. The programme is also aligned with the broader Thames Vision 2050 strategy, which aims to promote safe, inclusive, and sustainable use of the tidal Thames for future generations.
