Local projects recognised through Everyone Active’s Community Champions scheme

A community scheme offering unsung heroes support from local leisure facilities in West Northamptonshire has announced its two successful applicants.

Award-winning leisure operator Everyone Active, which runs Moulton Leisure Centre in partnership with West Northamptonshire Council (WNC), launched Community Champions last year to support projects which are tackling local issues and changing lives.

People involved in mentoring, promoting health and wellbeing, supporting inclusivity or leading environmental or cultural projects were encouraged once again to apply for 2026.

The award-winning operator has pledged more than £65,000 to support 67 local community projects, continuing its commitment to building stronger communities while recognising the dedication of local people who go above and beyond every day.

The successful applicants in West Northamptonshire were Breast Friends Northamptonshire and SENDS 4 Dad.

Breast Friends Northamptonshire is a peer support group for women who have been diagnosed with breast cancer, while SENDS 4 Dad provides support groups for dads and male carers in SEND families (Special Educational Needs and Disabilities).

Jamie Brightwell, Everyone Active’s contract manager, said: “We are incredibly excited to support these two schemes, which we hope will make a real difference in West Northamptonshire. We want to emphasise the work of everyday heroes who are changing people’s lives and inspiring others to make a positive impact in their communities.

“Breast Friends Northamptonshire and SENDS 4 Dad are the perfect fit for us and we are thrilled to have them in the Community Champions fold.”

Marlene Maybury, committee member at Breast Friends Northamptonshire, said: “We have a group of ladies that swim monthly at Moulton Leisure Centre. Our group are excited to be working with Everyone Active to help achieve our physical and wellbeing goals.”

Paul Meadows, SENDS 4 Dad founder, said: “We are absolutely thrilled to be named one of Everyone Active’s Community Champions. Having access to these facilities makes a huge difference and we’ve already seen incredible successes, like dads helping their children overcome sensory or mobility barriers to get into the pool and build confidence using floats, which is a massive milestone in their development.

“Just as importantly, it gives the dads themselves a vital outlet. Navigating the SEND journey can be deeply isolating, so having a dedicated space to connect with peers, decompress and look after their own physical and mental wellbeing is life changing for the whole family.”

Cllr Kamala Guliyeva, Cabinet Member for Local Economy, Culture and Leisure at WNC, said: “Congratulations to Breastfriends Northamptonshire and SENDS 4 Dad on being named Everyone Active Community Champions. Both organisations provide valuable

support to residents across West Northamptonshire, and this funding will help them continue their important work.

“We remain committed to investing in our leisure centres and working with partners such as Everyone Active to support the health and wellbeing of our communities, and it’s wonderful to see local groups recognised and supported through initiatives like Community Champions.”

Everyone Active also runs the Sporting Champions scheme, which empowers aspiring athletes to achieve their full potential through access to state-of-the-art training facilities and invaluable mentoring support from Olympians and Paralympians.

Since its inception in 2016, the scheme has elevated the sporting careers of more than 6,000 athletes by providing them with free access to Everyone Active's 250-plus leisure centres nationwide.