Active Thames: applications open with over £100,000 funding available for sports clubs and community groups

Sports clubs and community groups across London, Kent and Essex are being invited to apply for the latest round of Active Thames grants, which opens today, 15 September.

The fund helps more people get active on and alongside the tidal Thames and connected waterways. It supports access to over 15,000 football pitches’ worth of “blue space”, with activities including rowing, sailing, paddlesports, open water swimming, and walking. It is designed to break down barriers to participation and ensure the Thames is a space for everyone, regardless of background, ability or experience.

Active Thames is a partnership programme between Active Essex, Active Kent & Medway, London Sport, the Royal Yachting Association, British Rowing, Paddle UK, Canal & River Trust and the Thames Path National Trail.  

Proven impact

The Active Thames Impact Report shows that since its launch in 2021, the programme has:

• Supported 63 projects across London, Kent and Essex
• Helped a total of over 8,200 people, including women, ethnically diverse communities, and people with disabilities. Of these people:
  • 830 were coaches and volunteers who benefitted from subsidised training and development opportunities.    
  • 51% were female
  • 44% were from a minority ethnic background  
  • 26% had a disability or long-term health condition.  

Case studies

Paddle Angel project at Islington Boat Club, North London: The Paddle Angel project worked with people recovering from addiction and mental health challenges, offering free kayaking and paddleboarding sessions on the Regent’s Canal. Participants described the experience as energising, joyful and restorative, with one saying: “Seeing my guys carefree on the water every week is lovely.” The project also ran litter-picking sessions, removing over 400kg of plastic and waste from the canal.  

Isle of Dogs Sea Cadets Unit (East London): For their first residential trip, the Isle of Dogs Sea Cadets sailed The Blue Mermaid, a traditional Thames sailing barge. With no engine or generator on board, the group covered 113 miles entirely under sail, learning to navigate tides and weather while living without modern conveniences. Cadets gained their Royal Yachting Association Competent Crew Certificates, built resilience and teamwork, and experienced night sailing, seal spotting and stargazing.

Supporting quotes

PLA’s CEO, Robin Mortimer, said:

“Through Active Thames, we are creating opportunities for more people to enjoy the physical and mental health benefits of being active on and by the water.

“Active Thames is not just about funding individual projects, it's about supporting grassroots organisations and ensuring blue space is safe, accessible, and inclusive. In recent years, we’ve seen the difference this can make, from enabling underrepresented groups to take part in water sports for the first time, to helping local clubs grow and thrive.

“Delivering our long-term strategy, Thames Vision, means putting inclusion and wellbeing at the centre of how we shape the future of the river, and Active Thames plays a key role in achieving that.”

Ashley Metcalfe, CEO Paddle UK, said:  

“Paddle UK is proud of our dynamic collaboration with Active Thames and the work we are doing together to unlock the power of the blue spaces stretching across London, Kent, Essex, and the tidal Thames.  

“Being part of a collective of partners amplifies our reach, helping to embed paddlesports into everyday life and enabling communities to engage with the blue space on their doorstep. We look forward to continuing this journey and building on our shared impact and delivering even more opportunities for people to feel empowered, welcomed, and connected through water”.