Active Thames Hub Showcases Impact in the Sports Sector

On 10 December, the Feldy Centre hosted the latest Active Thames Hub event, Social Value: Demonstrating Impact in the Sports Sector. The event brought together Active Thames partners, clubs, and experts to explore the critical role of social value in creating inclusive, sustainable communities through sport and water-based activities.

As custodians of the tidal Thames, the Port of London Authority (PLA) has a specific remit and mission to create social value through our work. The work we do, along with that of everyone in the Active Thames network, is central to that. As a trust port, the PLA has no shareholders, and reinvests any surplus into infrastructure, skills, innovation, and community programmes. This reinvestment helps balance economic, environmental, and social priorities, while supporting local communities and future generations along the Thames. In the delivery of the Thames Vision 2050, and particularly within the Active Thames partnership, we are sharpening our focus on social impact in recognition that our work can drive significant benefits for wider social outcomes around public health, education, and inclusion.

Active Thames exemplifies the collective commitment amongst the Partnership to harness the river and connected waterways for social good, fostering accessible opportunities for physical activity and wellbeing on and around the river. We are focused on sustainable growth in water-based activities, driving inclusion, and measuring impact to showcase tangible outcomes.

Attendees heard from a range of inspiring speakers, including:

• Will Watt, Founder of social enterprise State of Life, who outlined how wellbeing impacts can be measured and valued to drive meaningful change in the sports sector.
• Sian Palmer-Ferry, Community Development Manager at the Canal and River Trust, who highlighted the importance of blue space in improving mental and physical health.
• Jamie Langstone, Sector and Partnership Manager at Southend’s Council for Voluntary Services (SAVS), who shared insights on data collection and participant engagement from previous Active Thames-funded projects.
• Terri Calbraith, Strategic Partnerships Manager at Poplar HARCA, who discussed their commissioning of social value research and the importance of combining data with compelling personal narratives.

The event underscored that sport and water-based activities are about more than physical health; they create opportunities, build skills, and strengthen wellbeing in diverse communities. Through its work, Active Thames and all the community clubs and groups active on and around the river, ensure that it remains a vital community asset, enabling sustainable growth while addressing societal challenges. Looking ahead, the Active Thames partnership is excited to continue embedding social value in our work as part of the Thames Vision for 2050, ensuring the river thrives as an inclusive space for all.