My initiative is designed for and delivered in London
Yes
I am 18 years of age or above, by the application deadline.
Yes
My organisation is a registered UK entity and has a London-based address.
Yes
My organisation is a non-profit (e.g. school, university, or local authority) — not a for-profit, which can only join as a partner.
Yes
If there is a for-profit organisation as a partner in my initiative, they work on a cost-recovery basis only.
Yes
My solution is implemented at scale, or if not, I have a clear business plan, a minimum viable solution (prototype, pilot, or proof of concept), evidence of access to a lease for the space you are leveraging, and evidence of work or impact in London within your coalition.
Yes
I am aware that, if I am submitting more than one application to a Challenge run by Ashoka and Go! London, only one of them is able to progress through the stages.
Yes
Are you an employee (and their children and grandchildren) of Ashoka or any of its respective affiliates and participating advertising and promotion agencies?
No
I have read and accepted the Challenge Terms & Conditions.
Yes
First Name
Nina
Last Name
von der Werth
Pronouns
She/Her
Email address
I would like to receive notifications and updates about Go London!, Ashoka, Ashoka Changemakers, and other Ashoka opportunities.
1
Are you an Ashoka Fellow?
No
Are you applying from an organization founded by an Ashoka Fellow?
No
If you are applying from an organization founded by an Ashoka Fellow, please specify the name and organisation of the fellow below.
Lead Organisation Name
Sands End Arts & Community Centre (SEACC)
Year that you started/ registered your organisation
2020
Initiative Title
The Hive
My initiative is designed for and delivered in London
1
Website URL(s) or Social Media Handles
www.seacc.uk
Initiative Stage
Growth (You’ve moved past the very first activities; working towards the next level of expansion.)
Sectors/Themes: What topic does your project most directly relate to?
Health & Fitness
Initiative Summary: Describe your initiative in one sentence
The Hive will transform disused buildings in South Park, Fulham, into a co-designed, inclusive sport and play space for neurodiverse young people, using SEACC’s proven cross-subsidy funding model and new council partnership to unlock long-term, shared community access.
The Problem: What problem are you helping to solve and who will benefit the most from your solution? How close are you to the problem and/or community impacted?
In our area, there are physical spaces that could support young people’s sport, movement & play, yet they remain locked, underused & inaccessible. At the same time, neurodiverse young people face significant barriers to participating in physical activity – not because they lack interest, but because many existing space/ programmes do not reflect their needs or experiences. Through our existing SEND clubs we regularly hear from young people and families that mainstream sport feels inaccessible: competitive, noisy, inflexible or socially exposing. Young people tell us they have tried activities but stopped attending because they struggled to understand how to participate, felt overwhelmed by the environment, or worried about getting things wrong. We also know that some neurodiverse young people miss opportunities to build confidence in sport from an early age because specialist support sessions often take place during PE, reducing access to movement & physical activity from the outset. The problem is therefore not simply a lack of provision. Spaces & programmes are designed around non-disabled expectations meaning young people who could benefit most from movement for wellbeing, confidence, self-regulation & social connection are often those least able to access it. The Hive will focus initially on autistic and learning-disabled young people aged 14–20, who are already actively engaged in our programmes and will become co-designers of the space. Together, we will create playful, flexible indoor & outdoor spaces for exercise & sport. By involving young people as experts in shaping the environment, activities & culture of the space, we aim to increase participation while challenging assumptions about who community spaces are for & how they should be designed.
Your approach: How are you/ will you addressing the problem outlined above? How does your solution unlock or reimagine access to spaces for sport and physical activity? What role do landowners, local authorities, or other decision-making stakeholders play in your approach? We'd love to know about the origin of your idea, and what was your "aha" moment" that led you to take action?
The Hive addresses 2 connected challenges: underused public assets & the exclusion of neurodiverse young people from sport, movement and community life; at the same time these young people are struggling to find spaces where they belong, public buildings & outdoor facilities are standing empty. In partnership with the local authority, we will transform these spaces into a beautiful, playful & inclusive sports hub co-designed by the young people who will use it. We will remove barriers in four ways. 1-we unlock physical access by repurposing underused buildings & adapting them to be sensory-considerate, flexible, welcoming. 2-we will remove design barriers by placing end users at the centre of the process. Through co-design workshops they will shape the design and layout of a new indoor studio and padel court, followed by decision making around equipment & session structure - a model already implemented at SEACC. 3-a sustainable financial model: SEACC’s private hire model subsidises free & low-cost community sessions, creating a viable shared-use model not reliant solely on grant funding. 4-we will remove social barriers by creating visible opportunities for disabled and non-disabled young people to volunteer, facilitate and partake in sessions together. Joy, visibility & play sit at the heart of the project. We believe that when learning-disabled young people are seen as designers & contributors rather than simply recipients of support, community expectations begin to shift. The council plays a critical role as landowner & strategic partner, enabling access to the site and supporting a model that demonstrates how public assets can be activated through co-design, shared stewardship & sustainable community use; together we'll develop a model they can replicate.
Collaboration with young people and the community: In what ways does your initiative engage young people and community members closest to the problem? What role do they play in building the solution you deliver?
At SEACC, young people & learning disabled people are not participants in projects we design for them; they are partners in creating the spaces & experiences they want to see. The Hive will be co-designed with autistic & learning-disabled young people who already attend our existing clubs, ensuring the people closest to the problem are at the heart of the solution. We'll utilise creative co-design workshops that use play, making & imagination: young people will explore questions such as: what makes a space feel welcoming; what makes movement enjoyable; how would they design their ideal activity space and session. These sessions will shape the layout, equipment, environment, session structure and vibe of The Hive. Recognising that neurodiverse young people are part of wider support networks, we will also engage siblings & families. Siblings can provide valuable, alternative youth insight - ensuring the space is inclusive to all. They will participate in facilitated conversations and creative activities to provide additional insight into barriers, aspirations & opportunities for inclusion. Parents & carers will contribute their unique perspective on their children's interests, participation patterns & support needs, helping us understand what enables sustained engagement. The wider community will be involved through consultation events at our Active Wellbeing Festival, and through volunteering opportunities as the project develops. We will create opportunities for disabled & non-disabled young people to contribute alongside one another, building relationships, increasing visibility and strengthening community ownership of the space. Young people will remain involved beyond the design phase through testing, evaluation and ongoing decision-making.
Potential for/Evidence of Impact: How do you imagine your initiative will make a difference in unlocking spaces for and access to physical activity and sport so far? If you have already implemented it, what difference have you made so far? What is the impact your initiative has had , and or what impact do you envision having in the future?
The Hive will unlock both physical space & practical access to sport and exercise for autistic and learning-disabled young people who are currently excluded from much mainstream provision. In Year 1, we will deliver free & low-cost sessions for 30–50 young people per week, growing to 80–100 weekly participants by Year 3 as the programme & income-generating activities expand. The project will also increase community use of the site through inclusive family events & volunteering opportunities. Our existing SEND clubs demonstrate that when young people help shape provision, participation stabilises, confidence grows & social connections strengthen. Young people who initially observed from the margins now contribute ideas, support peers & take active roles in shaping activities. The Hive will build on this success by creating a purpose-designed space where movement, play and belonging are embedded into the environment itself. We expect to see: improved confidence; reduced social isolation; increased participation in physical activity. However, we are also seeking wider systems change. We want learning-disabled young people to be visible contributors to community life and to influence how spaces are designed & used. Success will be measured through attendance/retention, but also through evidence of young people shaping decisions, families feeling more connected and new relationships forming between disabled & non-disabled community members. The Hive also creates a replicable model for activating underused public assets through co-design, shared stewardship & sustainable funding. By demonstrating how inclusive, youth-shaped spaces can benefit the wider we aim to influence how future community facilities are designed, managed & programmed.
Innovation: What is different about your initiative compared to other solutions that are already out there? How is your approach original and innovative?
The Hive challenges a common assumption within sport & community provision: that autistic & learning-disabled young people should adapt to spaces that already exist. Instead, we start from the belief that the people who face the greatest barriers to participation should help design the spaces, activities & culture themselves. Many initiatives focus on making existing provision more accessible. The Hive goes further by using co-design, play & shared ownership to rethink how community spaces are created & who gets to shape them. Through creative workshops, testing ideas in practice & ongoing decision-making, autistic & learning-disabled young people will influence everything from the physical environment & activity offer to the behavioural norms of the space. Their lived experience becomes a source of expertise rather than something to be accommodated. It's also innovative in how it combines inclusion with long-term sustainability. By transforming underused public buildings & outdoor space into a shared community asset & combining free community provision with income generated through private hire, we create a model that can thrive beyond short-term grant funding. Most importantly, The Hive seeks to change relationships as well as spaces. Using beauty, joy, visibility & play as tools for social change, creating opportunities for disabled & non-disabled young people, families, volunteers & community members to participate alongside one another. We believe this visibility is critical to shifting assumptions about who spaces are for & who has the right to shape them. The result is not simply a new sports facility. The Hive is a replicable model for activating public assets & creating spaces where learning-disabled young people are recognised as leaders and co-creators.
Viability and Scalability: How are you setting your initiative up for success, and what is your plan to ensure operational sustainability of your solution and its impact? What are your ideas for scaling your initiative to the next level?
The Hive is designed for long-term sustainability from the outset. Operational viability is underpinned by SEACC's established cross-subsidy model, where earned income supports free and low-cost community provision. Private hire of the building and padel court will create a sustainable income stream that helps fund accessible activities for autistic & learning-disabled young people. This approach reduces reliance on short-term grant funding while ensuring the space remains accessible to those who need it most. Our partnership with the local authority provides a secure pathway to bring underused public assets into active community use. SEACC contributes delivery expertise, trusted community relationships & a proven track record of engaging young people through co-designed provision. Together, these partnerships create a strong foundation for long-term success. We will ensure sustainability through phased development. Year 1- focus on co-design, capital improvements & pilot delivery. Years 2-3-expand participation, strengthen community ownership & diversify income streams. Beyond Year 3 - operate as a stable, community-embedded facility with young people continuing to influence its development. The model is intentionally replicable. We have already identified additional underused sites within the borough and beyond where the approach could be adapted. By demonstrating how public assets can be activated through co-design, shared stewardship and sustainable funding, The Hive will create a practical blueprint for local authorities and community organisations seeking to increase access to inclusive sport and movement. Scaling will involve strengthening partnerships, sharing learning & supporting other organisations to adapt the model to their own communities.
Roles and Responsibilities: Describe how responsibilities are shared among your team or partners.
Delivery of The Hive will be a partnership between SEACC, the London Borough of Hammersmith & Fulham, autistic and learning-disabled young people, their families and the wider community. SEACC will lead project delivery, including capital works, co-design facilitation, programme development, operational management, safeguarding, staffing and community engagement. We will implement our established cross-subsidy model, managing bookings and income generation while ensuring inclusive practice is embedded throughout the project. SEACC will also lead monitoring, evaluation and learning. The council, as landowner and strategic partner, will provide access to the site, support the process of bringing buildings back into active use and collaborate on long-term stewardship arrangements. Their support creates a pathway not only for this site, but for the future activation of other underused public assets across the borough. Autistic and learning-disabled young people are not simply beneficiaries of the project; they are co-designers and decision-makers. Through creative workshops and ongoing involvement, they will influence the layout, equipment, activities, environment and future development of the space. Families and carers will contribute their own expertise and insights, helping ensure the project remains responsive to young people's needs and aspirations. The wider community will play an active role through volunteering, participation and shared use of the space. By creating opportunities for disabled and non-disabled people to contribute alongside one another, The Hive will build understanding, visibility and community ownership. Together, this partnership combines public asset stewardship, community expertise and lived experience leadership to create a sustainable model for inclusive sport, play and community participation.
Upcoming Milestones: Please provide an overview of the milestones that are required for your initiative to come to fruition/to grow.
Summer 2026 (pre-grant announcement) Use the SEACC/LBHF Wellbeing Festival, existing clubs and partner organisations to engage autistic and learning-disabled young people, siblings and families in initial research and co-design activities. Explore barriers to participation, attitudes towards sport and movement, and aspirations for the space through creative workshops and conversations. Formalise partnership with LBHF and agree terms for bringing the site under SEACC's stewardship. Autumn 2026 (post-grant announcement) Complete feasibility, safety and accessibility assessments. Analyse research findings and develop a detailed design brief. Co-design the layout, environment, equipment and activity offer with information collected from young people and families. Adapt and equip the building and outdoor space, including development of the padel court. Recruit and train staff and volunteers in inclusive practice. Launch pilot sessions to test activities, layouts and delivery approaches. January–August 2027: Programme Launch & Evaluation Begin regular free and low-cost sessions. Implement SEACC's cross-subsidy model, including court and venue hire. Monitor participation, gather feedback and refine provision. Increase community engagement through events, volunteering and partnerships with organisations such as H&F Mencap, This New Ground and Action on Disability. September 2027–September 2028: Growth & Consolidation Increase participation and expand the activity offer. Embed young people's leadership and peer-support roles. Strengthen financial sustainability through diversified income streams. Share learning with partners and local stakeholders and begin documenting the model for replication. September 2028 and Beyond: Replication & Systems Change Establish The Hive as a stable, community-owned asset. Develop a replicable framework for activating underused public spaces through co-design, shared stewardship and sustainable funding. Work with the council, MPs, GLA and other partners to identify and explore additional sites across the borough and beyond.
Capacity-Building Participation and Support Funding: If you were to make it as a finalist, you will be required to participate in an 8-week capacity building programme. If funding/ cost is a barrier to your participation, we may be able to offer up to 10,000 GBP of grant money available to support you. Please break down below, if it is the case, what costs you would incur and you would need covered. (Please note that there are restrictions on how the grant money may be used; please refer to the T&Cs for further details.
As provided in refinement phase.
Now that you've explored what it truly means to put young people at the centre, how are you designing your initiative so that young people are genuine co-leaders and co-creators of the initiative?
What partnerships and collaborations are most critical to delivering and sustaining your initiative and how are you building/ plan to build them?
What are you measuring, how are you measuring it, and what does the data tell you so far (quantitative and qualitative)?
Long-term impact: what lasting systems change are you seeking to create and how will you know when it has happened?
Is there anything else you'd like to share with us that you were not able to share in previous questions?
If you selected “Other”, please specify below.
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