Recognising the growing need for accessible community sport, we launched SMSC In the Community (registered charity no. 1206409) in January 2025. The charity focuses on removing barriers to sport for young people in East Merton. Our free programmes now include Football Fridays at Wimbledon College (Years 2–9, around 50 young people each week), free Friday basketball at St Mark’s Academy (a girls-only session and a mixed session) and Raynes Park High School (Years 3–7), and Saturday basketball with South Mitcham Community Association. We also gave Merton Council the idea for the new Joseph Hood Playzone and ran the community consultation for the site, which opened in September 2026. These projects are transforming lives through free, consistent and inclusive access to sport.