What is KEEN London?

What is KEEN London?

KEEN stands for Kids Enjoy Exercise Now!

KEEN London is a registered charity that runs free weekly sports and recreation sessions for children and young adults with special needs. Children from the age of 5 upwards are paired with volunteer coaches during the sessions for individual support. This lets each child access the activities to the best of his or her abilities. The main sessions concentrate on sports and games, including football, basketball, hockey, bowling and relay races, to increase sporting skills, exercise and team participation. If children need time out from the main session, or prefer a quieter environment, a second room is available for undertaking quieter, creative activities.

The weekly sessions take place during term time in north London on Sunday mornings, and are very lively and great fun. They are led by experienced session leaders. In addition we arrange special trips and outings, including skating, swimming, trampolining and pony riding, and we hold an annual picnic and a party.

KEEN promotes physical development and co-ordination, helps develop social skills, and encourages teamwork.

Who is KEEN London for?

KEEN is a charity for children with special needs and their siblings. We are open to all levels and ranges of physical, learning and behavioural difficulties. We also welcome siblings of children with special needs, so we have mainstream children playing happily with their brothers and sisters, other special needs children, and their siblings.

KEEN London offers a valuable hour and a half of respite to parents and carers on a Sunday morning. Some choose to socialise with other parents, some to spend time with their other children, and others still welcome the opportunity to have time for themselves, secure in the knowledge that KEEN is looking after their children with full support and individual attention.

Participants can come as often or as little as they like, and all activities are completely free. The children join in new sporting activities and learn new skills, let off steam, use up energy and learn to participate and share with others.