Image: Newbury Racecourse Clerk of the Course, George Hill
ISSUED ON BEHALF OF RACING TOGETHER
Racing Together Community Week, British racing鈥檚 national week of employee volunteering, will take place from 18鈥�24 May 2026, bringing together organisations from across the sport to support communities nationwide.
Last year saw a record 90+ racing organisations, including racecourses, trainers, owners and staff, take part in the initiative, delivering a wide range of volunteering activities that made a positive impact in local communities.
Now in its seventh year, Racing Together Community Week has more than doubled participation since 2020. The initiative celebrates the collective efforts of the British racing industry to support local causes through activities including school outreach programmes, charity partnerships, community clean-ups, food bank support and wellbeing sessions.
Watch the 2025 highlights video here:听
New optional theme to inspire participation
New for 2026 is an optional theme designed to inspire new volunteering ideas and align activity across the sport.
Racing Together is encouraging organisations to support work addressing loneliness in local communities. The charity is currently delivering a BHA pilot programme, funded by the Racing Foundation, at six racecourses exploring how racing can help tackle loneliness in the areas surrounding racecourses.
This work forms part of the sport鈥檚 social impact strategy, find out more听.听Those interested in aligning their activity with this theme are encouraged to contact Racing Together to discuss ideas:听[email protected]
Industry backing for Community Week
The development of Community Week was a key discussion point at the recent听Racing Together Industry Day at Lingfield Park, where more than 100 industry professionals endorsed the value and impact of the initiative.
Workshop discussions focused on:
- Reducing barriers to participation
- Improving impact measurement
- Expanding communications reach
Celebrating racing鈥檚 year-round community impact
Following the launch of British racing鈥檚 social impact strategy, Community Week will also be used to highlight the听year-round social impact work听taking place across British racing, alongside the volunteering delivered during the week itself.
Organisations are encouraged to showcase initiatives that align with the sport鈥檚 Social Impact Strategy, particularly across the following themes:
- The Power of Opportunity听鈥� enhancing opportunities for young people to be part of horseracing
- The Power of the Racehorse听鈥� harnessing the racehorse鈥檚 role in helping young people fulfil their potential
- The Power of Racing听鈥� bringing people together to improve individual and community wellbeing
- The Power of Community听鈥� ensuring racing is a positive asset to local communities
Racing organisations are encouraged to highlight their work through websites, email communications and social media, as well as engaging local MPs and media.
Several racecourses will also support the initiative by naming races during the week and using racedays between 18鈥�24 May to raise awareness of the sport鈥檚 community impact.
Industry pride in volunteering
John Blake, CEO of Racing Together, said:
鈥淩acing Together Community Week has become a perfect example of the phrase 鈥榞reater than the sum of its parts鈥�. Participation has grown year-on-year, creating opportunities for teams and individuals across the sport to use their skills to support local communities and develop creative projects.
鈥淭he willingness shown by volunteers reflects the genuine pride people in racing take in making a difference beyond the sport itself. We are always delighted to see long-lasting charity partnerships and community initiatives that begin during Community Week.鈥�
Organisations interested in taking part can听听or contact the Racing Together team directly.
Notes to editors:
1. For more information contact Lucy Gurney on听[email protected]听or 07387 260980.
2.听Racing Together represents British racing鈥檚 community engagement activity and is an open partnership of charities and organisations working across the sport to benefit others. The initiative is led by the education charity Racing to School and guided by an industry subcommittee.
Racing Together鈥檚 vision is for British racing to be recognised as a 鈥榝orce for good鈥� in the communities where the sport operates. It supports this ambition by providing practical resources and guidance, encouraging collaboration and innovation, and delivering nationwide initiatives that showcase the sport鈥檚 positive impact.
Key programmes include Racing Together Community Week and Racing Together Industry Day, alongside the ongoing promotion and sharing of best practice in community engagement across British racing.
Racing Together is grateful to the Horserace Betting Levy Board for its annual funding support.
For more information visit听
