CELEBRATING OUR ACHIEVEMENTS
‘Outstanding Organisation of the Year’ and four more ukactive awards
We are delighted to have won five awards at the ukactive Awards 2024, including Outstanding Organisation of the Year! The ukactive Awards celebrate the best of the physical activity sector and are designed to recognise excellence and innovation across health, wellbeing and fitness.
OUR ACCOLADES
• Outstanding Organisation of the Year
• National Centre of the Year:
• Silksworth Community Pool, Tennis and Wellness Centre
• Regional Centre of the Year North:
• Silksworth Community Pool, Tennis and Wellness Centr e
• Regional Centre of the Year Midlands:
• Hucknall Leisure Centre
• Regional Centre of the Year London:
• Flitwick Leisure Centre
A WORD FROM DAVID BIBBY
“It’s a huge honour to win five ukactive Awards and this reflects the hard work and dedication our colleagues have put in over the past year. The awards are a fitting recognition of all the hard work both in the centres that won, and throughout the rest of the organisation.”
CELEBRATING OUR OLYMPIC AT THE PRESTIGIOUS SPORTING
OLYMPIC AND PARALYMPIC
CHAMPIONS SPORTING CHAMPIONS AWARDS 2024
Local and national sports stars will be celebrated at the annual Everyone Active Sporting Champions Awards.
The ceremony will be hosted by Great Britain’s double world 110m hurdles champion and former world record holder Colin Jackson, alongside a line-up of Elite athletes who have starred on this year’s Olympic and Paralympic stage, including Lauren Steadman, Richard Kilty and Maisie Summers-Newton.
Now in its eighth year, the Sporting Champions initiative has helped more than 5,000 athletes to achieve their sporting potential by providing free access to Everyone Active’s leisure facilities nationwide and exclusive mentoring from several of UK’s greatest athletes.
Among the current athletes on the scheme, they achieved nine gold, six silver and eight bronze medals at this year’s Olympics and Paralympics. The total of 23 medals demonstrating the scheme’s role in supporting grassroots athletes through to elite sporting talent.
This year, the awards will not only celebrate the current athletes, but also recognise the Everyone Active colleagues and local authority partners who have provided valuable support to the local athletes and the scheme.
The event will feature 10 award categories, acknowledging both individual and community achievements:
• Regional Sporting Champion of the Year (x3 awards available depending on locationEast, West, South East)
• National Sporting Champion of the Year
• Young Champion of the Year
• Social Media Champion of the Year
• Community Champion of the Year
• Outstanding Achievement of the Year
• Everyone Active site of the Year
• Local authority partner of the Year
The awards ceremony will be preceded by a mentoring workshop, led by the scheme’s team of Elite athletes.
Olympic and Paralympic stars Lutalo Muhammad, Jessica and Jennifer Gadirova and Harry Aikines-Aryeetey will join Lauren, Richard and Maisie to share their insights and experiences to help guide the Sporting Champions athletes in their own careers.
THE CHAMPIONS SCHEME EVOLVED
Building on the success of our Sporting Champions scheme, we are excited to announce the launch of an expanded EA Champions scheme, dedicated to celebrating the exceptional individuals and colleagues within our communities.
The programme highlights three key strands:
Sporting Champions will continue to offer vital support to promising young athletes on their journey to the highest levels of competition, including the Olympics. These talented individuals represent the future of British sport, and we’re proud to help them reach their full potential.
Colleague Champions recognises the outstanding efforts of our team members who go above and beyond, whether through charitable endeavours or innovative initiatives that make a positive impact on the local community.
Lastly, Community Champions honours the customers who make a difference, using our facilities and support to uplift others and strengthen the world around them.
EA Champions is about more than achievements—it’s about inspiring greatness in us all.
CROWDS FLOCK TO OPEN DAY AT REVAMPED MELTON LEISURE CENTRES
Olympic bronze medallist Richard Kilty attended the official reopening of Waterfield Leisure Centre and Melton Sports Village on Saturday, August 17, following the £1.7million refurbishment of both centres.
Richard, a member of the Team GB 4x100m relay lineup at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, joined the mayor, Councillor Tim Webster, for the formal ribbon-cuttings.
The former 60m world indoor champion gave his seal of approval to the new, state-of-the-art fitness suite at Waterfield Leisure Centre.
All activities were free at both centres between 9am-1pm, including use of the gym and swimming pool at Waterfield Leisure Centre, which featured an inflatable session. An Olympic Torch from the London Olympics in 1948 was also on site for one day only, for visitors to view and take pictures with.
Lloyd Barraclough, Everyone Active’s area contract manager, said: “This was the perfect way to celebrate the reopening of these two centres, which will serve the local community for years to come.
“It was great to see the public experience a wide range of activities and really get a sense of how much there is on offer for everyone.
Cllr Pip Allnatt, Leader of Melton Borough Council, said: “Eighteen months ago, the future of both facilities was in doubt, but determination and hard work to ensure these facilities remain accessible to our residents has paid off and not only have we managed to retain and protect both sites, we have also invested £1.75million to improve them for our users leading to a refreshed offer for residents.
“This would not have been possible without our partners at Everyone Active and also local community groups and organisations, including the schools who have supported us during this time in offering alternative sports venues for some of the clubs and groups across the borough.
CHAMPIONING MENTAL WELLBEING AND ACTIVITY FOR ALL THROUGH OUR PARTNERSHIPS
PRIDE SWIMS
Over the summer, we held a series of Pride Swims, to connect the LGBTQ+ community and its allies.
Launched at the Aquatics GB Swimming Championships at London Aquatics Centre in April, the swims took place across the country.
Each Pride Swim seeks to support the physical and mental health of participants and encourage inclusion, whilst also raising money for Switchboard, the national LGBTQIA+ Support Line, in its 50th year.
The initiative is run by Out & Wild Events, IMPROPER Agency and aquatics club Out to Swim, with support from Swim England and London Marathon Events.
James Naylor, Everyone Active’s area contract manager, said: “This is a fantastic opportunity for people to enjoy our stateof-the-art facilities, while improving their physical health and wellbeing and raising money for a brilliant cause.”
Founder of Pride Swim and Out & Wild Festival, Polly Shute, said: “These events are a great way to bring communities together, with a real focus on wellbeing. We have worked hard with our partners to ensure the swims are open to all, including families as well as adults and that they embrace the whole LGBTQ+ community and allies.”
PARTNERSHIPS
We’re delighted to have teamed up with Vita Health Group, one of the UK’s leading private healthcare providers to help employees with chronic musculoskeletal conditions get back to work.
Vita Health Group’s FRP is a return-to-work programme focusing on pain management and rehabilitation for employees experiencing persistent or chronic MSK conditions that haven’t responded to other medical treatments and therapies. As part of the enhanced programme, employees who access the service will be provided with a free membership to a local Everyone Active leisure facility.
The aim of the partnership is to address the barriers that can stand in the way of successful rehabilitation and longterm recovery, such as access to gym equipment, swimming facilities, group exercise classes and peer support, thus empowering individuals to take ownership of their wellbeing and recovery.
The partnership is part of a re-launch of Vita Health Group’s FRP, which is the first and only in the UK to combine both mental and physical health within a return to work initiative. The programme has been designed by clinical experts in response to the evident need for physical and mental health services to be truly integrated.
Rebecca Phillips, Everyone Active’s Strategic Lead - Health and Wellbeing, says: “With more than 240 leisure and cultural facilities in the Everyone Active portfolio, this is an exciting opportunity to help make a significant difference and contribute to the health of employees with persistent or chronic MSK conditions.”
To find out more about Vita Health Group’s services, visit: https://www. vitahealthgroup.co.uk/corporate-healthservices/corporate-physical-health/
GROUP EXERCISE HAS EVOLVED... AND SO HAVE WE.
Last month, we launched into the Reformer market with our first reformer studio.
The state-of-the-art studio will be the first of Everyone Active’s 230 sites nationwide and our appointment to manage North Herts Council’s leisure facilities from April 2024.
A former group exercise studio at the site has been repurposed into the new studio, which has 20 reformer machines that have adjustable resistance and moving platforms that roll up and down as the participant performs the move.
INNOVATION AT THE HEART OF EVERYONE ACTIVE FACILITIES
Duncan Jefford, Everyone Active’s Regional Director, said: “We’re proud to be driving innovation within our centres and offering exciting new fitness, wellness and activity opportunities to customers.
“As a business, we are continually looking to evolve and respond to the top global fitness and activity trends. We’re delighted to have launched our first Reformer studio – the first of 10 studios that will be rolled out over the next 18 months as part of the £20 million fitness redevelopment of its 230-site estate.
“Meanwhile, AltraFit Games is our answer to the rise in strength and cardio-based fitness
PADEL TENNIS REVOLUTION HEADS TO BASILDON AND ST ALBANS INNOVATION AT THE HEART OF EVERYONE ACTIVE FACILITIES
Padel tennis, one of the world’s fastestgrowing sports, has arrived at Everyone Active centres.
Four new padel courts have been approved for construction at Basildon Sporting Village, managed in partnership with Basildon Council, with three covered courts plus one uncovered court. The development will also include a social area, enhancing the community aspect of the sport.
Over in St Albans, two new outdoor padel courts are set to open at the end of May at Batchwood Sports and Golf Centre, a facility managed by Everyone Active in partnership with St Albans City and District Council.
Padel, a hybrid of tennis and squash, is played on an enclosed court about a third of the size of a tennis
court. While following tennis scoring rules, padel has unique elements: players serve underarm, and the ball can be played off the walls. The sport uses specially designed rackets with foam heads and balls similar to tennis balls.
Known for its accessibility, padel is easy to learn, making it appealing to players of all ages and skill levels. Most newcomers grasp the basics within 30 minutes and see rapid improvement.
Shaun Beagle, Everyone Active Contract Manager in Basildon, said: “We’re thrilled to bring padel tennis to Basildon Sporting Village. This fast-growing sport is not only fun and sociable but also provides an excellent form of exercise. We believe it will be a fantastic addition to our facilities and warmly welcomed by the Basildon community.”
In September, we launched our new fitness competition, the Altrafit Games, designed for participants of all fitness levels and ages.
The event challenges competitors to complete eight simple gym-based strength and cardio exercises as quickly as possible, with the chance to win a grand cash prize of £500 plus exclusive fitness equipment from equipment supplier, Altrafit.
We will host a series of new Altrafit classes, led by expert fitness instructors and helping members get to grips with the exercises.
Each competitor’s scores will be calculated through the Archon Fitness League app, which is based on age, weight, height, and gender, and ensures a level playing field for all. There are also two categories: the Open category, aimed at fitness beginners, and the Pro category for more advanced gym-goers.
To find out more and download a training plan, visit the Everyone Active Altrafit Games webpage: https://www.everyoneactive.com/ promotion/altrafit-games/
CYCLE CHALLENGE TOURS CENTRES
CENTRAL BEDFORDSHIRE
They smashed it! The 12-strong team of general and contract managers from across the Central Bedfordshire sites crushed their fundraising challenge to cycle 40.5 miles each on indoor cycles on Wednesday, 23 October for Breast Cancer Now.
The team made up of Gary Foley, Phillip Rose, Gemma Garner-Higgins, Gareth Hunt, Kay Pearson, Georgia Pears-Seymour, Lisa Simpson, Hayley McKay, Tracy Nicols, Jody Woodfield, Rambhai Godhania and Jacqui Ryan took on the challenge to simulate the combined total mileage between the centres in the contract.
They raised a massive £1,642.80, after all the donations were added up.
Jax Ryan was even interviewed live on the Andy Collins show on BBC Radio Three Counties in which she pointed out that whilst the team try to practise what they preach and keep active, they are not cyclists and tackling this level of cycling in the allotted time wasn’t going to be easy.
The challenge started at Saxon Pool and Leisure Centre at 10:30am and saw the team cycle for around 30 minutes before driving to the next centre in the contract and repeating. On the day, three of the team had a Healthy & Safety audit - so after persuading Ash Allen, Regional Contract Health & Safety & Quality Manager, to join them on a bikethey blasted out their 40.5 miles in one go to then carry out the audit. Ash will also be taking part in the East Region Commercial Team’s National 3-Peaks Challenge in April for Breast Cancer Now.
The rest of the team finished at Tiddenfoot Leisure Centre at around 2:30pm. “We were certainly a bit stiff by the time we got to the last venue!” Jax explained, “Getting in and out of the cars between cycling meant our legs tightened up, but it was worth it to raise so much for a cause close to our hearts.”
INTRODUCING OUR NEW CHARITY PARTNERS, BREAST CANCER NOW AND THE BEN KINSELLA TRUST
We are proud to have commenced a two-year partnership with Breast Cancer Now and The Ben Kinsella Trust, officially launched on Thursday, 1 August 2024 –with the ambition to raise £100,000 in total, which will be split across the two charities to cover essential operations.
Breast Cancer Now is the largest breast cancer charity in the UK. The charity funds world-class research and life-changing support. They are here for anyone affected by breast cancer, the whole way through, providing support for today and hope for the future.
Everyone Active and Breast Cancer Now aim to raise awareness around the role that physical and mental wellbeing can play in supporting people affected by breast cancer.
Everyone Active will utilise its reach across more than 230 leisure and cultural facilities to support The Ben Kinsella Trust and emphasise the importance of physical activity in safeguarding young people. By combining their expertise, both
organisations will work to increase understanding of how exercise benefits overall health and wellbeing.
The Ben Kinsella Trust is a leading anti-knife crime charity established in memory of Ben Kinsella, a young victim of knife violence. Its primary focus is on educating young people about the devastating consequences of carrying a knife. Through immersive workshops and interactive exhibitions, they challenge misconceptions, empower positive choices, and work to prevent the loss of young lives to senseless violence.
Ben Beevers, Everyone Active’s Group Development Director, said: “Our new charity partnerships hold special significance, as breast cancer and knife crime have unfortunately impacted our colleagues over the past year. We’re proud to support Breast Cancer Now and The Ben Kinsella Trust, both of which do exceptional work within the communities we serve, giving us an opportunity to raise awareness and fundraise for two great causes.”
To find out more information on the partnership, visit the Everyone Active website: https://www. everyoneactive.com/about-us/our-charity/
