E R E H W Y R E EV Summer 2022
DRIVING INCLUSIVITY IN COMMUNITIES The latest activity taking place across the country to support inclusivity
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SPORTING CHAMPIONS IS BACK Find out about the Olympians and Paralympians helping to inspire the next generation
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NEW £42 MILLION CENTRE Check out the latest fitness innovation available at our centres in 2022
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HEALTH & WELLBEING IN FOCUS YOUR SOURCE FOR THE LATEST NEWS FROM EVERYONE ACTIVE
A WORD FROM OUR AQUATICS & WELLBEING DIRECTOR JACQUI TILLMAN Jacqui’s experience in the industry spans 30 years, making her a true ambassador for leisure and activities. Her recent appointment as Sports and Aquatics Director, as well as CEO of the Charitable Trust, has seen her remit expand to oversee the development of our complete sports portfolio. This includes developing our health and wellbeing strategy – encouraging and supporting both our colleagues and members to look after their physical and mental health . With big plans this year across health and wellbeing, Jacqui talks us through the Community Health and Wellbeing Strategy: Health inequalities such as deprivation, low income and poor housing statistically impacts on life expectancy. The covid-19 pandemic has exposed these inequalities and further heightened the challenges our communities face. Community Health and Wellbeing is pivotal to our delivery model. With a clear drive to develop this area of the business, we have established a Community Health and Wellbeing Board to understand the national landscape and aid the transition to our local teams to match community outcomes. In response to the changing landscape, this month we launched Everyone Active’s Community Health and Wellbeing Strategy. This provides a framework of programmes and tools to meet each of our local community needs. With all projects being measured, allowing us to monitor our success and review programmes as required. We understand that the local context is different everywhere, so working closely with communities is essential. Community led project design will enable us to deliver the most effective interventions to support individuals via a place-based approach. Wellbeing will be at the heart of all that we do. Together we will support our communities to live happy and healthier lives.
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HEALTH & WELLBEING FOR EVERYONE Introducing our Strategic Lead - Health and Wellbeing, Rebecca Phillips. WITH 17 YEARS OF EXPERIENCE IN THE LEISURE INDUSTRY AND AN EXTENSIVE UNDERSTANDING OF THE BENEFITS TO CREATING PHYSICAL ACTIVITY PATHWAYS FOR PEOPLE FROM DIVERSE COMMUNITIES AND INDIVIDUALS WITH LONG TERM HEALTH CONDITIONS. REBECCA WILL BE LEADING OUR COMMUNITY HEALTH AND WELLBEING STRATEGY In my new role, I’ll be supporting the reduction of health inequalities in our diverse communities. This includes providing sustainable, long term solutions for people to move more, and live in better health and decreasing the risk of developing chronic illness. In line with our new strategy, I’ll be responsible for developing strong partnerships within the healthcare system, physical activity industry and in our communities. I’m delighted to be support Everyone Active make a real impact in communities across the country. Over the coming years, my ambitions are to drive health and wellbeing initiatives and empower my colleagues to create meaningful change. In turn, this will help communities to build resilience and increase life skills for children and young people. By embracing change in our thinking and practices, we will encourage people to move more and stay healthier for longer. We can also lead the industry with solutions to support healthcare services and reduce waiting lists by increasing the awareness of long-term health condition self-management and peer support. Find out more at www.everyoneactive.com/about-us/ what-we-offer/health-and-wellbeing/
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NEW INITIATIVES SUPPORTING COMMUNITY HEALTH & WELLBEING
MEMBERSHIPS FOR PEOPLE LIVING WITH PARKINSON’S IN PARTNERSHIP WITH PARKINSON’S UK 11th April 2022 marked World Parkinson’s Day and we understand the importance of physical activity for people living with Parkinson’s. We will provide free membership to people with Parkinson’s at each of our leisure facilities, offering access to gym, swim and group exercise classes. In addition, all members will be offered a personalised exercise prescription through EXi, the easy-to-use exercise referral platform, with Synergy Dance online classes also available. Parkinson’s is the fastest-growing neurological condition in the world and there is currently no cure. It affects around 145,000 people in the UK and there are more than 40 symptoms, from tremor and pain to anxiety. Our Strategic Lead for Health and Wellbeing, Rebecca Phillips, talks through this important step for the business in the video below. Tom Ingram, Corporate Partnerships Manager at Parkinson’s UK, said: “Being physically active is important for everyone. It supports both physical and mental health and depending on what you choose, can provide social support and interaction, all of which can really help people living with Parkinson’s and those providing informal care. “Developing a regular physical activity habit can make a person feel more in control when living with the condition. Quality of life can be enhanced and independence and confidence maintained.”
FREE MEMBERSHIP FOR UKRAINIAN REFUGEES In May, we worked closely with our local authority partners, and looked for practical ways in which to support Ukrainian refugees. This saw us launch the free memberships for Ukrainian refugees, to help individuals and families adjust to life in the UK. We worked with partners and colleagues to donate memberships to support Ukrainians and their families seeking refuge in the UK. The free 12 month membership has helped over 4,000 refugees and will support their physical and mental wellbeing, whilst welcoming them into their local community.
What’s next? We will be supporting Cared for Children and Care-experienced Young People with free memberships, helping them to live a healthy and active lifestyle. You can find out more here: https://www.youtube.com/ watch?v=b008JAMQvFw
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INCLUSIVE FACILITIES AND ACTIVITY FOR ALL We believe opportunities should be open to all and are committed to providing services which embrace inclusivity, diversity and promote equality of opportunity. Our goal is to ensure these commitments - reinforced by our values - are embedded in our dayto-day working practices with all our customers, colleagues and partners
SENSORY ROOMS AND QUIET HOURS TO SUPPORT THE SEN COMMUNITY Several centres across the country have implemented measures to support people in the community with special educational needs (SEN). Locations include Stratford Leisure Centre, Shipston Leisure Centre, Southam Leisure Centre and The Greig Leisure Centre (Alcester). Hatch End Swimming Pool has introduced dedicated hours of no music in the gyms or no loud noises in their swimming pool in an effort to create calmer environments for people with special educational needs. In addition, the pavilion at King George’s Playing Fields, managed in partnership with Brentwood Council, now features a new sensory room aiming to create a peaceful environment for people with sensory processing disorders or special
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educational needs, such as autism or ADHD. The sensory room offers a calm and unique ambience created by colour lighting effects with sounds and music. The room also includes stimuli that may help people regulate, develop and engage their senses as they interact with and explore the environment around them. Adam Shawyer, General Manager at King George’s Playing Fields, said: “Inclusivity is one of Everyone Active’s core values so it’s important we offer a safe and comfortable atmosphere for all. “By opening our new sensory room, we enabled King George’s Playing Fields to be a fully inclusive site for the whole community to enjoy.”
NEW BUGGY FITNESS SESSIONS HELP TO PROMOTE HEALTH AND WELLBEING AMONGST PARENTS Earlier this year, Hemel Hempstead Leisure Centre and Jarman Park Athletics Track introduced weekly sessions that enable mums, dads, grandparents and carers to work out without the worry of having to sort childcare, as children and babies are welcome too. The initiative had a great response from the local community and will see classes hosted indoor and outdoor throughout the year. Each attendee can try different exercises including a mixture of cardio, strength and conditioning, circuits, boxing and fitness, with all abilities welcomed. The sessions also have a social element as we offer a free hot drink with every booking, which encourages participants to get together for a catch-up in the centre’s café afterwards. Kirsty Jones, Area Active Communities Manager, said: “We want to create a safe, friendly and non-judgmental space for parents and carers to work on their health and wellbeing, something which can be easily overlooked when looking after little ones. “Our fitness instructor Zoe heads up the classes and as a mum of two herself, she understands the need for ‘me time’ and the challenges of trying to fit that in with a little one. “Our sessions are not only great for physical and mental health but also give members of the local community a chance to socialise, make new friends and feel good about getting active.”
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INCREASING PARTICIPATION THROUGH OUR PARTNERSHIPS Our role is to connect people and places by inspiring individuals to achieve their ambitions for improved health and wellbeing. We collaborate with partners to find solutions that support the changing needs of our local communities. THIS GIRL CAN IN PARTERSHIP WITH SPORT ENGLAND As part of our work to break down the barriers that deter women and girls from participating in sport and physical activity, we teamed up with EMD UK and launched new exercise classes to support Sport England’s This Girl Can campaign. Our classes began in March, and each class offered a combination of dance fitness, boxing fitness, move, tone or yoga-inspired stretch, so participants experienced a variety of activities. We are hosting the classes at 30 leisure centres across the country, with the sessions providing an accessible stepping stone that allows less-active women to discover the group exercise style that works for them. Kelly Goacher is our This Girl Can instructor for classes at Meadowside Leisure Centre and she spoke to BBC Radio Derby after launching classes at the centre. She said: “There are many reasons why women aren’t accessing exercise. A lot of the time it’s imposter syndrome or a fear of going to the gym and not knowing what to do. This Girl Can classes are great because it’s a safe space to exercise and everybody is in the same boat.” Shelley Meyern MCIMSPA, Head of Operations and Projects at EMD UK, says “It has been brilliant to work with Everyone Active on launching these classes. The centres and instructors have a great enthusiasm and desire to assist the women that the classes have been designed for. From the physical and mental benefits that being active can bring, to the social connections we can make, every woman deserves to feel the benefits of getting active.”
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EVERYONE ACTIVE PTS QUALIFY AS GP REFERRAL SPECIALISTS Several of our leading personal trainers have qualified as GP Referral Specialists and will now support people with common medical conditions to maintain and improve their health. With their new qualification, our colleagues will make a positive impact on the health of GP Referral customers across the UK by offering fitness sessions and promoting the benefits of a healthy, active lifestyle. Our colleagues received the personal trainer course, by provider Study Active, via a combination of digital e-learning, webinars and mentoring from a tutor.
The PTs study areas included; how the body changes during long-term health conditions, designing exercise programmes for common medical conditions and nutritional advice which can support referred customers. Fitness Manager, Carl Leatherbarrow discussed the success of this training: “The GP Referral training programme delivered by Study Active has given us a foundation to improve our service delivery and make a difference to local communities across the country.”
SWIMMING PARTNERSHIP SUPPORTING CHILDREN WITH DISABILITIES Earlier this year, we teamed up with Level Water charity to help up to 500 children with disabilities learn to swim every year across the UK. The swimming programmes supports children with disabilities, between the ages of four and 11, to develop essential swimming skills. Level Water uses the power of swimming to improve the lives for children with disabilities. In the UK, access to swimming is not equal. Level Water gives children with disabilities the opportunity to learn to swim by working together with pools to provide one-to-one swimming lessons for the same price as a standard group lesson. Our Group Aquatic and Activity Manager, Ian Cotton, said: “We are proud to support the fantastic work of Level Water. Over the next year, we look forward to supporting the swimming development for hundreds of children with disabilities and engaging them with the fun of swimming.” Level Water’s CEO, Ian Thwaites, said: “Swimming isn’t just a life skill, it’s a source of passion, play and fun for so many of us. Swimming is also unique amongst sports in the benefits and opportunities it offers to people with disabilities.
Since our launch earlier this year...
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12 of our pools are running lessons across the country, with an additional 40 due to launch
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36 child swimmers have started one-toone lessons
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40 swim teachers have received specialist Level Water training
THE SPORTING CHAMPIONS SCHEME IS BACK!
IT’S BACK AND BIGGER THAN EVER – AS WE AIM TO INSPIRE THE NEXT GENERATION OF ATHLETES ACROSS THE COUNTRY.
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Our scheme gives talented athletes the opportunity to make use of training support and mentoring sessions to further their burgeoning careers.
The programme has been designed to assist this country’s next generation of superstar athletes in making the most of their natural talents.
Launched in 2016, the Sporting Champions scheme has been responsible for more than £1 million worth of support to over 1,000 athletes across a huge variety of disciplines; from climbers and mountain bikers to artistic gymnasts and racing drivers. From a total of 30 Sporting Champions competing at the Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics, our athletes achieved a combined five gold, two silver and three bronze medals.
As an Everyone Active Sporting Champion, young athletes can benefit from access to FREE training facilities at any of our 200-plus sports centres located all over the country, as well as to mentoring days throughout the year. These days are hosted by performance experts, including sporting superstars such as Colin Jackson CBE, distributing their wisdom and knowledge, as well as encouraging the sharing of ideas between you, the athletes.
WATCH OUR REVEAL VIDEO
OUR SPORTING CHAMPIONS’ ACHIEVEMENTS Paralympic Golds
Olympic Silver Olympic Bronze Paralympic Silvers
Paralympic Bronze
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Commonwealth Gold
Commonwealth Silver
THE SPORTING CHA April 2022
May 2022
Applications opened for Sporting Champions 2022. Each year we welcome hundreds of aspiring Sporting Champions onto the programme. To be a Sporting Champion, individuals need to be dedicated, hard-working, talented and passionate about their sport. In return we offer our Sporting Champions: •
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Free access to over 200 leisure centres up and down the country – giving them first-class facilities at which to train and improve at their sport. They will also benefit from fantastic mentoring throughout the year from the programme’s Ambassador, Colin Jackson and our line-up of world-class Elite athletes. In addition, we provide the opportunity to gain insights to the life of an Elite Athlete, through media visits to BBC Studios and day trips to Team GB training centres.
Announcing our Elite Athletes
We revealed our Elite Athletes who will play a leading role in supporting our Sporting Champions, mentoring the next generation and hosting Sports Day for children and schools across the country. •
Lauren Steadman - A British Paralympic athlete who has competed in four Summer Paralympics, in both swimming and the para triathlon, getting Gold at Tokyo 2020 in para triathlon.
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Jessica and Jennifer Gadirova – Team GB Bronze medallists in artistic gymnastics team competition at Tokyo 2020
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Richard Kilty - Former World and double European Champion indoors at 60m sprint
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Kadeena Cox - British Paralympian, winning two golds in Tokyo 2020 and four golds in her career across para athletics and para cycling
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Maisie Summers-Newton – A British Paralympian swimmer who achieved two golds in Tokyo 2020
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Lutalo Muhammad – British Taekwondo Olympian who won bronze at London 2012 and silver at Rio 2016
AMPIONS TIMELINE June 2022 Sporting Champions welcomed from across the country We’ll reveal all the Sporting Champions that will be taking part in the scheme, from ice-skaters to para swimmers and mountain bikers, we want to support all disciplines reach their own goals.
July 2022 Commonwealth Games dates from 28 July until 8 August A number of our Elite athletes and Sporting Champions will be leading the way in Birmingham this year. We’ll be supporting each of them and sharing their journey with their local communities to inspire sports people and increase sporting participation across the country.
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Sept 2022 Mentoring Days
Twice a year, the scheme holds a mentoring day, designed to offer athletes support and advice on particular topics they will encounter during their sporting careers.
Sessions on media training
Nutritional advice
Support with mental health
THE LAUNCH OF MOORWAYS SPORTS VILLAGE
WELCOMING DERBY CITY COUNCIL TO THE EVERYONE ACTIVE FAMILY! Our new partnership will see the management of the new £42 million iconic Moorways Sports Village and the adjacent Moorways Stadium, with its outdoor athletics track and field facilities, and football pitches. The sporting complex has several attractions, including: •
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A state-of-the-art Water Park, with the only wave-creating Wow ball in use in a UK public pool. It also has two four-storey flumes, the first wave rider in England, a racer slide and fun water play area for families A 50m pool with moveable floors and booms which can be divided into three 25m length pools of varying depths, offering flexibility for club and leisure use A spa area with a sauna and steam room complements the swimming offer, and further attractions include a café area with views over the Water Park and 50m pool A 120-station gym, meeting rooms available for hire and three fitness studios, one with views across to the Moorways Stadium.
Accessibility has been designed into the building, with features including a Changing Places changing room and toilet, in-built steps and a lift into the main swimming pool, and a Poolpod lift to enable independent entry into the water. Everyone Active’s regional director, Paul Dowling, said: “This is an extremely exciting time for Everyone Active, and we’re delighted to have been chosen to support people in Derby and the surrounding areas with the means and motivation to get active. “As a company that started out 35 years ago by running a single site in the Midlands, it is fantastic to work in partnership with Derby City Council in this area. “We remain unwavering in our commitment to provide leisure services and facilities that meet the unique needs of individual communities. All our partners share our ambition of improving lives through activity, and we’re excited to support the Council to achieve their health and wellbeing outcomes.
A GALAXY OF STARS ATTEND THE GRAND OPENING A raft of sports stars including Olympians Mark Foster and Perri Shakes-Drayton attended the opening of the state-of-the-art Moorways Sports Village on Saturday. Hundreds of children and adults enjoyed a wide variety of sessions including swimming in the main pool and learner pool, the water park, soft play, martial arts, dance fitness and Pilates. They were able to mix with the likes of swimming’s six-times world champion Foster, world silver medallist sprinter ShakesDrayton and Derbyshire’s Alicia Barrett, twice a British champion over 100m hurdles. Also in attendance were swimmer Ross Davenport, who has two Commonwealth golds to his name, football freestyler Jamie Knight and Derby County FC Women’s player Sarah Jackson and manager Sam Griffiths. Speaking during the morning question-and-answer session, Foster said: “The facilities here are absolutely fantastic. “I’ve swam in a lot of pools and this is as good as I’ve seen. You can have a swimming club in one end, lessons in the middle, and the public on the other side. “With this facility, you have a little bit of everything going on.” The Mayor of the City of Derby, Councillor Robin Wood, officially opened the centre with a ceremonial ribbon-cutting at the start of the day. Councillor Chris Poulter, Leader of Derby City Council, said: “Watching the 50m pool, water park, flumes and all the other features take shape has been exciting, but seeing Moorways full of people enjoying themselves is the real reward. “We have worked with our partners to deliver one of the best leisure facilities in the country on time and on budget, and I’m sure it will be used with this enthusiasm for years to come.” For more information on Moorways Sports Village, click here
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If you have any questions about this newsletter or would like to offer any ideas about how we can improve it, please email: newsletter@everyoneactive.com