TL newsletter april17

GM Active...

ISSUE 19 : APRIL 2017 Making your time with Trafford Leisure that little bit more interesting

Just over 12 months ago, Trafford Leisure became part of a joint working group called "GM Active", which is a collaborative group made up of all 13 leisure operators in Greater Manchester.

Jo Cherrett attends a Board meeting every 6 weeks or so with other GM Chief Execs to look at ways we can work more smartly together and share best practice. The group employs a lovely lady called Sarah Broad (who some of you may have met) as their Strategic Partnership and Service Development Manager and over the past 12 months, Sarah has identified a number of opportunities for projects across Greater Manchester.

The first is looking at a reciprocal gym membership scheme. What this would mean is that people who live in Trafford but who work in another GM area would be able to "top up" their Trafford Leisure membership to enable them to access a gym local to work. There will be lots of exciting opportunities coming up with GM Active over

Eat Quick but dont be Sick!

the coming months that will require some support. Watch this space, exciting times!!

Tweets of the Month

Jon Francis, Craig Lomas, Adam Howarth, Andy Mooney, Matt Darke (Sally Darke’s husband) and Lesley Aitken took to the stage at the Trafford Centre and between them faced a monstrous 12 plates! We did our very best and finished 4th Place thanks to Jon smashing through the final course (dessert) coming 1st in his round.

At George H Carnall, the above member recently celebrated his 85th birthday. He started using the centre the week it opened and has been coming regularly ever since.

Steve Pullen and his followers helped put up banners and balloons in the café area. Wilf isn’t a fan of surprises, as you can probably tell from the picture! He was a good sport though!

r fus

ch ee

Workplace Wellbeing

It’s fair to say the meals were tough but also quite enjoyable (maybe not Adam’s MASSIVE What would you like to see in your Newsletter?

fish and chips and Matts Jumbo sausage) but overall we all pulled together and didn’t let the

This is your newsletter and we want your ideas! This could be anything from events, to competitions, to customer feedback, to a quote or tweet of the month.

Trafford Leisure side down!

On the night we raised £420 for Once Upon A Smile!

Bring on the Smile Mile week from 24th April - 28th April, find out more on page 5

Let me know by email: heather.gaulton@traffordleisure.co.uk INSIDE:

8

et m rlea a der Sally Darke c

o

wn ry o Our ve

ch ee

On 6th April 2017, we took a team to take on Dine Around The Dome. Heather Gaulton,

on

Quote Of The Month

>> STAFF PROFILE OF THE MONTH >> APRIL PROMOTION

>> MANCHESTER MARATHON

>> GM ACTIVE

>> UPCOMING SMILE MILE

Page 7

BUILDING POSITIVE FUTURES A FEW WORDS FROM OUR

The Old Trafford Sports Barn - Claim to Fame

CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER

Workplace Wellbeing Kelly Jackson & Rachael Forde have

Jo Cherrett

attended 5 days of fitness testing, they tested 90 people over this period. They have set up a Saica only bootcamp for the staff every Tuesday at PSV which Rachael

April, so we have all probably over indulged in chocolate and then obviously all worked it off….A beautiful weekend of sunshine with record takings at the golf course, rain and hail so some great numbers in our pools, inspiring Manchester and London Marathons and a surprise general election. It has been an eventful month!

Fox will be teaching we are expecting 30+ staff will attend and in 12 weeks time we will be attending again &

A few things to update you on, but my highlight has to be the visit to Altrincham Leisure Centre to say huge congratulations to Dianne Swindells – 45 years’ service and as you turn the page you can read more about this celebration. Marsland House where the support office team live has been the focus of some of my time this month. As so many of you have seen, the 4000sq feet of floor space that we have is way too big for the team that now work from here and I have been exploring alternatives for a few months.

comparing the results in the hope we have improved Health & Wellbeing at Saica Papermill and hopefully gain a few new members in the process!! This is

An opportunity presented itself that means over the next month the support office team will move from the office suite we currently use to move across the corridor and take a new much smaller office suite of 630sq feet that best suits our needs. We would sign a new lease that would see us staying here until October 2018. The longer term aspiration is to house the support team within an existing centre or to identify where we may extend a centre to accommodate the team. Contracts still need to be signed but this would help see an annual saving this year of £40,000. Linked to this move is the need to develop a new communication plan, we will not have as much space to hold meetings and events at Marsland House going forward and I see this as an opportunity for myself and the support teams to come out to the business more. I will share this communication plan with you all over the coming months.

All things water! As you are aware Kevin Henderson took up the role of Efficiency Manager for Trafford Leisure in January and in only a few months we are starting to see the returns and opportunities with this role. Yesterday Kevin advised both me and the leadership colleagues that through water metres being installed at Altrincham Leisure Centre and his work with the utility company he has managed to get a bill of £21k for a quarter changed to £2k. Great work Kev and well done. I think it is fair to say Kevin is thoroughly enjoying his new role, but I will ask him to provide an update in next month’s newsletter that provides more detail on his priorities and how we can all help with this.

a great step for Partington, our aim is to try new and exciting ideas to engage with the people of Partington and get them moving as a community.

The Old Trafford Sports Barn was buzzing this week as internet sensation F2 Freestylers

Trafford Leisure Customer Wellness at the heart of what we do

In last month’s newsletter I mentioned that Sarah our finance director would provide a budget update in this month’s newsletter. Sarah assures me that she has not taken it personally, but due to so much content this month we will now include this in May.

came to record some tricks and skills footage for their YouTube channel. The F2 Freestylers

Since the launch of the new Physical Activity referral in November 2016,

Don’t forget to do your mile and help with our fund raising for “Once upon a Smile”, I will be Nordic walking on the 28th April so feel free to join us. Please do get set up on our workplace network if you haven’t, this network will give more and more opportunity for our staff that are closest and front facing to our customers the vital information and news they need to be fully informed.

(Billy Wingrove and Jeremy Lynch) perform at

Trafford Leisure has had over 350 referrals made by local GP’s, physios

a large number of events, regularly feature on

and other health colleagues. If you haven’t had a chance to see the customer

Sky Sports programs and have over 5.5 Million

journey video which was shown at the Council Scrutiny last month, check

Best Regards

subscribers on their You Tube channel alone! As

it out on Workplace. There are a number of other programmes and pilots

you already know Football Development Doesn’t

being developed, that our Active Living team are supporting. One of those

Stop and (after some thorough stretching)

is the opportunity for the team to become trained in how to deliver the NHS

assisted the boys in a trick or two (but you have

40+ health checks.

Kirsty

Chapman Staff Profile Roles & Responsibilities: I have been in this role for a year and a half now and it’s flown! I am the first point of contact for our customers at the George Carnall, so I deal with their queries and questions on a daily basis, delivering excellent customer service to each customer in the centre and also on the phone. I book people onto exercise classes, badminton, squash and other sports activities, I maintain the Gymnastics and Trampolining classes for re-enrolment after each term. I love talking to all the customers that come to the George Carnall and finding out about them, a lot of them also enjoy coming to us to socialise with us and others that they have become friendly with.

Bio: Many moons ago I actually trained as a Nursery Nurse at South Trafford College, from there I have done various administrator roles for Broadsystem, who did all the calls for ‘Who Wants to be a Millionaire’, for Volkswagen and for Danwood a printer speacialist. I got made redundant from there and started working at Abbotsford Preparatory school in the nursery which should have been a short term role whilst I looked for another job and I ended up being there for three and a half years before starting at Trafford Leisure.

Receptionist

George H Carnall Hobbies & Interests: Having two children my hobbies and interests seem to be all theirs at the minute, so street dancing with my daughter and football with my son. We are all Liverpool fans in our house as well, so we make time to watch them when we can! I also love meeting with my friends and going for a meal.

Favourite Films: I have lots of films that I like so couldn’t name just one, but they range from a Disney classic to a scary horror!

to wait a little before the content is released!).

The Freestylers certainly drew a large crowd

There are 2 GP surgeries confirmed in the North locality that have agreed

around the Sports Barn which is already healthily

to pilot James Jackson going in and undertaking these checks on the

used by young people and families from the

surgeries behalf. This will mean that James undertakes tests such as height,

local community and gave a few words to the

weight, blood pressure and cholesterol as well as talking to patients about

camera to thank Trafford Leisure for the use of

smoking and other lifestyle choices – including if they are physically active

the facilities and they too wanted “more people,

or not. If they are not…….guess what…..James can refer them straight into

more active, more often”.

our Physical Activity referral! Although this is a pilot, if successful this could mean that Trafford Leisure becomes a partner of choice for undertaking

I strongly suggest you have a look at the

health checks.

Favourite Food: I love Italian food, a good old Spaghetti Bolognese or Lasagne with Garlic Bread, yum!

F2 Freestylers You Tube channel to see how entertaining the lads are and a great

Imagine one day if these could be undertaken at the Leisure Centre for

Best Place I’ve been abroad: Maldives for my honeymoon was out of this world! Absolutely amazing place, I would love to go back there at some point.

I also loved Mexico, Cancun and you also can’t beat Disneyland Florida for a fun holiday!

advertisement for the great community work

example?

Dream Job: Steven Gerrard’s PA ☺

performed at the Old Trafford Sports Barn.

Football

and

Watch this space for more news on exciting new projects that Trafford

disproves you can’t teach an old dog new tricks.

Development

Doesn’t

Stop

Leisure is getting involved in by putting the customer always at the heart of what we do.

3 words to describe me: Loud, Friendly and Happy!

2

7

We are MORE social...

Have you ever scrolled through Facebook, Twitter or Instagram and witnessed any dullness, absorbed meaningless waffle or been constantly sold to? Our customers are certainly not scrolling through our social channels to experience any of the above. In the next three months follow our social channels and you'll see our social media turn from a caterpillar to a butterfly.

You'll notice that we have already upped our game and on Twitter we've gone from one Tweet

I have worked for Trafford Leisure since 2001 where I started as a casual LA at Partington Sports Village. From there I progressed to a gym instructor and manager at Urmston and Stretford and finally into my current role as Active Living Manager for the North of the Borough, where I have been for 3 years this October.

every three days to more than 3 Tweets per day and in the space of only 4 days we increased our Trafford Leisure new followers by 10. We've certainly witnessed more shares and likes.

By the end of June we aim to have Instagram, Twitter & Facebook firing on all cylinders.

On certain days of the week I cover the early morning spinning class at 7:15am.

This is a great way to start the day doing some exercise and of course shouting and motivating others to do the same! Once I have finished it’s a quick shower then see what I have in my diary for the day. I usually check my emails first thing in the morning to see if I have received anything that needs responding to. I will usually receive some Physical Activity referrals from our partners out in the community. These will be responded to as a priority to get these people booked in for their initial consultation to discuss the reasons they were referred and how we can help them achieve their goals with the 8 week Physical Activity Referral pass.

The content will be a vibrant mix of positive emotions pulling on our customers' heart strings.

You'll see polls, contests and gifts, videos and tips being shared, as well as any current news. These tend to drive more engagement than any other types of content. See image - (POLL). Our social media will cut out routine, unexciting dreary and monotonous content and instead create high-end emotional experiences. We will feature our customers' success stories and bring them closer into our community (with their permission of course).

< POLL

What the does the future of our social media look like? Whatever the next social media craze is, we must remember that human behaviour will always remain the same. Our audience wants attention and a sense of belonging, therefore our audience will remain at the heart of everything we post.

From The Marketing

Dianne Swindell 45 years’ Service Dianne Swindell, receptionist at Altrincham Leisure Centre, celebrated 45 years’ service on Wednesday 3rd April.

A surprise celebration was held at Altrincham Leisure Centre including a surprise visit from Trafford Council’s Chief Executive, Theresa Grant.

Dianne started working at Altrincham Leisure Centre 3rd April 1972 but prior to that at the Altrincham Old Public Baths before the current Altrincham Leisure Centre was open.

Dianne has been a receptionist at Altrincham Leisure Centre for an incredible 45 years and Head receptionist for around 8 years.

Dianne is a lifelong resident of Altrincham and an avid fan and season ticket holder of Altrincham Football Club. She is a big fundraiser for local charities and supports the local church in fundraising too. She’s worked with many people over the years, and is well known to the local community - old and young – seeing many generations of families attend the Leisure Centre over the years. The warm and friendly face of Altrincham Leisure Centre officially retires later in the year and Trafford Council thanks Dianne for her loyal service.

6

James Jackson Active Living Manager (North)

Stretford Sports Village

There are also pots of funding that are available from other organisations so I check what is out there and whether I am able to try and tap into any funding streams to help develop any projects Active Living wants to try to start up to help “hard to reach” people get involved in some sort of activity.

My main priority is working with people who have been diagnosed with cancer and cardiovascular disease. I am one of many community engagement agents that offer ongoing support for these people. I provide assistance for them to access physical activity to help them in their recovery. I will catch up with some of them to see how they are getting on and if there is anything else we as a leisure partner can do to help aid their recovery. I find this to be one of the most rewarding jobs I have ever had in my time at Trafford Leisure. It is great to see what physical activity can do to help people both physically and mentally overcome these illnesses.

Once my Active Living day is over I also provide personal training sessions for people wanting to achieve certain goals. This is usually for people wanting to lose some weight or increase their general fitness that need a little extra push in the right direction.

Stretford Sports Village Grainne Dromey

Urmston Leisure Centre Claire McLaughlin

“I recently began swimming at

I just wanted to thank you for directing my concerns to the relevant staff regarding the

Stretford baths, but I have also

concerns I raised over the access issues we encountered at Carrington at Matthew's

visited others in the Manchester

first lesson. The availability and use of the hoist and pool wheelchair made an amazing

and Trafford area too. Stretford

difference for Matthew and allowed him to enter and leave the pool easily, without

is the friendliest and helpful

causing him any pain or discomfort and afforded him some dignity.

facility I have ever been to and this includes the staff on

People are always very quick to complain but often forget to thank those who go out of

reception and the life guards.

their way to ensure that reasonable adjustments are made and as a parent of 2 disabled

It has a wonderful atmosphere

children this is greatly appreciated.

that I wish more places had.

I wanted to pass this on to

Please can you pass on my

management to let you know

gratitude to all of those who spent

your staff go above and beyond

time ensuring that this activity is

and it is appreciated!”

accessible for Matthew.

3

Aprilâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Easter Promotion...

We

Employee Of The Month

Our team work Urmston Leisure Centre Amy Wood and Karen Winters both received Employee of the Month for all the hard work in re-enrolment and movement of our swimming lesson customers. Well Done!

On the 2nd April 2017 Manchester Marathon took place across Trafford. Trafford Leisure staff who work at the leisure centres made this an opportunity, to not just help support the runners but a chance to promote our Easter Promotion and raise money for Once Upon A Smile!

n

po ce U

On

ile m S A

-

g

r Eg e t s a

E mer

o Cust

s

ize r P s&

n

atio n o D

Altrincham Leisure Centre Tessa Griffiths has received Employee of the Month for working hard and supporting reception and Nicky through the new enrolment process. Well Done!

Altrincham Leisure Centre Olivia Mowe has received Employee of the Month for always being helpful and positive, always smiling, being professional in the pool and assisting the children to become happy and confident in the pool .

44

5

Aprilâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Easter Promotion...

We

Employee Of The Month

Our team work Urmston Leisure Centre Amy Wood and Karen Winters both received Employee of the Month for all the hard work in re-enrolment and movement of our swimming lesson customers. Well Done!

On the 2nd April 2017 Manchester Marathon took place across Trafford. Trafford Leisure staff who work at the leisure centres made this an opportunity, to not just help support the runners but a chance to promote our Easter Promotion and raise money for Once Upon A Smile!

n

po ce U

On

ile m S A

-

g

r Eg e t s a

E mer

o Cust

s

ize r P s&

n

atio n o D

Altrincham Leisure Centre Tessa Griffiths has received Employee of the Month for working hard and supporting reception and Nicky through the new enrolment process. Well Done!

Altrincham Leisure Centre Olivia Mowe has received Employee of the Month for always being helpful and positive, always smiling, being professional in the pool and assisting the children to become happy and confident in the pool .

44

5

We are MORE social...

Have you ever scrolled through Facebook, Twitter or Instagram and witnessed any dullness, absorbed meaningless waffle or been constantly sold to? Our customers are certainly not scrolling through our social channels to experience any of the above. In the next three months follow our social channels and you'll see our social media turn from a caterpillar to a butterfly.

You'll notice that we have already upped our game and on Twitter we've gone from one Tweet

I have worked for Trafford Leisure since 2001 where I started as a casual LA at Partington Sports Village. From there I progressed to a gym instructor and manager at Urmston and Stretford and finally into my current role as Active Living Manager for the North of the Borough, where I have been for 3 years this October.

every three days to more than 3 Tweets per day and in the space of only 4 days we increased our Trafford Leisure new followers by 10. We've certainly witnessed more shares and likes.

By the end of June we aim to have Instagram, Twitter & Facebook firing on all cylinders.

On certain days of the week I cover the early morning spinning class at 7:15am.

This is a great way to start the day doing some exercise and of course shouting and motivating others to do the same! Once I have finished it’s a quick shower then see what I have in my diary for the day. I usually check my emails first thing in the morning to see if I have received anything that needs responding to. I will usually receive some Physical Activity referrals from our partners out in the community. These will be responded to as a priority to get these people booked in for their initial consultation to discuss the reasons they were referred and how we can help them achieve their goals with the 8 week Physical Activity Referral pass.

The content will be a vibrant mix of positive emotions pulling on our customers' heart strings.

You'll see polls, contests and gifts, videos and tips being shared, as well as any current news. These tend to drive more engagement than any other types of content. See image - (POLL). Our social media will cut out routine, unexciting dreary and monotonous content and instead create high-end emotional experiences. We will feature our customers' success stories and bring them closer into our community (with their permission of course).

< POLL

What the does the future of our social media look like? Whatever the next social media craze is, we must remember that human behaviour will always remain the same. Our audience wants attention and a sense of belonging, therefore our audience will remain at the heart of everything we post.

From The Marketing

Dianne Swindell 45 years’ Service Dianne Swindell, receptionist at Altrincham Leisure Centre, celebrated 45 years’ service on Wednesday 3rd April.

A surprise celebration was held at Altrincham Leisure Centre including a surprise visit from Trafford Council’s Chief Executive, Theresa Grant.

Dianne started working at Altrincham Leisure Centre 3rd April 1972 but prior to that at the Altrincham Old Public Baths before the current Altrincham Leisure Centre was open.

Dianne has been a receptionist at Altrincham Leisure Centre for an incredible 45 years and Head receptionist for around 8 years.

Dianne is a lifelong resident of Altrincham and an avid fan and season ticket holder of Altrincham Football Club. She is a big fundraiser for local charities and supports the local church in fundraising too. She’s worked with many people over the years, and is well known to the local community - old and young – seeing many generations of families attend the Leisure Centre over the years. The warm and friendly face of Altrincham Leisure Centre officially retires later in the year and Trafford Council thanks Dianne for her loyal service.

6

James Jackson Active Living Manager (North)

Stretford Sports Village

There are also pots of funding that are available from other organisations so I check what is out there and whether I am able to try and tap into any funding streams to help develop any projects Active Living wants to try to start up to help “hard to reach” people get involved in some sort of activity.

My main priority is working with people who have been diagnosed with cancer and cardiovascular disease. I am one of many community engagement agents that offer ongoing support for these people. I provide assistance for them to access physical activity to help them in their recovery. I will catch up with some of them to see how they are getting on and if there is anything else we as a leisure partner can do to help aid their recovery. I find this to be one of the most rewarding jobs I have ever had in my time at Trafford Leisure. It is great to see what physical activity can do to help people both physically and mentally overcome these illnesses.

Once my Active Living day is over I also provide personal training sessions for people wanting to achieve certain goals. This is usually for people wanting to lose some weight or increase their general fitness that need a little extra push in the right direction.

Stretford Sports Village Grainne Dromey

Urmston Leisure Centre Claire McLaughlin

“I recently began swimming at

I just wanted to thank you for directing my concerns to the relevant staff regarding the

Stretford baths, but I have also

concerns I raised over the access issues we encountered at Carrington at Matthew's

visited others in the Manchester

first lesson. The availability and use of the hoist and pool wheelchair made an amazing

and Trafford area too. Stretford

difference for Matthew and allowed him to enter and leave the pool easily, without

is the friendliest and helpful

causing him any pain or discomfort and afforded him some dignity.

facility I have ever been to and this includes the staff on

People are always very quick to complain but often forget to thank those who go out of

reception and the life guards.

their way to ensure that reasonable adjustments are made and as a parent of 2 disabled

It has a wonderful atmosphere

children this is greatly appreciated.

that I wish more places had.

I wanted to pass this on to

Please can you pass on my

management to let you know

gratitude to all of those who spent

your staff go above and beyond

time ensuring that this activity is

and it is appreciated!”

accessible for Matthew.

3

BUILDING POSITIVE FUTURES A FEW WORDS FROM OUR

The Old Trafford Sports Barn - Claim to Fame

CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER

Workplace Wellbeing Kelly Jackson & Rachael Forde have

Jo Cherrett

attended 5 days of fitness testing, they tested 90 people over this period. They have set up a Saica only bootcamp for the staff every Tuesday at PSV which Rachael

April, so we have all probably over indulged in chocolate and then obviously all worked it off….A beautiful weekend of sunshine with record takings at the golf course, rain and hail so some great numbers in our pools, inspiring Manchester and London Marathons and a surprise general election. It has been an eventful month!

Fox will be teaching we are expecting 30+ staff will attend and in 12 weeks time we will be attending again &

A few things to update you on, but my highlight has to be the visit to Altrincham Leisure Centre to say huge congratulations to Dianne Swindells – 45 years’ service and as you turn the page you can read more about this celebration. Marsland House where the support office team live has been the focus of some of my time this month. As so many of you have seen, the 4000sq feet of floor space that we have is way too big for the team that now work from here and I have been exploring alternatives for a few months.

comparing the results in the hope we have improved Health & Wellbeing at Saica Papermill and hopefully gain a few new members in the process!! This is

An opportunity presented itself that means over the next month the support office team will move from the office suite we currently use to move across the corridor and take a new much smaller office suite of 630sq feet that best suits our needs. We would sign a new lease that would see us staying here until October 2018. The longer term aspiration is to house the support team within an existing centre or to identify where we may extend a centre to accommodate the team. Contracts still need to be signed but this would help see an annual saving this year of £40,000. Linked to this move is the need to develop a new communication plan, we will not have as much space to hold meetings and events at Marsland House going forward and I see this as an opportunity for myself and the support teams to come out to the business more. I will share this communication plan with you all over the coming months.

All things water! As you are aware Kevin Henderson took up the role of Efficiency Manager for Trafford Leisure in January and in only a few months we are starting to see the returns and opportunities with this role. Yesterday Kevin advised both me and the leadership colleagues that through water metres being installed at Altrincham Leisure Centre and his work with the utility company he has managed to get a bill of £21k for a quarter changed to £2k. Great work Kev and well done. I think it is fair to say Kevin is thoroughly enjoying his new role, but I will ask him to provide an update in next month’s newsletter that provides more detail on his priorities and how we can all help with this.

a great step for Partington, our aim is to try new and exciting ideas to engage with the people of Partington and get them moving as a community.

The Old Trafford Sports Barn was buzzing this week as internet sensation F2 Freestylers

Trafford Leisure Customer Wellness at the heart of what we do

In last month’s newsletter I mentioned that Sarah our finance director would provide a budget update in this month’s newsletter. Sarah assures me that she has not taken it personally, but due to so much content this month we will now include this in May.

came to record some tricks and skills footage for their YouTube channel. The F2 Freestylers

Since the launch of the new Physical Activity referral in November 2016,

Don’t forget to do your mile and help with our fund raising for “Once upon a Smile”, I will be Nordic walking on the 28th April so feel free to join us. Please do get set up on our workplace network if you haven’t, this network will give more and more opportunity for our staff that are closest and front facing to our customers the vital information and news they need to be fully informed.

(Billy Wingrove and Jeremy Lynch) perform at

Trafford Leisure has had over 350 referrals made by local GP’s, physios

a large number of events, regularly feature on

and other health colleagues. If you haven’t had a chance to see the customer

Sky Sports programs and have over 5.5 Million

journey video which was shown at the Council Scrutiny last month, check

Best Regards

subscribers on their You Tube channel alone! As

it out on Workplace. There are a number of other programmes and pilots

you already know Football Development Doesn’t

being developed, that our Active Living team are supporting. One of those

Stop and (after some thorough stretching)

is the opportunity for the team to become trained in how to deliver the NHS

assisted the boys in a trick or two (but you have

40+ health checks.

Kirsty

Chapman Staff Profile Roles & Responsibilities: I have been in this role for a year and a half now and it’s flown! I am the first point of contact for our customers at the George Carnall, so I deal with their queries and questions on a daily basis, delivering excellent customer service to each customer in the centre and also on the phone. I book people onto exercise classes, badminton, squash and other sports activities, I maintain the Gymnastics and Trampolining classes for re-enrolment after each term. I love talking to all the customers that come to the George Carnall and finding out about them, a lot of them also enjoy coming to us to socialise with us and others that they have become friendly with.

Bio: Many moons ago I actually trained as a Nursery Nurse at South Trafford College, from there I have done various administrator roles for Broadsystem, who did all the calls for ‘Who Wants to be a Millionaire’, for Volkswagen and for Danwood a printer speacialist. I got made redundant from there and started working at Abbotsford Preparatory school in the nursery which should have been a short term role whilst I looked for another job and I ended up being there for three and a half years before starting at Trafford Leisure.

Receptionist

George H Carnall Hobbies & Interests: Having two children my hobbies and interests seem to be all theirs at the minute, so street dancing with my daughter and football with my son. We are all Liverpool fans in our house as well, so we make time to watch them when we can! I also love meeting with my friends and going for a meal.

Favourite Films: I have lots of films that I like so couldn’t name just one, but they range from a Disney classic to a scary horror!

to wait a little before the content is released!).

The Freestylers certainly drew a large crowd

There are 2 GP surgeries confirmed in the North locality that have agreed

around the Sports Barn which is already healthily

to pilot James Jackson going in and undertaking these checks on the

used by young people and families from the

surgeries behalf. This will mean that James undertakes tests such as height,

local community and gave a few words to the

weight, blood pressure and cholesterol as well as talking to patients about

camera to thank Trafford Leisure for the use of

smoking and other lifestyle choices – including if they are physically active

the facilities and they too wanted “more people,

or not. If they are not…….guess what…..James can refer them straight into

more active, more often”.

our Physical Activity referral! Although this is a pilot, if successful this could mean that Trafford Leisure becomes a partner of choice for undertaking

I strongly suggest you have a look at the

health checks.

Favourite Food: I love Italian food, a good old Spaghetti Bolognese or Lasagne with Garlic Bread, yum!

F2 Freestylers You Tube channel to see how entertaining the lads are and a great

Imagine one day if these could be undertaken at the Leisure Centre for

Best Place I’ve been abroad: Maldives for my honeymoon was out of this world! Absolutely amazing place, I would love to go back there at some point.

I also loved Mexico, Cancun and you also can’t beat Disneyland Florida for a fun holiday!

advertisement for the great community work

example?

Dream Job: Steven Gerrard’s PA ☺

performed at the Old Trafford Sports Barn.

Football

and

Watch this space for more news on exciting new projects that Trafford

disproves you can’t teach an old dog new tricks.

Development

Doesn’t

Stop

Leisure is getting involved in by putting the customer always at the heart of what we do.

3 words to describe me: Loud, Friendly and Happy!

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GM Active...

ISSUE 19 : APRIL 2017 Making your time with Trafford Leisure that little bit more interesting

Just over 12 months ago, Trafford Leisure became part of a joint working group called "GM Active", which is a collaborative group made up of all 13 leisure operators in Greater Manchester.

Jo Cherrett attends a Board meeting every 6 weeks or so with other GM Chief Execs to look at ways we can work more smartly together and share best practice. The group employs a lovely lady called Sarah Broad (who some of you may have met) as their Strategic Partnership and Service Development Manager and over the past 12 months, Sarah has identified a number of opportunities for projects across Greater Manchester.

The first is looking at a reciprocal gym membership scheme. What this would mean is that people who live in Trafford but who work in another GM area would be able to "top up" their Trafford Leisure membership to enable them to access a gym local to work. There will be lots of exciting opportunities coming up with GM Active over

Eat Quick but dont be Sick!

the coming months that will require some support. Watch this space, exciting times!!

Tweets of the Month

Jon Francis, Craig Lomas, Adam Howarth, Andy Mooney, Matt Darke (Sally Darke’s husband) and Lesley Aitken took to the stage at the Trafford Centre and between them faced a monstrous 12 plates! We did our very best and finished 4th Place thanks to Jon smashing through the final course (dessert) coming 1st in his round.

At George H Carnall, the above member recently celebrated his 85th birthday. He started using the centre the week it opened and has been coming regularly ever since.

Steve Pullen and his followers helped put up banners and balloons in the café area. Wilf isn’t a fan of surprises, as you can probably tell from the picture! He was a good sport though!

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Workplace Wellbeing

It’s fair to say the meals were tough but also quite enjoyable (maybe not Adam’s MASSIVE What would you like to see in your Newsletter?

fish and chips and Matts Jumbo sausage) but overall we all pulled together and didn’t let the

This is your newsletter and we want your ideas! This could be anything from events, to competitions, to customer feedback, to a quote or tweet of the month.

Trafford Leisure side down!

On the night we raised £420 for Once Upon A Smile!

Bring on the Smile Mile week from 24th April - 28th April, find out more on page 5

Let me know by email: heather.gaulton@traffordleisure.co.uk INSIDE:

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et m rlea a der Sally Darke c

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wn ry o Our ve

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On 6th April 2017, we took a team to take on Dine Around The Dome. Heather Gaulton,

on

Quote Of The Month

>> STAFF PROFILE OF THE MONTH >> APRIL PROMOTION

>> MANCHESTER MARATHON

>> GM ACTIVE

>> UPCOMING SMILE MILE

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