A Christmas message from our CEO
Mariah Carey may want “you” for Christmas but what we really want at Community Leisure UK is for the political rhetoric to be turned into reality.
As the last days of 2024 play out, I’ve been reflecting on another year of huge ‘ups’ and some rather large ‘downs’ for our sector. And, of course, planning for 2025.
On the national front the change of Government in Summer, with the new Labour Government’s Mission Led approach, sounded a bell of optimism. The promise of a driving sense of purpose for the country and a more joined up way of doing government resonated with us and with the ethos of our members. The five missions provided a clear ambition, and one that we felt we could embrace and support in the delivery.
However, six months into the new Government, little has changed, and our members may rightly be questioning the difference that a change of party at the top level has made. Political leaders were saying all the right things, but there seems a disconnect with the translation into reality of a new approach.
And fresh challenges have also emerged.
None more so than the impending additional National Insurance contributions coming into force imminently, with no distinction for the unique role of charities and social enterprises delivering public services. This is the latest financial challenge on top of the increasing operating costs, aging infrastructure and assets, and need to invest in sustainable provision for communities of the present and future to live healthier, happier and more creative lives.
However, 2025 offers glimmers of hope – a new Civil Society Covenant that promises to harness the full potential of civil society in partnership with the Government. If this translates into meaningful principles that are recognised and adopted across national and local government, then we might see a more equitable partnership and value placed on civil society. Equally, the NHS 10-year plan could offer a new way to look at health and wellbeing, to harness the preventative power of leisure and culture and to recognise the role of closer working with health that can support communities.
We started the year with some positive news for members in England around the swimming pool support fund, providing a much-needed lifeline for many pools across the country that were struggling with rising operating and energy costs. However, recognising that this was a welcome support, but not a lifesaver for all pools, and this was not mirrored in Scotland or Wales. There is still much to do to really recognise the value of swimming and ensuring we protect safe spaces for communities of the future to learn to swim.
We were also delighted to be successful in our bid to the National Lottery Communities Fund for our Active Kindness volunteering project, enabling us to continue, and upscale this, for a further five years with a £650,000 grant. This year we have been able to open the opportunity to members in Scotland and Wales for the first time, and to members with cultural portfolios.
We have also continued to support members on their environmental journey. This year a phenomenal 124 people have taken part in our Carbon Literacy Training for Public Leisure and Culture.
And 42 members now have at least one member of staff who is fully certified Carbon Literate and are now supporting their organisation in developing realistic, measurable and impactful action plans on tackling climate change. An amazing achievement.
Our key focus throughout the year has been our Seriously Social campaign – an opportunity to celebrate and shout about the incredible work and impact that our members have on their communities. It is easy to focus on the mounting challenges that leisure and culture trusts are facing – there is certainly no shortage of those! But the purpose and the ‘why’ that underpins everything is critical. I am incredibly lucky to be in a position where I work with a range of inspiring organisations every single day. Yet, I still have to dig and prod to uncover some of the depth and breadth of work that goes on across the country. Our Seriously Social week in May and our first Seriously Social Awards in November shone a light on the most incredible case studies – things that are happening all around us in communities every day, but which often go unnoticed and undervalued.
As we approach Christmas 2024, I’d like to thank all our members (not just because you’re amazing and do inspirational work) but because of your support, knowledge, experience and commitment to the community that is Community Leisure UK.
Lastly, I would like to thank my team. We may only be a small company, with a handful of people, but I think we pack a powerful punch thanks to their dedication to the cause and their hard work.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year
Kirsty Cumming, CEO of Community Leisure UK
