Charitable Trusts have already clocked up an impressive list of awards so far this year, despite it only being February.
Halo Leisure’s Autism Friendly Swimming Lessons initiative was acknowledged as a beacon of good practice when it walked away with two Awards at the Swim Wales awards held at the end of January– where it was announced as the winner of the Inclusion Impact category and Community Impact category. Freedom Leisure was also awarded the Sustainability Initiative Award at the glittering awards ceremony held in Cardiff.
Vision RCL is celebrating after Valentines Park in Redbridge won a top accolade at the prestigious Lawn Tennis Association (LTA) Awards 2024.
Whilst Pendle Leisure Trusts picked up three awards at the MEA Awards which recognise and reward health and fitness clubs, leisure centres, gyms, and golf clubs across the globe for their delivery of excellent member experiences.
Kirsty Cumming, CEO of Community Leisure UK, said: “It’s great to see our members rewarded and recognised for the brilliant work they do. These awards recognise a lot of hard work by members, as well as commitment and investment.”
For the past three years, Halo Leisure’s Autism-Friendly Swim Lessons at Ynysawdre Swimming Pool have positively affected more than 400 children aged 4 and above with ASD and/or disabilities. Parents welcome the programme as it offers safe, enjoyable, and accessible swimming experience during school breaks. The difference the programme is making was showcased in a BBC Children in Need TV special. The programme was also presented at the launch of the National Framework for Social Prescribing for Wales as an example of best practice for supporting children with autism to explore the wonderful world of water. This exceptional programme continues to make a splash, providing invaluable skills and garnering well-deserved recognition.
Expressing delight over the double win, Ryan Statton, Head of Active Communities at Halo Leisure, stated: “Winning these prestigious national awards for Impact Inclusion and Community Impact truly underlines the dedication and effort invested in our initiatives. It’s a testament to the ongoing commitment to making a meaningful impact within our communities.
Freedom Leisure’s award recognised their Sustainability Initiative – centred around their commitment to protect the environment with a range of innovative measures to reduce energy consumption resulting in a massive saving in energy use equivalent to running a medium sized leisure centre with a swimming pool for 4 years.
In the process, reducing carbon emissions by 395 tonnes, the equivalent of driving a car around the circumference of the earth 58 times!
The leisure trust has achieved these savings in all their leisure centres across Wales, including the large tourist attractions such as the LC Waterpark in Swansea and Waterworld in Wrexham which receive high volumes of visitors throughout the year.
“Saving over one million kWh of electricity and just under one million kWh of gas over a twelve-month period doesn’t come easily,” says Angela Brown, Group Environmental & Sustainability Manager for Freedom Leisure who attributes a significant portion of the success story to the involvement and commitment of everyone involved.
“We have strived to engage with every single colleague, customer and stakeholder to ensure they are on board, both from an environmental perspective but also to ensure the sustainability of our much-loved leisure centres. We have effectively fostered a culture of awareness, transforming operational practices and behaviours to ensure mindful use of energy and resources.”
Valentines Park’s award as Park Venue of the Year reaffirms its status as a fantastic hub for tennis enthusiasts and a beacon of sporting excellence. Last year, Valentines Park was part of a £600k renovation programme of tennis facilities in Redbridge Parks, thanks to funding from Redbridge Council, Vision Redbridge Culture & Leisure, the UK Government and LTA Tennis Foundation.
Chair of Vision Trustees Martin Solder said: “On behalf of Vision RCL, we are celebrating the news and recognising the positive impact providing a high-quality tennis experience for the community at Valentines Park has had on the local tennis scene. This award serves as a testament to the hard work and dedication of the staff, pride in our parks and reflection on the thriving tennis culture cultivated in Essex County.”
Pendle Leisure Trust’s three trophies were awarded at the Member Experience Awards. It’s the second year running the Trust has won numerous categories at the MEMBER EXPERIENCE AWARDS (MEA)! The MEA Awards recognise and reward health and fitness clubs, leisure centres, gyms, and golf clubs across the globe for their delivery of excellent member experiences. The awards are given out to those who continually excel in their customer’s satisfaction. The results are based on the surveys Net Promoter Score (NPS) conduct to all its members of all the centres across the globe.
Luke Allwood, Health & Fitness Manager at Pendle Leisure Trust, said: “To win such a huge award for the second-year running is amazing but to be awarded a higher level as well is fantastic, especially as this is voted by our very own members at Pendle Leisure Trust.”
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