CHAMPIONS of health and fitness in Bridgend County Borough and Herefordshire were celebrated last month at Halo Leisure’s annual awards, a ceremony covering their centres across the UK.
A huge number of prizes came Bridgend’s way including three prizes for Ogmore Valley Life Centre – Centre of the Year, Volunteer of the Year and Outstanding Achievement Award – while Manager of the Year Award went to Mike Thomas from Pencoed Swimming Pool and Team of the Year for the staff who manage the county’s National Exercise Referral Scheme (NERS)
Ogmore Valley have been in the top of Halo’s customer service rankings for 2022, and the award recognised their amazing activity programme to support the community as it recovered from the pandemic, and the success they continue to have breaking down barriers to participation.
Their autism and dementia friendly sessions are prime examples, bringing exercise and joy to so many people across the year.
Outstanding Achievement went to Scott Hancock who uses the space in the Ogmore Centre sports hall to welcome children from across the Valleys into a now hugely popular gymnastics programme. Volunteer of the Year went to the unstoppable Betty Kerry who, at 80, is completely committed to welcoming and delivering activities at the centre.
In Pencoed Mike Thomas picked up Halo’s Manager of the Year award for his incredible team and project management with an attention to detail which, since he took the job just two years ago, has ensured the finest delivery of activities, including swimming lessons for some 900 children.
The NERS team work across Bridgend County, supporting anyone aged 16 or above at risk of developing chronic disease and ensuring a gentle introduction to exercise and an ongoing supervised programme to improve their physical and mental health. The team are much loved by all who work with them for their experience, patience, understanding and enthusiasm for the power of exercise.
In Herefordshire the Customer Choice Award went to Cassie Smith from Ross Swimming Pool, and Employee of the Year to Angie Tomkins at Hereford Leisure Centre.
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