DISABILITY SPORT FINDS LifeLEISURE’S AVONDALE EXAMPLE OF EXCELLENCE

Life Leisure Avondale in Cheadle Heath has been recognised by the English Federation of Disability Sport (EFDS) for work which has enabled more people with disabilities to engage in sport and fitness and designated a ‘shining example of excellence’.

Left: Michelle Childs demonstrating equipment at Avondale

A case study, published by EFDS, has been compiled and used as an example of best practice for other providers of sports facilities. EFDS said that “changes introduced by the Avondale gym supported a number of their key principles which resulted in positive outcomes for a wide variety of people including more disabled people in the area.”

In September 2014, EFDS launched their ‘Talk to Me’ report which contains 10 principles that sports and leisure providers should attempt to follow in order to help them engage with more disabled people. They are keen to share ways in which these principles have been implemented effectively, and Life Leisure has been highlighted as a shining example.

Life Leisure Avondale was in a poor state of health itself before turning its fortunes around through significant investment and a remodelling of the facility in 2011. Since then, the centre has seen a tripling of its membership by appealing to a wider audience. It’s a gym aimed at people who thought they would never use a gym, but they are! Life Leisure implemented changes and a new gym model, based on an extensive consultation with local groups.

Michelle Childs, Senior Physical Activity Development Officer at Life Leisure explains:

“We talked to local people and asked them what we could do to make the centre more appealing and many of these changes are in line with the EFDS principles. Their responses showed us that people need to feel at ease and in an environment that made them feel comfortable.

“We provide for different levels of activity and have many classes for those who wish to get into some sort of activity including weight management, chair based exercise and aqua classes, all to help people get on the road to fitness and wellbeing. We positively encourage people who are disabled to come to the centre, we certainly embrace the principles of the EFDS such as Show me, Reassure me, Listen to me and Include me.

“The culture here is that we want to help everyone and we are delighted that Disability Sport believe that we are matching their principles and therefore benefiting people with disabilities. We employ a diverse workforce to support the wide cross section of people who use our facilities, many of whom come through GP referral and have specific needs. Our approach is always welcoming and positive, we want people to know that we can help them achieve whatever goals they have.”

Visit the EFDS website to read the full case study explaining in detail the changes introduced by the Life Leisure Avondale Gym.

For more information about Life Leisure visit www.lifeleisure.net or call 0161 482 0900.