Life Leisure named as double finalists in national award

Two programmes established by Stockport’s Life Leisure to get the community moving have been named finalists at a national award ceremony.

Life Leisure, which manages 11 sports and leisure facilities across the borough, was hailed at the ukactive awards for the work it does to encourage exercise throughout the community.

The R Time project was highly commended for the Generation Active Award for how Life Leisure had supported the borough’s most vulnerable young people, and helped to reduce anti-social behaviour, improve mental and physical well-being and to combat hunger during the school holidays.

The Brinnington Maps scheme was also shortlisted for the Activation Award. The project saw Life Leisure work with the community to provide a visual guide for residents to encourage them to explore the area more.

Speaking about the nominations, John Oxley, interim CEO of Life Leisure, said:

“We are thrilled that these two very worthwhile programmes have been recognised in this way. 

“Our staff work extremely hard to ensure there is something for everyone who wants to be active, not just those who take part in traditional activities within our leisure centres.

“R-Time has been a real success story with a number of our youngsters becoming leaders of the sessions. Our local community have also responded really well to the maps we have created for Brinnington – many people have told us how it’s prompted them to get out and about on foot more and how families have enjoyed using the maps to explore their local area.”

R Time sessions welcome more than 60 young people each week, with 36 young volunteers and mentors currently accessing Life Leisure’s free training and support programmes.

The Brinnington Maps, which are available online or on display at First House on Brinnington Road and funded by Sport England, are designed to provide a visual guide for residents to encourage them to explore the area more. The first map includes local landmarks, the second highlights walking routes and ways to keep active, and the third is a historical map of old buildings and landmarks in Brinnington. 

ukactive exists to improve the health of the nation by getting more people, more active, more often. It’s awards event – held in Birmingham on June 30 – aims to celebrate the work the fitness industry does to support their mission.