better leisure opportunities for swindon carers · better leisure opportunities for swindon carers....

2

Click here to load reader

Upload: vudan

Post on 20-Jun-2018

212 views

Category:

Documents


0 download

TRANSCRIPT

Page 1: Better leisure opportunities for Swindon carers · Better leisure opportunities for Swindon carers. ... enabling them to take part in a range of activities including gym workouts,

Better leisure opportunities for Swindon carers

Media Release: October 2017 – For immediate use

Better leisure centres in Swindon have launched a new initiative designed to support carers, by recognising the barriers they often experience in accessing leisure activities and improving accessibility to the sports and leisure facilities it operates.

Carers registered with Swindon Carers Centre will be offered discounted membership to Better facilities, enabling them to take part in a range of activities including gym workouts, swimming, sports and fitness classes. It is hoped the discounted membership will encourage carers to take vital breaks away from their caring roles, while boosting their mental and physical wellbeing.

Rhys Jones, Partnership Manager for Better leisure centres in Swindon said: “We know the huge psychological and physical benefits that regular physical activity provides. Carers are the unsung heroes of our society, who often neglect their own wellbeing in order to look after others. We hope that this initiative will encourage more of Swindon’s carers to enjoy some time to themselves to de-stress, refocus and socialise. Currently, all carers accompanying someone with a disability can access Better facilities for free. However, this new initiative is focussed on enhancing their own leisure time.”

Swindon Carers Centre Deputy CEO, Fiona Prinzi said, “Being a carer can often have a severe, significant and long-lasting impact on their own health and wellbeing. It is fantastic to see Better leisure centres supporting carers to access their services, which could help them to improve their physical and mental wellness and reduce feelings of loneliness and isolation.”

Justin Tomlinson MP also commented: “Carers make an overwhelming contribution to our local communities. I am glad to see Better leisure centres engaging with Swindon Carers Centre and I hope that businesses will see this and be inspired to reach out and do what they can to offer carers a chance to take time out and enjoy themselves.”

Carers registered with Swindon Carers Centre are being offered a 20% discount on Better Health and Fitness memberships and the removal of the usual joining fee. Swindon Carers Centre will provide a letter of confirmed registration showing proof of eligibility and carers should then visit their local Better leisure centre to sign up. Contact Swindon Carers Centre on 01793 531133 or email [email protected] to obtain your confirmation letter or for more information.

Participating facilities include: the Oasis leisure centre, the Link Centre, the Haydon Centre, the Swindon Health Hydro, Dorcan Leisure Centre and Haydon Croft and the Turkish Baths.

Ends

For more information contact: Emily Stubbs, SCC Development and Communications Assistant 01793 531133 or email [email protected]

Page 2: Better leisure opportunities for Swindon carers · Better leisure opportunities for Swindon carers. ... enabling them to take part in a range of activities including gym workouts,

Notes to Editors

• Swindon Carers Centre is part of the national network of the Carers Trust and is also affiliated to Carers UK • SCC offers help and support to people in Swindon who have caring responsibilities • There are approximately 21,000 carers of all ages (including children and young people) in the Borough of

Swindon and Swindon Carers Centre is available to provide them with much needed support, help and information

• Better is the customer facing brand for GLL. Established in 1993, GLL is the largest UK-based charitable social enterprise delivering leisure, health and community services. Under the consumer facing brand Better, the organisation operates more than 250 public sport and leisure centres and 88 libraries in partnership with 50 local councils, public agencies and sporting organisations. Better leisure facilities enjoy 42 million visitors a year and have more than 650,000 members.

Charity Number 1061116 * Company number 3305621 * Company limited by guarantee