CAMDEN COMMUNITY UPDATE - OCTOBER 2023
RECRUITMENT EVENTS UPDATE
This month we have been busy with a number of recruitment events! At the beginning of the month, the team attended a breakfast event hosted by our close partner, KX Recruit, to talk about GLL and career opportunities available. The spotlight was on us to speak about the opportunities for those seeking employment but also other organisations who are recruiting which allowed us to exchange tips. This event also gave us the opportunity to connect with other organisations in Camden who support people into employment which will positively affect number of applicants to our vacancies. On the 12th October, we were also lucky to be invited by KX Recruit and High Speed Rail 1 to hold an information stand at St Pancras International Station. We had a fair bit of interest, interestingly, mainly from station staff!
On Tuesday 24th October, the Community team had the incredible opportunity to deliver a couple of workshops about careers in leisure at London Youth's Sport Sector Careers Day. The day was filled with enthusiasm, passion, and a genuine eagerness to explore career paths within the sports industry. It was an honour to be part of an event that aimed to inspire and guide young individuals towards their dream careers in sports. During the workshop, we delved into the fascinating world of leisure careers, specifically at GLL exploring different roles, from leisure management to marketing, coaching, and even IT! We discussed the skills and qualifications required for each role, as well as the various pathways available to enter the industry. Thank you to London Youth for organising this fantastic event and providing a platform for aspiring sports enthusiasts to explore their dreams. It was an absolute pleasure connecting with young people who are eager to make a positive impact through their love for sports.
On Friday 27th October, we spent the day with Department for Work and Pensions at their Black History Month Celebration Recruitment Event. The event was jam packed with lots of activities to celebrate BHM 2023. Alongside a robust jobs fair, there were guest speakers, a live DJ, and even a barber salon offering free haircuts! What an exciting day for jobseekers and for us to promote our vacancies. We had the privilege of engaging with so many talented and enthusiastic jobseekers about job opportunities at GLL and highlighting the wide range of career pathways available. The event was a true celebration of diversity and inclusion, showcasing the incredible contributions and achievements of Black professionals within the workforce. It was heart-warming to see individuals from various backgrounds come together to share their unique stories and experiences. It is a fantastic opportunity to be working with the DWP on events like this that celebrate diversity and provide a platform for talented individuals to showcase their skills. This event was a reminder of the immense value that diversity brings to the workplace and the importance of fostering inclusive work environments.
WORLD MENTAL HEALTH DAY CELEBRATIONS
This year, we celebrated World Mental Health Day by inviting local mental health organisations to hold information stands at our leisure centres that day to signpost customers to local services. Mind, who we work in partnership with to offer free swimming to those suffering with mental health problems, held their stand at Kentish Town Sports Centre between 11am and 2pm and was hugely successful in sparking interest of our customers throughout the morning. At Pancras Square Leisure we had The Children’s Society hold their stand between 10am and 1pm with the aim to engage with our school swimming attendees and teachers to promote positive mental health for children.
TODDLER’S WORLD RELAUNCH AT SWISS COTTAGE
On Monday 30th October, and following the reopening of its sports hall, we relaunched the Toddler’s World sessions at Swiss Cottage Leisure Centre. Toddlers World is a fun, engaging soft play session for children aged 5 and under, offering a safe, bright, and colourful environment for children to play, crawl, climb, and bounce. The sessions also provide social benefits, allowing parents and children to interact with new people, learn social skills, and bond with other parents in the local community. To promote these sessions, we have worked with nurseries and family centres in Camden from which we have received a positive response.
SOCIAL MEDIA FOCUS GROUP
This month, our team had the fantastic opportunity to participate in a social media focus group. It was a dynamic session where we delved into the intricacies of our current social media practices and brainstormed innovative ways to enhance our organisation's online presence. We discussed everything from the platforms we use to the content we share, and even delved into the nitty-gritty of engagement strategies. It was refreshing to hear diverse perspectives from team members, each bringing their unique insights to the table. The collaborative atmosphere sparked creative ideas on how to better connect with our audience and amplify our brand message. As we move forward, we're excited to implement these insights and elevate our online presence across our Camden platforms.
SCHOOL’S OUT SUCCESS!
We have just completed another successful half-term! At 3 of our centres, we extended our programming to incorporate additional Swim for All sessions and junior gym, as well as working in partnership with Camden Council to deliver Multisports and Gymnastics camps. We also ran our hugely popular Kids for a Quid offer, which is a critical offer for many families in the current economic climate as it removes the financial barrier to getting active. Kentish Town ran yet another set of sold out swimming crash courses with 52 children attending the courses throughout the week.
HEALTH AND WELLBEING DAY AT ST MUNGO’S
On Friday 20th October, we were invited by St Mungo’s Birkenhead Street Hostel to attend one of the resident health and wellbeing days. We had an enriching experience engaging with the residents, sharing insights on health and well-being, and learning from the inspiring stories of resilience within the community. It was a day filled with meaningful connections and a reminder of the positive impact that collective support can have. It was heartening to see the residents embrace the idea of incorporating wellness into their daily routines. From quick workouts to the benefits of outdoor activities, the discussions were both insightful and inspiring. We are grateful for the partnership we have with St Mungo’s and look forward to continue working with this organisation which supports homeless people.
DIABETES UK FILM NEW CAMPAIGN AT KENTISH TOWN
Ahead of the launch of their Swim22 2024 campaign, Diabetes UK were looking to refresh some of their creative imagery to better reflect the audiences they are trying to reach. Last year, they did some work towards this by staging a photoshoot with a more male-focussed and older demographic as insights showed these people were really engaged when they did take part, but much harder to reach and less likely to sign up. This year, they wanted to reflect more diabetes tech in their imagery, as a large percentage of those that take part in Swim22 are living with diabetes and doing so to improve health outcomes. They also want to capture more natural photos and aimed for a diverse representation of models to celebrate body positivity, and further breaking down some of the stigma. Diabetes UK chose Kentish Town Sports Centre as the venue for this filming, specifically the Willes Pool, which is perfect due to the amount of natural light beaming through the centre and due to the highly diverse customer base that we have. We are proud to have worked with Diabetes UK on this valuable and insightful campaign.