September Community News
Each month we like to highlight the work we are doing around the borough to try and make the leisure centres more than places people come to be active. We want the leisure centres to be part of the communities they serve, as such we look to work with a variety of organisations from around the borough to help us achieve this.
Lewisham Migrant & Refugee Network
Better were invited to give a presentation about the leisure centres to attendees of the Lewisham Migrant and Refugee Network (LMRN). The presentation went through all access options to the centre, as well as giving attendees the opportunity to speak about what they would like to see more of in the leisure centres and any barriers to participation.
Lewisham College – Gym usage
Lewisham College as part of an expansion to their curriculum will now be using Glass Mill Leisure Centre 2 days a week for gym sessions. These gym sessions link into their level 1 and level 2 learner's programme. As part of this the Community Sports Manager will give a talk to the learners about sports development and other related topics. The college will be using Glass Mill every Wednesday and Friday afternoons.
Lewisham Healthy Weight Alliance
The Lewisham Healthy Weight alliance met this month at Beckenham Mansion. The alliance heard from the CHWW’s team and the work they are doing in the north of the borough. We also heard about the Lifestyle Medicine Model and how that has been implemented across the North Lewisham PCN network. Better co-chair this meeting and work with many partners in the room to try and get residences aware of physical activity opportunities around the borough.
Home School Swimming Lessons
This month saw the launch of the swimming lessons for Home Schooled children. Uptake of these lessons has been good, and we have already received positive feedback from parents.
Lewisham College Employability
We had a catch up with Lewisham College around employability and review of the work we are doing with the college. This catch up was scheduled due to some turn over in staff at the college, so they wanted to make sure information was up to date, and nothing had been missed. We also spoke about future plans around placements/work experience and possibility of doing another SWAP initiative.
Club Games (Walking Sports & Pickleball)
On Wednesday 16th September teams met at Lee Valley Tennis and Hockey Centre and the VeloPark to take part in our annual club games, now in its 20th year. Lewisham had representation in all sports taking place on this day (Football, Netball and Pickleball). The teams all represented the borough very well playing in some very close and hard fought fixtures, with the Netball team emerging victorious.
Club Games – Timed Swim
Glass Mill Leisure Centre hosted the Club Games Timed Swim event for the local area. Teams from Greenwich, Croydon and Crystal Palace (Lewisham ‘B’) all competed in the time swim event at Glass Mill. With Team Greenwich emerging victorious on the day. The results from the timed swim will contribute to the overall team score and final placing which will be announced at the main club games event on Wednesday 21st October. Lewisham also leant a swimmer to the Croydon team.
Lewisham Disability Sports Network Multisport Day
On Sunday 27th September 78 children along with their families and siblings attended our annual disability multisport day at The Alex Yee Ladywell Arena. 7 sports/activities were on offer to these children ranging from Athletics to Taekwondo. The event was also attended by the local ward councillor, Cllr Asaw, who very much enjoyed the afternoon and praised its smooth running and professional nature. They also said they’d read about it but seeing it in person was much better than they had imagined