November Community News
We are delighted to work hard to ensure we work with the local community and ensure that they are able to engage in activities happening with the the leisure centres, or out in the wider community.
Throughout this month we have raised awareness around Men’s Health, celebrated local businesses as well as providing space to celebrate and support Carers i the borough.
5k for 5 years
Throughout November the centres have supported the Gentleman’s Health Hub to raise awareness of the life expectancy gap between men and women in the borough of Lewisham, which see’s men dying 5 years younger than women. In partnership with the centres, they have utilised our reception spaces to encourage men to complete 5k using either a bike, rower or ski erg. The Gentleman’s Hub have been doing lots of social media of the events and this is the example from their event at Glass Mill featuring the Community Sports Manager completing his 5k on a rowing machine.
Amuru Spin and Nutrition event
As part of their ongoing weekly Spin sessions at Glass Mill Leisure Centre, Amuru hosted on the 1st November a culturally relevant food and nutrition workshop which took place after the spin class.
This proved to be very popular with the attendees and complemented the physical activity offer.
Amuru have also completed some filming to talk about what they are doing and what they hope to achieve, here is footage from the event on the 1st November
XO Bikes
We were approached by XO bikes, who are charity that works in Lewisham with ex offenders to train them up as bike mechanics. They refurbish bikes donated to them by the Police and National Rail and then resell in their shop at the bottom of Lewisham High Street.
They approached us to run Dr Bike sessions at Glass Mill to offer free bike checks for our customers that cycle to the centre. They will be running this every first Tuesday of the month. The first session proved to be very popular with many customers getting their bike looked at whilst they used the centre.
Lewisham College Sport Advisory Board
The Community Sports Manager attended the quarterly Sports Advisory Board meeting where we continue to work with the college to help shape their sports curriculum. We spoke about the possibility of students supporting sports days at The Alex Yee Ladywell Arena as well as possible other areas we could support their students with. The Community Sports Manager will during the academic term be providing a guest lecture on sports development and community engagement. The Community Sports Manager also recorded a video talking about our partnership with the college for their shareholder dinner later in the month.
Felix Project – Fresh Food Giveaway
GLL have created a partnership with the Felix Project to utilise our centres to hand out surplus fresh food to the public. Bellingham Leisure & Lifestyle Centre was chosen as the centre we’d use in the borough to run these food giveaways.
The first of our food giveaways took place on Thursday 13th November and was attended by 180 people, including some church groups who will use the food as part of community meals that they prepare ensuring the food given away has the broadest reach and impact. The giveaway was also attended by local Councillor Krupski who helped promote this event.
Mayor of Lewisham Business Awards
Better was the headline sponsor of this year's Mayor of Lewisham’s Business Awards. As headline sponsor, we gave out the first award of the evening which was for Best Sustainable which was won by Good Food Café. This also gave us an opportunity to speak about the work we do in the borough as well as network with groups and businesses from across the borough.
Carers Rights Day
Glass Mill Leisure Centre hosted Carers Rights Day organised and run by Imago and attended by Cllr Cunningham.
16 stalls filled the atrium space at Glass Mill offering a range of services to unpaid carers in the borough. Over 100 people attended this event. Two stallholders at the event we have subsequently had follow up meetings with as to how we can work together to support people in the borough with health and lifestyle support.