April Community News
Throughout April we have been working with different groups and partners as we endeavour to make the leisure centres community hubs where people can come for more than just exercise. This is an update on what we have been up to this month
Cricket at The Bridge
This month we met with Kent County Cricket to review the possibility of reinstating the cricket provision at the centre. They may have funding via the ECB to completely refurbish the artificial wicket and square. There could also be money to tidy up the nets.
Soil samples and other pre-feasibility work needs to be completed prior to this progressing any further.
Access Sport – Go London Funding
The Lewisham Disability Sports Network core working group met this month to discuss possible funding opportunities to continue the holiday provision at The Alex Yee Ladywell Arena. The Go London Fund was the main area of discussion, and a bid has been submitted with South East London Tennis being the designated lead provider.
Brent Knoll School
Following the school’s positive visit to Glass Mill Leisure Centre prior to the Easter Holiday, the school returned and are looking to make this a regular booking with us. The school left the below comment with me about the centre team.
“We had a great session at the Leisure Centre this morning. We were received with such a warm welcome; your colleagues are so lovely to us!”
They’ve got 8 pupils they are looking to bring in regularly to the gym, which they hope to do at least monthly if not more regularly.
SEND Easter Camp
Over the Easter Holidays the Lewisham Disability Sports Network lead by Access Sport ran a multi-sport camp over the Easte holidays. 4 days of provision was offer over the 2 weeks, with an average of 20 children attending each day. Sports on offer over the holiday were, Athletics, Boccia, Cycling, Dance, Football, Tennis and Taekwondo
Run Bike Run Mini
AS part of our Easter Holiday programme, The Alex Yee Ladywell Arena hosted a Run Bike Run mini for children aged between 6 and 14 years.
This is the 3rd event we have hosted at the centre with another event planned in for the summer holidays in July.
16 children took part in this Run Bike Run mini, with this being the majority of users first time doing a multi-sport event.
As with previous events we received lots of positive feedback from parents, particularly around the centre team and how smoothly and professionally everything ran.
Annual Bowls Match
The annual GLL/LBL vs Lewisham and Crystal Palace Indoor Bowls club took place this month. This is our chance to get together with the council and engage with members in the club over a game of bowls. The final score of 28-13 to the bowls club doesn’t reflect how well colleagues at GLL and Lewisham Council played.
Post match all players retired to the café/bar area for a social and speeches. As with previous additions this proves to be a very popular and enjoyable event amongst all who played.
Lewisham College SEN Advisory Board
The Community Sports Manager (CSM) represented Better at Lewisham College’s latest advisory board. We were able to share our knowledge and experience around supporting learners with additional needs in our centre primarily through work experience and placements. With Wavelengths currently hosting 1supported learner placement. We also provided an update on some of our staff that we know to have additional needs and how we support them in the workplace. The CSM also provided updates on courses and roles learners can do to get into leisure centre employment.
Millwall Community Trust
We have been approached by Millwall Community Trust as they would like use Bellingham Leisure & Lifestyle Centre to run HAF football camps over the summer holidays. They hope to then use this as a springboard to run toddler football and women and girls' football at the centre.
The centre team are going to review the bookings and get back to Millwall with what availability we have at the centre.
Take One Building
Ashmead Primary School pupils this term have identified local landmark buildings as part of their “take one building” project. Glass Mill Leisure Centre was chosen by pupils to take inspiration from. Glass Mill Leisure Centre was then invited to attend an evening at Lewisham Arthouse where the works of art were put on display. The Area Swim School Lead and Community Sports Manager represented the centre, and we have agreed to display the art work that focuses on Glass Mill at the centre.