Tag: Active Communities programme

Take On Edinburgh’s Most Unique Aquathlon: 2026 Victorian Pool Crawl Applications Open

75 Participants Sought for Charity Challenge Across Five Victorian Pools This Easter Monday

Who’s ready for their next adventure? Edinburgh Leisure is calling on spirited individuals for the 2026 Victorian Pool Crawl!

It’s a one-of-a-kind aquathlon-style charity fundraiser, taking place on Easter Monday, 6th April 2026, across the city’s five beautiful Victorian swimming pools. Challengers will swim in each pool and then walk to the next, in doing so covering a half-marathon distance whilst raising essential funds for Edinburgh Leisure’s Active Communities programme.

Applications are now open for one of the 75 available places.

Event Details & Registration

Participants will swim up to 1 km at each of the five Victorian pools walk a total of 16 km, in one challenging, inspiring day. Each applicant is asked to secure a minimum of £350 in donations, with all proceeds supporting Active Communities, Edinburgh Leisure’s charity programme which supports people with barriers to being active.

Once accepted, a £20 registration fee secures your spot on the Pool Crawl. Every participant will receive an exclusive event t-shirt, swim cap, locker token, swim training plan, finisher’s goody bag, and entry to a prize draw for a year’s Edinburgh Leisure Swim Membership.

Why Support Active Communities?

Yearly, over 14,700 local people benefit from Edinburgh Leisure’s Active Communities programme, which offers activities and support to those facing poverty, disabilities, health challenges, and other inequalities.

This Easter Monday, your efforts will help create healthier, more active lives for our neighbours who need it most.

“Active Communities is at the heart of our mission to transform Edinburgh’s health and wellbeing. Every year we help thousands of people across the city overcome barriers to being active by accessing the support and activities they need for a healthier life” says Rachael McCrea, Head of Funding.

“The Victorian Pool Crawl is not only a celebration of our city’s heritage pools, but also a vital fundraiser. We’re excited to welcome a new group of participants to make a real difference this year.”

Returning participant Marek Bernat told us, “Completing the final lane last year was tough, but extremely rewarding.

“We all knew our efforts would help fund local community programmes, and that was a true highlight. It’s an unforgettable challenge.”

Moving Edinburgh Forward: National Fitness Day and Edinburgh Leisure’s Vision for an Active City

ON National Fitness Day 2025 (Wednesday, 24th September), Edinburgh Leisure is celebrating the power of physical activity with an inspiring message from one of its most energetic instructors – 88-year-old Helen Flannigan.

This year’s theme, “Powered By You!”, encourages people of all ages and abilities to discover what motivates them to move more. Organised by ukactive, the nationwide campaign highlights the physical and mental health benefits of staying active.

Helen Flannigan, who was awarded the Lifestyle Achievement Award by the International Fitness Showcase in March 2025, an annual fitness convention in Blackpool, teaches four weekly Fit Steps and Zumba classes at Craiglockhart Tennis Centre, and her sessions are anything but gentle.

Known for her fast-paced routines, Helen leaves her dancers sweating and smiling – proving that age is no barrier to fitness.

She’s even signed up for training as an instructor for Work It Out, a musical theatre-inspired workout developed by Flick Hannah, which Edinburgh Leisure offers and is proving very popular, with classes often having waitlists.

Helen Flannigan said: “National Fitness Day is a great reminder that movement is for everyone. The theme ‘Powered By You!’ is about finding what makes you feel good and being part of something bigger.

“Even small changes can make a big difference to your health and wellbeing.”

Alex Smith, Fitness Class Manager at Edinburgh Leisure, said: “Helen is a true inspiration. Her energy, commitment, and inclusive approach make her classes a highlight of the week for many of our members.”

Celebrating Impact

Edinburgh Leisure has recently launched its second Impact Report, showcasing achievements from 2024–2025 – a year marked by record-breaking participation, community innovation, and strategic resilience.

Jen Holland, CEO of Edinburgh Leisure, said: “As a charity, every penny spent with us is reinvested into the local community. With our customers’ support and through our Active Communities programmes, we’ve been able to:

  • Support 8,826 people experiencing poverty to be active
  • Assist 604 refugees through our Relocated People Access Programme
  • Help 634 care-experienced children and young people engage in activities
  • Enable 2,466 low-income residents to access services via the £10 Get Active Card”

Malcolm Reid, newly appointed Chair of Edinburgh Leisure, added: “Physical activity is a proven ‘miracle cure’ for health and wellbeing, yet less than half of Edinburgh’s population meets the recommended 2.5 hours of weekly activity.

“Our mission – to inspire individuals, families, and communities to move more – is more urgent than ever. This report shows how we’re making that happen, together.”

“As a charity with a social conscience, our purpose goes beyond profit. It’s about people – supporting healthier lives, creating safe and welcoming spaces, connecting communities, and working towards net zero.

“Our services are designed to be inclusive and accessible, helping everyone achieve their personal best at every stage of life. We invite citizens, partners, and supporters to be part of the journey – whether as participants, volunteers, donors or advocates.”

Get Involved on National Fitness Day

To mark National Fitness Day, Edinburgh Leisure is inviting members to take part in inclusive gym challenges across all venues. There are no winners based on strength or speed – participation alone makes you a winner.

Members are also encouraged to complete “Powered By You” cards, sharing what physical activity helps them achieve in everyday life. These stories will be featured on Edinburgh Leisure’s social media channels.

Throughout September, Edinburgh Leisure is offering a £0 joining fee on all memberships – including Full Fitness and single-activity options (gym, swim, or fitness classes) – making it easier than ever to get started.

Five Historic Pools, One Day: Edinburgh swimmers complete Victorian Pool Challenge

A dedicated team of swimmers from Leith Victoria Swim Centre successfully completed an ambitious challenge on Easter Monday, visiting and swimming in all five of Edinburgh Leisure’s Victorian pools in a single day to raise funds for the Active Communities programme.

The 14-member “Victorian Pool Crawlers” team swam up to one kilometre in each historic pool while walking approximately 16 kilometres between venues throughout the day. The challenge has raised over £870 to date, with donations still coming in through their JustGiving campaign.

Among the participants was 48-year-old Marek Bernat, who only learned to swim at Dalry Swim Centre in 2019. Originally from Poland, Bernat was motivated to learn after a frightening experience during a holiday in Bilbao, Spain.

“I lost my footing and tumbled down some stairs into water,” Bernat recalled. “That’s when I thought, ‘I’d better learn to swim.'” Now a regular at Leith Victoria Swim Centre’s skills and drills class, Bernat’s journey from non swimmer to Victorian Pool Crawler proves that it’s never too late to learn a new skill.

“This challenge brought together our love for swimming with Edinburgh’s incredible Victorian pool heritage,” said Alistair Clark, the group’s organiser.

“To swim in all five historic venues in one day was physically demanding, but knowing we were raising vital funds for Active Communities kept us motivated.

“The programme helps thousands of people overcome barriers to physical activity, and we’re proud to support such important work.”

Easily spotted in their day-glow, bright orange t-shirts and Edinburgh Leisure swim caps, the team attracted attention and support from other pool users throughout the day.

Edinburgh Leisure’s Active Communities programme works to tackle inequalities and combat the effects of inactivity by providing opportunities for people facing the greatest barriers to physical activity, including those affected by health conditions, disabilities, inequalities, and poverty. Each year, the programme supports around 12,500 individuals.

“The determination shown by the Victorian Pool Crawlers exemplifies the community spirit that makes Edinburgh Leisure’s work possible,” said Jenny Selman, Funding Manager at Edinburgh Leisure.

“Their efforts will directly help us create more opportunities for everyone to get active and stay active, regardless of their circumstances.”

Those wishing to support the Victorian Pool Crawlers can still donate via their JustGiving page: https://www.justgiving.com/campaign/poolcrawl2025

Edinburgh Leisure is dedicated to helping people lead more active, healthy lives. With 53 sport, leisure, and school venues across the city, Edinburgh Leisure creates opportunities for everyone to get active and stay active.

Edinburgh Leisure: Fit for the Future

EDIINBURGH LEISURE RELEASES IMPACT REPORT

Edinburgh Leisure, the city’s largest provider of sports and leisure services across the Scottish capital, has launched its first Impact Report since 2015.

Edinburgh Leisure’s 2023-2024 Impact Report highlights key achievements in line with its strategic goals. Notable successes include a significant increase in customer visits, now surpassing 5.6 million annually, and the growth of their Active Communities programmes, which have supported over 12,500 individuals.

The leisure trust provided sports coaching to over 13,000 adults and children across nine disciplines, including swimming – an essential life skill. The reopening of the historic Warrender Swim Centre marked a milestone, with the facility known for producing elite swimmers.

Edinburgh Leisure hosted major events, including the 2023 Scottish Open Snooker Tournament, and brought back its swimming galas post-pandemic. All of this achieved with the combined efforts of their employees, partners, volunteers and supporters, all of whom help Edinburgh Leisure inspire the city to be active.

Jen Holland, CEO of Edinburgh Leisure, who joined the organisation in March 2024, said: “As custodians of the City of Edinburgh Council’s sport and leisure estate, Edinburgh Leisure looks after an incredible range of sites and venues throughout the city.

“This is not without its challenges, and this year we have faced extreme pressure on our budget, but we remain committed to improving the physical and mental wellbeing of the city.

“Edinburgh Leisure is addressing the growing need for affordable physical activity in the city by providing services at reduced or no cost to those facing barriers to leading active lives.

“By working closely with our partners, including the City of Edinburgh Council, the NHS, and voluntary organisations such as Paths for All and Alzheimer’s Scotland, Edinburgh Leisure is helping to reduce the social and economic costs of ill health and inactivity. As demand for our services increases and economic pressures on the health sector mount, these partnerships remain vital.

“Through collaboration, we continue to align with national and regional goals, promoting sport, physical activity, health, and inclusion across the city.

“This year we have started developing our 5-year strategic plan, ensuring we listen to our customers and are aligned with our partners’ strategies to meet the needs of the city and to be ‘Fit for the Future’.”

Edinburgh Leisure is part of a network of charities operating with a social conscience, delivering social good when providing public leisure services.

Their core business isn’t about making profit, it is about purpose – helping people first. They’re about supporting society to get healthier and happier, employing local people, creating safe spaces for everybody, connecting communities, working towards net zero and supporting people with quality health and wellbeing services for everybody regardless of age or ability.

Edinburgh Leisure provide activities for everyone as they move through their lives, supporting as many people as possible to feel as good as possible.

The Impact Report is available to download in PDF format on the Edinburgh Leisure website. https://bit.ly/3ZjFr6Q

ELImpactReport202324A4Version1Download

Walk the Walk in Tartan for Edinburgh Leisure

Edinburgh Leisure, the city’s leading sports and leisure provider is calling on anyone looking for a new challenge to don their tartan and join them to take part in the Edinburgh Kiltwalk to raise funds for their award-winning Ageing Well project.

An Edinburgh Leisure and NHS Lothian initiative, Ageing Well keeps hundreds of older adults in Edinburgh more connected and physically active, by offering low-cost city-wide activities that encourage active living and socialisation all the while boosting their health and wellbeing.

Jenny Selman, Funding Manager for Edinburgh Leisure explained: “Part of our Active Communities programme, Ageing Well is led or supported by trained older adult volunteers and our participants and volunteers really benefit both mentally and physically from taking part. 

“It caters for a diverse range of interests and abilities, with activities including walking groups, cycling, gardening at our allotment and buddy swimming.

“Unfortunately, the programme is facing a funding shortfall of £17k, so we’re encouraging people to sign up to the Kiltwalk to raise some much-needed funds for Ageing Well and hopefully, get active, and stay active because of taking part.

“We hope that the funds raised by our supporters, coupled with generous donations we receive throughout the year, will enable us to continue with this valued programme. Every pound raised really will make a difference.”

All those signing up to the Kiltwalk to raise funds for Edinburgh Leisure will receive a 50% discount on the registration fee and also an Edinburgh Leisure T-shirt and a tartan-themed snood.

The Kiltwalk takes place on Sunday, 15th September 2024. Three walk lengths are available: 

  • The Mighty Stride (approx. 21 miles) – £20 £10 registration fee 
  • The Big Stroll (approx. 11 miles) – £20 £10 registration fee 
  • The Wee Wander (approx. 5 miles) – £12.50 £6.25 for adults, £6.50 £3.25 for children 

Edinburgh Leisure’s Active Communities programme supports 12,500 people who face the greatest barriers to getting active annually – people affected by health conditions, inequalities, and poverty.

Your participation in the Kiltwalk will raise crucial funds to promote health, happiness, and connectedness among older adults in Edinburgh whilst contributing to a fantastic and enjoyable event. 

To find out more about signing up with Edinburgh Leisure to walk the Kiltwalk, and to get your 50% discount, click here.

To find out more about the Kiltwalk, click here.

Bake Off at Leith Victoria 125th birthday celebrations

Customers at Leith Victoria Swim Centre celebrated the Victorian pool’s 125-year anniversary on Friday, 28th June, with a Bake-Off, which raised over £375 much-needed funds for Edinburgh Leisure’s Active Communities programme.

Local businesses including Hobz Bakery, Krema Bakehouse, The Babyfaced Baker and The Pastry Section, staff and customers all embraced their inner Mary Berry to create some showstoppers.

They were judged by Edinburgh Leisure’s previous Chief Executive, June Peebles, who retired in March 2024 after 38 years’ service with Edinburgh Leisure, along with Jen Holland, their new CEO, and one of Leith Victoria’s regular customers Christine Findlay, 71 years, who attends 19 classes a week at the Leith Viccies.

The baking competition was won by Kerry Teakle, Edinburgh Leisure’s PR Officer with her tried and tested Almond, Orange and Whisky cake.

The Bake-Off judging took place following a busy Aqua and yoga class that took place earlier in the building, when participants often congregate for a coffee and a blether after.

Brought up in the Colonies in Lochend Road, Christine Findlay, 71 Years, and one of the Bake-Off judges, has been using the centre since her childhood and continues to use Leith Victoria today.

Christine said: “I’ve been using the centre for years.  Many people came for the hot baths, but we were lucky as we had a bath in our house, so didn’t need to use those facilities.

Christine, who still works as a carer attends 19 classes, six days a week at Leith Victoria. She used to swim seven days a week but now only swims on Fridays.

Christine explains why people keep coming back: “Viccies is a community. This is my second home, and everyone here is like your second family. I’ve made great friends and even go on holiday with people I’ve met here.

“I’ve been coming since my childhood and this continued when I had my family and I still come with my grandchildren today. Without this place, I don’t know what I’d do. We support each other through the good times and the bad.”

Louise Bathgate, Manager at Leith Victoria explained: “At 125 years old, Leith Victoria is rich in history, as well as holding a special place in so many people’s hearts locally with generations of families having learnt to swim here.

“The Bake-Off was a good excuse to have a celebration in honour of Viccies’ 125th  birthday and to raise much-needed funds for Edinburgh Leisure’s Active Communities programmes, which rely on external funding to make it happen. 

“The funds raised by this event, along with two other events that have been held at Craiglockhart Tennis Centre and Meadowbank Sports Centre in the last couple of months, have raised over £750 to support disadvantaged people in our communities to improve their health and wellbeing.”

Edinburgh Leisure’s Active Communities supports 12,500 people annually who face the greatest barriers to get active – people affected by health conditions, inequalities, and poverty. 

As a venue, Leith Victoria Swim Centre holds 23 Active Community classes each week and is one of Edinburgh Leisure’s busiest venues supporting hundreds of people in the local community.

www.edinburghleisure.co.uk

5 for £5 each: Black Friday deals for Edinburgh Leisure members

For the first time ever, Edinburgh Leisure, the charity dedicated to creating opportunities for everyone to lead more active, healthy lives, is running a members’ only event from Black Friday (25th November) to Cyber Monday (28th November), rewarding their direct debit customers.

The Black Friday members-only event will offer 5 activities for £5 each, allowing direct debit customers to book any of the following: 

  • fitness classes of 45 minutes +
  • Tee times across all golf courses (excluding weekends)
  • Squash sessions for at Meadowbank and Craiglockhart Tennis Centre
  • Outdoor tennis Meadows and Craiglockhart Tennis Centre (evenings only)
  • and Soft Play at Scrambles at the EICA: Ratho.

The offer is not available to non-members, although customers can join to take advantage of the offer.  The offer is only available to buy online (with the exclusion of soft play at Scrambles, which needs to be paid in venue and is only available in-venue during the Black Friday event).

Edinburgh Leisure customers who pay their membership by direct debit will be able to log into their accounts during the offer dates and book the activities for £5 each. Customers will book as normal and will have 8-days to use the activity following payment. Customers will be able to book multiple activities, multiple times.  

Edinburgh Leisure is a charity dedicated to creating opportunities for everyone to lead more active, healthy lives.  They do that by running over 30 sports and leisure facilities across the city and deliver their Active Communities programme, which helps improve the lives of people affected by health conditions, poverty, inequalities, and disabilities.  

Edinburgh Leisure launches Movement for Good challenge

As part of their commitment to keeping people active and well, Edinburgh’s leading sport and physical activity charity, Edinburgh Leisure, is launching a new month-long physical activity challenge that aims to inspire people to get active every day this May.

The Movement for Good challenge is aimed at everyone, not just their members. It’s well-evidenced that moving and being physically active benefits our overall health and wellbeing, but putting it into practice can be hard, with family life, work commitments and household chores often taking precedence over exercise.

Helen Macfarlane, in the newly created role as Edinburgh Leisure’s Director of Wellbeing explains: “Whether people are new to physical activity or need a helping hand to get back into the swing of things, then our new Movement for Good challenge is for them.

“It’s designed to give participants a period of focus when they start to make small consistent changes by being active every day. This is the start of forming healthy habits so that regular activity becomes part of their daily routine, and they build the motivation to stay active because they feel good.

“Being active doesn’t have to mean running a marathon or joining a bootcamp. Even small changes can make a huge difference. Participants are encouraged to find an activity or activities they love, enabling them to create healthy habits and providing them with the motivation they need to stay active. So, for example, someone might wish to step it out, boogie on the dancefloor, or dip their toes into the pool or pump some iron throughout May.

“Participants can also use their challenge to do some good by raising sponsorship money to support local people who need a bit more help through Edinburgh Leisure’s Active Communities programme, so they too can experience the benefits of an active life.”

Each year, Edinburgh Leisure’s Active Communities programme supports over 10,000 people affected by health conditions, disabilities, and poverty – empowering them to improve their health, wellbeing, and quality of life. 

This includes enabling care experienced children to enjoy the active childhood they deserve, to helping people with cancer and other long term health conditions to manage their symptoms and have a better quality of life, to ensuring older adults can stay active and connected for longer.

Participants signing up to the month-long Movement for Good Challenge, will receive a pack full of useful resources, along with hints and tips on how to get the most out of your challenge.  This will help ensure participants have fun, keep motivated and experience the health and wellbeing benefits of becoming more physically active.

Sign up today to join the May Movement for Good Challenge and reap the benefits of an active life – www.edinburghleisure.co.uk/movement-for-good

Step Forward! Edinburgh charity on the search for new volunteers to train as walk leaders

Edinburgh Leisure is on the search for new volunteers to step this way to train as walk leaders for their award-winning Active Communities programme, Ageing Well.

A Walk Leader training course will take place on Friday, 18th February from 10.00am – 1.30pm.  The training is laid back and friendly and there are no exam or tests.

The Ageing Well Project is run by Edinburgh Leisure in partnership with NHS Lothian and delivers a range of city-wide activities which support people to become, and remain, active in later life. The emphasis is on meeting new people and making physical activity accessible and enjoyable.

Ryan Dignan, Health Development Officer (Older Adults) at Edinburgh Leisure explained: “Our programme relies on the generous support of volunteers – older adults who give up 1 or 2 hours a week to help and support other older adults to get or stay active. 

“No previous experience is necessary – just enthusiasm, the ability to get on well with people from differing backgrounds and ages and a love of walking.

“It’s not just Ageing Well who benefit from the volunteers’ gift of time, our volunteers say that they develop deeper connections within their communities, feel better physically, mentally and emotionally; and are better able to manage health conditions such as stress.

“On completion of their training, they will lead or support one of the many weekly walking groups that take place across the city.

In 2018 the Ageing Well programme was awarded the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service (QAVS), which is the highest award given to UK volunteer groups and is the equivalent of an MBE. The award reflects the tremendous contribution of Edinburgh Leisure’s Ageing Well volunteers and the positive difference they make to the lives of participants.

Ageing Well activities have been developed to cater for a wide range of tastes and abilities and all activities are either led by or supported by fully trained volunteers, who are all older adults themselves. 

Jerry Gregson, one of Ageing Well’s valued volunteers who gives up 2-3 hours of his time each week, and who has been involved with the programme for 15 years explains: “Being retired, I love having the regular social contact that being a walk-leader brings, as well as the satisfaction of knowing I am doing something that is useful to others in our age-group.

“It’s also an excuse to explore the many highways and byways across the city. We take walkers to places they didn’t know about and wouldn’t go themselves, certainly not alone.  Even after 15 years, I get a kick from someone saying, ‘I’ve never been this way before’.”

Anyone interested in volunteering as a walk leader and to join the training course on 18th February should email: ryandignan@edinburghleisure.co.uk

For more information: Be Active – Ageing Well – Edinburgh Leisure

For more information of the weekly walks: Ageing Well Walks – Edinburgh Leisure

Edinburgh Leisure launches new mental health film

Edinburgh Leisure, the city’s biggest physical activity and sports provider, has launched a new film, focusing on the benefits of getting active to improve your mental health and wellbeing. Continue reading Edinburgh Leisure launches new mental health film