Edinburgh Leisure has paid tribute to the vital role of its volunteers with a special Volunteer Thank You Day, held on Thursday 6 June as part of the UK’s annual Volunteer Week celebrations.
The event brought together 60 of the organisation’s 190 volunteers for a day of appreciation, connection, and insight into the impact of their contributions. Hosted at one of Edinburgh Leisure’s Meadowbank Sports Centre, the gathering recognised the essential role volunteers play in supporting health and wellbeing across the city.
“Our volunteers are the heartbeat of many of our community programmes,” said Stephen Hughes, Volunteer Development Manager at Edinburgh Leisure.
“They help us reach more people, deliver more services, and ultimately improve lives through physical activity. This event was a small way to say a big thank you.”
Volunteers at Edinburgh Leisure support a wide range of initiatives, from health walks and inclusive fitness sessions to youth engagement and wellbeing programmes. Their efforts help reduce barriers to physical activity and promote healthier, more connected communities.
The celebration also offered volunteers the opportunity to share their experiences, learn more about Edinburgh Leisure’s services, and connect with fellow volunteers and staff. Many spoke of the personal rewards of volunteering, including meeting new people, supporting others, and seeing participants grow in confidence and wellbeing.
Volunteer Week, which runs annually in early June, is a UK-wide initiative that recognises the invaluable contributions of volunteers in all sectors.
Interested in Volunteering?
Edinburgh Leisure is always looking for enthusiastic individuals to join its volunteer team.
Edinburgh Leisure has expanded its commitment to inclusive fitness by launching a comprehensive new programme of gym sessions and exercise classes specifically designed for adults with additional support needs.
The new “Fit and Active” initiative offers a diverse range of weekly activities across two venues, with all sessions free to attend for cardholders. Classes include seated strength training, danceability sessions, gymability workouts, inclusive circuits, retro dance, and seated cardio options.
“We’re delighted to introduce these new classes that provide accessible fitness opportunities for adults with additional support needs,” said Sara Kemp, Community Development Officer (Equalities) at Edinburgh Leisure.
“Our goal is to ensure everyone in our community has the chance to stay active and healthy in a supportive, welcoming environment.”
The programme runs throughout the week at both Meadowbank Sport Centre and Leith Victoria Swim Centre, with sessions carefully scheduled to provide regular opportunities for participants. Activities range from traditional gym-based workouts to creative movement classes like danceability and retro dance.
Weekly Schedule:
Monday: 1:1 gym sessions at both venues
Tuesday: Four different classes at Meadowbank including seated strength, danceability, gymability, and inclusive circuits
Wednesday: Danceability class at Leith Victoria
Thursday: Gymability sessions at Leith Victoria
Friday: Retro dance and seated cardio classes at Meadowbank
All sessions are included free of charge with a Fit and Active card.
Interested participants can apply for their card by emailing:
The programme represents Edinburgh Leisure’s ongoing commitment to providing inclusive recreational opportunities for all members of the Edinburgh community, ensuring that fitness and wellbeing services are accessible to people of all abilities.
For more information about the Fit and Active programme or to apply for a membership card, contact Edinburgh Leisure at:
Win Your Spot at Tumbles’ Exclusive Reopening Celebration
Edinburgh Leisure invites brave young adventurers to join Emma, Fox, and Squirrel on an epic journey through the newly reimagined Tumbles Soft Play at Portobello, Edinburgh.
The lucky adventurers will be among the first to discover the exciting new world that awaits within Explorer Island.
Ashliegh Murray, Manager at Tumbles at Portobello, said: “Our Explorer Island is a whole world of fun.
“An island where anything is possible, and adventure awaits! We’re looking to our customers to be part of the excitement when we reopen.
“Our new play frame will feature Emma, an adventurous redhead with a baseball cap and torch, alongside her trusty companions Fox and Squirrel. These young explorers are searching for brave new friends to join their quest for play and discovery.”
“We’re inviting parents and kids to unleash their creativity and to send us a photo of their little adventurer with a sandcastle they’ve built, (even if it’s with a little help from their friends, siblings or parents), and a short description explaining why their little adventurer should be part of this grand adventure.
“The Edinburgh Leisure team will select their favourite 15 explorers to join us at the exclusive reopening party, date and time still to be announced.”
As the latest of Edinburgh Leisure’s three soft plays to receive a makeover, Tumbles at Portobello is undergoing an exciting transformation.
The renovations include:
Interactive elements in the baby and toddler zones
Reconfigured layout for enhanced play experiences
Upgraded versions of current favourite features
Extended café seating with fixed options to maximise space
New flooring in the soft play and café area
A refreshed reception area on first floor
Redecorated birthday party room for the return of celebration packages
A photo of your little explorer, dressed for adventure, next to their sandcastle creation
A brief explanation (300 words or less) of why they should join Emma, Fox, and Squirrel at the reopening party
Child’s name and date of birth
Parent/guardian contact number and email
All entries must be received by 5pm, Tuesday 27th May 2025.
The Tumbles team will select 15 children from across age groups to be their special “star guests” at the grand reopening celebration, where they’ll join other young adventurers in being the first to explore the reimagined play space.
Edinburgh Leisure is a charity dedicated to creating opportunities for everyone to lead more active, healthy lives. They operate over 30 sports and leisure facilities throughout Edinburgh, including three soft play centres designed to inspire active play and imagination in children.
A captivating new golf exhibition, ‘Teeing Off Through Time,‘ has been unveiled at Braid Hills Golf Course, coinciding with preparations for the milestone 125th Edinburgh Evening News Dispatch Trophy.
The exhibition celebrates Edinburgh’s rich golfing heritage just as the city’s most prestigious amateur team golf championship returns to Braid Hills.
The historic Dispatch Trophy, dating back to 1890, will commence on May 17th with the final scheduled for May 24th. This beloved tournament features a unique double foursome’s format with four-player teams and has been a cornerstone of Edinburgh’s golfing tradition for over 130 years, interrupted only by the two World Wars and the COVID-19 pandemic.
‘Teeing Off Through Time’ is the third exhibition in Edinburgh Leisure’s series celebrating Edinburgh 900 and is free to visitors in the foyer of Edinburgh Leisure’s Braid Hills golf course.
The exhibition chronicles Edinburgh’s pivotal role in golf’s origins, showcases Edinburgh Leisure’s six golf courses and their vibrant communities, explores the evolution of golf clubs, highlights the storied histories of the Dispatch Trophy and Gibson Cup, and provides information on joining Edinburgh Leisure’s golf club.
“With the Dispatch Trophy being played at the Braids, and the Scottish Open taking place at the Renaissance Club in July, we’re hoping there will be lots of golfers interested in paying the exhibition a visit,” said Kerry Teakle, PR Officer at Edinburgh Leisure, who has led the project.
“The timing couldn’t be better to celebrate our city’s tremendous golfing heritage.”
The exhibition will remain at Braid Hills until Thursday, May 29th, before moving to Silverknowes golf course. Golf enthusiasts will have another opportunity to view the exhibition from July 9-15 as part of the broader Edinburgh 900 Exhibition at St James Quarter, where it will be displayed in a unit on Leith Street, next to Mhor Bakery.
Edinburgh Leisure was selected to represent the “City of Leisure” theme at the St James Quarter exhibition. Their previous Edinburgh 900 exhibitions, ‘Great Lengths’ and ‘Your Health is for Life,’ which showcase the organisation’s 27-year commitment to promoting active lifestyles and the history of swimming pools in Edinburgh, will also be on display.
“Having the opportunity to again display our other Edinburgh 900 exhibitions alongside the newer golf exhibition at St James in July is the perfect opportunity to showcase all the great facilities we have,” Kerry added. “It also highlights Edinburgh Leisure’s Active Communities programmes which supported 14,782 people in 2024-2025 who face significant barriers to physical activity, including those affected by health conditions, disabilities, inequalities, and poverty – empowering participants to improve their health, wellbeing and quality of life.”
Edinburgh Leisure received funding for the exhibition as part of the prestigious Edinburgh 900 celebrations, a landmark initiative commemorating the city’s rich history spanning almost a millennium.
The full Edinburgh 900 programme examines the city’s evolution through commerce, conflict, faith, and finance, while celebrating Edinburgh’s present and envisioning its future aspirations.
Four Edinburgh mothers who bonded through a local exercise group are in the final stages of training for the Edinburgh Marathon, running as a relay team to raise funds for the charity that supported their return to fitness after childbirth – a timely example of community impact as Edinburgh Leisure prepares to celebrate Seriously Social Week.
The women met through the Active Mums programme, part of Edinburgh Leisure’s Active Communities initiative. They’ll join 55 other participants participating on behalf of Edinburgh Leisure at the Marathon events.
The Edinburgh Marathon Festival weekend (24-25 May) will feature 11 Edinburgh Leisure participants running the full marathon, 12 in the half marathon, 4 relay teams, 10 running the 10k, 8 running the 5k and four juniors.
Chio Martinez, one of the relay team members, explained: “Like many people looking for a fundraising challenge in 2025, I signed up to raise funds for Active Communities and Edinburgh Leisure by taking part in the Edinburgh Marathon Festival. Of course, there are lots of other big-name charities out there, but funding for smaller projects is under threat in Edinburgh, and this is my way of giving something back.
“Active Mums has been a lifeline for me and other mothers with young babies and toddlers. It’s not just about fitness—it’s created a community where I’ve formed meaningful connections, established a vital routine, and found reasons to leave the house on those challenging days.
“The programme offers clear fitness milestones in a judgment-free environment where we all understand the unique struggles of postpartum wellness. It’s given me the confidence to take on the EMF challenge—something I never would have considered before. We’re all excited to step up to this challenge together, and it’s become the perfect motivation to keep moving forward on our fitness journeys.”
The Active Mums relay team has already exceeded their fundraising target and have raised £945, which is 150% of their £600 fundraising target.
Seriously Social Impact
The marathon fundraising effort comes as Edinburgh Leisure marks the second Seriously Social Week (12-16 May), part of a national campaign showcasing the work of charities that prioritise people over profit, connect communities, and promote health, happiness, and creativity for all ages and abilities.
Organised by Community Leisure UK, each day of Seriously Social Week highlights how organisations like Edinburgh Leisure create social impact and foster healthier, happier communities. The campaign focuses on five key themes: health and wellbeing, community, inclusion, employment and skills, and the environment.
Jen Holland, CEO of Edinburgh Leisure, said: “We are proud to be part of a network of charities operating with a social conscience, delivering social good through public leisure services.
“Our core mission is about purpose, not profit, helping people first. We support Edinburgh in becoming healthier and happier with quality health and wellbeing services for everyone, regardless of age or ability, including those with serious health conditions, which helps reduce the financial burden on the NHS.”
The Marathon Mums relay team exemplifies this mission in action. Edinburgh Leisure’s Active Communities programmes supported 14,782 people in 2024-2025 who face significant barriers to physical activity, including those affected by health conditions, disabilities, inequalities, and poverty—empowering participants to improve their health, wellbeing, and quality of life.
These vital Active Communities programmes depend on funding and fundraising to continue their work using physical activity to transform lives and communities across Edinburgh. The initiatives foster social inclusion, promote physical activity, and enhance overall wellbeing throughout the city.
Edinburgh Leisure is dedicated to enhancing social value and will mark the second Seriously Social Week in May, as part of a national campaign showcasing the work of charities that prioritise people over profit, connect communities, and promote health, happiness, and creativity for all ages and abilities.
Organised by Community Leisure UK, Seriously Social Week runs from May 12 to 16, with each day highlighting how organisations like Edinburgh Leisure create social impact and foster healthier, happier communities. Themes include health and wellbeing, community, inclusion, employment and skills, and the environment.
Jen Holland, CEO of Edinburgh Leisure, stated: “We are proud to be part of a network of charities operating with a social conscience, delivering social good through public leisure services.
“Our core mission is about purpose, not profit, helping people first. We support Edinburgh in becoming healthier and happier with quality health and wellbeing services for everyone, regardless of age or ability, including those with serious health conditions, which helps reduce the financial burden on the NHS.
“Just a few of our achievements include supporting over 12,500 people through our Active Communities programmes; offer over 160 health and wellbeing classes weekly; assisting 1,245 refugees and relocated individuals in staying active and connected; providing discounted community access to over 2,500 people; and offer sporting facilities to over 550 Edinburgh sports clubs across 35 different sports.
“Seriously Social is a fantastic opportunity to showcase the difference we make and why we do what we do and aligns perfectly with the themes of Seriously Social.”
As the largest provider of sports and leisure facilities in the city, Edinburgh Leisure offers activities for everyone throughout their lives. As a charitable trust, every penny is reinvested into the health and wellbeing of Edinburgh.
Being active improves physical and mental health, and Edinburgh Leisure aims to support as many people as possible in feeling their best.
In 2024, Charitable Trusts and Social Enterprises across England, Scotland, and Wales generated £1,598,045,306 in social value*, equating to an average of £228 per person. A study by Public Health Scotland found that of the 62,941 deaths in Scotland in 2022, over 3,000 were due to physical inactivity, with cancer and cardiovascular disease accounting for about one-third of these.
Last year, Edinburgh Leisure’s Active Communities team supported over 12,500 people in improving their health and wellbeing through projects focused on falls prevention, mental health, long-term health conditions, and supporting those on low incomes and experiencing inequalities.
Kirsty Cumming, CEO of Community Leisure UK, said: “Our members don’t just deliver public leisure and cultural services; they support social change for the better every day of the week.
“As social enterprises and charities, they prioritise people over profit, are run by local people, and have everyone’s best interests at heart. Seriously Social Week showcases how they go above and beyond in supporting individuals and communities.
“This sector quietly supports people and communities daily, not for profit, but because it’s the right thing to do.”
More than 110 Charitable Trusts and Social Enterprises deliver public leisure and culture in Scotland, Wales, and Ireland as part of the Community Leisure UK network. In 2024, they:
Welcomed over 209 million visits
86% delivered activity referral programs
70% offered strength and balance programs for over 50s
Worked with 193 local authorities
Collaborated with over 100,000 community groups
87% offered volunteer opportunities
Over 70% provided holiday activity and food programs
38% offered youth activity sessions that helped reduce local crime
Edinburgh Leisure is thrilled to announce that Shared Care Scotland’s Better Breaks Fund has awarded £13,609 to support the ASN Multi-Sports sessions at Gracemount Leisure Centre for the 2025-26 period.
This marks the sixth consecutive year that Edinburgh Leisure has received funding from Shared Care Scotland, highlighting the exceptional work done by the team at Gracemount Leisure Centre (GLC) and the significant impact their support has on local families.
Shared Care Scotland funds projects across Scotland that support unpaid carers in leading full and balanced lives. Their annual Better Breaks Fund provides 12-month grants to third sector organisations to develop and deliver short breaks and services for disabled children and young people and their carers.
The ASN Multi-Sports sessions at GLC offer children and young people with various disabilities the chance to enjoy physical activities in a safe and supportive environment.
Activities include swimming, boccia, adapted ball sports, trampolining, martial arts, and gym access for older participants. These sessions aim to enrich lives through physical activity, fostering friendships, encouraging new experiences, developing life skills, building confidence and self-esteem, and most importantly, having fun.
Additionally, the ASN Multi-Sports sessions provide carers with valuable time away from their caregiving roles to focus on their own health and wellbeing. Carers can enjoy free use of the gym, complimentary tea and coffee in the on-site café, or simply leave the centre knowing their child is well cared for.
Sessions take place every Saturday morning at Edinburgh Leisure’s Gracemount Leisure Centre, which was recently awarded the UK Active Scottish Centre of the Year 2024.
Craig Cassidy, Venue Manager at Gracemount, expressed his gratitude: “A huge thank you to Shared Care Scotland’s Better Breaks Fund for another year of funding for our ASN Multi-Sports sessions.
“The benefits of an active childhood are endless, so we are absolutely delighted that the funding will enable us to continue supporting local families with disabled children to access opportunities to be active.”
A local mother, whose child benefits from the service, shared her experience: “My 9-year-old son, Archie, has Down’s Syndrome. We were delighted when we found out about ASN Multi-Sports as Archie has seen his older sisters going to sports clubs but we had struggled to find suitable opportunities for him.
“He has loved football and swimming, and it has been great to watch his confidence grow in the pool.”
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.”
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.
The Edinburgh International Climbing Arena (EICA) at Ratho has unveiled a new bouldering room designed for children and novice climbers, following the recent addition of new bouldering walls in December.
Situated in the former Tiso retail unit, this new bouldering room offers a comprehensive and progressive facility, providing additional space for junior and adult coaching. It also serves as a warm, welcoming area for casual climbers, members, and coaching clients during the winter months.
The child-friendly environment is perfect for those transitioning from Scrambles soft play and Clip ‘n Climb. Additionally, it will function as an ‘isolation’ zone during regional, national, and international competitions and training camps.
These two new developments—the bouldering walls and the dedicated bouldering room—allow EICA to meet the growing demand for climbing facilities. They provide entry routes for complete beginners and enhance coaching pathways up to the highest levels of world-class competition.
Nic Crawshaw, Climbing Operations Manager at EICA: Ratho, commented: “It’s been a privilege to see this project come to fruition, offering even more opportunities for climbers to push their limits and refine their skills.
“The new developments enable us to expand our world-class indoor climbing facilities for people of all ages and stages, while staying up-to-date with the latest trends. Sport climbing includes three Olympic disciplines – Lead, Speed, and Boulder—and the improved facilities make EICA the only venue with international standard walls for all three disciplines, and one of only a few worldwide.”
Indoor bouldering has become the most widely practiced form of climbing. As the sport has grown in popularity and become an Olympic event, the accessibility and low barriers to participation have led to a surge in the number of bouldering walls globally.
Jamie Smith, Development Manager at Climb Scotland said: “It is fantastic to see this phase of EICA bouldering offer now open to the public.
“This is a great addition to the venue, providing a great first stepping stone in the pathway, introducing new people to our sport, in an inclusive space and environment.
“This space will naturally complement the new arena boulders by offering progression at a grassroots level, feeding into the more challenging terrain and grading found on the arena boulders.
“We are also excited to utilise the new boulders in our forthcoming Scottish Boulder Championships on the 26-27 April, which historically has attracted over 230 competitors from across the UK and internationally.
“The boulder room will likely function as a fantastic warm up area and/or isolation, whilst the main competition takes place on the new world class boulders in the arena.
“We look forward to working with the team at EICA in also attracting potential international competitions and events in the future, along hosting training for our development and national squads, supporting the performance pathway in Scotland for up-and-coming talented climbers.”
The boulders, crafted by leading climbing wall manufacturer Dreamwall in Sofia, Bulgaria, arrived at EICA in October, accompanied by their expert construction team. The holds, macros, and volumes are from the exciting brands in the Serious Climbing stable, which were prominently featured at the Olympics and the IFSC World Cup series.
The Edinburgh International Climbing Arena received £100,000 towards the bouldering redevelopment to enhance opportunities for climbers at all levels. This funding was made possible by sportscotland’s Sport Facilities Fund and National Lottery players, who raise £30 million each week for good causes across the UK.
As the UK’s largest climbing gym and the only international competition venue, EICA has hosted European Championships and World Cup events for Lead and Speed in recent years. The upgraded bouldering facilities now enable it to host all three IFSC (International Federation of Sport Climbing) and Olympic disciplines.
Bookings go live today for a Danceathon as Edinburgh Leisure get set to transform Meadowbank Sports Centre into a vibrant dance destination on Saturday, 19th April, inviting everyone to experience the joy of dance.
Event Highlights
Date: Saturday, 19th April
Time: 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Location: Meadowbank Sports Centre, London Road, EH7 6AE
Pricing:
Free for Edinburgh Leisure members
£12.50 per class for non-members
The Danceathon builds on the momentum of the national “Let’s Dance” initiative, championed by Angela Rippon CBE, which launched last month, aiming to inspire more people to discover the incredible physical and social benefits of dancing.
“Dancing is more than just exercise – it’s a celebration of movement, music, and community,” says Alex Smith, Fitness Manager at Edinburgh Leisure.
“Whether you’re a seasoned dancer or a complete beginner, we have a class that will get you moving and smiling.”
Dance Styles for Every Taste
Participants can explore a diverse range of dance classes, including:
