Tag: Edinburgh Leisure

Sporting Memories Club seeks volunteers to support older adults through sport

Sporting Memories Foundation Scotland (SMFS) and Edinburgh Leisure are calling for volunteers to help launch a new weekly club that tackles depression, dementia, and loneliness through the power of sport.

The proposed Sporting Memories Club would be based at Meadowbank, with plans to start in the new year, pending volunteer support.

Following a successful one-off session at the Royal Commonwealth Pool, to mark the launch of Edinburgh 900 exhibition, organisers are eager to establish a regular programme for older adults passionate about sports.

Volunteer Opportunity Highlights

The clubs are run by trained by Sporting Memories volunteers who use a wide range of Sporting Memories reminiscence resources developed specifically to help prompt conversation and discussion. There is always great fun and laughter, friendships are forged, and some remarkable sporting stories often emerge.

Sporting Memories has developed an innovative and engaging approach to tackling the challenges of our ageing society. Their work focuses on reducing loneliness and isolation; getting older people physically active; and helping people to live well with dementia.

Donna Mackey, Partnership Manager at SMFS, emphasised the need for volunteers: “We’re looking for people with a love of sport and some spare time. No expert sports knowledge is required – we’ll provide full training and resources.”

Key points for potential volunteers:

  • No specialised sports expertise needed
  • Comprehensive training will be provided
  • Opportunity to make a meaningful difference in community health
  • Support for older adults, including those living with dementia

Community Impact

Sam Scott from Edinburgh Leisure explained the broader significance: “These clubs support Edinburgh Leisure’s mission to keep people active and well, no matter what age or stage.

“Using the rich history and heritage of sport, we’re creating a space where older adults can connect, reminisce, and build friendships through their shared love of sport.”

The clubs offer:

  • A welcoming environment for sport enthusiasts
  • Opportunities to share sporting memories
  • Social connection and support
  • Activities designed to combat isolation and support mental well-being

Who Can Participate?

The club welcomes:

  • Older adults who enjoy talking about sport
  • Individuals living with dementia
  • Carers interested in supporting their loved ones’ social engagement

Contact Information

Volunteering Enquiries:

Donna Mackey, donna@thesmf.co.uk

Further information on running a club: 

https://www.sportingmemories.uk/volunteer/

Attendance Registrations:

Sam Scott, active@edinburghleisure.co.uk

Rising boxing star Lee McGregor prepares for career-defining moment at Meadowbank Sports Centre

Scottish boxer Lee McGregor is gearing up for the biggest fight of his career at the state-of-the-art Meadowbank Sports Centre, ahead of his upcoming bout on the high-profile Tyson Fury – Oleksandr Usyk world title rematch undercard in Saudi Arabia on 21 December.

Just days before his 28th birthday, McGregor sees this opportunity as the culmination of his lifelong boxing journey. He will face Isaac Lowe in what promises to be one of the most anticipated fights of the year.

McGregor has been meticulously preparing at Meadowbank, adapting his training schedule to match the fight’s timing in the Middle East. His camp has included diverse sparring partners from England, Glasgow, France, and Spain, ensuring comprehensive preparation for the crucial match.

The venue holds special significance for McGregor, who previously trained at Meadowbank’s amateur boxing club as a young kid, where he represented Meadowbank Amateur Boxing Club, training in the old gym.

“Being able to train back at Meadowbank with their state-of-the-art facilities and a dedicated boxing gym, is incredible,” McGregor said. “It’s where my boxing journey began, and now I’m preparing for a world-class event.”

Josh Anderson, Operations Manager at Meadowbank Sports Centre said: “It’s been a huge privilege to welcome someone of Lee’s calibre to our facilities.  We’ve enjoyed meeting him, his team and sparring partners for his final training camp, ahead of what will be the biggest fight of his life. 

“We wish him all the best and will be rooting for him.”

The £47m Meadowbank Sports Centre, reopened in July 2022, represents a significant investment in community sports and wellness, offering expanded facilities to support physical activity and athletic development.

The new venue supports accessible participation and has improved indoor facilities including two multi-sport games halls with seating, three fitness studios and a gym with triple the number of exercise stations and a boxing gym, among its facilities.

Fans interested in boxing can explore Hatton Boxing classes through Edinburgh Leisure: https://www.edinburghleisure.co.uk/hatton-boxing

https://www.edinburghleisure.co.uk/venues/meadowbank-sports-centre

‘Bould’ Over: Edinburgh Climbing Arena elevates experience with new world-class bouldering facilities

The wait is finally over as the new bouldering facilities at Edinburgh Leisure’s flagship climbing arena at Ratho open today – Saturday, 7 December 2024.

The Edinburgh International Climbing Arena received £100,000 towards bouldering redevelopment to improve opportunities to progress at all levels of the sport and was made possible from sportscotland’s Sport Facilities Fund and National Lottery Players, who raise £30 million each week for good causes across the UK.

The new state-of-the-art competition bouldering wall, designed by the Serious Climbing team at Rockcity, in partnership with Dreamwall, means that EICA: Ratho is the only climbing centre in the UK with Olympic/International standard facilities for all three climbing disciplines (lead climbing, speed climbing and bouldering).  

Nic Crawshaw, Climbing Operations Manager at EICA explained: “Designed for experienced climbers, these walls complement our existing facilities, offering even more opportunities to push climbers limits and refine their skills.

“We’ve been really privileged to work with some of the best route setters in the world. Percy Bishton, Head of the IFSC Route Setting Commission and Tokyo Olympic Chief Route Setter has led a team setting the new boulders, along with Max Aryton, another IFSC route setter and GB Climbing head of route setting, watched over by our very own highly experienced route setter Jess McCaskey.

The boulders, made by leading climbing wall manufacturer Dreamwall, in their factory in Sofia, Bulgaria, arrived at the EICA in October, along with their expert construction team. Work has taken place over the last couple of months to install the new walls.  

The holds, macros and volumes are from the exciting brands in the Serious Climbing stable, which featured heavily at the Olympics and the IFSC World Cup series.

In celebration of the new bouldering facilities, EICA: Ratho has a December Bouldering Competition with the chance to win a year of free climbing.  There is a special no-joining-fee offer for Climb Memberships too, available until 31st January 2025.

And for those just visiting Edinburgh or still deciding on a membership, there is the possibility to grab a 2-week Winter Pass by 18th December and experience everything EICA has to offer – including the new arena boulders. The Winter Pass is perfect for joining the December Bouldering Competition.

As the UK’s largest climbing gym and the only international competition venue, it has hosted European Championships and World Cup for Lead and Speed in recent years, but the bouldering facilities needed an upgrade to enable it to host all three IFSC (International Federation of Sport Climbing) and Olympic disciplines.

As Mark English, Managing Director of Rockcity explained: “With these new, modern flat-panelled bouldering walls and another freestanding boulder the Edinburgh community now has the best facilities in the city and surrounding area, using an unrivalled climbing hold selection and world class route setting.

“Now the work’s complete you can expect to see Edinburgh Leisure’s flagship climbing experience jump into the future and host some amazing competition and circuit-based bouldering in the coming year.”

Welcoming the investment, Emma Ogilvie-Hall, Head of Operations at Edinburgh Leisure said: “We’re very grateful to the sportscotland funding and National Lottery players that has allowed us to replace our outdated bouldering facilities at the Edinburgh International Climbing Arena (EICA) with facilities that are of Olympic/International Climbing standard, meaning that Scotland is able to host bouldering competitions and national training camps and allow the EICA to keep our national and international profile as a world-class climbing facility.

“With indoor bouldering now the most widely practised form of climbing it will ensure that the EICA can continue as a world class venue for all three climbing disciplines – lead, speed, and bouldering – while continuing to provide climbers of all ages and abilities with access to opportunities to participate in and progress through the sport.” 

Jamie Smith, ClimbScotland Development Manager at Mountaineering Scotland said: “It is great to see this development come to fruition.

“The bouldering upgrade at EICA in the arena has been a strategic priority for a number of years and Mountaineering Scotland has supported the need for this through our facility strategy.

“Over the years, EICA has supported and hosted a number of our competitions as well as training events for our development and national squads. We look forward to our next event at EICA and getting on the new boulders”

Watch a fly through of the new arena boulders; 

For further information and to join:
https://www.edinburghleisure.co.uk/new-bouldering

Revolutionary swim teaching tool launches in Edinburgh

Visual cards break down barriers for inclusive swimming lessons

A PIONEERING visual teaching tool has launched in Edinburgh, making swimming lessons more accessible to everyone.

Supporting Scottish Swimming and Scottish Water’s vision to create ‘Generation Swim’, SwimPix – a collection of waterproof visual instruction cards- is helping to transform how Edinburgh Leisure and George Watsons swimming teachers communicate with their students.

The cards represent the latest learning development in the Learn to Swim National Framework, which currently helps around 81,000 children and adults learn to swim each week across Scotland.

SwimPix features multiple display options, including sequence boards and lesson planners, covering lessons through pictures which children with autism, hearing impairments, or where English isn’t their first language may find benefit – supporting the Framework commitment to creating inclusive, supportive and quality environments in which individuals can learn to swim regardless of their age, ability or skill level.

Alison Bell, Founder of Aswim, said: “SwimPix are a tried and tested teaching and communication tool for swimming teachers that helps create a more inclusive swimming environment.

“It’s great to see teachers using SwimPix and children having fun in the lesson with the cards.  It really reduces anxieties and helps children know what the teacher is asking them to do, therefore faster learning.”

Edinburgh Leisure and George Watsons are two of 37 Learn to Swim providers who are introducing the SwimPix cards in their lessons across 165 pools in Scotland.

Euan Lowe, Chief Executive Officer at Scottish Swimming, said: “By making swimming lessons more accessible through tools like SwimPix, we’re taking another significant step toward our mission of creating a generation of confident and safer swimmers.

“These visual teaching resources ensure that swimming really is for everyone – breaking down communication barriers and helping all children feel included and supported in the water.”

Peter Farrer, Chief Operating Officer at Scottish Water said: “Learning to swim and understanding water safety are vital life skills, especially in Scotland where we have so many miles of rivers, reservoirs, lochs and coastline to enjoy.

“Rolling out inclusive teaching tools like SwimPix is such a positive step, helping provide opportunities for every child to learn the vital knowledge and skills to help them feel safe in, on and around water – and help their parents and family network feel confident and comfortable in their swimming abilities.”

The initiative forms part of wider efforts to remove barriers to swimming across Scotland, with visual learning tools becoming increasingly important in inclusive education.

The Learn to Swim National Framework has already seen more than 100,000 children take part in lessons up and down the country and is targeting another 100,000 by 2025.

For more information on the Learn to Swim programme, visit:  

https://www.scottishswimming.com/learn-to-swim 

Hit the Ground Running with Edinburgh Leisure’s Winter Pass

Channel your inner winter Olympian and race ahead of the New Year fitness rush with Edinburgh Leisure’s new Winter Pass initiative. Designed for both seasoned athletes and beginners alike, this limited-time offer brings the thrill of winter sports energy to your fitness journey.

“Just like preparing for the slopes, there’s no better time to build your fitness foundation than before the peak season,” says Ally Strachan, Fitness Development Manager Edinburgh Leisure.

“Our Winter Pass is your lift ticket to wellness, offering an incredible variety of facilities and activities at an exceptional value.”

The Winter Pass provides a dynamic two-week membership experience for just £25, available from 18th November to 18th December. Pass holders gain unlimited access to:

  • 17 state-of-the-art gyms
  • Athletic training facilities
  • Evolve at Meadowbank
  • 12 swimming pools for endurance training
  • Saunas, steam rooms, and the historic Turkish Baths at Portobello
  • Over 750+ weekly fitness classes to rival any training camp
  • Six golf courses for those preferring a different pace

Similar to a season pass at a ski resort, the Winter Pass can be renewed for an additional two weeks, allowing fitness enthusiasts to maintain momentum through the festive period. This flexibility accommodates both high-intensity training schedules and more relaxed approaches to wellness.

Health experts emphasise that maintaining physical activity during the pre-holiday season is crucial for:

  • Boosting immunity during the winter months
  • Managing seasonal stress
  • Supporting mental wellbeing
  • Building stamina for winter sports activities

Edinburgh Leisure’s facilities, conveniently located throughout the city, feature state-of-the-art fitness equipment and expert staff ready to support every fitness journey – from first-time gym-goers to seasoned athletes.

“Consider this your early Christmas present to yourself,” adds Ally Strachan. “When others are just starting their New Year’s resolutions, you’ll already be in peak condition.”

Edinburgh Leisure is a charity dedicated to creating opportunities for everyone to lead more active, healthy lives. With state-of-the-art facilities across Edinburgh, they’re committed to making fitness accessible and enjoyable for all.

For more information, visit: https://www.edinburghleisure.co.uk/winter-pass

Edinburgh Leisure’s Festive Gymnastics Spectacular – It’s a Balancing Act!

Tickets are now available for Edinburgh Leisure’s 18th annual Festive Gymnastics Display, where more than 800 gymnasts and cheerleaders from six Edinburgh Leisure venues, plus guest clubs, will come together to dazzle audiences at Meadowbank Sports Centre on Sunday, 24 November 2024.

Dorothy McQueen, Gymnastics Development Officer, explained: “Gymnastics is a great way for individuals to learn and build on the fundamentals required for physical development, well-being, and personal growth.

“Our annual Festive Display provides a fun and energetic way to the showcase skills the gymnasts and athletes have been working so hard on throughout the year.

“The focus for this event is on participation and enjoyment, rather than perfection, allowing gymnasts and athletes of all skill levels to shine. The atmosphere is relaxed and supportive, making it a delightful experience.

“It’s a bit of a balancing act to keep youngsters interested and engaged in sport, but our Festive Display adds a real sparkle to our programme for both participants and spectators!”

Alongside over 30 performances by Edinburgh Leisure gymnasts, the event will feature special guest appearances from regional clubs like Acrobay, Cheer Evolution, City of Edinburgh, Falkirk, Jack Kane, and Kestrel, showcasing a range of talent.

Edinburgh Leisure is also looking for volunteers to help the event run smoothly. With over 1,500 spectators and 500+ participants expected, volunteers are crucial to keeping things on track.

“You don’t need to know anything about gymnastics to help,” Dorothy McQueen shared. “It’s a great opportunity to get involved, whether assisting with registration, helping out in the warm-up area, or guiding guests to their seats. Anyone with time to spare, even part of the day, is welcome!”

Anyone interested should contact Dorothy McQueen – Dorothy.mcqueen@edinburghleisure.co.uk 

Tickets are priced at £5.50 each for spectators aged 5 and over, while under-5s enter for free (though without a reserved seat).

Tickets are available for either the morning or afternoon sessions via Ticket Source – https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/edinburgh-leisure-events

Edinburgh Leisure’s gymnastics programme offers something for everyone, from Baby Nippers for toddlers to more advanced classes for older children in disciplines like general gymnastics, trampolining, acro and display gymnastics. It’s just one of 12 sports offered across 17 venues, all designed to help children improve agility, develop new skills, and grow their confidence.

To find out more about gymnastics classes and coaching opportunities, visit Edinburgh Leisure’s website for inspiration.

https://www.edinburghleisure.co.uk/activities/coaching

Edinburgh Leisure: One penny, endless possibilities

If you’re ready to embark on a journey towards a healthier, more active lifestyle, there has never been a better time to take the first step with a special promotion at Edinburgh Leisure – just in time to drop a few pounds before the Christmas festivities.

From 25th October to 10th November, you can join any of Edinburgh Leisure’s fitness, climb or golf memberships for a joining fee of just one penny. This limited-time offer is your golden opportunity to experience the benefits of being a part of Edinburgh Leisure.

Their memberships are designed to cater to all fitness levels and interests. Whether you’re a seasoned athlete or just starting out, they have something for everyone.  The new Evolve Membership at Meadowbank Sports Centre is also included in this offer.

By taking advantage of this offer, you’ll gain access to 50+ venues, including 17 top-notch gyms, 12 swimming pools, 6 golf courses, 1 world-class climbing arena, and sports facilities across the city. Enjoy the flexibility of choosing from over 750 fitness classes each week, including yoga, pilates, spinning, and more.

Their expert trainers are there to support and motivate you every step of the way, ensuring you achieve your fitness goals in a fun and engaging environment. 

And as a member, you can also enjoy additional member benefits like priority bookings, and free gym introduction. There is no contract – and you can freeze or cancel your membership at any time.   

So, wherever you’re at on the map or in life, Edinburgh Leisure has something to suit your needs.

To join online, visit: https://www.edinburghleisure.co.uk/join-for-one-penny

Edinburgh Leisure launches new Volunteer Strategy

Edinburgh Leisure, the city’s largest provider of sports and leisure services across the Scottish capital has launched a new Volunteer Strategy for 2024-2027.

Volunteers are the heart of Edinburgh Leisure’s Active Communities programme. Their 187 dedicated volunteers make a huge impact, making it possible to deliver over 160 health and wellbeing classes each week, supporting over 12,500 to be active and well.

In 2023-24 Edinburgh Leisure saw a 14% increase in referrals to their Active Communities projects on the previous year (a 41% increase on pre-pandemic levels) demonstrating the growing need and demand for their services.

Next year they need to raise almost £1m in external funding to enable them to continue to deliver the level of support they currently provide and grow their programme to support increasing demand

Stephen Hughes, Volunteer Development Manager at Edinburgh Leisure said: “The new strategy outlines our commitment to growing our volunteer programme over the next three years, with a focus on enhancing the volunteer experience, expanding opportunities to make volunteering accessible to all, and strengthening our ties within the Edinburgh Community.

At Edinburgh Leisure, no matter what role is undertaken as a volunteer, training and support is provided.  While their volunteers support Edinburgh Leisure to help their participants get and stay active, they will support volunteers to get the most out of their time with them, empowering them to make their volunteering experience what they want it to be. 

In June 2018, Edinburgh Leisure’s Ageing Well programme, which promotes healthy lifestyles for older adults, earned the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service (QAVS)—the equivalent to an ‘MBE’ for volunteering. Without their volunteers, many of their initiatives simply wouldn’t exist.  

Earlier in September 2024, the Edinburgh Lord Lieutenant, Robert Aldridge, accompanied by the Deputy Lieutenant, Elaine Aitken, visited the team to see how they had utilised the award, learnt about its benefits for their volunteers and organisation, and discussed their plans for the future.

The new Volunteer Strategy follows hot on the heels of the launch in September 2024 of Edinburgh Leisure’s first Impact Report since 2015.

If you have time on your hands and would be interested in volunteering with Edinburgh Leisure, you can find out more by clicking here or contact: Stephen Hughes, Volunteer Development Manager at Edinburgh Leisure – stephenhughes@edinburghleisure.co.uk

Download the new Volunteer Strategy

Capital marks Challenge Poverty Week

The city council and partners from across the city are marking Challenge Poverty Week.

Running from Monday 7 to Sunday 13 October 2024, Challenge Poverty Week is a national campaign highlighting the challenges people living in poverty are facing and how we can work together to make Scotland a fairer and more equal place to live.

The Edinburgh Tenants Federation held a free event at Norton Park Conference Centre on Monday, featuring stalls, support and guest speakers discussing Edinburgh’s housing emergency.

On Wednesday, End Poverty Edinburgh, a group of people with lived experience of poverty, held their second citizen-led conference at the Grassmarket Community Project, supported by the Council.

This year’s event focused on collective action to combat community exclusion, focusing on child poverty, health and wellbeing,

The Council will publish the results of the city’s latest annual poverty report tomorrow (Friday 11 October).

This report will provide the fourth annual overview on progress made by the Council and partners in response to the calls to action made by the Edinburgh Poverty Commission to end poverty by 2030, and will be considered by members of the Policy and Sustainability Committee later this month (22 October).

Throughout the week, a series of blogs will be shared by the Edinburgh Poverty Commission shining a light on council support and services.

Edinburgh Leisure is also highlighting the help and support it can offer people experiencing barriers to an active lifestyle, including the option of a Get Active Card which provides affordable access to venues for people in receipt of certain benefits.

Council Leader Cammy Day said: “In a thriving Capital city like Edinburgh it is shocking that thousands of people are suffering from low incomes, high living costs and even homelessness.

“That’s why we’ve made it a commitment of this Council to do all that we can with our partners to end poverty. Challenge Poverty Week is an opportunity for us to focus our efforts and make sure people know where to turn to for support.

“We’ve made good progress delivering against the targets set by the Edinburgh Poverty Commission four years ago and we’re looking forward to publishing the results of our annual report later this week.

“The funding and the support we’ve put in place is making a real difference to people’s lives, but the cost of living has risen. We face a housing emergency, and we need to prioritise this work now, more than ever.”

Peter Kelly of The Poverty Alliance said: “We’re very pleased that Edinburgh is marking this year’s Challenge Poverty Week.

“In a rich country like ours, poverty is an injustice that weakens us all as a society. But we can solve it. We can redesign our economy to make sure people have incomes that are adequate enough to live a life with freedom and dignity.”

More information about events taking place across Edinburgh can be found on Eventbrite. Information, advice and support for residents experiencing or at risk of poverty can be found on the Council’s cost of living webpages.

Helping people experiencing poverty to live active healthy lives

As the UK gets ready for Challenge Poverty Week (Monday 7th October to Sunday 13 October), Edinburgh Leisure, the largest provider of sports and leisure facilities across the city, is working in local communities to support more people living in poverty and affected by inequalities to be active and well.

Poverty and poor health are inextricably linked. Despite Edinburgh being one of the wealthiest cities in the UK, Edinburgh faces some of the greatest levels of inequality. 

The Edinburgh Poverty Commission estimates that almost 82,000 people are living in poverty. And in terms of life expectancy, a person born in an affluent part of Edinburgh can expect to live 14 years longer, than somebody living in a poorer area.

Forty-three percent of adults living in the most deprived communities in Scotland do not meet the recommended amount of physical activity compared with twenty-seven percent of adults living in the least deprived areas.

Helen Macfarlane, Director of Wellbeing at Edinburgh Leisure said: “Being active is one of the best things we can do for our health, wellbeing, and quality of life. Yet many people living in poverty can face barriers to being active, such as cost, lack of confidence and knowledge of what support is available. 

“As part of Challenge Poverty Week, we’re aware there are many people experiencing poverty or health inequalities that don’t know about the help and support Edinburgh Leisure can give them.

“We’d like to raise awareness of our £10 Get Active card so that more adults experiencing poverty enjoy the life-changing benefits of being active with us.  If you know someone who is receiving benefits, they may be eligible for a £10 Get Active Card, which offers off-peak access to Edinburgh Leisure facilities.”

Edinburgh Leisure’s target is to attract 250 new Get Active Card holders across their venues in October. They currently sell around 600 passes each month.

People in receipt of the following benefits are eligible for a Get Active Card:

  • Universal Credit
  • Income support
  • Job seekers allowance
  • Guaranteed pension credit
  • Employment Support Allowance (ESA)

A Get Active Card offers off-peak access to all Edinburgh Leisure gyms and gym classes; swimming, saunas and steam rooms; and group fitness classes. No joining fees are payable, there is no monthly subscription, and people can pay when they can.

If eligible visit a local Edinburgh Leisure venue and speak to one of Edinburgh Leisure’s Welcome Hosts to sign up or top up your card whenever you want to be active.

https://www.edinburghleisure.co.uk/get-active-card