It’s never too early to get your child active for life by starting them young – and now’s the perfect time to unlock your kid’s sporting potential with Edinburgh Leisure’s ‘Come and Try Week’ coaching taster sessions, running from 29April – 4 May.
For 3-5 years let your child release their inner Pavel Karnejenko and Lottie Smith and help them develop motor skills, balance, and agility with the gymnastics tasters. And for those that have been inspired by the likes of Paralympian swimmer Scott Quin, who is also a swim coach at Edinburgh Leisure, there are swimming taster sessions. There will also be multi-sport, and basketball taster classes on offer too.
For Primary 1s – 7s, there’s basketball and athletics, where kids can show their athletic prowess in running, jumping, and throwing.
Each taster session last from 30-60 minutes and booking online is essential. With multiple sports across multiple venues across the city, there is something for all the family wherever they are at or on the map. From £3.00 a class, this is the perfect opportunity to try something new. Spaces are limited and subject to availability.
As the biggest provider of sports coaching facilities across Edinburgh, led by qualified and experienced coaches in a fun environment, Edinburgh Leisure’s coaching programme will help your child develop new skills, improve their agility, and grow confidence.
As the biggest provider of sport and fitness in the city, Edinburgh Leisure has launched their latest membership offer. The new membership offers more flexibility and value than ever before.
Edinburgh Leisure has unlocked fitness, swim, gym, and fitness class memberships giving customers access to all venues across the city, including 12 pools, 17 gyms and over 750 fitness classes each week. There will be a limited time no joining fee offer from 15 April – 31 May 2024.
Jill Davidson, Head of Marketing, Communications and Sales explains “We are committed to providing the best membership options that will support the health and wellbeing of Edinburgh.
“We’ve changed our offering to allow more people to be active through sport and fitness and allow our venues to thrive in their communities.”
The updated memberships include a lower price for Full Fitness and access to all venues for Gym, Swim and Fitness Class Members. Customers can now do the activities they love where they want, and when they want; choosing to train at any gym and attend a host of new fitness classes with any of their instructors.
In addition, site only memberships continue to be available at selected School and Fitness venues. Community School Memberships include: Queensferry High School, Trinity Academy Sports Campus, Wester Hailes High School. And Community Fitness Memberships include Dalry Swim Centre, Kirkliston Leisure Centre, and Jack Kane Sports Centre.
Climb and Golf Memberships can be bought separately or as bolt-ons to any existing membership to give customers more access than ever before.
To welcome the changes to membership, Edinburgh Leisure is offering a limited time ‘no joining fee’ from 15 April – 31 May 2024, available online or in venue.
Edinburgh Leisure boasts 1 world class climbing centre, 6 golf courses, 3 soft play centres, 8 saunas and 4 steam rooms, 12 swimming pools, 17 state of the art gyms, and 750 fitness classes per week across 25 venues.
Memberships have been tailored to offer customers flexibility wherever you’re at, in life or in the city!
Scott Quin, a swim teacher with Edinburgh Leisure will be heading to The British Swimming Championships at the London Aquatics Centre in early April, hoping to qualify for a place in the Paris 2024 Paralympics (28th August – 8 September 2024).
Born with Crouzon Syndrome, a rare genetic disorder, the ex-Warrender Baths-based swimmer has been swimming professionally for the last 12 years, funded by sportscotland and Scottish Swimming. Scott has shown himself to be one of the strongest S14 swimmers in the country, having won medals at Paralympic, World and European level.
Scott Quin said: “At the age of 34 years, I’m now considered something of a veteran and realistically this will probably be my last opportunity to try for a place in the Paralympics.
“Having made my Paralympic debut at Rio 2016, marking it with a silver medal in the SB14 100m Breaststroke, it would be great to finish my competitive swimming career with one more chance to bring a medal home.
“For now, I’m busy with intense training and lots of swimming at the Royal Commonwealth and Edinburgh University pools, six to seven times a week combined with gym-based training at the Uni’s Pleasance gym and at the Commie, as well as working at my day job as a swim coach at Edinburgh Leisure’s Leith Victoria Swim Centre.”
Now considered a ‘veteran athlete’, and with his competitive swim career coming to an end and funding from British Swimming stopping, Quin explored opportunities outside of competitive swimming.
Edinburgh Leisure offered him the chance to join their Swim Teacher Training Programme last summer for his next career pathway, where he could progress from being a full-time athlete and move into the ‘real working world’ but where he could still combine a career which involved swimming.
The Swim Teacher Training programme, a structured 13-week training programme, ticked a lot of boxes for Scott – as not only does he receive training but also a salary, and on completion of the programme, was offered a job.
Scott said: “Life, as you can imagine, is particularly busy just now but I’m really excited about heading to London in April for the British Swimming Championships. I’m keeping everything crossed that I make the grade to join the team representing my country.”
The British Swimming Championships are returning to the London Aquatics Centre in 2024 and for the first time, the swimming and para-swimming events will fully combine in one competition as athletes look to book their place at Paris 2024.
The 2024 championships will take place at the venue at Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park from 2-7 April with the event playing a key role in the selection of the British Olympic and Paralympic swimming teams for the Games in July.
Olympic and Paralympic swimming event schedules will run concurrently in the same programme across six days of heats and finals sessions. The para-swimming events will be run with multi-classification competitions.
It’s the first time since 2015 that the national championships will be held at the Aquatics Centre although it staged the British Swimming Selection Trials ahead of the Tokyo Olympics in 2021.
Edinburgh Leisure’s flagship climbing arena at Ratho has benefitted from a major funding investment from sportscotland’s Sport Facilities Fund.
The Edinburgh International Climbing Arena has received £100,000 towards bouldering redevelopment which will improve opportunities to progress at all levels of the sport.
The redevelopment will ensure that Ratho becomes the only climbing centre in the UK with Olympic standard facilities for all three climbing disciplines (lead climbing, speed climbing and bouldering).
This investment has been made possible thanks to National Lottery players, who raise £30 million each week for good causes across the UK.
Welcoming the investment,Emma Ogilvie-Hall, Head of Operations at Edinburgh Leisure said:“We’re delighted and very grateful to receive the sportscotland funding that means we can replace our outdated bouldering facilities at the Edinburgh International Climbing Arena (EICA).
“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.
“It will also mean 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.”
The EICA:Ratho is among 18 projects across Scotland to share a total of £1,506,263 from sportscotland to develop existing facilities or create a new home for sport and physical activity.
Chief Executive of sportscotland, Forbes Dunlop, said:“The aim of the Sports Facilities Fund is to support sustainable and inclusive projects with their ambitions of using sport and physical activity to enhance the lives of their local communities. This investment would not be possible without National Lottery players who continue to raise vital funding for sport across Scotland.
“The physical and mental health benefits of sport are well documented, but equally important is the ability to create a space where everyone is welcome to participate at their own level.
“Projects like this one at the EICA not only create opportunities for people to take part in sport and physical activity but can also provide a place for communities to come together.”
The Sports Facilities Fund prioritises projects that widen access to participation or allow people to progress further within their chosen sport locally by removing barriers, particularly in rural areas or areas of deprivation, and for under-represented groups.
In addition to the investment, projects can benefit from the expertise within sportscotland’s facilities team to maximise the impact that their plans will have, ensuring they meet the needs of their local communities now and in the future.
Edinburgh-based physical activity charity, Edinburgh Leisure, has announced the appointment of a new Chief Executive. Jen Holland will join Edinburgh Leisure on Monday, 18th March 2024, from Scottish Borders Council.
Jen is currently Director of Strategic Commissioning and Partnerships having been with Scottish Borders Council since March 2019.
She takes over from CEO, June Peebles, who retired at the end of February 2024.
A qualified accountant by professional qualification, Jen Holland joins Edinburgh Leisure with a wealth of sector experience and insight, having previously worked with various public sector and charity organisations including Fife Cultural Trust, NHS Fife, Live Borders, and Scottish Borders Council.
Scott Haldane, Chair of Edinburgh Leisure’s Board said: “June’s outstanding leadership has left an indelible mark on the business, exemplifying exceptional skills and a clear vision for individual and organisational performance.
“While everyone – staff and customers alike – was sad to see June go, she has left behind an organisation that is mature and certain of its purpose. A charity dedicated to make a positive difference by creating opportunities for everyone to get active, stay active and achieve more.
“She has nurtured a committed and enthusiastic team who will continue to work with the City of Edinburgh Council and other partners, ensuring Edinburgh Leisure continues to thrive.”
Jen Holland said, “I am delighted to be joining Edinburgh Leisure as CEO and looks forward to working with colleagues, customers, partners and local communities.
“Edinburgh Leisure has an incredible track record and commitment to improving the health and wellbeing of the people of Edinburgh through a huge variety of services, programmes and projects and I am very proud to be able to lead the organisation in the continuation of this work.”
Edinburgh Leisure operate over 50 first class venues across the City and offer hundreds of activities for people to enjoy no matter what their age and stage.
From the iconic Royal Commonwealth Pool, the brand-new purpose-built Meadowbank Sports Centre, Victorian Swim Centres, Europe’s largest climbing arena, six golf courses, leisure centres and school facilities; all facilities are based in the heart of Edinburgh’s communities.
Edinburgh Leisure is committed to creating opportunities for everyone to be and stay active. This places them in the unique position to use their venues and expertise to harness the power of physical activity and sport to tackle inequalities and combat the effects of inactivity.
The Active Communities Team have a big role to play, working with partners and focusing on individuals and communities who need additional support to be active and enjoy improved wellbeing.
Active Communities support over 10,000 people affected by health conditions, disabilities, inequalities, and poverty to overcome barriers and tackle inequalities to improve their health and wellbeing.
The services Active Communities provide are at no or low-cost, and in her role as CEO June helped influence receipt of statutory funding to deliver this valuable work. Jen will take up this mantle as more and more people need support in Edinburgh.
Eden Scott worked with Edinburgh Leisure to support the recruitment process.
With the clocks going forward at the end of the month and spring most definitely on the horizon, take advantage of Edinburgh Leisure’s new Spring Pass to kickstart your fitness regime.
It has never been more important to look after your wellbeing so Edinburgh Leisure, a charity dedicated to creating opportunities for everyone to lead more active, healthy lives has launched a two-week pass for wherever you’re at this spring, so you can try before you buy.
A short-term alternative to a full-time membership, the two-week pass costs just £20 for 14 days. Available to buy online or in venue from 1st – 31st March, the Spring Pass includes unlimited access to all Edinburgh Leisure’s 17 state-of-the-art gyms, 12 swimming pools, the Turkish Baths at Portobello Swim Centre, all steam rooms and saunas, over 750+ fitness classes per week, and Europe’s largest climbing arena at Ratho, and represents excellent value for money.
The pass isn’t restricted to one pass per person either – if you wish to buy a second pass after your first pass expires, it’ll mean you’re doubly on the way to reaching those fitness goals.
And everyone who purchases a pass is automatically entered into a prize draw to win a year’s free membership with Edinburgh Leisure.
Edinburgh Leisure’s facilities are second to none and offer choice and great value, across various city locations. Their gyms feature some of the latest fitness equipment and you will be assured a warm welcome, with helpful staff ready to help you reach your fitness goals.
So, embrace the longer days and lighter evenings and gift yourself a wellness present.
Two years on since Russia invaded Ukraine on 24 February 2022, a Ukrainian woman has expressed her ‘enormous thanks’ to Edinburgh Leisure for a leisure pass which has proved a lifeline for her and her family.
Fleeing from the war in Kharkiv, Ukraine, Maryna Ivanova, a Ukrainian refugee who arrived in Edinburgh on 25th April 2022, with her two 7-year-old twins, Sasha and Kit, has had support to access Edinburgh Leisure facilities as part of the Relocated People Access Programme (RPAP). Maryna shared some feedback with Edinburgh Leisure saying: ‘I cannot emphasise enough how significant this opportunity has been for us. I believe that this has been pivotal in preventing me from succumbing to depression.”
Phil Trodden, Active Communities Development Officer at Edinburgh Leisure explained: “Making a positive impact on people’s health and wellbeing is at the heart of what Edinburgh Leisure does.
“In 2018, the Relocated People Access Programme was created by Edinburgh Leisure in partnership with the City of Edinburgh Council’s Refugee and Migration team to support relocated individuals new to Edinburgh.
“Fast forward to 2022 and the programme had to quickly respond to the Ukrainian Refugee crisis and, since then has been making a substantial impact on the lives of those seeking refuge in Edinburgh.
“Since April 2022, the Relocated People Access Programme has been working together with the City of Edinburgh Council’s Refugee and Migration team and Welcome Hubs, providing valuable information on how to access Edinburgh Leisure activities.
“We were so touched that Maryna reached out to Edinburgh Leisure to thank us for the contribution it has had to her and her family’s mental and physical well-being and quality of life. This is just one of the ways that Edinburgh Leisure’s Active Communities team is helping people overcome the barriers to being and staying active and enabling more people to enjoy the life-changing benefits of an active life.”
In recognition of the high numbers of refugees accessing Edinburgh Leisure services and the contribution the programme was making to the refugees’ wellbeing, the City of Edinburgh Council awarded Edinburgh Leisure £100,000 for the programme in 2022-23 and 2023-24.
Since April 2023, Edinburgh Leisure has supported 1,192 refugees to be active and there have been 19,502 visits to Edinburgh Leisure activities e.g. gym, swimming, fitness classes, and coached activities, including tennis, gymnastics, climbing, trampolining, and diving.
Referral rates peaked in 2022 and have now reduced to around 50 participants per month, mirroring the changing refugee population in the city.
Maryna Ivanova wrote to Edinburgh Leisure saying: “Over the past one and a half years, my family and I have been recipients of the privileges granted by Edinburgh Leisure, and I cannot emphasize enough how significant this opportunity has been for us.
“Before the war, both my children, my husband, and I were regular attendees at a sports complex in Kharkiv, engaging in various sports activities almost daily.
“When the war forced us to flee to Scotland, seeking refuge and safety for our children, the initial weeks and even months were filled with a sense of disorientation. Everything was new and unfamiliar, there was a lack of employment opportunities, and the overall situation was both challenging and frightening, especially considering my pregnancy. It was at this critical juncture that we received our Edinburgh Leisure membership card.
“We immediately utilized the facilities, heading to the gym and swimming pools. I believe that this decision played a pivotal role in preventing me from succumbing to depression. The routine of morning exercises brought me back to a more balanced perception of reality and fuelled my determination to overcome adversity.
“Every lap in the pool and every workout in the gym was infused with gratitude towards your organization. It enabled me to push myself to attend English language courses and secure employment in the local school. I continued with sports activities until the very end of my pregnancy, and now, my little one, a new resident of Scotland, accompanies me to the pool.
“We managed to get back on our feet, and secure housing, and currently, my children participate in various sections of your network (gymnastics, trampolining, swimming, and diving), and we are grateful that we can afford to pay for these activities now. However, it all started with the initial impulse from the ‘RPAP’ card.
“I want to extend heartfelt thanks on behalf of all Ukrainians in Edinburgh for the crucial support that was so desperately needed and that we received from your organisation. Thank you once again for making a significant difference in our lives.”
Council Leader Cammy Day said: “The feedback received from Maryna, one of the Ukrainian refugees is a touching testament to the value of the Relocated People Access Programme and the impact it is having on people’s lives. We’re proud to support refugees as they settle into their new lives in our city.
“In the face of unimaginable adversity, Maryna Ivanova’s story exemplifies the triumph of the human spirit and the transformative power of community support and sport and physical activity. Through her resilience and perseverance, Maryna has overcome the trauma of displacement.
“As she continues her journey of rebuilding her family’s life in Edinburgh, Maryna’s story serves as a beacon of hope and inspiration for refugees worldwide and we’re glad to have been able to play a part.”
Two-thirds of parents in the UK are worried about their children’s mental health. And rightly so, as 1 in 6 children in the UK are experiencing mental health problems.
When children are anxious and stressed, parents are often anxious and stressed.
That’s why Edinburgh Leisure is taking a whole family approach to wellbeing and empowering employees to support their children’s mental health.
Employees now have access to the Wee Seeds Mini-Minds Wellbeing Toolbox. It’s a programme of fun and easy mindfulness exercises for children, all about bringing calm and connection to families.
Helen Macfarlane, Director of Wellbeing at Edinburgh Leisure said: Encouraging and supporting people’s health and wellbeing is at the heart of what we do at Edinburgh Leisure.
“We deliver a range of wellbeing initiatives to support our customers’ and employees’ health and wellbeing.
!We’re investing in our employees’ mental health. So, we’re taking a whole family approach to mental health and empowering our employees to support their children by giving them access to the @WeeSeeds Mini-Minds Wellbeing Toolbox. Our staff deserve good mental health and so do their children.”
Wee Seeds Founder, Christina Cran, said: “We believe it’s time for employers to take a whole family approach to mental health.
“All the areas of our life, work, home, and social life, intersect with each other. By working on having a calm family environment at home, we can improve all areas of our lives. Calm families, equal calm staff. That’s why we’re delighted to support Edinburgh Leisure with their staff and their families’ wellbeing.
“Our Mini-Minds Toolbox is designed to help shape the next generation’s mental health. The mental health crisis starts with our children, it’s time we tackle that early.”
Mindfulness can help children:
– Focus more easily and be ready to learn – Sleep better – Feel less anxious – Feel more connected to their family – Build resilience – Understand their emotions – Deal with frustration better – Become kinder to others and themselves
These are skills children can use today and for the rest of their lives so we are also investing in the future of the workforce.
As a social enterprise, all profits Wee Seeds makes go back into its social impact programme.
So, by partnering with Wee Seeds, Edinburgh Leisure will also contribute to Wee Seeds’ social impact programme Growing Good, which will support families in poverty or struggling with their mental health to nurture their mental well-being.
To find out more about how Wee Seeds is improving mental health, visit weeseeds.co.uk
New aquatic exercise research for fall prevention looking for participants to get involved
An exciting new aquatic exercise research study is looking for participants to get involved.
Aqua Steps, is a new exercise programme, developed by experts in the field from the University of Edinburgh, Glasgow Caledonian University and Edinburgh Leisure. The programmes are delivered as part of a research project, and aims to improve the balance, strength, endurance, confidence, and independence of the participants.
One-third of people aged 65 years or over fall every year with more than 4 million people falling each year in the UK, which is approximately 11,000 people daily. Falls reduce quality of life, lead to nursing home admissions, cause about 90% of hip fractures and half of deaths due to injury. The annual NHS and social care cost for fall-related injuries is more than £3.3 billion.
Older adults who have some of the following: feel unstable/unsteady; have poor gait or balance, have a history of falling or are at risk of falling, have low bone density or previous fracture are encouraged to get in touch to take part.
Dr Stelios Psycharakis, Senior Lecturer in Biomechanics at the University of Edinburgh said: “Aquatic exercise can improve many of these factors and has many benefits.
“For example, the buoyancy of the water reduces spine and joint loads and allows exercising without having to support one’s weight, while the pressure of the water on the body assists with balance and mobility which may be preferable for people who find land exercise challenging or have high risk/fear of falling.”
Amy Fastier, Health Development Officer (Falls Prevention) at Edinburgh Leisure said: “We’re delighted to be working in partnership with the University of Edinburgh.
“The study is looking to see if water-based classes have similar benefits as land based as there is no current research on water based activity in preventing falls.
“Participants don’t need to be strong swimmers as the exercises take place in shallow water and everyone will be encouraged to work at their own pace during the class, guided by our expert instructors.
“People who may have difficulty getting in and out of the pool without some help, are welcome to bring along a family member, carer, or friend.
“Pools hoists (for safe entry/exit from the water) are available at swimming pools and will be used when necessary.”
High-quality research on aquatic exercise in fall prevention is scarce. This programme will deliver an aquatic intervention for people with high risk of falls. The data we get will be used to look at the programme’s effects on falls risk and compare it with an established land-based programme, Steady Steps, which is delivered by Edinburgh Leisure to see whether there are similar benefits to the existing research on land-based classes.
The classes are free, with the cost covered by funding provided by the Chief Scientist Office for Scotland. The exercise sessions will take place in the shallow water only in one of five swimming pools in Edinburgh and Midlothian*.
The pools are Warrender Swim Centre (Marchmont), Dalry Swim Centre (Dalry), Ainslie Park Leisure Centre (Inverleith/Pilton), Glenogle Swim Centre (Stockbridge) and Penicuik Leisure Centre (Penicuik).
Participants would be required to attend for two sessions per week (30 minutes in the water for each session) over a course of 16 weeks. Different time slots will be available.
The programme will start in the first week of March 2024 (last week of March for Penicuik).
Interested parties willing to take part should contact the Aqua Steps administrator, Diane Chirnside on AquaSteps@ed.ac.uk and will be assessed for their willingness/ability to participate and complete the intervention.
Spaces are limited so people are encouraged to get in touch as soon as possible, and ideally by early to mid-February.
Looking for ways to keep the kids amused this half term, then look no further than some free football being offered by Edinburgh Leisure.
Suitable for young people aged 11 – 18 years, the football sessions will run on the main pitch at Meadowbank Sports Centre from 1:30pm – 3:00pm on Tuesday, 13th, Thursday 15th and Friday, 16th February..
Participants can come along, stay active and socialise while enjoying the outdoors. Sessions don’t need to be booked – kids can simply turn up and have fun.
Wherever you’re at on the map or in life, Edinburgh Leisure is here to help the people of Edinburgh enjoy a healthier, happier, and more active life.
In the heart of communities, we’re the largest provider of sport and leisure facilities across the city. As a charitable trust we provide activities for everyone as they move through their lives.
