Tag: Edinburgh Leisure

Edinburgh Leisure: Free Soft Play

Get free soft play membership when you sign up your under 5s for coaching

Encourage your pre-school child to get active from an early age by signing them up the under 5s coaching at Edinburgh Leisure and you will get one-month’s free soft play membership in August.  The offer also applies to existing soft play members.

The offer is valid for those signing up for under 5s coaching before 30th July 2023 and gives unlimited access to all three of Edinburgh Leisure’s soft play venues across the city at Tumbles at Portobello; Clambers at the Royal Commonwealth Pool or Scrambles at Edinburgh’s International Climbing Arena.

With designated baby, toddler, and junior zones, each soft play ensures fun and adventure for kids and a café for tasty treats and snacks for the adults and children.

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. And it’s never too early to start.

And as the largest provider of sport and leisure facilities across the city, Edinburgh Leisure is well-placed to encourage your child to reach their full potential, help them build confidence, learn skills, and meet friends.

From football, tennis, gymnastics or swimming, you can even mix it up with their Jump into Sport, Gym and Jump or Athletics classes.

To find out more and to sign up for this offer, visit:  https://www.edinburghleisure.co.uk/coaching-offer

Free Friend Day Soft Play

And for existing soft play members, Edinburgh Leisure is offering Free Friend Days at their three soft play venues on selected days in July and August.

Valid for 1-hour slots, the offer only applies to soft play members who pay by Direct Debit and members must accompany their friend and take part in the same activity.

The Free Friend Days are available at:

Clambers at the Royal Commonwealth Pool:
Tuesday, 25 July; Thursday, 17 August

Tumbles at Portobello:

Tuesday, 1st August; Thursday, 24th August

Scrambles at the Edinburgh International Climbing Arena:

Tuesday, 18th July; Thursday, 10th August; Wednesday, 30th August

For further information and to sign up for Edinburgh Leisure’s soft play membership, visit:  

https://www.edinburghleisure.co.uk/activities/soft-play

Edinburgh Leisure competition: Find the Pin Drop Box to win

EXPLORE THE CITY TO DISCOVER A WORLD OF FITNESS


Edinburgh Leisure, the largest provider of sport and leisure facilities across the city, is launching an exciting competition next week, The Edinburgh Leisure Pin Drop, so that wherever you’re at in the city, you could be in with the chance to win a year’s membership with Edinburgh Leisure.

The Edinburgh Leisure Pin Drop competition runs from 17th – 28th July. They will be giving away six free Edinburgh Leisure memberships.

To be in with the chance of winning, all participants must do is to find the pin (a branded box featuring a pink geolocation), which will be ‘dropped’ somewhere in Edinburgh and take it to their nearest venue. 

The first person to do this will win a year’s membership and can choose from Full Fitness, Climb, Golf or Single Child Soft Play membership.*

Over the duration of the competition, Edinburgh Leisure will be ‘dropping a pin’ in six different locations around the city and sharing some clues and photos on their social media channels, on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

Pins will be dropped at 11am on the following days during the competition:

  • Monday, 17th July 2023
  • Wednesday, 19th July 2023
  • Friday, 21st July 2023
  • Monday 24th July 2023
  • Wednesday, 26th July 2023
  • Friday, 28th July 2023

Participants will have two hours to find the box from 11am when the clue is posted on social media. The person who finds the box then has until Edinburgh Leisure’s participating venues close on the same day to redeem their prize. Venue closing times vary, so people should check closing times of their closest venue.

Participants are encouraged to tag Edinburgh Leisure in their Edinburgh Leisure Pin Drop posts on social media and use the hashtag #WhereverYoureAt.

As the biggest club in town, 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, they’re the largest provider of sports and leisure facilities across the city.

*Competition information, terms and conditions and participating Edinburgh Leisure venues can be found by visiting:  rb.gy/qbh9o

Free summer holiday football

Keep the kids amused with free football at Meadowbank

Looking for ways to keep the kids amused this summer, then look no further than some free summer football being offered by Edinburgh Leisure.

Suitable for young people aged 11+ years, the football sessions will run on the main pitch at Meadowbank Sports Centre from 1:30pm – 3:00pm every Tuesday and Thursday of the summer holidays. 

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, they’re the largest provider of sport and leisure facilities across the city. As a charitable trust they provide activities for everyone as they move through their lives.

Edinburgh Leisure’s 6-week summer pass

Wherever you are, or whatever you want, there’s an Edinburgh Leisure venue near you for a summer filled with activity


With Edinburgh’s numerous festivals about to begin, festival goers and workers can keep up their energy levels and enjoy their fittest summer ever.

Edinburgh Leisure has launched its ‘Summer Pass’, with everything you need for a sport-filled summer, with something for everyone to keep active and healthy throughout the heady days of the festivals.

The ‘Summer Pass’, which goes on sale on TODAY – Friday, 30th June 2023, offers unlimited access to the city’s 14 state-of-the-art gyms; 12 swimming pools, including 5 Victorian ones; over 750+ fitness classes per week; 1 world-class climbing centre; saunas, steam rooms, Turkish Baths for only £69. 

The pass lasts six weeks from the date of purchase, with the last day a customer can purchase a pass being 31 August 2023.

And for the first time ever, Edinburgh Leisure is introducing a reduced-price pass for young adults (18–24-year-olds), costing just £49.

Matthew Smith, Sales Manager at Edinburgh Leisure, said: “Anyone lucky enough to be in Edinburgh for the summer with its various festivals knows it is always a fantastic atmosphere, and it takes energy to take in so many shows and party into the small hours.

“We’re inviting festival-goers, workers, and visitors to the city on an extended stay to be inspired and keep their energy levels high by keeping fit and active throughout the summer.

“And for the first time ever, Edinburgh Leisure is introducing a reduced-price pass for young adults aged 18–24-year-olds.  We’re hoping to appeal to students returning home from university, or young festival workers staying in the city during the summer, with an attractive and affordable option.”

“Classes like Zumba or Sh’bam are brilliant fun and a great way to get you in the mood to party, while a workout at the gym will boost your energy for the night ahead. We’ve also got some quick hit X-press gym classes, which use high intensity training (HIT) methods with explosive bursts of speed and activity to achieve a total workout in a short period of time, in as little as 30 minutes.

“And if you have really overdone it, you can spend the morning chilling out with a swim and sauna, or even the Turkish Baths at Portobello.”

The pass is available to buy online on in venue. www.edinburghleisure.co.uk

Edinburgh kids benefit from vital lessons to support national cause

YOUNG SWIMMERS in Portobello have received a day of vital water safety lessons alongside an Olympic medallist to mark Drowning Prevention Week.

Former Olympian Stephen Milne made a star appearance during a Learn to Swim event held at Portobello Swim Centre, which delivered water safety lessons to 77 children as part of the awareness week.

Nine swim classes were delivered across the day by local swim teachers and the Olympic swimmer, teaching crucial water safety skills, from floating techniques to the Water Safety Code. The event helped build on Learn to Swim’s foundations of creating ‘Generation Swim’ – a generation of safe, competent and confident swimmers.

Portobello Swim Centre, part of Edinburgh Leisure, is one of more than 160 pools in Scotland to offer Learn to Swim lessons as part of a National Framework made possible through a partnership between Scottish Swimming and Scottish Water.

Stephen Milne said: “No one should ever have to feel unsafe or uncomfortable in water, that’s why days like these are so important to reinforce the importance of water safety.

“One reason why Learn to Swim events like this are so important is to energise young swimmers to continue to learn and improve what is a vital life skill.

“It’s always a thrill getting back in the pool but particularly when it can leave a real impact on future generations.”

Stephen won a silver medal at the 2016 Summer Olympics in Brazil and has 5 Commonwealth Games medals having competed in three separate Commonwealth Games since 2014. He is also a world and European champion.

Following the lessons, Stephen hosted a captivating Q&A session to engage with all attendees. To commemorate the day, he presented aspiring swimmers with autographed swim caps and t-shirts, leaving a lasting impression with budding swim stars.

Kate Cramb, Operations Manager at Edinburgh Leisure said: “To host such a meaningful event is a real honour. Water safety is such a huge issue especially during the summer months when families start to spend more time near water – so these vital lessons genuinely do save lives.

“It was also great to welcome an Olympic star in Stephen, who was brilliant in reinforcing the importance of learning to swim to kids, all the while keeping it really fun and uplifting.”

The event marked the end of Drowning Prevention Week, in which more than 75,000 children were offered vital water safety lessons through the Learn to Swim National Framework across the span of the week.

Euan Lowe, CEO of Scottish Swimming, said: “Swimming lessons are the absolute foundations to ensuring water safety.

“To have Stephen’s presence and active involvement in them made for an unforgettable experience for the children which will hopefully inspire them to continue their safe swimming journey.

“Drowning is far too common in Scotland, and it is something that we are committed to addressing as a partnership. The event in Portobello allowed us to do that in an engaging way with children.”

Brian Lironi, Director of Corporate Affairs with Scottish Water, added: “We are thrilled with the tremendous success of the water safety event, which undoubtedly left a lasting impact on all participants.

“It is so important to see the next generation of confident swimmers engaging in water safety. Drowning prevention is a topic that needs serious attention all year round but the awareness week gave us another opportunity to reinforce lifesaving skills.”

Drowning Prevention Week, organised by the Royal Life Saving Society (RLSS), stands as one of the largest water safety campaigns in the UK and Ireland, specifically targeting the summer season. Its primary goal is to equip individuals with the necessary skills and knowledge to make informed decisions regarding water safety, particularly during the summer months.

Learn to Swim is a National Framework committed to creating supportive and quality environments in which children can learn to swim regardless of their age, ability, or skill level. It aims to develop competent swimmers, as well as encouraging youngsters to adopt a healthy and fulfilling lifestyle with sport and fun at its heart.

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

https://learntoswim.scot/

On Yer Bike!

New Ageing Well Bike Course starting next month

For those older adults looking to get back in the saddle again, Ageing Well will be starting a new 11-week cycling course on Monday, 10th July, where participants can develop those dormant skills in a relaxed and social atmosphere with like-minded companions.

The level 1 course, based on Cycling Scotland’s Bikeability material, will get participants comfortable again on a bike, developing skills, at a pace that suits them, on the 400m track at Saughton Sports Centre, a traffic free environment on which to learn to cycle. The course will begin on Monday, 10th July at 10am-12noon and run until 18th September 2023.

This is NOT a beginners’ course teaching people to cycle but is aimed at older adults who have not cycled for some years and who want to gain confidence and start cycling again. They will learn skills such as stopping safely, indicating correctly, and mastering the gears.   Bikes and helmets will be supplied but participants can also bring their own. The cost is £3 per week.

Cat Wilson, Edinburgh Leisure’s Project Officer for Older Adults explained: “Cycling is a great way to keep fit, active and mobile and enjoy the outdoors and countryside on the amazing network of dedicated cycle paths in the Edinburgh area.

“Perhaps you’d like to join grandchildren on family rides or just to meet some new people?  And don’t worry if you haven’t been on a bike for ages or don’t currently own one, we even provide bikes, helmets, and Hi-Viz vests, so all you need to bring is yourself! The courses are led by experienced, fully trained volunteers who are passionate about cycling and supporting those who would like to get back in the saddle.”

A level 2 Course will commence directly after Level 1 on Monday 25th September 2023 with 4 weeks from Ainslie Park and 4 weeks from Meggetland. This course will further explore the cycle paths of Edinburgh using the skills participants have learnt from Level 1.

For more information and to book a place on the cycle course, contact a member of Edinburgh Leisure’s Active Communities team on: Tel: 0131 458 2260 / Email: active@edinburghleisure.co.uk

The Ageing Well project promotes healthy lifestyles for older adults (typically 50+) in Edinburgh. The project is a partnership with NHS Lothian, Edinburgh Leisure and Pilmeny Development Project and is part of the UK Ageing Well network, which aims to increase the expectation of good health in later life.

National Volunteers Week: Edinburgh Leisure

National Volunteer Week starts tomorrow (Thursday). Stephen Hughes, Volunteer Development Manager, tells us why National Volunteer Week is an important celebration for Edinburgh Leisure:

“This week is National Volunteer Week, celebrating the tremendous impact volunteers have on communities around the UK. Volunteers’ Week is a UK wide campaign that takes place from 1-7 June every year. The Volunteers’ Week campaign started in 1984 making this the 39th year.

Edinburgh Leisure is proud to be supported by 113 volunteers who run or support 91 Active Communities sessions each week. We thank all our volunteers for the continued support and effort they put into volunteering with us.

“Volunteers are crucial to helping Edinburgh Leisure achieve outcomes such as improving physical and mental health while making more people more active.

“Without them, our Active Communities programme would not be the same. I would also like to thank our volunteer managers who play an integral role to provide an enjoyable and rewarding experience for our volunteers.

“In my new role working with volunteers, I am excited to bring the volunteer celebration event back for the first time since 2019. It will take place later in the month at Norton Park Conference Centre.

“The volunteer celebration is a fantastic opportunity to bring our community of volunteers together to thank them for their hard work, hear about the positive impact their volunteering has on Active Communities participants and provide a space for volunteers to spend time together to talk about their experiences.

“If you would like to find out more about volunteering opportunities with Edinburgh Leisure, we’d love to hear from you. There are lots of ways to get involved.  However, you choose to donate your time, you’ll be making a difference to local people’s lives.”

Find out more: https://www.edinburghleisure.co.uk/work-with-us/become-a-volunteer

Train for a career in sports with the city’s leading sports and leisure provider


Edinburgh’s leading sports and leisure provider, Edinburgh Leisure, will be running a series of coaching academies that will provide nationally recognised qualifications that will enable successful learners to lead safe and enjoyable sport/physical activity.

Targeted at young people aged 16-24 years, and fully funded through Edinburgh Leisure’s Active Communities, The Coaching Academy will assist young people to learn new skills for the job market, using the capacity of sports coaching to transform lives, increase motivation, encourage learning, and support personal development. 

The inaugural 2023 intake will be limited to 16 candidates with learning focussed on studying for a sport leadership qualification and sports’ specific coaching course qualifications. 

Candidates will gain the SCQF Sports Leaders Level 5 qualification carried out as a week-long course starting Monday 17th and finishing on Friday 21st July at Meadowbank Sports Centre delivered by Edinburgh Leisure.

The Sports Leaders sessions use sport to deliver fun and engaging physical activities with other attendees. Candidates will plan, lead, and evaluate sports/physical activity sessions over a number of tutored hours and then demonstrate their leadership skills as part of an assessment.

Upon completion of Sports Leaders, a series of three coaching qualifications will be delivered once weekly at Meadowbank Sports Centre for the 16 candidates.  Attendance at all courses is required.

Those qualifications are:

Scottish Badminton: Badminton Basics course: 27th July 2023

‘Badminton Basics’ is a six-hour course geared towards coaches with little or no badminton experience. It focuses on fun games for beginners, allowing participants to lead sessions at schools and assist more experienced coaches at clubs. Badminton Basics is a core component of the new coaching awards and, as such, is the first step on the pathway.

Scottish Athletics: Leading Athletics course:  3rd August 2023

The three-hour ‘Leading Athletics’ workshop is available for coaches and allows for the training and development of new volunteers, with the aim of supporting existing leadership programmes and attracting more young leaders into the sport of athletics. The ‘Leading Athletics’ workshop is aimed at individuals looking to gain the skills to lead athletics activities for young athletes.  Individuals completing the course will be able to support Coaching Assistants and Athletics Coaches.

Scottish FA: 1.1 Introduction to Football Coaching course: 10th August 2023

The Scottish FA Level 1.1 Introduction to Coaching course aims to develop a basic understanding of The Scottish FA coach education pathway and the coach’s learning journey focusing on effective communication and player interaction to develop effective delivery.

Participants will be signposted to Edinburgh Leisure volunteering opportunities within sports venues and holiday programme provision, where they will be immersed in all aspects of the sport and leisure coaching environment. This can lead to employment opportunities within Edinburgh Leisure.

Edinburgh Leisure will host a celebratory closing event.

To apply, click this link or scan the QR code to fill in the initial application form.

Edinburgh Leisure is looking for candidates with a passion for sport, enthusiasm for learning and looking for a new opportunity.  

Registration closes on Friday, 30th June 2023.  Edinburgh Leisure is looking for initial candidates with a passion for sport, enthusiasm for learning and looking for a new opportunity.

For further information, contact Gary Hocknull, Sports Development Officer at Edinburgh Leisure – garyhocknull@edinburghleisure.co.uk