Warm centres are set to open in leisure centres across Cumbria.
GLL – the charitable social enterprise that operates Better leisure centres in Cumbria – has today announced it will be offering up its facilities as dedicated warm spaces this winter.
It is the third year in a row that Better has put forward its centres in Cumbria to be used as warm spaces.
The warm spaces scheme first launched in 2022 in response to the winter’s cost of living crisis. It provides local residents with a warm welcome, comfortable seating, complimentary tea and coffee, the opportunity to charge a phone or device, use of the WiFi or even take a hot shower.
Some centres will also provide additional support such as the option to join exercise classes like walking netball and walking football or make use of the badminton and table tennis facilities, while members of staff will be on hand to provide advice on fitness and perform health checks.
The warm spaces are open to all, both leisure centre members and non-members alike.
Warm Spaces will run from 1 December 2024 until 31 March 2025 across the county.
Cumberland leisure centres
- Workington Leisure Centre – Tuesdays and Thursdays 10am-3pm
- Cockermouth Leisure Centre – Mondays, Tuesdays and Fridays 10am-1pm
- The Sands Centre – Mondays 10am-1pm, Wednesdays 9.30am-12.30pm, Fridays 12pm-3pm
- Whitehaven Sports Centre – Tuesdays and Fridays 1pm-4pm
Westmorland and Furness leisure centres
In Westmorland and Furness, the warm spaces initiative forms part of the Chatter Matters weekly drop-in sessions which are open to local residents all year round at a cost of £2.00 per session.
The format centres around creating a warm space for people to chat with friends old and new over a brew and enjoy a light lunch, biscuits and fruit, followed by time to play board games.
- Kendal Leisure Centre – Tuesdays 10am-12pm, Fridays 12pm-2pm
- Ulverston Leisure Centre – Mondays 11am-1pm
- Penrith Leisure Centre – Mondays 11am-1pm, Fridays 1.30pm-3.30pm
- Appleby Leisure Centre – Wednesdays 11.30am-1.30pm
Warm Spaces, which when launched was the first of its kind for the leisure industry, is being rolled out across 80 Better leisure centres in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.
It is supported by Age UK and Carers UK, with local collaborations taking place with community food banks, charities (including local Age UKs) and Citizen’s Advice.
Better is also linking with NHS England’s Stay Well this Winter campaign which provides the public with information about winter vaccines, how to keep yourself and your home warm and details about the benefits of being active.
Tom Rice, cumberland partnership manager at GLL said: “As a charitable social enterprise, our ethos is to give back to local communities, which is why we’re offering a warm welcome to anyone who may be struggling this winter.
“Our aim is to support local people who are finding it hard to heat their homes but also encourage them to engage in physical activities and connect with their communities and forge new friendships.”
