The council is planning on refocusing the future management of the borough’s leisure services to help improve the health and wellbeing of all residents. As the current leisure services management contract is coming to an end, it is the perfect opportunity for the Council to consider how we deliver the best possible leisure services that supports as many residents as possible to lead active, healthy lives and support wider health and wellbeing outcomes.
To help us decide the future of leisure services in the borough we have recently conducted an online Community Physical Activity and Leisure Survey to hear the views of residents and people working in Newham. Also, throughout December 2021 to March 2022 we held a number of resident engagement sessions (online and face to face) with both adults, mental health service users, young people, young people with disabilities and their families.
Below is what residents told us, and what we have done in response so far.
Improved communications:
You Said …..
We Did…
We need to raise greater awareness of the leisure offers available and use more channels and networks to get the word out.
Created a dedicated webpage where you can find out about sport and activities. This page includes information specifically for adults and children and also features a whole page dedicated to our holiday programmes. Check out our activity pages here
Produced a summer brochure featuring all of the activity happening throughout the summer, this is available online here. We have printed copies available in many locations in Newham, as you said you would like more printed materials (find them in children centres, libraries, Youth Zones and with the Well Newham Outreach Team).
And we’re working with our colleagues across the Council to improve promotion of all our leisure and sport activities.
Parks Infrastructure:
You Said …..
We Did…
We need to improve amenities and infrastructure in our parks and open spaces.
Refurbished the BMX track at Gooseley Playing Fields.
Soon installing several micro gyms as part of a wider pilot project with Swing Fitness.
And we’re working closely with colleagues from the Parks and Green Assets Team on a variety of new projects.
Targeted Provision:
You Said …..
We Did…
We need more leisure activities for specific groups such as, women and girls, families, people with disabilities and additional needs, and older people to name a few.
Supported a series of SEND specific events called The Gr8 Day 2 Play, with colleagues in Youth Empowerment, activeNewham and wider partners.
Developed a wider disability offer as part of the summer’s activity programme including disability tennis and BMX SEND sessions.
Provided family activity sessions as part of the Our Parks programme, and this summer we have specific family sessions throughout the holidays where families can take part in a number of games based on the Change 4 Life and Disney 10 minute shake up campaign.
Delivered a Sporting Memories session with activeNewham which older residents can attend to take part in activity and reminisce about some of their favourite sporting moments from the past.
We are working closely with colleagues to develop the new Ageing Well strategy, ensuring that physical activity for older adults is included.
Varied and Low Cost Activity:
You Said …..
We Did…
We need to provide a wide ranging leisure activity offer, that is flexible to your changing needs, easy to access and free or low cost.
Included free activity sessions across a number of parks on a weekly basis including table tennis, bootcamp style fitness and family fitness. The OurParks programme also offers online sessions such as Couch to Fitness.
Included a free and varied activity offer in different park locations this summer, for a range of age groups, that include trying some popular Olympic and Paralympic sports to celebrate the 10 year anniversary of the London 2012 Games.
Organised a number of larger physical activity festivals to take place this year, related to major sporting events such as the Women’s European Football Championships and the Commonwealth Games which are also free to access.
Provided other free to access physical activity programmes including Street Tag, Street TT (table tennis app) and walking groups.
Sport & Partnership Working:
You Said …..
We Did…
We should continue to work in partnership with National Governing Bodies of Sport to introduce new programmes and improve facilities that support residents to be active.
Worked with Table Tennis England to install new table tennis tables in parks and also provided some table tennis tables to care homes within the borough. It also allowed us to deliver a table tennis offer as part of the wider school holiday programme.
Working with the Lawn Tennis Association (LTA) on plans to upgrade some of our local tennis courts.
And we’re looking at more exciting opportunities to bring into the borough in the future, like Padel for example.
Leisure Centres:
You Said …..
We Did…
We need to improve access to leisure centres, ensuring they are welcoming for all, provide a varied activity offer, are easy to access and widely promoted.
Undertook significant work over the last 18 months to develop a new leisure contract that will provide a high quality leisure and sport offer for residents.
Held a number of resident engagement sessions and released a survey in order for you to be able to share your views about the current leisure infrastructure and offer.
Collated all of the feedback and comments we received, as well as considering feedback from other sources, into a summary report. This has informed the development of a new leisure contract which will be implemented in mid-2023.
