Jen Holland, CEO of Edinburgh Leisure said: “We are proud to be part of a network of charities operating with a social conscience, delivering social good when providing public leisure services. Our core business isn’t about making a profit, it is about purpose – helping people first. We’re about supporting society to get healthier and happier, employing local people, creating safe spaces for everybody, connecting communities, working towards net zero, and supporting people with quality health and wellbeing services for everybody regardless of age or ability.

“Seriously Social is a brilliant way to showcase not only the difference we make but also why we do what we do.”

As the largest provider of sports and leisure facilities in the city, Edinburgh Leisure provides activities for everyone as they move through their lives. As a charitable trust, every penny goes back into taking care of the health and well-being of Edinburgh. Being active improves physical and mental health. Edinburgh Leisure is here to support as many people as possible to feel as good as possible.

A recent study commissioned by Public Health Scotland concluded that of the 62,941 deaths that occurred in Scotland in 2022, more than 3,000 would have been attributed to physical inactivity, with cancer and cardiovascular disease (CVD) accounting for around one-third of these.

Last year Edinburgh Leisure’s Active Communities team supported over 12,500 people a year to be active to improve their health and wellbeing. They develop and run projects to help make a positive difference to communities in six key project areas. 

• People living with health conditions are supported by Active for Health
• People on low incomes and experiencing inequalities are supported by Wellbeing for All
• Older adults are supported to stay active and connected through Staying Active
• Children and young people are supported to live healthier, happier lifestyles through Active Futures
• People with disabilities or additional support needs are supported through Everybody Active
• People living with mental health conditions are supported through Mental Wellbeing

Kirsty Cumming, CEO of Community Leisure UK, said: “Our members don’t just deliver public leisure and cultural services, they support social change for the better every day of the week, 365 days a year.

“As social enterprises and charities, they put people above profit. They are run by local people and have everyone’s best interests at heart. The Seriously Social Week is about showcasing how they go above and beyond supporting individuals and communities. This is a selfless sector, quietly going about supporting people and communities every day. Not because it makes them money, but because it's the right thing to do. And we thought it was high time more people know about the great work they do and the difference they make.

More than 110 Charitable Trusts and Social Enterprises deliver public leisure and culture in Scotland, Wales and Ireland as part of the Community Leisure UK network. Together in 2023 they:

• Welcomed more than 209 million visits
• Worked with 170+ Local Authorities
• Collaborated with more than 100,000 Community Groups
• 73% Reduced Carbon Emissions
• 75% provided holiday food and activity programmes.

Saved the state and NHS £893million through their work getting people more active and healthier *

For more information visit seriouslysocial.org.uk

*Social Value Figure produced by 4Global using data from Moving Communities and DataHub. Full stats can be found at seriouslysocial.org.uk

 Ends

About Community Leisure UK - Community Leisure UK is a members’ association that specialises in charitable trusts delivering public leisure and culture services across the UK. https://communityleisureuk.org/