New partnership set to make leisure centres more inclusive
Children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) are set to benefit from Gateshead's leisure facilities joining the Better group.
Charitable social enterprise GLL will take over the operation of Blaydon, Dunston and Heworth leisure centres, along with Gateshead International Stadium, from Tuesday 1 April. They plan to introduce exciting new facilities including:
- a multi-sensory lighting system at Dunston Leisure Centre to support children with sensory processing needs
- a new soft play area and café at Gateshead International Stadium, creating a welcoming space for families
- an exciting new junior facility at Heworth Leisure Centre, replacing the Flow Rider
- a multi-functional space at Dunston Leisure Centre, converting existing squash courts to provide a flexible area for a variety of activities
One of the key aims for the new partnership between Gateshead Council and GLL is to make activities more accessible for children with SEND and their families. Councillor Gary Haley, Cabinet Member for Children and Young People at Gateshead Council, said:
"We know how important leisure activities are for children's wellbeing, and we want to ensure that no child is left out. Our partnership with GLL will make Gateshead's leisure centres more accessible, welcoming and inclusive, so that all families can take have fun and stay active together."
There will also be SEND Champions at each centre, who will work closely with young people and families to understand their needs and provide additional support for children with disabilities to ensure they feel comfortable and included."
The SEND Champions will also offer advice and training to staff, ensuring all team members are equipped to create an inclusive and welcoming environment. All leisure centre staff, including instructors and coaches, will receive specialist training in areas such as neurodiversity, autism awareness, disability awareness, British Sign Language (BSL), and inclusivity in physical activity.
GLL are committed to increasing the range of SEND-accessible sports and activities at the leisure centres. There will be a wide range of dedicated sessions tailored to children with disabilities, some of which will be delivered in partnership with specialist organisations such as Smile Through Sport and Wheels for All. Children with SEND and their families will also have access to inclusive and targeted activities at Better facilities in Newcastle, including swimming, trampolining and table tennis.
Councillor Angela Douglas, Cabinet Member for Culture, Sport and Tourism at Gateshead Council, said:
"Our partnership with GLL is underpinned by our commitment to provide accessible and affordable opportunities for Gateshead residents to get active.
Children with SEND will benefit from free access to swimming, gym and fitness classes as well as half price swimming lessons, while members of their household will pay GLL's higher save concessionary price point for swimming, gym and fitness classes."
"In addition, 600 free leisure passes will be provided to support care-experienced young people, children in care, and foster families. These passes will grant free access to gym, swimming, and fitness classes, helping to remove barriers to physical activity."
Tim Bestford, Head of Service for the North for GLL, added: "We are committed to providing a fantastic programme of accessible activities in the borough of Gateshead. We are looking forward to working with our new colleagues in the centres and with our partner, Gateshead Council, to bring these plans to life and expand existing programmes from the 1st April."
GO Gateshead memberships will be automatically transferred, ensuring uninterrupted access to leisure facilities when the sites join the Better group on 1 April.
Find out more about membership changes
Children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) are set to benefit from Gateshead's leisure facilities joining the Better group.
Charitable social enterprise GLL will take over the operation of Blaydon, Dunston and Heworth leisure centres, along with Gateshead International Stadium, from Tuesday 1 April. They plan to introduce exciting new facilities including:
- a multi-sensory lighting system at Dunston Leisure Centre to support children with sensory processing needs
- a new soft play area and café at Gateshead International Stadium, creating a welcoming space for families
- an exciting new junior facility at Heworth Leisure Centre, replacing the Flow Rider
- a multi-functional space at Dunston Leisure Centre, converting existing squash courts to provide a flexible area for a variety of activities
One of the key aims for the new partnership between Gateshead Council and GLL is to make activities more accessible for children with SEND and their families. Councillor Gary Haley, Cabinet Member for Children and Young People at Gateshead Council, said:
"We know how important leisure activities are for children's wellbeing, and we want to ensure that no child is left out. Our partnership with GLL will make Gateshead's leisure centres more accessible, welcoming and inclusive, so that all families can take have fun and stay active together."
There will also be SEND Champions at each centre, who will work closely with young people and families to understand their needs and provide additional support for children with disabilities to ensure they feel comfortable and included."
The SEND Champions will also offer advice and training to staff, ensuring all team members are equipped to create an inclusive and welcoming environment. All leisure centre staff, including instructors and coaches, will receive specialist training in areas such as neurodiversity, autism awareness, disability awareness, British Sign Language (BSL), and inclusivity in physical activity.
GLL are committed to increasing the range of SEND-accessible sports and activities at the leisure centres. There will be a wide range of dedicated sessions tailored to children with disabilities, some of which will be delivered in partnership with specialist organisations such as Smile Through Sport and Wheels for All. Children with SEND and their families will also have access to inclusive and targeted activities at Better facilities in Newcastle, including swimming, trampolining and table tennis.
Councillor Angela Douglas, Cabinet Member for Culture, Sport and Tourism at Gateshead Council, said:
"Our partnership with GLL is underpinned by our commitment to provide accessible and affordable opportunities for Gateshead residents to get active.
Children with SEND will benefit from free access to swimming, gym and fitness classes as well as half price swimming lessons, while members of their household will pay GLL's higher save concessionary price point for swimming, gym and fitness classes."
"In addition, 600 free leisure passes will be provided to support care-experienced young people, children in care, and foster families. These passes will grant free access to gym, swimming, and fitness classes, helping to remove barriers to physical activity."
Tim Bestford, Head of Service for the North for GLL, added: "We are committed to providing a fantastic programme of accessible activities in the borough of Gateshead. We are looking forward to working with our new colleagues in the centres and with our partner, Gateshead Council, to bring these plans to life and expand existing programmes from the 1st April."
GO Gateshead memberships will be automatically transferred, ensuring uninterrupted access to leisure facilities when the sites join the Better group on 1 April.
Find out more about membership changes
