Here at Parkwood, we’re justifiably proud of our achievements, our on-going partnerships and our broad portfolio of leisure, culture, heritage, outdoors, golf and healthy communities services.
We adapt both our design and management approach to each and every centre and service, providing initiatives which enable happy and healthy communities in line with local and national health and wellbeing outcomes.
We believe that demonstrating the broader impact that our industry can have is an essential part of our work. Following the social value research under-taken by Sheffield Hallam University in 2020, Parkwood Leisure were the first leisure operator within the industry to commission a detailed social value report to understand our true impact on communities. Our social impact is something we continue to publish annually and our 2023 headlines are shown below.
Across different social value variables, working with our partners and sub-contractors, Parkwood Leisure generated:
- £74.9m in Social Value in 2023;
- 17% of our customers reported having a physical or mental disability or long term illness (over 1.8m visits);
- 53% of our customers are female, 47% male;
- 20% of our customers come from IMD 1-3, the most deprived communities in the country (over 2m visits).
Our case studies demonstrate the significant social value generated across local communities through our services. We remain committed to a deep rooted partnership approach, delivering the best possible services for the benefit of each and every local community.
Click on a case study below to find out more about some of the facilities and services we manage.
Supporting Looked After Children
Parkwood Leisure has worked with London Borough of Bexley for more than 15 years, sub-contracting day-to-day management to Lex Leisure CIC. In 2023, London Borough of Bexley and Lex Leisure partnered to create an opportunity for children in care and young adults within the care system to be able to experience the use of our facilities supporting them to adopt a healthier and happier lifestyle.
Rehabilitate with the Gym
Parkwood Leisure has worked with London Borough of Bexley for more than 15 years, sub-contracting day-to-day management to Lex Leisure CIC. In 2023, the Metropolitan Police, London Borough of Bexley and Lex Leisure partnered to create a rehabilitation programme for offenders, to assist with getting their life back on track.
Making an Impact – R.E.A.L. Education Partnership
R.E.A.L Education approached Parkwood Leisure in Erewash with a unique proposition. They sought a partnership that would allow them to utilise Parkwood Leisure’s premises to continue their educational delivery to young people in a safe and conducive environment. The objective was clear: to remove barriers to learning and create individualised pathways for every young person to fulfil their potential.
Making an Impact – Erewash
A collaborative partnership was formed under contract between Erewash Borough Council and Parkwood Leisure on 1 February 2019; sub-contracting the day to day operation and management of the people and facilities to Legacy Leisure. The contract period is for 10 years with an option of a five-year extension.
Active Communities – Bristol
A collaborative partnership was formed under contract between Bristol City Council and Parkwood Leisure in April 2008 to oversee the brand new development of Hengrove Park Leisure Centre and community outreach activities. The contract period is for 25 years.
Getting a Nation Swimming – Our Commitment
Parkwood Leisure is committed to providing aquatics opportunities for everyone. With 44 pools across its portfolio of centres, including two 50 metre pools, leisure water space, teaching pools and smaller Victorian era pools as well as a dedicated Head of Aquatics role, Parkwood are one of the leading operators to get groups and communities active and safe in the water.
Disability Engagement
Engaging people with a disability in sport and physical activity remains a key priority. One in five people in England live with a long-standing disability and statistics say they’re a lot less likely to engage in sport or physical activity. Taking that into account, it is essential we continue to invest in programmes whilst developing new and existing partnerships to make sport as inclusive as possible.
Decarbonisation Project – Torbay Leisure Centre
Parkwood Leisure, have been reviewing options to improve energy efficiency at Torbay Leisure Centre over the last 12 months. Working with our partners, Leisure Energy, we led and secured funding from the Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme [PSDS] on behalf of Torbay Council in January 2021.
Learn To Swim Programme
Parkwood Leisure is renowned as one of the UK’s most trusted partners for running local leisure services. As part of our commitment to developing healthier and happier communities, we deliver an award-winning Learn to Swim programme across all of our swimming pools, teaching millions of children and adults to swim in England and Wales.
Financial Savings to the Authority – Vale of Glamorgan
In 2012, Parkwood Leisure was awarded a contract to manage The Vale of Glamorgan Leisure Centres, which includes six leisure facilities, with three swimming pools, five fitness suites and two dual-use sites. As part of the contract, we project managed £2 million worth of investment into backlog maintenance and a further £1.46 million into upgrading, refurbishing and extending facilities to generate additional income, including gym extensions at Penarth, Barry and Llantwit Leisure Centres, cafe installations and the installation of two group exercise studios.
Career Pathway – Parkwood Leisure
Parkwood Leisure provides a clear career pathway programme for all jobs in the sector, with the aim to recruit locally across each contract. Through our swim teaching programme and apprenticeships, we engage demographics including young people and those not in employment, education or training [NEETs]; our employment opportunities aim to provide a clear career pathway and unlock people’s potential.
Transforming Community Leisure Assets – Torbay
Parkwood Leisure commenced the contract to manage Torbay Leisure Centre on 1 December 2017. The partnership between Torbay
Council and Parkwood Leisure has reduced the subsidy from £280,000 p.a. to a £0 management fee. Saving the Council over £3.3 million over the
contract period.
Supporting our local communitiesJanuary 17, 2025 - 9:55 am
We have been certified to The Active Standard!January 14, 2025 - 8:12 pm