GLL

Since its inception 17 years ago, each year The GLL Sport Foundation has gone on to support more and more athletes on their sporting journeys with free health and activity memberships giving access to over 300 sport and leisure facilities across the UK, cash bursaries and athlete wellbeing services - providing exactly the right help at exactly the right time in their careers. In 2025, The Foundation is looking to help over 2500 young athletes with £1.4m in awards. The majority of recipients are under 21 years old and have no other source of funding - exemplifying the impact the scheme has on the UK's Performance Sports Stars of the future. GSF Alumni Athletes include Ellie Simmonds, Tom Daley, Anthony Joshua and 'Gladiator' Montell Douglas. Current National Ambassadors include Paris Olympic Medal Winners Joe Clark and Kimberley Woods. Supporting sporting potential has wider benefits to local communities - athletes can act as role models to activate local populations as well as providing a sense of local pride. To find out more, and to apply before the 20 February deadline, please visit: www.gllsportfoundation.org

As we continue to celebrate National Apprenticeship Week, we’re sharing more stories from our apprentices. Today, we feature Karen, an Audit Manager who, despite already holding a degree and several management diplomas, was committed to further upskilling through the Operations Manager Level 5 programme apprenticeship. Karen shares her experience and offers advice for those considering an apprenticeship. Nurturing talent from within the organisation remains a priority for us, and we’re proud to see so many dedicated individuals investing in their professional growth and development.

As we continue to celebrate National Apprenticeship Week, today we spotlight Dean, a General Manager currently enrolled in the Operations Manager Level 5 apprenticeship. As a manager, Dean understands the value of continuously developing skills to enhance his leadership capabilities. He reflects on how the apprenticeship programme has positively impacted his career and shifted his perspective on leadership.

At the heart of our business are our customers and communities. Our Community Sport Managers are committed to empowering communities through sport and activities that enhance health and wellbeing. The most rewarding part? Seeing the positive impact first-hand as they work directly with individuals to create meaningful change.

I'm really proud to celebrate the #socialenterprise model that has seen GLL reinvest £2 million in leisure centres across Belfast since 2019. The refurbishment of Falls Leisure Centre gym joins recent upgrades in Shankill, Grove, Lisnasharragh, Olympia, and Templemore, meaning the impact is being felt right across the city.

Delighted to hear Rt Hon. Ed Miliband’s positive response to Josh Babarinde OBE CF MP’s question in the Commons today, supporting the use of the underspent Swimming Pool Support Fund at Eastbourne Sovereign Centre. Department for Education Department for Culture, Media and Sport

We're pleased to say that we're currently in negotiations with Eastbourne Borough Council to become the new operator of the Sovereign Centre. We're committed to reopening the Leisure Pool, keeping the Gala and Training Pools open and retaining the Centre’s swimming lesson programme onsite. To find out more, visit: https://lnkd.in/evrMU2rV

Health is physical, mental and social and this is our purpose in GLL. Career development has remained a core focus for our staff throughout the years and we are proud of our new partnership with DfE which supports the skills development of our customers.

Ready to make some brain gains? Our careers advisers will be visiting three GLL leisure centres this week to help you with your career and learning goals! 💪 Wednesday 22: Waltham Forest, Leyton Leisure Centre Thursday 23: Swindon, Link Centre | Bedford, Robinson Pool and Fitness Centre We also have top tips to help your January career goals on our website 👇 https://ow.ly/qw5g50UHIjg #JanuaryGoals #SkillsForLife

Learning a new skill can boost your confidence and your careers prospects. In partnership with the Department for Education's Skills for Life campaign, between 22-30 January, our leisure centres and gyms across the country will be hosting free personal development - or ‘PD’ sessions - with career advisers from the National Careers Service to help gym-goers learn while they burn. For more information, visit: https://brnw.ch/21wQ8Nl #ItAllStartsWithSkills