Leisure Services
To receive evidence from Andy Briggs, Head of Sports and Leisure Services.
Minutes:
Andy Briggs (Head of Sports and Leisure Services) gave evidence and answered questions on the work undertaken by Leisure Services.
Issues in raising the usage of Leisure centres by Older People:
There is a perception by Older People that Leisure Centres are for younger people.
Raising awareness and breaking down the barriers. For example, people understanding what they can access.
Transport issues
Confidence, in that older people can find going to a leisure centre daunting.
The Active Card is only used by 5% of the over 65yrs of age population across the borough.
There is a perception that parking is not free for those using Tottenham Green, this is not the case. Those over the age of 65yrs also get a free parking notice with their Active Cards.
All facilities are Disability Discrimination Act (DDA) compliant. There are hoists in place to assist people getting into pools, also areas with no steps and women only sessions.
There are specific sessions provided for older people and there are sessions which are free of charge.
Not all sessions are conducted within the Leisure Centres. This year the service began to go out to the Community. For example into Care Homes. These include Cranwood, Red House and Broadwater Farm, where one hour sessions take place each week to raise awareness of the benefits of keeping active and also to promote movement. These are conducted by the services fitness instructors, attended by 5-8 people and feedback received is good.
The service would like to build on this but the funding is not available at present.
Scope for greater link up between leisure and libraries in the homes visited.
The gym at Tottenham Green is used by a high number of people who are 50 years of age and above. For as many people who use the gym there are likely to be as many again who do not necessarily have the confidence to attend. This is also a barrier which needs to be overcome.
The service acknowledges that they have further work to do, for example at Park Lane and White Hart Lane centres. Provision will be developed in 2008.
There is a GP referral scheme in place with 9 surgeries on board. (this is funded through the Neighbourhood Renewal Fund and is a joint venture with the TPCT). This scheme consists of referrals for a 12 week cardiac programme with incentives included to encourage the person to continue using the gym afterwards. Staff are trained from within the NRF money and the aim is to keep these staff at the centres.
This is a scheme that the service would like to develop further including the possibility of extending it to other areas. For example to include the sessions at the New River Sports Centre for people who have had a stroke.
There are also free walking programmes in place.
Points of discussion
Noted that services available at Tottenham Green Leisure centre sound excellent.
There are more services here in comparison to other centres ... view the full minutes text for item 15