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 due to size and demand (there is a greater demand for services in Tottenham Green and if the service is able to provide those required then they do). At the same time the service believes that the infrastructure in Tottenham Green Leisure Centre needs investment.
The Business Development Manager is also the Champion for Older People in the service.
Issue rose that transport is also an issue for usage of facilities as is the timing of some of the services. For example, Aqua-cise is in the afternoons which are now during hours of darkness.
Up to 50% of those using services are means tested/have concessionary prices.
There is awareness that the subsidy needs to be reduced on the part of the council. There needs to be a move towards ‘the ability to pay’ so that those who really do need the help to pay only have to pay a nominal amount or nothing at all.
Partnership working
Greater investment in prevention is needed; the government needs to lead the way on this.
The GP referral scheme is a good example of partnership working and this can be built on further.
Noted that Broadwater Lodge has an accessible bus which is not used to full capacity. There is a possibility that this is the case with other buses across the Council. The idea that this could be used more flexibly was suggested. For example could it be coordinated by the use of a database or timetable?
This could then be used to assist people accessing universal services.
A defined well-being plan should be developed including looking at provision gaps.
Where external funding can be applied for the service applies for it.
There is a possibility of a link up between the ‘Health for Haringey’ projects and Leisure Services. ‘Health for Haringey’ projects have received funding from the Big Lottery Fund and are supporting 82 organisations in the community at present. This funding was acquired by Age Concern jointly with the TPCT.
Action point
What is the profile of those who use the Leisure Centres?