Award-winning charity Sport Aberdeen was delighted to be crowned joint winners of the Inclusion Award alongside Halo Leisure at the first-ever Seriously Social Awards.
The glittering ceremony – hosted by Community Leisure UK – took place at The Lowry Hotel in Manchester on Wednesday 13 November.
Sport Aberdeen’s entry for the Inclusion Award focused on its SPACE (Supported Physical Activity for Care Experienced) programme, designed to positively shape the lives of young people through the transformative power of connection, sport and physical activity.
The programme aligns to the aims of The Promise – Scotland’s commitment that all care experienced children and young people will grow up loved, safe and respected.
The Promise is built on five foundations: family, voice, care, people and scaffolding; all of these are embedded within the SPACE programme.
SPACE offers one-to-one or small group activities to support care experienced young people either during or out with the school day. The model is designed to build relationships with young people and their families through sport and physical activity, empowering them to choose activities to participate in, such as horse-riding lessons or a ‘walk and talk’ in nature.
Partnerships are crucial to the programme’s success, working closely with Aberdeen City Council’s Virtual School, Education and Social Work teams, alongside other third sector organisations.
Recognising that a whole family approach is essential, all care experienced young people and their support network are supported to access free Sport Aberdeen Get active memberships to continue getting active in different ways such as going swimming, playing tennis or attending the gym. To date, over 700 free memberships have been accessed.
Kim McRobbie, Active Schools and EDI Manager at Sport Aberdeen, said: “We are delighted to win this award and be recognised across the UK that we are leading the way within our sector in supporting care experienced young people.
“Partnerships are crucial to the programme’s success, and I’d like to thank Aberdeen City Council and sportscotland, who both provide funding towards SPACE.
“At the core of our programme is the child’s voice, to ensure it is always heard and to empower our young people to live healthier, happier lives.
“I must say a huge thanks to the team who work tirelessly day in and day out to build trusting relationships and continue to find innovative ways to evolve the SPACE programme. They truly depict Sport Aberdeen’s vision of creating opportunities, inspiring people and changing lives through sport and physical activity.
“The next step for the programme emphasises our promise to continue listening to the children, supporting their strengths and playing our part to increase accessibility of our services.
“We will also continue to maintain our commitment to keeping The Promise and fulfil our responsibilities as a corporate parent.”
Kirsty Cumming, CEO of Community Leisure UK, said: “A huge congratulations to all our winners and finalists. They are a shining example of what the charitable sector does best; putting people above profit to create positive social change for everyone in society.
“Rooted in communities, they support individuals and the whole community to live healthier, happier and more creative lives through leisure and culture.”
Find out more about Sport Aberdeen’s SPACE programme by reading its full award entry here.
⚠️ Due to the yellow weather warning for snow and ice, please see our latest update below. ⚠️
Venues closing at 7pm tonight:
- Get active @ Cults
- Get active @ Peterculter
Venues closing at 8pm tonight:
- Aberdeen Tennis Centre
- Bridge of Don Swimming Pool
- Dyce Swimming Pool
Venues closing at 8:30pm tonight:
- Get active @ Beacon
- Get active @ Jesmond
- Get active @ Kincorth
- Get active @ Lochside
- Get active @ Northfield
- Get active @ Sheddocksley
Other venue updates:
- Adventure Aberdeen Snowsports Centre will close at 9:15pm after the lessons finish – however please note the public session has been cancelled.
- Get active @ Alex Collie will close at 9pm tonight.
- Get active @ Westburn will close at 5pm tonight.
- Tullos Swimming Pool will close at 7:30pm tonight.
- Linx Ice Arena will close at 7:15pm tonight – there will be no public session or hockey training this evening and no coaching session on Friday morning. The venue will open on Friday afternoon at 3:15pm as planned.
On Friday 22nd November, the following venues will have a later opening time of 9am:
- Get active @ Jesmond
- Get active @ Northfield
- Get active @ Sheddocksley
- Tullos Swimming Pool
All other venues will open at 9am or thereafter as per usual opening hours (all venue opening hours can be found on our website here: https://www.sportaberdeen.co.uk/venues).
The safety of our customers, members and employees is our top priority – please be careful and take care when travelling to our venues.
We hope this will be the last of the snow disruption and we look forward to hopefully operating by our usual hours from tomorrow onwards. 😊🤞
For the latest weather updates, keep checking our website, social media and app.
Due to the heavy snow forecast this afternoon, the following venues will close at 6pm today:
- Aberdeen Tennis Centre
- Adventure Aberdeen Snowsports Centre
- Get active @ Alex Collie
- Get active @ Beacon
- Get active @ Jesmond
- Get active @ Kincorth
- Get active @ Northfield
- Get active @ Sheddocksley
- Get active @ Westburn
- Linx Ice Arena
- Tullos Swimming Pool
The following venues will remain fully closed today:
- Bridge of Don Swimming Pool
- Dyce Swimming Pool
- Get active @ Cults
- Get active @ Lochside
- Get active @ Peterculter
On Wednesday 20th November, the following venues will have a later opening time of 9am:
- Get active @ Jesmond
- Get active @ Northfield
- Get active @ Sheddocksley
- Tullos Swimming Pool
All other venues will open at 9am tomorrow as normal.
The safety of our customers, members and employees is our top priority – please be careful and take care when travelling!
For the latest weather updates, keep an eye on our website, social media and app.
As part of a recent marketing campaign, Sport Aberdeen decided to run a radio competition through Original 106.
From Monday – Thursday, entrants had to guess the sound of a different piece of gym equipment. The four entrants were then entered into a draw on the Friday and the winner received a FREE Sport Aberdeen Get active membership.
Rory Smith, the lucky competition winner, said: “I entered the competition after hearing it on the radio and was surprised to be picked.
“I knew the sound of an exercise bike well after many years using them… I was doubly surprised to be picked as the winner of a whole year’s Get active membership with Sport Aberdeen.”
Sharing details about how he plans to use his prize, Rory said: “I plan to get myself a bit more toned as I do run but have been absent from the gym for a fair while and it’s showing….
“I also plan on trying all that the membership has to offer…even the snowboarding and skiing!
“I did my first marathon on the 5th October this year with the Fit Like Joggers who planned and organised my day… it was a slow and steady run but so well organised.
“My fellow FLJs were so supportive from planning the run, to running with me, supporting from the road side and turning up to welcome me over the line for a few well earned beers, and partying on when I ran out of steam! They truly are the best bunch of people.”
“My goal now, as I have said earlier, is to build a better or leaner version of me, as there are a few miles on the clock and as we mature, a good level of fitness is important.
“I am very grateful to have won this prize and intend to make the most of it.”
Sport Aberdeen’s Get active membership includes swimming, over 100 fitness classes every week, access to all gyms, ice skating, golf at five courses, tennis, badminton, padel tennis and open ski and snowboarding sessions.
It is amazing value for money at only £48.50 per month, find out more and purchase here.
Bridge of Don-based Mike Elrick is grateful that Sport Aberdeen’s Active Lifestyles classes have helped him stay active following a personal health scare.
Mike had a heart attack in 2004 after being diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in 1999. He suffered a stroke on 31st January 2021 and had blood clots in his lungs whilst in hospital.
Susan – Mike’s fiancée of 32 years – saved his life when she noticed something was up and phoned the paramedics, then Mike was taken into Aberdeen Royal Infirmary (ARI).
After his stroke, Mike’s daughter looked into available exercise classes.
He initially attended Seated Yoga at Get active @ Alex Collie: “It was really good. I met a girl there Linda who said that she was doing table tennis, so I started coming to that too.
“I now play on a Monday afternoon and a Thursday afternoon.”
After participating in seated yoga classes for around six months and noticing his overall fitness was beginning to improve, Mike commented: “I was starting to get better and feel better. When I came out of the hospital, I was walking with a stick.
“Gradually I got fitter and I got rid of the stick!
“I was able to start going to Stable and Able classes at Get active @ Jesmond on a Tuesday morning as I was looking for something a bit more intense.
“I also started the Steady Steps classes on a Wednesday morning – the staff there are a friendly bunch.”
As an active person by nature, Mike shares details about the exercise he used to participate in when he was younger.
“When I was 45 years old, I used to swim three mornings per week at Northfield Swimming Pool. Then I used to play ice hockey recreationally – my son was the goalkeeper for Aberdeen U12s.
“I also used to play golf at Kings Links Golf Course and I was a member of the Caledonian Golf Club.”
Speaking about his enjoyment of his exercise routine now, Mike said: “It’s great finding this facility [Get active @ Jesmond] that’s here.
“The staff are all great, and so is everyone in the classes.
“It does make me tired by lunchtime, but I just tell Susan I’m too tired to do the hoovering.
“I wouldn’t miss the classes ever now – I look forward to getting up in the morning to come along.”
Image above: Mike in the gym at Get active @ Jesmond
Mike’s current exercise routine consists of the following:
- Monday morning Active Lifestyles Seated Exercise class at Get active @ Jesmond from 11:30 – 12:30
- Monday afternoon table tennis at Get active @ Jesmond from 13:00 – 16:00
- Tuesday morning yoga at Bridge of Don Academy
- Wednesday morning Steady Steps class at Get active @ Jesmond
- Thursday afternoon table tennis at Get active @ Jesmond from 13:45 – 16:00
Grateful for all that he is able to physically do during a week, Mike commented:
“I’ve been lucky – I had a good stroke. I’ve been able to recover by coming to the gym. A lot of people might just stay sitting down.
“The stroke I took was a right-sided stroke so there’s still a bit of numbness there and sometimes I feel unstable when I’m walking. I’m careful when I’m going up and down stairs.
“I’m getting better, fitter – everyone can see that. I notice a big difference in my mobility.”
Mike shares his advice for anyone thinking about trying out the gym or a fitness class: “Just come along and give it a go! You can try out a free guest pass.
“It’s great value for money, I’m on a Fitness membership now. If I can inspire someone and they read this, then that’s a bonus.
“The membership is brilliant; it has improved my health and fitness.
“My car is like me, old but it’s in good condition.
“As well as the fitness classes, I really enjoy table tennis; I’ve become more competitive as I have become healthier and more able.
“We have a good laugh and I enjoy the banter and camaraderie.
“I get excited at the occasional good shot. They call me lucky Mike as I have a habit of it hitting the net and it goes over!”
Find out more about Sport Aberdeen’s membership options here.
Award-winning charity Sport Aberdeen recently transformed its former Studio 2 space and launched The Quad – a brand-new functional fitness studio at Get active @ Jesmond.
The Quad boasts a 40-piece equipment set up including punch bags, SkiErgs, AirRunner treadmills, Dumbbells, battle ropes and loads more!
With a focus on functional fitness training, the space can be easily rearranged to accommodate a wide range of fitness activities and training styles.
It is open to everyone – from those who want to do an independent workout, to those who want to try out a class.
Evelyn Mair, Group Health & Fitness Manager, said: “The Quad provides something fresh, new and exciting for our members and visitors, empowering them to take their training experience to the next level.
“We have created 4 zones within the space which can be set up in loads of different ways. The space caters for all ages and abilities, so we’d encourage everyone to come and try it out.”
Currently the classes on offer are Quad Energy – a high energy circuits class using a variety of equipment and movements, and Quad Fierce – a workout for women only to build confidence and feel empowered whilst having fun and meeting other likeminded women.
Existing Sport Aberdeen Fitness members and Get active members can use The Quad for free, whilst non-members can pay per visit.
Go along and check it out for yourself today!
Award-winning charity Sport Aberdeen has revealed its results and the positive impact it made on local communities over the last budget year, demonstrating increased activity across all key delivery areas.
During the 2023/24 year, Sport Aberdeen recorded over 1.4m visits to its venues and had an impressive19,000 people signed up to one of its memberships or coached programmes.
With a focus not only on providing a universal wellbeing service for all, Sport Aberdeen has continued to go above and beyond to provide specialist support for young people, elderly citizens and those living with long term health conditions.
This support includes the following activities:
- Over 7,500 children got active every week through its coached programmes, with over 1,000 weekly classes including swimming, ice skating, snowsports, tennis, gymnastics and dance.
- Over 5,500 children participated in its Learn to Swim programme, and over 2,200 Primary 4 pupils were provided with free swimming lessons.
- 2,000 individuals with additional support needs took part in a programme of outdoor activities, including mountain biking, sand boarding and rock climbing.
- Active Lifestyles programme – supporting individuals with long term health conditions – had 37,000 older adults taking part across more than 4,000 sessions.
- 6,000 participants took part in its Walk Aberdeen walking groups.
- Over 115,000 rounds of golf were played, with its Golf membership sales increasing by 57%.
Last month, Sport Aberdeen celebrated the opening of its newly renovated functional fitness studio at Get active @ Jesmond, named The Quad.
The charity is excited about the future opportunities which lie ahead. These include the upgrade of its facilities at Westburn Park, developing more programmes to help support child obesity and e enhancing its offering to ensure elderly adults not only live longer, but live better.
Images above: Artists impression of Get active @ Westburn
Continued collaboration with its partners will be crucial for Sport Aberdeen to deliver increased social value.
Tony Dawson, Chairman, said: “At Sport Aberdeen, we pride ourselves in getting things done.
“We help people of all ages and abilities to improve their lives through sport and physical activity. We are passionate about improving the health and wellbeing of our city.
“We run top class facilities to ensure people have fun, feel good and we’ll continue to work closely with our partners to make our city a healthier, happier place.”
Keith Heslop, Chief Executive Officer, said: “We are committed to creating more sport and physical activity opportunities and we must continue to invest in sport and leisure in Aberdeen.
“By doing so, we are not solely building fitness centres, we are investing in preventive healthcare, reducing future medical costs, and improving the quality of life for our citizens.”
To watch Sport Aberdeen’s Annual Review 2023/24 video, please click here.
Sport Aberdeen was thrilled to be crowned Scottish Water’s ‘Learn to Swim Provider of the Year’ at the Scottish Swimming annual awards, which took place at P&J Live in Aberdeen on Saturday 21st September.
The award recognised Sport Aberdeen’s exceptional dedication to creating and delivering its highly acclaimed learn to swim programme, available for babies through to adults.
Currently, the charity provides swimming lessons to more than 5,500 children every week across its six citywide pools, alongside lessons for children with additional support needs, adults and those with a fear of water (aquaphobia). It also provides free swimming lessons for all Primary 4 pupils in Aberdeen.
Sport Aberdeen has a clear pathway for swimmers, starting out at Level 1 and looking to progress to club ready level, having links with various swim clubs in the city.
The same can be said for its employee pathway, the charity is committed to staff development and has the opportunity for individuals to start as volunteer helpers then progress to become Aquatics Teachers.
Sport Aberdeen Coached Programme Team celebrating the award
Dianne Breen, Coached Programme Manager, said: “This recognition of all our teachers hard work in providing fun and engaging lessons for children of all ages is incredible.
“Learning to swim is a vital life skill, and seeing so many children grow in confidence as they move through lessons is fantastic.
“Thanks to Scottish Swimming and Scottish Water for their continued support, and for recognising Sport Aberdeen as provider as the year.”
Dianne Breen, Coached Programme Manager with award
Euan Lowe, CEO at Scottish Swimming said: “We’re consistently impressed by the dedication of excellent local authorities, leisure trusts, and aquatic providers working towards the common goal of teaching this vital life skill across the country.
“We believe that everyone can swim, and all providers do a fantastic job in their roles teaching these valuable life skills, the panel of judges had a very tough choice to make.
“Sport Aberdeen has shown exceptional commitment to delivering lessons at the highest level and ensuring children become safer in the water, showing that the Learn to Swim programme is going from strength to strength.”
Peter Farrer, Chief Operating Officer at Scottish Water said: “It’s great to see the good work that Sport Aberdeen is doing in their drive to deliver high quality lessons and encourage as many young people as possible into the pool – learning to swim is such an important safety skill.
“The Scottish Water Learn to Swim Provider of the Year award gives us an incredible opportunity not only to celebrate and thank everyone involved in the Learn to Swim National Framework for the good work they all do, but also recognise all of the outstanding leisure providers across the country.
“With their help, and hundreds of others across the country, we’re making a really positive difference in creating Generation Swim, a generation of confident, safer and competent swimmers, who not only learn a vital life skill but will also get to experience the wider health and social benefits that swimming can offer.”
Sport Aberdeen was the first provider in Scotland to launch the pioneering ‘Good Boost’ programme – a unique aquatic rehabilitation service.
Good Boost sessions support participants with musculoskeletal (MSK) conditions to participate in individually tailored, water-based therapeutic exercises in friendly and supportive group classes.
The sessions are offered at two Sport Aberdeen venues: Get active @ Northfield and Tullos Swimming Pool. They are free for Sport Aberdeen members to attend or £6 per session for new customers.
Each participant is provided with a waterproof tablet-computer installed with Good Boost’s AI technology. The programme creates a personalised therapeutic aquatic exercise programme for each participant, displayed on the ‘Aqua Move’ app with instructional videos and details to support participants with mobility, balance and fitness.
One participant Lauraine McMann’s experience was extremely positive: “At my hydro pool class I already attend at Tullos Swimming Pool, I was encouraged to attend a new class called ‘Good Boost’ by one of the instructors – and I’m so glad I did!”
“I’ve had three full hip replacements (my first at age 45), a full knee replacement and a crushed spinal cord from my neck down – all caused by osteoarthritis amongst other things. I could hardly walk, have had to use crutches for five years to get me around, my balance was very bad, and I had trouble walking up stairs.”
“After I signed up for Good Boost, I was given a tablet and I had to put down all my health conditions and disabilities, then all the exercises you are given are tailored specifically for you. You log-in and get your own exercise regime.”
“I think this is fantastic as you know you are being taught the proper method of each exercise, without pain and discomfort whilst doing so.”
“I’ve been going to Good Boost for about 16 weeks and I can’t believe how far I’ve come on! It has given me a miraculous feeling of self-confidence, my anxiety and stress has gone, I can walk the length and breadth of the pool without the aid of a float or bar to stop me falling.”
“I’ve regained my balance, I feel that my legs are stronger, and I can stretch them now without pain. I still have pain in my back but much less than before.
“Every session in the pool I’ve improved and increased my exercise level, this gives me a sense of pride in myself, bringing up my self-esteem.”
“The instructors are great, they are in the pool to help with any challenges, and they give out the equipment that you need in the 45-minute session such as floats or weights.”
“I personally feel that I am the main driver in my recovery, with the help of Good Boost and my instructor Carol who is a god send! Her sense of humour and outgoing personality means she fits in well with everyone and is encouraging and helpful when needed.”
“I just want to finish off by saying a BIG THANK YOU to Good Boost and Sport Aberdeen for all their hard work and dedication in helping people regain a good quality of life through a regime of regular hydro pool, tailor made exercise classes.”
“I have no hesitation in recommending Good Boost to anyone.”
Another participant Linda Sturton said: “I’m enjoying the Good Boost sessions as they allow me to exercise pain free whilst I’m awaiting knee surgery.”
“They allow me to exercise regularly which I wouldn’t be able to do otherwise. I like how you can vary the workouts, use equipment like paddles, woggles etc. and also choose the length of time you want to exercise.”
“The pool is nice and quiet allowing you to concentrate on your exercises, with help available if you require it.”
Participant Helen McBrearty said: “I really enjoy attending Good Boost as it is helps with the osteoarthritis in my knees.”
“The water helps to make exercise less painful and working with the tablet, I can go at my own pace. I have also enjoyed getting to know some of the other participants and the staff at the pool who are very friendly and helpful.”
So far, there have been 2,713 GoodBoost Aqua sessions delivered by Sport Aberdeen since it commenced in May 2023. There are 123 individuals on the programme who are recurring users so have logged in to their account to view their exercises more than once.
Following the success of GoodBoost Aqua, Sport Aberdeen now offers GoodBoost Land classes which take place in the fitness studio at Get active @ Northfield.
The tablet allows participants to set their preferences to exercise in positions that they are comfortable with. To date, 87 land sessions have been delivered. Sport Aberdeen encourages those who have completed both Aqua and Land-based classes to continue getting active by taking out a Fitness membership. This provides access to all Sport Aberdeen gyms, swimming pools and over 100 fitness classes every week, as well as classes through the Active Lifestyles Programme – designed for older adults living with long-term health conditions.
Sport Aberdeen developed an effective partnership with Aberdeen City Health & Social Care Partnership (ACHSCP) to help people access health and social care services within its venue, Get active @ Northfield.
This was part of an 18-month pilot – named the ‘Community Room Test of Change’ project – which launched in October 2022.
Due to its success, after successful completion of the pilot in March 2024, the project has been approved to continue, on an annual review basis. This is testament to the impact made so far and the number of patients supported.
About the Community Room project
The Community Room project offers health, social care and wellbeing services in a sport and leisure facility (Get active @ Northfield), bringing vital services to the local community.
The purpose was to offer prevention activity (to keep people well), as well as rehabilitation activity (to reduce the impact of disease and injury on individuals).
The programmes and services offered at the community room were suited to the needs of the local population and included pediatric speech and language therapy, community listening, a pop-up vaccination clinic and pulmonary rehabilitation.
Get active @ Northfield is located within the Northfield area of Aberdeen, which is an area of high deprivation as noted by The Scottish Index of Multiple Deprivation (SIMD). It was important for the project to be trialed in this area to address widening health inequalities for the local community.
The project also focused on meeting local needs and recognising the multiple impacts of long-term ill health on people’s physical health, mental health and social wellbeing.
A further aim of having these services available within Get active @ Northfield was to help break down barriers faced by residents such as travel – so they could walk to the venue – and making the environment feel ‘less clinical’ by nature than a traditional doctor’s surgery.
Patients can self-refer and ask about the services on offer whilst visiting Get active @ Northfield, or they can be referred to the project by a health practitioner. Information is available at the venue through leaflets and posters and members of staff are available to answer questions.
ACHSCP also promotes the project across its teams and departments – local physiotherapists and occupational therapists all know about the room and its uses.
The diagram below shows all services that have been interlinked with the community room at Get active @ Northfield during the 18-month pilot:
The main benefit to patients who were part of the Community Room project was having teams to work closely with them to map their progress and own individual journeys – and then receiving the correct signposting to future services.
By being part of the project, patients experienced improved self-management of their health condition/illness. They also received additional leaflets and information about other relevant health services.
An individual on the Pulmonary Rehabilitation programme said: “I could hardly walk when I started the class. I now walk one mile every day and can cut my grass.”
Another pilot through the Community Room Project was called ‘Healthier Families’ – part of the Peep Learning Together Programme. This was a 12-week early intervention programme helping families with young children to make healthier food choices and engage in opportunities to get active.
Eight families were supported, each with toddlers aged between 1 and 3 years old.
One parent said: “We had never been to our local pool, now we visit all the time.”
The National Physical Activity Referral Pathway is shown below:
Sport Aberdeen’s Community Room project achieved an outcome set out in Aberdeen City Council’s Local Outcome Improvement Plan (LOIP) – to increase pulmonary rehabilitation uptake by 20% in 2023 (specifically designed for individuals living with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) or other respiratory conditions). This was a huge success indicator for the project.
Another example of the positive impact of the project was feedback from the community listening service. Attendees said they found it easier and more accessible to meet and talk at the community room rather than in a ‘clinical setting’. It has been so successful that the service is looking to be replicated in other areas of deprivation around the city including Tillydrone and Torry Community Hubs.
Get active @ Northfield achieved the Tackling Inequalities in Leisure Standard accreditation in November 2023, with its overall rating marked as gold/excellent. This gives credibility to the venue and demonstrates its commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion – a key priority for Sport Aberdeen.
Looking ahead, Sport Aberdeen has been working with NHS Grampian’s Dietetics department, and will deliver a community-based adult weight management intervention called Counterweight, launching in September 2024.
The 12-week programme will consist of physical activity combined with nutritional education and builds on previously piloted work. Counterweight will offer a Tier-2 community based self-management intervention as part of the adult weight management pathway.
Once people have been through this programme, Sport Aberdeen will encourage them to join its Fitness membership to continue getting active by going to the gym, swimming and attending fitness classes at over 10 venues in Aberdeen.