A swimming partnership providing inclusive swimming lessons for Primary school aged children with disabilities has gone from strength to strength and is now supporting 450 children every week.

Everyone Active launched its partnership with charity Level Water in March 2022 to help develop swimming opportunities for children with disabilities across the UK. The collaboration has helped remove barriers to swimming participation while supporting more children to build confidence in the water and develop a lifelong skill.

The swimming programmes supports children aged between 4 and 11 to develop essential swimming skills. Everyone Active manages the delivery of these lessons at 79 of its pools, while Level Water provides funding, support and specialist training for Everyone Active swim teachers – with more than 500 trained so far.

Level Water uses the power of swimming to improve the lives of children with disabilities. In the UK, access to swimming is not equal, and the charity gives children with disabilities the opportunity to learn to swim by working together with pools to provide swimming lessons for the same price as a standard group lesson.

Everyone Active’s strategic lead for aquatics, Anjilee Lane, said: “We are proud to support the fantastic work of Level Water. Since launching the partnership in 2022, we’re delighted to have supported the swimming development for more than 700 children with disabilities and introduced them to the fun and engaging swimming environment.

“Improve People’s Lives and Everyone Matters are two of Everyone Active’s core values, so we’re delighted to continue our partnership with Level Water, which is making a real difference in supporting children with disabilities.”

Level Water’s CEO, Ian Thwaites, said: "Our partnership with Everyone Active has been a total game-changer - their incredible teachers now deliver nearly a third of our entire programme. Reaching 450 weekly lessons is a massive milestone to celebrate. However, demand remains incredibly high, and we are fully committed to working together to expand these vital opportunities".

To find out more about Level Water, visit the website here: https://www.levelwater.org/

Leading leisure operator, Everyone Active has announced the appointment of three senior leaders to its board, reinforcing the organisation’s commitment to innovation, growth and operational excellence across the UK.

The appointments see commercial director Alison Ford, regional director (Central) Mark Leahy, and regional director (South) Ian Cook join the board, bringing with them decades of combined experience across the leisure, health and wellbeing sector.

The board expansion reflects Everyone Active’s ongoing investment in strong leadership and recognise the significant contribution each individual has made to the business and its success.

Alison Ford has played a pivotal role in shaping Everyone Active’s commercial strategy, leading initiatives that have driven membership growth, customer engagement and revenue performance across the organisation’s South East portfolio of centres.

Previously serving as regional contract managers, Mark Leahy and Ian Cook have overseen operations and growth across a combined 23 contracts within the South East region. Their new roles follow an expansion of Everyone Active’s regional structure, with the South East region dividing to create separate Central and South regions. The change establishes four strategic regions across the Everyone Active group.

They have both delivered high standards of service and industry-leading operational performance while supporting teams across multiple sites and helping to strengthen Everyone Active’s presence within communities and local authority partnerships.

The trio will work alongside the existing board to help guide the strategic direction of the business, maintaining the highest quality of services and delivering positive community impact across the UK.

Duncan Jefford, managing director at Everyone Active, said: “Alison, Mark and Ian have each made an outstanding contribution to Everyone Active over many years, and I’m delighted to welcome them to the board.

“Their experience, leadership and deep understanding of our business, our people and our partners will be invaluable as we continue to grow and deliver exceptional services for the communities we serve.”

Everyone Active currently manages more than 260 leisure and cultural facilities on behalf of local authorities and partners across the UK, welcoming millions of visitors each year.

For more information about Everyone Active’s services and its commitment to inclusive activity, visit the website: Everyone Active - Leading Operator for Gym, Swim and Activities

Award-winning leisure operator Everyone Active has partnered with Team GB sprinter and TV personality Harry Aikines-Aryeetey as its first-ever YOU+ Ambassador.

The year-long partnership marks a significant evolution in Everyone Active’s mission to champion holistic health, moving beyond traditional fitness to focus on longevity and the "six pillars" of YOU+ wellness. As the face of the brand, Harry will help drive awareness, engagement and education around the organisation’s wellness membership.

Harry has been a prominent figure within Everyone Active’s Sporting Champions scheme since 2024. In this expanded role, he will bridge the gap between elite performance and everyday wellness, specifically aiming to inspire a new audience to leisure facilities and embrace balanced health through the six pillars of YOU+.

Central to the role is Harry’s collaboration with industry experts Oli Patrick (Physiology), Dr. Vanessa Moulton (Psychology), and Jamie Clements (Breathwork) to provide education across the "six pillars" of wellness. Beyond his role as an advocate, Harry will embark on his own personal wellness journey, undergoing professional development with the specialist team to deepen his understanding of longevity and holistic health.

Harry Aikines-Aryeetey said: "Having spent years training in Everyone Active centres, I’ve seen firsthand how these facilities act as the beating heart of local communities, bringing people together through more than just exercise. Whether you’re just starting out a new activity or looking to strengthen areas of your wellbeing, a balanced approach to health is everything.

 “I’m incredibly proud to be named the first YOU+ Ambassador and excited to show that longevity and wellbeing are about much more than just what happens in a gym, pool or studio."

 National fitness products & training manager, Steph Heath, added: "We’re thrilled to welcome Harry as our first YOU+ Ambassador. He is a fantastic role model who embodies the dedication and passion we promote across our centres.

 “We’re proud to be leading the industry through our significant investment in wellness, evidenced by the rollout of our innovative YOU+ product. With Harry's support, we are breaking down barriers to leisure and empowering people across the country to take charge of their health journey."

 Alongside his new responsibilities, Harry will continue his work with the Sporting Champions programme, which currently supports more than 1,400 athletes by providing free access to training facilities and professional mentoring.

Award-winning leisure operator, Everyone Active, has partnered with four-time Paralympic gold medallist Maisie Summers-Newton MBE as its new Aquatics Ambassador. The new role strengthens the organisation’s commitment to driving swimming participation across all ages and abilities, showcasing the award-winning swim programmes available at Everyone Active facilities.

Maisie has been part of Everyone Active’s Sporting Champions scheme since 2021, during which time she has established herself as one of the Great Britain’s most decorated swimmers. Through the partnership, she will work alongside Everyone Active to promote the benefits of swimming and highlight the importance of accessible community facilities in supporting swimming development.

Everyone Active swimming programmes support more than 200,000 children and adults learning to swim each week through swim lessons and school swimming. The award-winning swimming lessons follow Swim England’s Learn to Swim framework and are available for children from four months old.

As Aquatics Ambassador, Maisie will play a key role in encouraging swimmers that are both new to the swimming pool and supporting more experienced swimmers pursuing their aquatics ambitions. She will also support Everyone Active’s successful swim hat competition in partnership with local schools across the country.

Maisie said: “Swimming has been such a huge part of my life, and having access to great facilities has always been vital for training and development. I’ve seen firsthand just how important Everyone Active’s award-winning lessons are in helping people build essential skills and confidence in the water, as well as forming lasting friendships, so I’m incredibly proud to be named Everyone Active’s Aquatics Ambassador.

“There are so many fun initiatives, like the national swim hat competition, that will inspire a new generation to fall in love with swimming, and I’m really excited to be part of it.”

Maisie has recently gained her own swim teacher level 2 qualification and will work closely with Everyone Active’s aquatic teams to further her own career ambitions outside of swimming competition.

Everyone Active’s Group Aquatics and Activity Manager, Ian Cotton, said: “We’re thrilled to welcome Maisie as our Aquatics Ambassador. She is a fantastic role model for young swimmers and embodies the dedication and passion we see across the Sporting Champions programme.”

“Swimming is one of the most popular activities across our centres, and ambassadors like Maisie help inspire the next generation to dive in and discover the sport.”

Alongside her ambassador role, the Paralympian will continue to help raise awareness of the Sporting Champions programme, which is now supporting more than 1,400 athletes each year. The scheme provides free access to training facilities and mentoring support to help aspiring athletes progress in their sporting careers.

The winners have been crowned at Everyone Active’s prestigious Champions Awards, celebrating the achievements of community groups, inspiring athletes and supportive colleagues.

The event was hosted by Team GB’s double world 110m hurdles champion Colin Jackson at the English Institute of Sport Sheffield on Thursday, 19 February 2026.

Ten awards were presented across three schemes: Community Champions, Colleague Champions and Sporting Champions.

The celebration was kicked off by Olympic and Paralympic superstars, including Maisie Summers-Newton, Lauren Steadman and Richard Kilty, announcing several winners from the Sporting Champions scheme.

Recognising athletes who have had career successes and engaged in the scheme at their local Everyone Active centre, the awards also recognised those who have helped to inspire other up-and-coming sportsmen and women.

Two Community Champions awards were also announced at the awards event, which aims to celebrate unsung heroes making a difference. 

Everyone Active wants to support projects which are tackling local issues and changing lives, with the aim of building stronger communities and recognising the dedication of those who go above and beyond.

People involved in mentoring, promoting health and wellbeing, supporting inclusivity or leading environmental or cultural projects are urged to apply for the 2026-27 scheme. Applications open for all schemes from 20 February 2026 until 20 March 2026.

Successful applicants will secure valuable use of facilities within their local leisure centres, to help them carry out these projects. Everyone Active will raise awareness of this work to strengthen connections, encourage civic engagement and foster a culture of giving back.

Meanwhile, the Colleague Champions scheme recognises and rewards colleagues who consistently go above and beyond in their roles. Two further awards were announced at the awards, to deserving colleagues who had been nominated for their support at leisure facilities across the country.

David Bibby, Everyone Active’s managing director, said: “Our congratulations go to all of the award winners for their fantastic and well-deserved achievements.

“As a leisure provider working in partnership with more than 65 local authority partners, we feel it is important to cater for all sections of the community, and we hope to continue making a real difference to the athletes, individuals and community groups we support.”

To apply for Sporting Champions, Community Champions or Colleague Champions in 2026-27, visit the Everyone Active Champions website: Everyone Champions | The Home of Champions. Keep up with the latest Sporting Champions news by following @easportingchamps on Instagram.

Champions Award Winners:

• Sporting Champion Social Media Champion of the Year: Jono Harradine
• Sporting Champion Community Athlete of the Year: Michel Archange Obiang Oyono
• Sporting Champion Young Athlete of the Year: Hollie Goodwin
• Sporting Champion National Athlete of the Year: Reggie Robinson
• Sporting Champion Everyone Active Site of the Year: Flitwick Leisure Centre
• Sporting Champion Local Authority Partner of the Year: Derby City Council
• Colleague Champion Stephen Hulme Award for Inspirational Colleague: Jennifer Taylor
• Colleague Champion Outstanding Team Member: Dawn Jones
• Community Champion Local Hero Award: Megan Pinder
• Community Champion Outstanding Community Project: The Y.E.S. Project

Residents across Ealing are set to benefit from a £2.5 million investment in local leisure facilities after Everyone Active, which has managed the facilities since 2013, secured a new 10-year contract to continue managing the borough’s leisure centres.

The new partnership with London Borough of Ealing will begin on Sunday, March 1 2026 and will see Everyone Active continue operating key community leisure sites across the borough, including Acton Centre, Northolt Leisure Centre, Dormers Wells Leisure Centre and Brent Valley Golf Course and Fitness Centre.

As part of the contract, the £2.5 million investment will be used to modernise facilities, enhance the fitness offer and improve the overall customer experience across multiple sites.

Planned improvements will see Acton Centre refreshed with a significantly expanded main gym - around 50 per cent larger - including a much bigger free weights area, alongside upgraded gym and studio spaces. There will also be a new Reformer Studio, offering a welcoming, community-focused space for the popular workout.

Northolt Leisure Centre will also receive an expanded gym and upgraded fitness equipment across all areas, creating a modern and inclusive environment for all users.

Dormers Wells Leisure Centre will benefit from a refreshed main gym and women’s only gym, enhancing accessibility and providing versatile spaces for individual workouts and classes.

Brent Valley Golf Course and Fitness Centre will see its main gym refurbished, incorporating relocated fitness equipment to improve flow and capacity.

Further enhancements across these sites will include refreshed group exercise studios, improvements to wet changing facilities, and reconfigured layouts designed to create versatile and engaging spaces for both individual workouts and classes.

In addition to these centres, Everyone Active will continue managing Reynolds Sports Centre, Elthorne Sports Centre, Greenford Sports Centre, Perivale Park Athletics Track and Swift Road Outdoor Sports Centre, ensuring continuity of service for communities across the borough.

All refurbishment works are expected to be completed by autumn 2026, with improvements phased to minimise disruption for customers.

Phil Edwards, Contract Manager at Everyone Active, said: “We are delighted to have secured this new 10-year contract with London Borough of Ealing, which represents a significant long-term commitment to improving leisure facilities across the borough.

“This £2.5 million investment programme will enable us to deliver extensive improvements across multiple sites, modernising gyms and studios, expanding capacity where demand is growing and introducing new activities that will enhance the overall customer experience.

“Residents will continue to be supported by the same experienced teams they know and trust, while benefiting from upgraded facilities that are designed to be inclusive, welcoming and fit for the future.”

Councillor Blerina Hashani, Ealing Council’s cabinet member for thriving communities, said: “Our leisure centres play such a vital role in helping residents to be healthy, get fit and feel good. I’m delighted to see this significant investment to improve facilities and make them more accessible, modern and welcoming for everyone in our community. This longterm partnership with Everyone Active will help us support wellbeing across the borough for years to come.” 

In addition to facility investment, Everyone Active will continue to support aspiring athletes through its Sporting Champions scheme. The talent development programme provides free access to leisure facilities and mentoring support to help up-and-coming athletes reach their full potential.

Everyone Active will continue its inclusive membership programme in the borough. This includes complimentary memberships for cared-for children and care-experienced young people (via Council Family Support Team referral), free access for people living with Parkinson's and their carers, plus discounted rates for NHS staff, emergency service workers, full-time carers, and Universal Credit recipients.