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GLL

Contact  |  Updates
Daryll Neita, GLL Athlete who secured a bronze in the women’s 100m and a silver in the 4x4 100m relay at the Birmingham Commonwealth Games
What we can do for you
Our purpose is to improve the physical, mental and social wellbeing of local communities.

As the UK’s leading provider of both leisure centres and libraries we operate nearly 400 locations all helping to make a real difference to local communities and local people.

Every penny that GLL makes is reinvested back into the business to support our social purpose. www.gll.org

Background/History
GLL was formed as a ‘spin out’ from Greenwich Council’s Leisure Department in 1993 – starting with just seven leisure facilities.

We are a staff owned charitable social enterprise – a leisure provider that follows a different, fairer and better way of doing business.

We are proud to be accredited by the Living Wage Foundation.

Key products and services
GLL operates over leisure, health, libraries and sports and legacy development.

GLL’s position as sport and leisure’s leading charitable social enterprise is built upon a solid foundation of services we provide to partners, key stakeholders and customers.

GLL helps build active and sustainable communities through partnership working. We work to a social agenda and are committed to providing accessible community facilities for all. We believe in offering value for money.

Our services are wide ranging and offer current and potential partners a range of solutions and options for enhanced service delivery, increased value for money and tangible added value through social value measurement and reporting.

We’ve been operating leisure centres since 1993 – since 2014 under our customer facing brand “Better” www.better.org.uk, and it’s probably what we’re best known for.

We are the UK’s largest public pools and public libraries provider – and the biggest provider of school swimming lessons.

USPs
We are the largest charitable leisure social enterprise in the UK, celebrating 30 years in 2023.

We operate the UK’s largest independent athlete support programme – The GLL Sport Foundation https://www.gllsportfoundation.org/ Celebrating 15 years in 2023 under our Patron Sally Gunnell, the Foundation has supported 24,000 athletes on their sporting journey since its inception in 2008, resulting in dozens of medals at international competition including Commonwealth Games, Olympics and Paralympics.

We are the UK’s largest public libraries operator – in 2023 celebrating 10 years of offering some of the best-used libraries in the country.

We are rooted in local communities, at the heart of health and wellbeing.

We produce impressive amounts of social value (£350m in 2022) – across a range of measures from physical and mental health to subjective wellbeing, to individual development and social and community development.

We operate some of the most iconic legacy facilities in the UK including the Manchester Aquatic Centre, London Aquatic Centre, Copper Box Arena and since 2022 – the London 2012 Olympic venues of the Lee Valley Regional Park.
GLL video gallery:
Plans for the next 12 months
Continue the strong bounce back from Covid, growing membership and sales.

Reducing barriers to participation by maintaining our concessions and Kids for a Quid scheme.

Partnering with UK Active, Community Leisure UK, the LGA, RLSS, Swim England and SEUK lobbying central and local government for financial support to meet the ‘existential threat’ to public leisure operators from utility price rises.
Key personnel
Peter Bundey, chief executive officer
Phil Donnay, deputy ceo
Mark Sesnan, OBE, chief officer and special adviser
Key customers
Companies we work with include Annodata, Physical Company, Technogym, Change Please and Divine Chocolate.

Local Authorities and Agencies we work with include Greenwich Council, Belfast City Council, Cardiff City Council, Lee Valley Regional Park Authority, LLDC, ukactive, SportsAid, SportsAid Wales, Mary Peters Trust, Swim England and Sport England.
Testimonial
“We made the decision to begin supporting the GLL Sport Foundation in 2015, and it is a pleasure to announce the renewal of our sponsorship with this incredible institution.

"Many bright and talented athletes throughout the United Kingdom are unable to chase their dreams of sporting glory due to lack of funding. We are passionate about helping GSF give equal opportunities to all young people and achieving their dreams of competing on the international stage.

"Our partnership enables both our brands to share the success of the UK’s most aspiring athletes who we are proud to have heard speak in such an inspirational way at our internal Sales Conferences and who have supported our marketing and brand development goals through representation and storytelling both in person and via social media”.
– Rod Tonna-Barthet, chief executive, Annodata
"I am so thankful for the support I have received from GLL Sport Foundation. My first individual medal ever is extremely special, and I would not be here if it wasn’t for the support, I have received from the GLL ‘family’.”
– Daryll Neita, Birmingham Commonwealth Games bronze and silver medalist, GLL Athlete
"This exciting new chapter cements the future of our six key sports venues and is part of our commitment to the many communities we serve far and wide. We have carefully structured this partnership with GLL to ensure that visitors will continue to enjoy the very best in these stellar, highly popular venues. We look forward to together creating exciting new programmes and activities that draw on the strengths of both organisations.

“These venues are part of the Lee Valley visitor experience and will continue to be so with some of the best facilities and most inspiring settings to be found anywhere. As part of the partnership Lee Valley Regional Park Authority will continue to invest to ensure that they go from strength to strength, delivering real impact for communities.”
– Shaun Dawson chief executive, Lee Valley Regional Park Authority
updates & press releases
25 Apr 2024
‘FAB’ freebies for Barnet carers!
Being a carer – whether that’s looking after a young person, a senior citizen or someone with a long-term illness or disability – can be rewarding but stressful at times. These responsibilities may also limit the carer’s ability to find paid employment.

Because of these challenges, it’s essential, experts maintain, for carers to take part in some form of exercise, no matter how gentle, to destress and maintain their mental and physical wellbeing.

Edgeware resident Kevin Ziants, aged 61, is an unpaid carer for his elderly mother-in-law. He unwinds from the pressures of his role by taking part in regular sports and games at Burnt Oak and Copthall leisure centres – thanks to the benefits of his ‘FAB’ card.

FAB cards are available to any Barnet residents who are carers, foster carers or who have come through the care system themselves. The card offers free swimming in any of Barnet’s leisure centres and discounts of up to 50% on other classes and activities.

Kevin is so chuffed with his card that he visits his local facilities four or five times a week. “I attend multi-sports sessions where you can choose from Pickleball, table tennis or short tennis. You just pick up a racquet and join in with whatever’s available!” he explains. “I also lead a walking football group. I love netball though I’m usually the only male there but I don’t mind! Sometimes, my wife comes with me if she’s not working.

“Taking part in all these sports gives me a positive purpose and something to look forward to every day.”

Barnet leisure centres are run by charitable social enterprise GLL under the ‘Better’ brand. Find out what a FAB card can offer here.

Apply for a FAB card here.
Kevin Ziants, aged 61, is an unpaid carer for his elderly mother-in-law Credit: GLL
24 Apr 2024
Better’s One NK leisure centre wellbeing event a wondrous success!
Last week saw the launch of a new ‘Health Hub’ at Better’s One NK leisure centre in North Hykeham.

Thought to be the first service of its kind in Lincolnshire, the Hub brings a variety of resources to a familiar community setting, making services such as blood pressure checks, physiotherapy and pulmonary rehabilitation more accessible to the public.

The project is the result of a partnership between health-related bodies including Better Leisure, Lincolnshire NHS Community Pulmonary Rehab, Lincolnshire NHS Community Cardiac Rehab, One You Lincolnshire and Great Northern Physiotherapy.  

Around 250 people attended the event along with councillors Richard Wright, Tony Mabbott and Gina Johnson-Hirt. Free ‘taster’ activities and talks included physiotherapy for osteo-arthritis, Shiatsu, chair-based exercise, and the menopause.

In addition, twenty-seven visitors underwent an assessment from the Better Healthwise team (where people with ongoing health challenges are referred for tailored exercise).
One NK is run by charitable social enterprise GLL under the 'Better' brand. The organisation is committed to supporting the wellbeing of local communities.
Twenty-seven visitors underwent an assessment from the Better Healthwise team Credit: GLL
24 Apr 2024
Sporting superstar helping Oxfordshire women to conquer the menopause
Triathlete Janette Cardy will host a trailblazing event at Carterton Leisure Centre next week showing local ladies how they can combat the worst effects of the menopause with good nutrition and exercise.

The occasion includes ‘taster’ sessions of strength training, stretching and the gym followed by a talk from Janette. There will be refreshments afterwards plus the chance to ask questions and mingle with the other attendees.

Janette, who lives in Witney, has represented GB as a triathlete both in European and world events and has worked as a personal trainer for more than twenty years. She is passionate about supporting people to become fitter and stronger whatever their age, body shape or ability and has a particular interest in helping women through the menopause.

She knows first-hand the importance of physical exercise for a healthy and productive life. “When I was forty, I was super-fit but then I was diagnosed with Graves’ disease, an autoimmune condition that causes weight-loss and anxiety,” she explains. “It caused me to have two strokes. Doctors told me that if I hadn’t been fit, I wouldn’t have survived.

“Then, when I was in my late-forties, I started going through the perimenopause and I found it really difficult,” she continues. “Anxiety was the worst symptom. I just didn’t feel like myself. Again, I fought my way back to good health with exercise. I felt like I’d been given a second chance at life so I decided to help other women with their own experiences of menopause.”

Janette has a website where she offers free advice to women all over the world and also runs women’s wellbeing days where she has seen participants break down in tears as they share their stories of midlife struggles.

“I’m not a doctor so I would never give medical advice,” she adds, “but strength-training is crucial as we tend to lose muscle-mass and bone-density as we age. It doesn’t have to be in a gym – you can use weights or a resistance band at home. Women should also try and find a form of exercise that they enjoy. Menopause doesn’t have to be a terrible experience – with the right support it can be an uplifting, invigorating time of life.”

Carterton Leisure Centre is run by charitable social enterprise GLL under the ‘Better’ brand. Kate Mulrey, the organisation’s Community Sport Manager in the region, comments, “This is the first time we’ve hosted an event like this and we’re thrilled to be working with Janette. We’re offering local women a much-needed opportunity to find out how they can improve their health and fitness as they get older.”

The event takes place on Thursday 2 May. Advanced booking is advised as spaces are limited.
Triathlete Janette Cardy Credit: GLL
18 Apr 2024
Pioneering project boosts business in Basingstoke
A sports complex might not be your first thought when you’re looking for a peaceful and comfortable, drop-in workspace. However, that could soon change thanks to an innovative new project at Basingstoke Leisure Centre.

Staff there have created a designated ‘hot desking’ room where members of the public can catch-up with e-mails, write essays, conduct internet research or complete any number of administrative tasks in a quiet and private environment.

What’s more, it’s completely free for all members while non-members may book four-hour slots for just £10. And because the room is accessed via a code that changes each day, people can feel reassured that their belongings are safe.

Basingstoke Leisure Centre is run by charitable social enterprise GLL under the ‘Better’ brand. The organisation is committed to supporting the wellbeing of local communities and this initiative is part of that.

Paul Shearman, GLL’s Partnership Manager in the region, comments, “We’re ideally-situated, right in the town centre – one of the busiest shopping centres in the UK - and close to a railway station. Some of our customers might go shopping or come to our gym or a fitness class and then visit our workspace afterwards.

“We’ve had great feedback. Although there are lots of coffee shops nearby offering free wi-fi, those places can sometimes be very noisy with children crying or the clattering of cups and saucers. People tell us they like our workspace because it’s a quiet oasis.”

The project launched last year and has gradually increased in popularity as word has spread. The centre also offers conference rooms for hire on the premises and there are plans to develop a smaller meeting room.
Basingstoke Leisure Centre is run by GLL under the ‘Better’ brand. Credit: GLL
10 Apr 2024
‘Better’ managers get a ‘taste’ for volunteering
The management team from ‘Better’ leisure centres in the Lewisham area is looking for local projects that need a helping hand.

This week, eight colleagues volunteered at the local Irish Centre in Catford, preparing a hearty, three-course meal for almost fifty visitors. Working with the charity Food Cycle, they split into two groups to prepare and serve carrot and coriander soup, vegetarian spaghetti Bolognese and croissant bread pudding.

They enjoyed the experience so much that they’re keen to find another worthy cause.

Food Cycle exists to help tackle food poverty and wastage by making meals out of locally-sourced, surplus food that would normally go to landfill. This may have become damaged in transit, might be past its ‘best before’ date or might have been over-ordered but even so, is still perfectly edible. Food Cycle provides free meals at the Lewisham Irish Centre on Wednesdays and Saturdays.

Matthew Houghton, Better’s Community Sport Manager in the region, comments, “The management team thoroughly enjoyed the afternoon and we would like to thank Mel and her team at Food Cycle for their patience, guidance and support. It all ran very smoothly and we were complemented on our professionalism – although we did have one of the team chop enough garlic to feed the five thousand!

“Other than that, it turns out that if we didn't have a career in leisure, catering could be our second calling! Now we’re itching to get going with our next challenge so if you know of a group looking for volunteers, please get in touch – [email protected].”

Better leisure centres are run by charitable social enterprise GLL. Supporting local communities is an important part of the organisation’s ethos.
Eight GLL colleagues volunteered at the local Irish Centre in Catford Credit: GLL
10 Apr 2024
Sponsored swimmer supporting friend in need
Reading resident Tash Young is launching a sponsored swim on April 15 to raise money for a dear friend who is suffering from cancer.

Over a period of three months, she will swim the equivalent of the English Channel and back – an astonishing 44 miles - at Palmer Park leisure centre. This adds up to a gruelling 2,704 lengths of the centre’s 25-metre pool.

Tash works for the NHS and is the mum of three young boys. She was blindsided to learn that her friend Sarah Brown had been diagnosed with stage 4 metastatic breast cancer, aged just 37. Sarah is a much-loved reception teacher at Earley St Peter primary school.

Tash explains her reasons for undertaking the swim. “I am naturally a quiet person, not someone who likes to be front and centre, but this story got to me in a way that nothing else has before.

“Sarah is in her thirties, as am I, and we have children of the same age. With a roll of a die, her situation could be my situation. I am not in the position to donate lots of money personally however I can donate the small amount of time I do have to help raise money - money that will make a massive difference to Sarah and her family.

“It will go towards paying for complementary treatments, to go alongside the treatment Sarah is already receiving from our wonderful NHS. This could be the difference between her being here for months or years with her beautiful family.”

Sarah and her husband Joff have two young boys – Gabriel aged 7 and Arthur aged 5. She comments, “My family and I are completely overwhelmed by Tash’s incredible offer to raise money for my treatment. The challenge she has set herself is a massive one and I couldn’t be more humbled and grateful by her selflessness to put her body and mind through the mill for me. 

“Metastatic cancer is a terrifying diagnosis, but our resolve has always been to do all we can to fight it. Fundraising events like Tash’s will raise money to help me explore all avenues of treatment, to hopefully keep me with my boys for as long as possible.”

Palmer Park leisure centre is managed by social enterprise GLL under the ‘Better’ brand. The centre’s General Manager, Rob Ansell, has offered Tash free membership to allow her to complete her challenge at no cost. He adds, “The team at Palmer Park are very sorry to hear about the sad and challenging circumstances that Sarah finds herself in and we greatly admire Tash’s gesture to help raise funds for her friend.

“Offering her the opportunity to use our pool is the least that we can do. We applaud the feat she will be undertaking and will be doing what we can to help raise awareness and assist with the fundraising effort.” 

To find out more or make a donation, visit the Go Fund Me page
Tash will swim the equivalent of the English Channel and back – 44 miles - at Palmer Park leisure centre Credit: GLL / Tash Young
GLL
Address: Middlegate House, The Royal Arsenal, London, SE18 6SX, UK
Peter Bundey, chief executive officer
GLL video gallery:
Key personnel
Peter Bundey, chief executive officer
Phil Donnay, deputy ceo
Mark Sesnan, OBE, chief officer and special adviser
Key customers
Companies we work with include Annodata, Physical Company, Technogym, Change Please and Divine Chocolate.

Local Authorities and Agencies we work with include Greenwich Council, Belfast City Council, Cardiff City Council, Lee Valley Regional Park Authority, LLDC, ukactive, SportsAid, SportsAid Wales, Mary Peters Trust, Swim England and Sport England.