Cash fears as leisure charities gear up to boost our physical and mental wellbeing

Many people are still surprised to find out that Edinburgh Leisure is a charity; it exists to support the health and wellbeing of Edinburgh citizens.

Tennis courts are reopening for business after lying empty for months

The charity delivers a huge range of services and wellbeing projects throughout the city, there’s even an Active Communities Team that is dedicated to working with people who, because of health conditions and/or inequalities, require greater support to be physically active.

The venues have been closed since 20 March with the majority of staff furloughed; however, there has been an increase in the digital offering with the Find Your Feel Good at Home web hub and regular communication with customers.

Find Your Feel Good at Home hub enables customers to bring a little bit of Edinburgh Leisure into their home with an array of online opportunities and support to stay active and healthy. The First Minister’s announcement on 28 May signals the re-opening of golf courses (4 June) and the tennis courts at the Meadows are now open for play. The golfing customers will experience a number of changes at Edinburgh Leisure courses; all have been introduced to protect customers and staff from the risk of infection. Everyone is having to adapt to a new normal – that even extends to the golf course!

The positive impact that Edinburgh Leisure has on people’s physical and mental wellbeing is replicated throughout the country by charities who deliver public leisure, sport, and cultural activities. All exist for and are committed to the health and wellbeing of their respective communities. Covid-19 has perhaps given everyone a greater appreciation of the importance of good health and how fragile it is.

We are in the midst of a public health crisis and charities such as Edinburgh Leisure are doing what they can at the moment to support customers’ wellbeing and, undoubtedly, have a big role to play going forward in the City’s recovery. However, like local authorities and charities throughout the country, the Covid-19 crisis is placing a huge financial burden on the city council and Edinburgh Leisure now and in the future. Edinburgh Leisure is a member of Community Leisure UK, the members association that specialises in charities delivering public leisure and cultural services across the country. The association has identified that well over 50 per cent of its members are financially insecure as they seek to rebuild their income over a 12-18 month period, appreciating that once facilities re-open, the ‘cost tap’ will be on, but income from customers will be a fraction of that prior to the shutdown.

The Government introduced measures to help but more urgent support is needed. Without it, public leisure, sport and culture may not survive. This would have a devastating impact on the health and wellbeing of individuals and communities throughout the country at a time when, more than ever, there is a need for public leisure, sport and cultural services.

June Peebles, chief executive, Edinburgh Leisure