1st April 2015
Better news for disabled people
Successful membership scheme smashes 4,000 barrier
A discounted disability membership scheme has smashed its targets, accruing over 4,000 members since it launched at the House of Commons in 2012.
The Better Inclusive scheme is operated by charitable social enterprise GLL under its Better brand and offers access to more than 150 Better sports and leisure centres across the UK at significantly reduced rates. Participating facilities include flagship venues such as the Copper Box Arena on the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, Crystal Palace National Sports Centre and the Manchester Aquatics Centre. It forms a key part of the social enterprise's Olympic and Paralympic legacy strategy to maximise and sustain sports participation across all groups.
Ben Quilter, Disability & Sport Development Officer at GLL said: "As the largest provider of public sport and leisure facilities in the UK, one of our key social objectives is to maximise opportunities to increase and sustain sports participation. The success of the Better Inclusive membership scheme demonstrates that there is huge latent demand amongst the disabled community, who wish to take part in sports and other physical activities. We're delighted by the take up to date and hope to provide opportunities for many more disabled people over the coming years."
Members of the Better Inclusive scheme benefit from:
Access to more than 150 Better leisure centres across the UK
Access to centres at anytime (not restricted to off peak)
Inclusive access to the gym, swimming, group exercise classes as well as a fitness induction
No joining fee and no minimum contract
Available as a direct debit or annual membership
Six days advance telephone booking
Online booking for activities
Access to courses and other member-only activities
Up to 30% off non-member prices for any other activities
To be eligible for Better Inclusive membership, customers must be over 16 years old and meet one of the following criteria: Personal Independence Payment, Disability Living Allowance (65 or over), Employment and Support Allowance, Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit, Disabled Persons Tax Credit. The monthly membership cost is £19.95
Better Inclusive Case-study: Alan Walker
British army veteran Alan Walker 56 years had to adjust to losing his sight, literally overnight, after he was struck down with a rare virus which left him blinded in one eye and partially sighted in the other.
In Alan's own words his "world fell apart at that moment." Not only was he unable to see, he could no longer work in his job as a chauffeur.
After getting over the initial shock, Alan contacted the Blind Veterans Association, who have provided him with wide-ranging emotional and practical support to help him get his life back on track.
He also began exercising regularly at his local Better Banstead leisure centre, as a Better Inclusive member. For the past 18 months Alan has visited the centre on a daily basis. He swims every morning at 7am, then uses the gym with the assistance of a Fitness Instructor and returns in the evening with a neighbour who he is now mentoring.
Alan has lost an incredible seven stone and is now the fittest he been since leaving the army in 1990. His re-awakened love of exercise has also opened up a new career path. Alan has received funding to undertake a Level 2 Fitness Instructors Course, with Level 3 in disability. His goal is to become a fitness instructor for disabled people at the new Better Tadworth Community and Leisure Centre in Banstead, which opens in September 2015.,
In February 2015 Alan was shortlisted for the Blind Veterans Association Sportsperson of the Year.
-Ends-
Notes to the Editor
Photograph shows Better Inclusive member Alan Walker.
About GLL
Better Leisure Centres are operated by GLL.Established in 1993, GLL is the largest UK-based charitable social enterprise delivering leisure, health and community services. We operate over 145 public sport and leisure centres and 27 libraries (including three prison libraries) in partnershipwith over 30 localcouncils, public agencies and sporting organisations. Our leisure facilities enjoy more than 39 million visitors a year with over 450,000 members.
Alongside its core leisure and library divisions, we also operates in sport and legacy development, health intervention and education - as well as offering the GLL Sports Foundation, one of the largest independent support programmes for talented young athletes in the UK.
For further press information
Carole Pendle
Pendle PR
On behalf of GLL
Tel: 07768 462601
Email: carole@pendlepr.com