Last week, to coincide with National Fitness Day, GLL – the charitable social enterprise that operates Better leisure centres in Gateshead – welcomed MP for Blaydon and Consett, Liz Twist, to Blaydon Leisure Centre.

The event was designed to highlight the vital role health and leisure facilities play in supporting the wellbeing of Blaydon’s community, providing opportunities for people of all ages to stay active, develop new skills and maintain meaningful connections.

During the visit, Liz Twist attended the popular weekly Senior Social Club session to see first-hand how local leisure facilities are bringing people together, supporting healthy ageing and helping to tackle social isolation.

She had the opportunity to meet regular attendees, hear about their experiences and see how the club provides a welcoming space for older members of the local community to meet, socialise and stay active.

The Senior Social Club, which launched earlier this year, is part of GLL's wider commitment to putting customers and communities at the heart of its work.

Liz also toured the wider leisure centre, meeting staff and customers and seeing the range of facilities available to the local community. These included the 68-station gym, which was fully refurbished last year; the 25-metre swimming pool, used by members and school swimming groups; the outdoor and 3G pitches; and the athletics track, where plans are in place to introduce additional outdoor classes from next year.

Simon Lancaster, GLL’s Community Sport Manager for the North East, said: “It was wonderful to welcome Liz Twist to Blaydon Leisure Centre and for her to meet some of our regular Senior Social Club members. Hearing directly from the people who use the club really brings to life the positive difference these sessions can make.

“As a charitable social enterprise, putting customers and communities at the heart of what we do is incredibly important to GLL. Visits like this also give us an opportunity to showcase the wider role that leisure centres can play in supporting healthier, happier and more connected communities.”

Liz Twist, MP for Blaydon and Consett, said “I was delighted to visit Blaydon Leisure Centre to celebrate National Fitness Day and see the fantastic work being done to help people of all ages become more active.

“It was particularly impressive to hear about the centre's outreach into the community, and the range of activities they have on offer. Local leisure centres play an important role in supporting healthier, more active communities, we are very lucky to have such an excellent resource in Blaydon Leisure Centre on our doorstep."

National Fitness Day is coordinated by ukactive, the UK’s trade body for the physical activity sector. The campaign saw thousands of gyms, pools, leisure centres and sports clubs across the UK host free activities to help people of all ages, backgrounds and abilities to try something new and take the first step to a more active life.

Cameron Saunders, CEO of ukactive, said: “It’s great to see MPs visiting their local gyms, pools and leisure facilities so they can witness first-hand the impact ukactive members are having on the mental and physical wellbeing of their communities.

“Through supporting our mission of more people, more active, more often, fitness and leisure facilities are helping millions of people lead healthier, happier and better-connected lives.”