![](https://www.leisureopportunities.co.uk/communityleisureuk/images/noline.gif) |
Praise for Health for Heroes
04 Jul 2024
An army veteran from Barrhead has praised East Renfrewshire Culture and Leisure's Health for Heroes initiative, which offers free health and wellbeing support for veterans.
Willie McColl, 72, served for 23 years, mainly in the Territorial Army, spent time in Canada and volunteered for the Gulf War in 1990. When he initially returned from service, he took up a variety of roles for Glasgow City Council, sweeping the streets, cleaning toilets for football games, driving heavy goods vehicles and working in an office, before taking early retirement due to health issues. Speaking during Armed Forces Month, Willie said: "When you finish, you miss it. Transitioning back into the 'normal' world is one of the most difficult things. When I first came back, I didn't belong anywhere." Willie endured a number of health issues over the years, including diabetes and hospital stays when suffering from pneumonia and sepsis. He was referred to East Renfrewshire's Live Active scheme, which supports members of the local community in becoming more active.
He explained: "I started speaking to the team and coming to the gym regularly, but stopped when we went into lockdown. I ballooned to 17.5 stones, so that's what got me into Live Active, where I learned about the Health for Heroes initiative. I am now around four stones lighter and one of the fittest in my classes. I attend Vitality class twice a week and am also a volunteer assistant, so I support the classes by bringing down the tea, coffee and water and organising the chairs. I've found a wee role for myself and it gives me something to do. I'm also a member of a book club at Barrhead Foundry library. It's a release for me. I head to the gym after the Vitality class for at least half an hour and mainly cycle and use the rowing machine. It does me the world of good." East Renfrewshire Culture and Leisure was the first leisure trust in Scotland to launch the scheme in 2019, which gives armed forces, army, navy and air force veterans a free fitness membership. This membership includes a consultation with an exercise specialist from the Active Health and Wellbeing Team and access to the gym, fitness classes and swimming. If members are looking for social support too, they can attend the Live Active supervised gym sessions and the Vitality group exercise classes, where getting to know each other is encouraged.
Willie added: "Health for Heroes is important. Would I have been here without it? I don't know. I was getting into being an old man. Barrhead Foundry is a good place. I spend a lot of time here now." Active Health and Wellbeing Team member and Gym Instructor Chris Vance co-ordinates the Health for Heroes scheme at East Renfrewshire Culture and Leisure. He said: "The Health for Heroes initiative is designed for ex-service men and women who need that extra bit of support due to mental and physical health conditions. The scheme has almost doubled in the last 18 months and our whole team supports them in their local community. The veterans have access to all of our facilities, from the gym and swimming pools to fitness and Live Active classes. It's good that they have someone they can come and speak to and we're often a listening ear, as well as supporting their physical wellbeing. Many of the veterans come regularly - some most days, others once or twice a week. Their stories are inspiring. They have been through a lot of tough times and challenges and some are still going through treatment for Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. They're doing really well and I'm always so impressed at how hard they work." East Renfrewshire Culture and Leisure also hosts a veterans’ breakfasts to support the Health for Heroes members to engage with each other and offer local community support. The most recent breakfast at Barrhead Foundry had two guest speakers – Murdo Mackenzie, treasurer of the local branch of the British Legion and Councillor Campbell, Depute Provost and Veterans’ Champion. Murdo talked about the support and friendship offered at Mearns Bowling Club, where the British Legion meets every Friday. Councillor Campbell was pleased to hear more about the support being offered to local veterans and told the group she was delighted to be the local Veterans’ Champion.
East Renfrewshire Council Veterans Support Advisor Jane Duncan, who was a Warrant Officer and served in the army for 22 years, has witnessed the positive impact that the Health for Heroes service can have first-hand. Jane added: "We owe so much to those who serve to protect our peace and freedom and this project is such a great example of ensuring that veterans have the best possible experience in the community."
For more information on ERCL’s Health for Heroes initiative, please contact Active Health and Wellbeing Development Manager, Carolynne McKendry on [email protected]
back
|
Latest member news |
![](https://www.leisureopportunities.co.uk/communityleisureuk/images/darkblueline.png) |
![](https://www.leisureopportunities.co.uk/communityleisureuk/images/noline.gif) |
Online classes introduced for people recently out of hospital
Online live exercise classes will soon launch in Cheshire East targeting people
who have recently left hospital, are deconditioned (seen a decline in physical
function due to inactivity or bedrest) and/or unable to access their local health
and leisure services in-person.
read more...
Activity on referral ‘fastest growing membership’ type for Trilogy Active
Midlands based Trilogy Active who operate the NHS Activity of Referral Scheme
across Northamptonshire have shared that over 880 people are staying active after
being referred to the scheme by their GP.
read more...
Get fit for surgery
Each year, Edinburgh Leisure’s Active Communities programme uses the power of
physical activity to support over 12,000 disadvantaged people across the city to
improve their health and wellbeing.
read more...
Vitality programme grows by 40% in East Renfrewshire
East Renfrewshire residents have praised an exercise programme, aimed at
supporting those with medical conditions to be active and connected, whilst
increasing their fitness levels.
read more...
Worcestershire man loses almost half his body weight as part of incredible transformation
Sheldon Donavon, 32 from Malvern, who attends the Freedom Leisure centres in both
Worcester and Malvern, has lost over 13 stone in body weight.
read more...
Praise for Health for Heroes
An army veteran from Barrhead has praised East Renfrewshire Culture and Leisure's
Health for Heroes initiative, which offers free health and wellbeing support for
veterans.
read more...
Conquering diabetes with GLL
Vinod Mistry is living proof that you can manage diabetes long-term through diet
and exercise - and go on to complete some of the world’s most gruelling physical
challenges.
read more...
From quadruple bypass to confident gym user
David Irving knows the power of positive lifestyle change, thanks to support from
Everybody Health & Leisure.
read more...
|
![](https://www.leisureopportunities.co.uk/communityleisureuk/images/noline.gif) |
High Life Highland Introduce Dynamic Wellbeing
High Life Highland has introduced a new class to its offering in Grantown-on-Spey
which is aimed at older adults who might benefit from some gentle exercise to help
them manage long term health conditions or mobility problems.
read more...
Horizon Leisure’s Wellbeing Hub celebrates first birthday
Charitable leisure trust, Horizon Leisure is celebrating the one-year anniversary
of the first-of-its-kind Health and Wellbeing Hub based at a shopping mall in
Havant.
read more...
£17M social value figure shows health & wellbeing contribution for Mytime Active
Social enterprise, Mytime Active, generated a social value in excess of £17
million for its neighbourhood economies last year.
read more...
Pendle Leisure Trust case study – Lighter and More Active
Alan was referred to the Up & Active Team six months ago via the Pendle Primary
Care Network health and wellbeing coach service.
read more...
From lifting weights to benefit menopause to paying closer attention to equipment for those with impairment – Burnley's new look knows no barriers
Burnley Leisure and Culture have recently upgraded even more facilities with both
St Peter’s and Padiham Leisure Centres newly refurbished gyms and cycling studios
re-opening recently.
read more...
Mytime Active and The Bromley Children and Families Voluntary Sector Forum join forces to Support Young Mums
Mytime Active is working in partnership with Bromley Children and Families
Voluntary Sector Forum (BCFF) to deliver twice-weekly free-swimming lessons for
young mums aged 15 - 24 and their babies.
read more...
Britain at the bottom of the class when it comes to school swimming
New research by GLL highlights the importance of children’s swimming lessons as
more primary schools reduce mandatory lessons.
read more...
Lincs Inspire’s new Calm Space for Neurodiverse People
A new sensory room offering a quiet and calm space for neurodiverse people has
opened at Cleethorpes Library.
read more...
|
Business partner news |
![](https://www.leisureopportunities.co.uk/communityleisureuk/images/darkblueline.png) |
![](https://www.leisureopportunities.co.uk/communityleisureuk/images/noline.gif) |
● | Charity Risk Focus
Welcome to the first edition of Charity Risk Focus — your update from
Gallagher’s Charities team, helping you stay ahead in today’s challenging
risk landscape.
...more
|
![](https://www.leisureopportunities.co.uk/communityleisureuk/images/noline.gif) |
![](https://www.leisureopportunities.co.uk/communityleisureuk/images/noline.gif) |
|
![](https://www.leisureopportunities.co.uk/communityleisureuk/images/noline.gif) |
Regional Meetings |
![](https://www.leisureopportunities.co.uk/communityleisureuk/images/lightblueline.png) |
![](https://www.leisureopportunities.co.uk/communityleisureuk/images/noline.gif) |
South West Regional Meeting
12 July 2024
|
Special Interest Groups |
![](https://www.leisureopportunities.co.uk/communityleisureuk/images/lightblueline.png) |
![](https://www.leisureopportunities.co.uk/communityleisureuk/images/noline.gif) |
i-Trent
8 July 2024
|
Health Learning Session (England)
9 July 2024
|
Health Scotland
10 July 2024
|
Carbon Literacy
11 July 2024
|
Social Value
16 July 2024
|
Safeguarding
18 July 2024
|
For more information about Special Interest Group and regional / national members meetings, please contact [email protected]
|
Job vacancies |
![](https://www.leisureopportunities.co.uk/communityleisureuk/images/lightblueline.png) |
![](https://www.leisureopportunities.co.uk/communityleisureuk/images/noline.gif) |
Facility Manager - LSBU Active
Salary: £31,396 to £34,557, inclusive of £4,952 London Weighting
Location: London, UK
Company: London South Bank University
Read more and apply
|
Health and Fitness Instructor
Salary: £Competitive + pension + benefits
Location: Bolton, UK
Company: Bolton Arena
Read more and apply
|
Head of Operations
Salary: £56,107.80 - £63,165.86pa + benefits
Location: Dunfermline, UK
Company: Fife Sports and Leisure Trust Ltd
Read more and apply
|
Senior Leisure Officer
Salary: £41,418 - £48,474pa + local govt pension + benefits
Location: Honiton, UK
Company: East Devon District Council
Read more and apply
|
|