Edinburgh Leisure – Sport and Physical Activity Development (SPAD) Projects

Edinburgh Leisure has had some exciting new projects launching this year as well as worldwide recognition for our work.

To find out more about Edinburgh Leisure’s SPAD projects visit www.edinburghleisure.co.uk

Community Access Programme wins World Leisure International Innovation Award

The Community Access Programme reached worldwide recognition for breaking down barriers for people on the lowest incomes and needing the highest levels of support to increase their participation in sports and physical activity.  The programme supports over 250 partner organisation to run group activities and provide leisure cards to individuals to allow access to the gym and our swimming pools from as little as £1.  The programme not only removes the financial barrier to these organisations but also provides support and ongoing CPD opportunities through a designated Community Inclusion Officer.  The award was presented at the World Leisure Congress in Rimini, Italy, in October 2012.

Positive Destinations launched to support young people into education, employment or training

Edinburgh Leisure’s Positive Destinations through Sport project plans to utilise the capacity of sport to transform lives, increase motivation, encourage learning and support personal development. The project will target Young People not in Employment, Education or Training. Each Young Person will go through a programme of development and learning through sports programme that will focus on sports specific coaching courses. The project hopes to encourage every Young Person on the programme to reach positive destinations in Further/Higher Education and in employment within the leisure Industry or other sectors of work.

For more information on the project please contact Jack Martin, Positive Destinations project coordinator at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.  or on 07939 901799.

High Flyers launches brand new clubs for disabled children

In a year that witnessed Team GB win 120 medals at the Paralympic Games Edinburgh Leisure is set to launch a brand new programme of disability sport that will provide a legacy following the 2012 Paralympics.  High Flyers is an exciting new programme that intends to make a positive difference to communities by creating opportunities for children and young people with a disability to get active, stay active and achieve more.  The programme will offer sport classes for customers to experience a range of activities and enhance their physical literacy. Initially High Flyers will offer classes in gymnastics, athletics and tennis with the intention to introduce and develop new sports at the start of 2013. High Flyer sessions will initially be offered as coached classes with a vision of developing these into designated sport clubs. Working closely with Scottish Disability Sport and existing sport clubs High Flyers aims to bridge the gap between grass roots and sport club engagement whilst promoting the disability sporting pathway from ‘Playground to Podium’. Experienced, qualified coaches will deliver tailored sessions with the support of our volunteer buddies who will encourage confidence, skills development and provide 1:1 support where necessary.
High Flyers aspires to provide sustainable opportunities for people with a disability to get involved, stay involved and achieve more in sport! 

For more information please contact Heather Williams at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.  or on 0131 458 2100

Social Return on Investment

In June Edinburgh Leisure also launched a brand new study that showed the impact of our projects.  To find out more visit www.edinburghleisure.co.uk