Free after-dark walking and running club launches at the Quarry Swimming & Fitness Centre
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The Quarry Swimming & Fitness Centre have launched a free to attend night-time walking and running club to show backing for This Girl Can’s (TGC) Let’s Lift the Curfew campaign, which aims to help women stay active during the winter months.
This Girl Can’s (TGC) Let’s Lift the Curfew campaign
Research by TGC in 2024 found that 72% of women change their outdoor activity routines during the winter months. The study revealed that around one in four (24%) choose well-lit routes, almost a quarter (23%) avoid certain areas altogether, and one in five (20%) regularly look over their shoulder to check they’re not being followed when exercising after dark.
Rhys Collins, Partnership Manager for Shropshire Community Leisure Trust, which operates the centres in partnership with Serco Leisure, said:
“It’s vital that everyone has the opportunity to look after their health and wellbeing all year round. Staying active, connecting with others and enjoying the outdoors are key to feeling good, no matter the season.
“To support this important campaign, we’ve launched our free to attend walking and running club, held every Thursday 7pm to 8pm. Each session will be guided by one of our fitness team, with high-vis clothing provided to ensure you’re safe and supported during the session.
“While the sessions are designed especially to encourage more women to stay active after dark, everyone is welcome to join us and make their wellbeing a priority.”
Cllr James Owen, portfolio holder for housing and leisure, said:
“While there would ideally be no need, it is great to hear that a group such as this exists to allow women to feel safe while exercising, especially at a time of year where the darker evenings can already lead to poorer mental health. The benefits of exercising cannot be overstated, and anything that helps residents to take part, regardless of the time of year, can only improve their physical and mental health.”
This is a free session open to all, not just members of The Quarry Swimming & Fitness Centre. To sign up, please contact the team on: 0345 000 7003 or use the contact form: Contact Us | The Quarry Swimming & Fitness Centre
For more information about Whitchurch Swimming & Fitness Centres, please visit: https://www.shropshireleisurecentres.com/whitchurch-swimming-fitness-centre/
Ends.
For further information, please contact:
Alan Mitchell
Communications Manager
Email: Alan.mitchell@serco.com
Tel: 07764 333 639
Notes to editors:
About Shropshire Community Leisure Trust
Shrewsbury Sports Village, the Quarry, Oswestry Leisure Centre, Market Drayton Swimming & Fitness Centre, Whitchurch Swimming & Fitness Centre and SpArC Bishops Castle are managed by Shropshire Community Leisure Trust in partnership with Serco Leisure, on behalf of Shropshire Council.
Our vision is the creation and maintenance of a first-class range of healthy leisure and recreational activities and facilities to serve all parts of the communities in the areas we serve.
We work in partnership with the community and all relevant bodies including but not restricted to existing providers of relevant leisure and recreational activities, the Local and Parish Councils, County and Town Councils and potential funding partners. For more information, visit our website: Shropshire Community Leisure Trust
About Serco Leisure
Our vision is to help our customers make more of every day. We run gyms, swimming pools, event venues and National Sports Centres, including Bisham Abbey, Lillieshall and the National Water Sports Centre at Holme Pierrepont Country Park. For more information about the company, visit its webpage: https://www.serco.com/uk/sector-expertise/citizen-services/leisure-services.
About Serco
Serco brings together the right people, the right technology and the right partners to create innovative solutions that make a positive impact and address some of the most urgent and complex challenges facing the modern world.
With a primary focus on serving governments globally, Serco’s services are powered by more 50,000 people working across defence, space, migration, justice, healthcare, mobility and customer services.
Serco’s core capabilities include service design and advisory, resourcing, complex programme management, systems integration, case management, engineering, and asset & facilities management.
Underpinned by Serco’s unique operating model, Serco drives innovation and supports customers from service discovery through to delivery.
More information can be found at www.serco.com
