After months of closure due to the coronavirus pandemic, Newport Live has seen thousands of customers return to its leisure facilities across the city since these reopened on 3rd May.
The charitable trust reopened its pools, gyms, courts, sports halls and classes and other services earlier this month and has since seen children and adults from across Newport enjoy getting physically active in its centres once again. Newport Live has supported customer’s return to fitness by giving members free usage during May.
Research showed that the pandemic has had a significant impact on people’s participation in physical activity, particularly amongst children, and that the gap in physical inactivity between social classes is widening. As such, the return of so many people to Newport Live’s facilities is welcoming to help reverse some of these patterns.
Newport Live is continuing to support customers’ access to physical activity with capacities in classes having increased following the recent guidance from Welsh Government and introducing new half term activity for children including tennis and cycling tester sessions, featuring a BMX freestyle trick lesson delivered by pro flatlander BMX rider Matti Hemmings. Residents across Newport can also still have a free Health Check during May to help reassess their health and physical activity levels and support their return to physical activity.
Steve Ward, Chief Executive at Newport Live said “It’s fantastic to see so many customers and staff now returning to our facilities. The pandemic has shown us how important being physically active is to our health and wellbeing and we want to support as many people as we can.
“It is promising to see our member numbers have increased by over 30% since the start of the month we are thrilled that customers are joining us and taking advantage of the tailored and personal fitness support we can offer them. I’m also delighted to have so many young people back and having fun in swimming and tennis lessons. We’ve had some fantastic feedback from happy customers who happy are to be able to return and we are grateful for the support shown by customers and partners with the reopening preparations.
“If customers are unsure about returning, we are more than happy to show you around and talk you through the safety measures we have in place. The safety of our customers and staff is of the upmost importance and we have our Covid Commitment in place so that everyone can have peace of mind when exercising in our facilities.”
More detailed information about the reopening of Newport Live facilities and what customers can expect can be found at www.newportlive.co.uk
