Your Space are delighted to announce its partnership with fitness industry-leading training provider, HFE, supporting Your Space to upskill a large number of group exercise instructors to deliver safe, effective and enjoyable circuit training classes.
At Your Space, we pride ourselves on providing a high-quality and diverse range of exercise and fitness classes for the community, with the ongoing demand for circuit classes becoming greater. As part of our commitment to meeting the community’s needs, increasing the range and volume of classes is essential.
HFE are a leading independent training provider serving the active leisure sector, specialising in corporate training. HFE deliver a wide range of fitness training qualifications, including personal trainer courses and Pilates teacher training. HFE’s courses lead to Ofqual-regulated qualifications and are aligned with the Chartered Institute for the Management of Sport and Physical Activity (CIMSPA) Professional Standards.
Clare Hancock, the Group Exercise Coordinator at Your Space, said:
Highly recommended, and such a professional, friendly team!
Rick Gardiner, Head of Operations at HFE, said:
“The HFE Team are thoroughly looking forward to supporting Your Space with their education and training needs and to support Your Space in their mission to provide a diverse and exciting range of services to the community. We’re pleased to be able to support Your Space in offering circuit classes across their portfolio of facilities.”
Welcome to the latest issue of your BPL newsletter!
Here you’ll find all the latest news and goings on from across the organisation, including how our sites have been doing their bit for charity and some exciting community initiatives our teams have been part of.
We also have some amazing success stories to share – from award wins to new appointments – and our latest projects to improve staff health, well-being and engagement.
If you’re thinking of something to do over the festive season, look no further, as we’ve included some upcoming events and details of how you can get involved.
Happy reading and best wishes for a wonderful Christmas and New Year from all of us here at BPL!
Our Healthy Lifestyle Advisors, Anne and Dan have been out in the community, supporting and advising people on how to improve their health.
Events they have recently attended include visiting BMBC’s Depot at Smithies to take part in their healthy workplace fair.
Here they performed optional health checks on staff and helped them identify any health risk factors, with options to help them address these.
Anne has also attended sessions with community groups, including a mums’ group hosted by community midwives in Barnsley.
As a result of Anne attending the session and promoting the BPL Referral Programme, we received an increase in the number of referrals to our Healthy Mums sessions.
BPL staff have also had the opportunity to take part in the ‘Elf kick’ initiative, which included blood pressure checks and health advice to help them feel fit in the run-up to Christmas.
Staff from Your Space Hoyland have also been supporting their local community and were proud to pay their respects for Remembrance Day by laying a wreath at the cenotaph in Hoyland centre on behalf of everyone at the club.
Staff and members put in a fantastic effort across all sites to get involved in our recent charity event, the Tour de BPL.
They were challenged to virtually cycle the distance between Your Space Pontefract to Your Space Mansfield – and all our sites in between! A total of 103.9 miles!
So far, over £1,100 has been raised for Weston Park Cancer Charity, with donations still coming in.
If you would like to support the challenge, visit BPL 2022 FUNDRAISING
A big well done to Assistant Manager at Your Space Bircotes Owen Nicks who recently completed the Great North Run.
He raised a fantastic £570 for CRY!
We had a great time doing our bit for Children in Need at Your Space Metrodome!
Staff and members kept the spinning bike moving for 12 hours, wore their pyjamas all day and baked cakes and goodies to raise funds.
A brilliant £467 was raised for the charity!
Your Space Hoyland recently held a fundraising event for Pancreatic Cancer UK.
A big thank you to everyone who took part, whether you jumped on a bike, put money in a bucket or baked cakes to keep everyone going.
Your hard work raised £570 – well done!
Over the past few months, we’ve been following Your Space Bircotes swimming teacher and lifeguard Tony Gibbings as he takes on a charity challenge to swim the equivalent width of the English Channel 12 times in 2022.
Tony has recently completed his 11th swim, so he is on schedule to complete the challenge by Christmas.
So far, he’s raised a fantastic £1,345, but would love to reach his target of £2,000.
If you would like to sponsor him, you can do so by visiting Big Tone’s 12 Channel Swims in 12 months Challenge
Can you give a gift to young carers in Bassetlaw this Christmas?
We’re working in partnership to arrange a Christmas party for our local young carers aged 7-17.
To make the day special, we’re collecting donations of new, unopened gifts suitable for either a young person within this age range or something they could wrap for a family member, such as a parent/guardian or a sibling.
We’re accepting donations at Bircotec, Retford and Worksop Leisure Centres or Kilton Golf Course.
BPL had a great night at the recent National Fitness Awards in Leicester, where we were delighted to pick up two trophies!
Our What’s Your Space? Campaign was named Best Membership Campaign, and Your Space Mansfield scooped the award for Local Authority/Leisure Trust Gym of the Year.
Well done to everyone involved with the wins!
We recently held an annual staff team building day at Center Parcs, which saw the launch of our new employee values proposition; the branding and messages given out to existing and future employees in order to attract skilled people and keep them engaged throughout their employment.
The first of our ‘Feel Good Awards’ also took place during the event, with surprise awards for three deserving attendees who have gone above and beyond in their work.
Following the presentations, staff were encouraged to enjoy some activities. A few even got to zip wire across the lake after climbing through treetop adventure courses that afternoon!
The day was a huge success – igniting a real sense of pride and belonging to BPL in everyone who took part.
Congratulations to Your Space Pontefract Facility Manager Beth Davies who is celebrating having her very own sauce sold in Nando’s!
After appearing on the TV food competition Hungry for It, Beth got the opportunity.
She explained: “Since starting our food blog ‘buffet the vampire slayer’, I’d hoped to one day have our very own sauce. Never did I imagine that this would be sold across all the Nando’s in the UK!
“I’ve had the best experience on Hungry for It and working with Nando’s to develop the marinade – Pimenta. It’s been a dream.”
This year’s Proud of Barnsley Awards were recently hosted at the Metrodome, where awards were handed out to inspirational winners who are making a difference in the local area.
It was an amazing evening – congratulations to all the winners and finalists!
We’re pleased to announce the appointment of Michael Hirst as our new CEO.
The news comes at a busy time for new appointments across the whole of the organisation, as we welcome some new staff members, as well as celebrate new roles and promotions for some of our existing employees.
James Lodge has been promoted to Marketing Manager, and the marketing team has grown with the addition of three Marketing Executives – Daniel Palfi, Laurie Jones and Nicola Boswell, who have all moved from other positions within BPL to these new roles.
Amanda Shaw, Gavin Saville, Ryan Walker, Sam White and Sian Lowry have been appointed as new Operations Managers, all based at the Metrodome.
Finally, Stacey Reed has joined us in an exciting new role as Community Sports Development Officer, based at Dorothy Hyman Sports Centre.
Did you know there’s a way to help you stay active more often for less?
The Barnsley Leisure Card gives you exclusive access to discounts across a range of activities across all our Barnsley sites.
From swimming to gym access, ten-pin bowling to fitness classes, there’s plenty to choose from to keep you moving throughout the year.
To find out more or check if you’re eligible for a Barnsley Leisure Card, visit Barnsley Leisure Card
Have you sorted your Christmas party plans yet?
There are some great party nights coming up at the Metrodome during December to help you celebrate with family and friends.
Check out the Barnsley Metrodome Facebook page for all the details of what’s on and how to book your place.
Or perhaps you fancy a festive afternoon tea?
Served in our Rigby Cafe and Lounge at the Metrodome, the package includes sparkling drinks upon arrival, a Christmas-themed afternoon tea and unlimited tea and coffee.
Available dates are Saturday 10th and 17th December.
Book today by calling 01226 730060 or emailing bookings@bpl.org.uk
Come and make a splash in the Metrodome Waterpark at our fabulous festive pink pool party for Metrodome Swim Academy pupils.
It takes place on Saturday 17th December from 5.30pm to 6.30pm.
Places are limited, so for more details or to book, email metrodomeswimacademy@bpl.org.uk
Say goodbye to 2022 and welcome the new year in style at our New Year’s Eve party at the Metrodome.
Featuring a live DJ and disco for you to dance the night away, as always, it’s a bring your own food event.
Find out more or book your tickets by visiting www.metrodome.org.uk
Get the new year off to a great start with our fantastic fitness offer!
Up to 31st December, we’re offering a free 7 day pass to our Your Space facilities, so you can try out everything we have to offer for yourself.
Download yours from our website today! www.yourspacetofeelgood.com
From 1st January 2023 to 3rd February 2023, we’ll be offering no joining fee when you sign up to become a member – saving you money and helping you kickstart your journey to a healthier lifestyle.
Also, don’t forget to look out for our new advert on Sky! Have you spotted it yet?!
Your Space Mansfield has officially been named as one of the country’s best gyms!
The club picked up the award for Local Authority/Leisure Trust Gym of the Year at the recent National Fitness Awards, beating off strong competition from other finalists from around the country.
And that’s not all!
BPL also won the Best Membership Campaign award at the event in recognition of our successful What’s Your Space? Marketing campaign.
Facility Manager at Your Space Mansfield Tom Desborough said: “We have designed a unique and varied offer at Your Space Mansfield and have continued to invest and develop into a club which is inclusive, diverse and somewhere which makes a real difference to our customer’s lives.
“We are extremely proud of the experience that we offer and are thrilled to have won this award.”
Brand Manager at BPL Rachel Rinkcavage added: “The What’s Your Space? the campaign was created using our members’ wide variety of profiles and the reasons why they love using Your Space facilities.
“They told us Your Space was their place to feel good, where everyone is welcome and supported to achieve their goals.
“By sharing these stories through advertising and social media, we showed that our facilities are a place for everyone to enjoy and encouraged people in our local community to come along and try us out for themselves.
“We’re delighted the campaign has been recognised with a National Fitness Award.”
The awards, organised by Script Events and leading industry publication Workout, with support from headline sponsor ServiceSport, are now in their 12th year and recognise excellence and achievement in all corners of the industry.
National Fitness Awards’ director Dominic Musgrave added: “This year’s winners should be very, very proud – the high standard of entries made it a tough job to select a final shortlist, never mind a winner and runner-up in each category.
“Our awards night was a great celebration of the fitness industry as a whole, and it was great to see so many gyms represented at the event.
“It was a wonderful evening, and it was lovely to share in the celebrations of the winners.”
Awards were handed out in more than 20 categories at a glittering ceremony at The Athena in Leicester, attended by more than 750 people and hosted by former Gladiator James Crossley (Hunter).
We, at Your Space, are deeply saddened by the passing of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and our sorrowful condolences to the Royal Family at this time.
Your Space Clubs Embrace National Fitness Day 2023 with Free Activities!
Mark your calendars for Wednesday, September 20th, as Your Space clubs open their doors to offer a range of exciting free activities to celebrate National Fitness Day 2023. Set to be the most dynamic day of the year for fitness enthusiasts, this event champions a “Your Health is for Life” theme, inviting individuals of all ages, abilities, and backgrounds to discover and commemorate the enduring physical and mental advantages of an active lifestyle.
Taking place on September 20th, National Fitness Day 2023 aims to empower participants to embrace lifelong wellness. This year’s edition encourages everyone to explore the vast spectrum of fitness offerings available at Your Space clubs. On that day, visitors can access complimentary training and swim sessions at any Your Space location.
Your Space clubs are gearing up for an action-packed day, with a variety of activities planned both on the gym floor and within fitness studios. Additionally, fitness enthusiasts can dive into the exhilarating world of Virtual Les Mills cycling classes, held throughout the day in the state-of-the-art dedicated cycling studios at Your Space Dearneside, Your Space Hoyland, Your Space Metrodome, and Your Space Worksop.
The fitness fervour doesn’t stop there. Dorothy Hyman Sports Centre will also unlock the gates to its running track, granting free access to those eager to pound the pavement.
As part of this momentous occasion, Your Space Clubs waive the joining fee for all memberships. Current members have the exclusive opportunity to engage in NFD (National Fitness Day) challenges via the Your Space app. Moreover, they stand a chance to win a complimentary one-month membership for a friend or family member through a prize draw held at each club.
National Fitness Day is renowned as the United Kingdom’s most active day, having galvanized over 11 million people across the nation to partake in physical activities last year. This year, the aim is to surpass that record and inspire even more individuals to embrace an active lifestyle.
Highlighting findings from Sport England’s latest Active Lives survey, it’s evident that over a quarter of the population in England is categorized as inactive, engaging in less than 30 minutes of exercise per week. In response, this year’s event aims to shift the focus, urging participants to perceive National Fitness Day as a stepping stone within a greater fitness journey. After all, optimal health is a lifelong pursuit.
Join the movement by sharing your fitness journey on social media. Utilize the hashtags #FITNESSDAY, #YOURHEALTHISFORLIFE, and #YOURSPACETOFEELGOOD to share photos and insights into your active lifestyle.
Ready to experience the vitality of National Fitness Day?
To explore the array of free activities, locate your nearest Your Space club by following the link below.
Hello and welcome to the latest edition of our BPL newsletter, where we’ll be bringing you up to date with all the news from around our facilities.
It’s been a busy few weeks for many of our staff members, who have been out and about in our local communities, supporting town centre events and raising awareness of what we have to offer in our clubs.
Both staff and members have also been doing their bit to raise money for charities close to their hearts, and it’s been great to see how much support these challenges have received.
Company-wide, we’ve also been stepping up our efforts to look after the environment, have been planning some exciting events to keep your whole family entertained during the summer holidays and beyond and have some great BPL success stories to share with you.
So please read on to find out what we’ve been up to…
Our aquatic team did a brilliant job visiting local primary schools recently to deliver sessions to pupils about the importance of water safety.
Over 10,000 children across Barnsley and Bassetlaw took part in the Swim Safe assemblies.
They also got the chance to meet SwimSafe mascot Derek, the dolphin!
BPL’s Corporate Manager Simon Ferrarelli said: “It has been great to help support our local community schools in delivering the important message of water safety.
“With 277 drownings in the UK last year, our Swim Safe message is a clear, important message for children from our local communities to understand how to behave around water and what measures they can do to help anyone in difficulty.”
We’ve also attended a wide range of community events, including Harworth Youth Hub opening day, South Yorkshire Children’s Alliance event, a Veteran’s Day at Kilton Forest Golf Club and Worksop Pride.
We’ve been cheering on Tony Gibbings – a swimming teacher and lifeguard at Your Space Bircotes – who is in the middle of an epic charity challenge to swim the equivalent width of the English Channel 12 times in 2022.
He’s already passed the halfway mark, having clocked up over 159 miles and has raised over £1,000 of his £2,000 fundraising target for the Motor Neurone Disease Association and Weston Park Hospital Cancer Charity.
BPL gym supervisor Claudia Vickers and friends have also raised a fantastic £1370 by taking part in a mammoth 26-mile Mighty Hike.
They were fundraising for Macmillan Cancer Support in memory of Claudia’s dad, who received help from the charity.
Duty Officer at Your Space Retford, Faith Hinitt, is also fundraising for a charity close to her heart.
In September, she’s running the Great North Run with her dad for Cancer Research UK and has already raised an amazing £531 for the cause by hosting a charity bake sale at the leisure centre.
Good luck, Faith!
Members and staff at Your Space Pontefract recently came together for a fundraiser to support a local charity, the Prince of Wales Hospice.
They hosted a challenge event, also attended by Love Island star Jaques O’Neil, alongside more players from the Castleford Tigers team.
Good luck to Your Space PT Andy Denny, who is climbing Kilimanjaro this summer for the National Autistic Society.
Many members and staff at Your Space Pontefract have been supporting his journey, and a group of them have just taken part in a Three Peaks challenge to raise funds.
Your Space Pontefract recently held a successful Les Mills launch event where master trainers from Les Mills taught back-to-back classes, and a Technogym master trainer held sessions on the gym floor.
As part of the in-club celebrations, members were also treated to a DJ and free pizza!
Huge congratulations to swimmers from Bassetlaw Swim Squad, who have achieved great success at the British Swimming Summer Championships.
The squad, who train at Your Space Retford, had eight swimmers competing across 23 events, contesting five finals.
Lewis Warner won a silver medal at the men’s 17 yrs, 50m backstroke event and the team collectively saw 10 individual PBs broken and set a new team-best time in the team relay.
Head of Performance Swimming Michael Glossop said: “Getting a medal and getting a relay team qualified are glass-ceiling moments for Team BSS.
“Thanks to principal partner BPL for helping us achieve new heights year on year and club sponsors B and B Tractors, Bawtry Accountants, Candeo Vision, Global Windows and LawnMaster Notts for their support over the season.
Looking for something to keep your little ones entertained over the summer holidays?
Why not bring them to our Mermaid Party on Wednesday, August 24th?
They will get the chance to meet Ariel, as well as enjoying a splashing time at our Calypso Cove Waterpark!
Make sure you book online as places are limited.
BPL, working in partnership with BMBC, has introduced a range of new environmentally friendly initiatives, aiming to reach a target of becoming net zero by 2040.
Recent work includes replacing coal boilers at The Metrodome with a combined heat and power unit, which uses gas to generate electricity and provide heat for the swimming pool complex.
To complement this, the pool complex heat recovery system has been replaced and the Building Management System upgraded.
At Dearneside, Hoyland and Royston, air source heat pumps have been installed, which act like a fridge in reverse, using electricity to extract heat from the air and convert it to hot water.
Additional solar has also been added at Dearneside and installed at Hoyland Leisure Centre, while at Dorothy Hyman, the track lighting has been replaced with LED units.
Save the date because the Tour de BPL is coming to a Your Space site near you!
Our annual charity event will take place on Thursday, September 22nd, where participants will be challenged to virtually cycle the distance from Your Space Pontefract to Your Space Mansfield – a total of 103.9 miles!
Ask Your Space staff for more details on how to get involved!
Your Space Pontefract is hosting a meet the team event in September (date TBC).
This will be a great opportunity for members to meet new staff and give feedback on their member experience to help shape future development plans for the club.
Also, watch out for in-club and social media announcements about events taking place across our sites during September to mark National Fitness Day (Wednesday, September 21st) and Macmillan’s World’s Biggest Coffee Morning (Friday, September 30th).
We are delighted with our recent What’s Your Space? The campaign to bring new members into our fitness sites has won a prestigious ukactive award.
Working with award-winning design agency WPA Pinfold, the campaign encouraged new sign ups across our Your Space facilities in Barnsley, Bassetlaw, Mansfield and Pontefract.
Using tools such as social media and digital advertising, we asked ‘What’s Your Space?’ and shared the many reasons existing customers enjoy using Your Space gyms.
Highlighting to prospective customers that it’s ‘Your Space to Feel Good’, the campaign showcased the wide range of facilities available across our sites – alongside a new member offer – encouraging people to sign up to see for themselves.
Feedback from the ukactive judges praised the campaign for being inclusive and breaking down preconceived ideas that gyms are only places for people who are already fit.
In excess of 2,500 members signed up across the sites during the promotion – well-exceeding targets for the campaign.
Brand Manager at BPL Rachel Rinkavage said: “This campaign was created using our members’ wide variety of profiles – from someone who wants to ‘have a giggle while you wiggle’ to one who wants to ‘take it steady and go with the flow’ – and the reasons why they love using Your Space facilities.
“They told us Your Space was their place to feel good, where everyone is welcome and supported to achieve their goals.
“By sharing these stories through advertising and social media, we showed that our facilities are a place for everyone to enjoy and encouraged people in our local community to come along and try us out for themselves.
“We were thrilled with the success of the campaign and are delighted to win this award.”
The ukactive Awards, held in partnership with Active IQ, took place at the International Convention Centre in Birmingham, attended by leading figures from across the health and fitness industry.
CEO of ukactive Huw Edwards added: “This year’s finalists and winners deserve to be recognised as an inspiration to the sector but also to the whole nation.
“Congratulations to everyone who took part for showcasing the undeniable resilience, dedication and creativity that will lead our sector over the coming years.
“The ukactive Awards generate so much energy and positivity within our sector, as well as a healthy dose of competition.
“Thank you to each and every individual and organisation for your unrelenting commitment and passion behind our mission to get more people, more active, more often.”
For more information about Your Space facilities, visit www.yourspacetofeelgood.com.
WE are delighted our efforts to promote physical activity across our local communities has been shortlisted for an award at this year’s ukactive Awards.
BPL is in the running for one of the industry’s biggest accolades, as trade body ukactive recognises the very best in the physical activity sector.
Held in partnership with Active IQ, the shortlist for the ukactive Awards 2022 includes fitness and leisure operators of all sizes; local councils; prominent suppliers; leading universities; sports bodies; and charities.
We have been shortlisted in the Marketing Campaign category, in recognition of the success of our recent What’s Your Space? Campaign – a digitally-focused membership campaign to encourage new members to join us across our Your Space fitness sites.
Working with award-winning design agency WPA Pinfold, the campaign asked ‘What’s Your Space?’ and showcased the many reasons existing customers enjoy using Your Space gyms.
Highlighting to prospective customers that it’s ‘Your Space to Feel Good’, the campaign promoted the range of facilities available across Your Space sites – alongside a new member offer – encouraging them to sign up to see for themselves.
Brand Manager at BPL Rachel Rinkavage said: “The campaign was built directly around our membership base’s wide variety of profiles – from the member who wants to ‘have a giggle while you wiggle’ to one who wants to ‘take it steady and go with the flow’ – and the reasons they gave us through market research as to why they loved using our facilities.
“This valuable feedback was transferred directly into our messaging throughout, including the use of footage and imagery capturing members’ unique stories on camera.
“These were shared on social media to inspire and encourage potential members to come along and see for themselves and promote the many benefits of physical activity.
“Through these stories, they could see Your Space was their place to feel good, where everyone’s welcome and supported to achieve their goals.
“We were thrilled with the success of the campaign and are delighted to be recognised as finalists at the ukactive Awards.”
CEO of ukactive Huw Edwards added: “We are delighted but not surprised by the number of incredible entries and stories we have received for this year’s ukactive Awards, which is a testament to the unquestionable resilience and innovation within our sector.
“We are extremely proud of all of our members, who have worked so hard in rebuilding the sector and our nation’s health following the challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Congratulations to all the finalists and we look forward to celebrating our industry at the awards ceremony this summer.”
Managing Director at Active IQ Jenny Patrickson added: “I’m delighted to see this year’s awards attract such a strong field of entries and send my congratulations to all the finalists.
“The standard has been very high once again this year and I would like to thank everyone who took the time and effort to put forward their entry for consideration.
“Active IQ is proud to once again be the headline sponsor for the ukactive Awards and we’re particularly looking forward to seeing everyone in person at this year’s event. Ahead of that, I wish all the finalists the best of luck for the next stage of judging.”
The winners will be announced at a glittering awards ceremony at the International Convention Centre in Birmingham on Thursday 30 June, with hundreds of leaders from the worlds of fitness, health, leisure and sport expected to attend.
We’re excited to reveal our brand new gym space to Mansfield in June.
Teaming up with our partners Technogym, Total Gym UK and Reach Wellness to bring you something special…
Over the next month, we’ll be working hard in the background to make sure everything runs as smooth as possible with disruption kept to a minimum. We have put together a timeline of what is happening and when to make things easier for our members. You’re patience and understanding over the next month is greatly appreciated.
Friday 3rd June
Saturday 4th June – Sunday 12th June
Monday 6th June – Friday 10th June
Sunday 12th June
Monday 13th June – Friday 17th June
Monday 20th – Tuesday 21st June
If you have any questions about the timeline of the work being completed. Please don’t hesitate to contact the fitness team on your next visit.
This summer is set to be one of the best yet… Splash, bowl, train and golf your way to a good time with us!
Our Family Memberships offer a massive range of benefits for all families at one feel-good price.
Whether you’re planning on escaping summer boredom or looking out for something to do with all the family, you’re in the right place!
This all-inclusive family membership gives you and your family unlimited access to Calypso Cove Waterpark, Metrodome Bowling, all 10 of our Your Space clubs, and Hillies Golf Course.
Splash your way through Calypso Cove Waterpark, where hidden treasures aren’t hard to find. Whether you want to turn it up to 10 with our wild rapids, fly down our fantastic flumes, or seek calmer waters for the young ones in our interactive zone, Barnacle Bay!
After a little more fun at the Metrodome? Strike it lucky with 6 lanes of non-stop action and release your competitive side in front of all the family.
With a wide range of drinks and food, it’s the perfect place to fuel up and have a good time. Make sure you swing by the interactive arcade full of retro games and land a prize to take home!
The Family Membership doesn’t stop there… Fancy working up a sweat at any of our recent renovated Your Space clubs? Then look no further; with all 10 of our Your Space clubs included in the membership, you won’t be too far away from a Your Space site; hit the link below to find your nearest club.
