Everyone Active celebrates seven years' swimming success

A local sports and leisure operator is celebrating after its commitment to swimming was recognised with a prestigious industry award.  

Everyone Active, which operates Stratford, Studley, Southam and Shipston Leisure Centre's in partnership with Stratford-on-Avon District Council, was named Facility Operator of the Year at the Swim England National Awards. The accolade was presented by Olympic diver, Leon Taylor, at an event held on Saturday 11 November in the University of Birmingham's Great Hall.  

It is the seventh year that Everyone Active has scooped the accolade, which was awarded in recognition of its continued commitment to increasing the number of people who benefit from swimming. Over the past 12 months, more than 7 million casual swimmers have visited its 97 sites with swimming pools across the country, and in excess of 180,000 students learned valuable skills as part of its Learn to Swim programme each week.  

The award also acknowledged Everyone Active's efforts to put inclusivity at the forefront of its services. It has been heavily involved in Sport England's 'This Girl Can Swim' pilot campaign, which promotes the benefits of swimming among female participants, and has introduced Swim 4 Confidence sessions for customers with disabilities and their carer.  

Jacqui Tillman, Everyone Active's Group Swim Manager, said: "We are delighted to have won this prestigious award for the seventh year. It reflects our commitment to developing exciting pool-based activities and ensuring as many people as possible get active in the water.  

"This has been an exciting year for Everyone Active. We've taken on four new contracts, meaning the addition of seven more aquatic facilities. We have also introduced a new swimwear policy, which gives more flexibility around what can be worn in the water and aims to eliminate some of the barriers that prevent people from getting involved.  

"Swimming is a fantastic way to improve a person's health and wellbeing, and we look forward to continuing our work with Swim England and our local authority partners to ensure more people benefit from developing this life-saving skill."  

The Facility Operator of the Year award was one of five successes Everyone Active achieved on the night.  

Jane Nickerson, Swim England CEO, said: "We have so many inspirational people involved at all levels of our sport and it is wonderful to have the opportunity to celebrate them at the Swim England National Awards.  

"I would like to congratulate Everyone Active on once again winning the Swim England Facility Operator of the Year Award, and to thank the entire team for their ongoing commitment to swimming."   

Cllr Mike Brain, Community and Technical Services Portfolio says: "This is a great accolade and is well deserved recognition of Everyone Active's commitment to making swimming available and accessible to all.  Their approach has helped build on the District Council's commitment to getting people more active.  My congratulations go to all those who have played a part in making this possible."  

To find out about swimming lessons or water-based activities on offer at Everyone Active, visit www.everyoneactive.com.   

Everyone Active is the trading name for Sports Leisure Management (SLM), which operates leisure centres in partnership with local councils across England. SLM Ltd. was formed in 1987, managing just one leisure centre in the Midlands. Today, Everyone Active manages 150 leisure facilities and cultural services in partnership with 45 different local authorities nationwide. These stretch from Sunderland in the north to Mid Suffolk in the east, Fareham in the south and Plymouth in the south west. The company's growth is due to the ability to deliver well managed leisure facilities and an activity offering which provides great value for money. Everyone Active aims to increase the participation of local people in leisure activities, advocating a minimum of 30 minutes exercise five times per week.