Seriously Social!

We’re serious about doing social good and adding social value to people’s lives here at Bolton Arena Sports Village.

That’s why we will be marking the first ever Seriously Social Week on Monday 27 May as part of a national campaign that showcases the work of charities, like ours, putting people above profit, connecting communities and helping people to become healthier, happier and more creative, regardless of age or ability.

Seriously Social has been organized by national body Community Leisure UK – of which Middlebrook Leisure Trust, trading as Bolton Arena – are a member of.

 

Starting Monday 27 it is an opportunity to show how charities like Middlebrook Leisure Trust support Health & Wellbeing, the Environment, Inclusion, the Community and Employment & Skills.

 

Managing Director of Bolton Area, Neil Hutchinson, said: “We proud to be part of a network of charities operating with a social conscience, delivering social good when providing public leisure and culture services.

 

“Our mission is about putting people above profit and inspiring people of all ages, backgrounds and abilities to follow a lifelong passion for sport and healthy lifestyles.

“We employ local people, create safe spaces for everybody with quality health and wellbeing services for all regardless of age or ability.

“Seriously Social is a brilliant way to showcase not only the difference we make but also why we do what we do.”

 

More than 100 Charitable Trusts and Social Enterprises deliver public leisure and culture in Scotland, Wales and Ireland as part of the Community Leisure UK network. Together in 2023 they:

 

  • Welcomed more than 209 million visits
  • Worked with 170+ Local Authorities
  • Collaborated with more than 100,000 Community Groups
  • 73% Reduced Carbon Emissions
  • 63% provided warm spaces
  • 75% provided holiday food and activity programmes.
  • Saved the state and NHS £893million through their work getting people more active and healthier *

Kirsty Cumming, CEO of Community Leisure UK, said: “Our members don’t just deliver public leisure and cultural services, they support social change for the better every day of the week, 365 days a year.

 

“As social enterprises and charities, they put people above profit. They are run by local people and have everyone’s best interests at heart. This week is about showcasing how they go above and beyond supporting individuals and communities. This is a selfless sector, quietly going about supporting people and communities every day. Not because it makes them money, but because it’s the right thing to do. And we thought it was high time more people know about the great work they do and the difference they make.”

 

For more information visit seriouslysocial.org.uk

 

*Social Value Figure produced by 4Global using data from Moving Communities and DataHub. Full stats can be found at seriouslysocial.org.uk

 

Seriously Social – Find out more at seriouslysocial.org.uk

About Bolton Arena – Middlebrook Leisure Trust– trading as Bolton Arena Sports Village – has a mission to inspire people of all ages, backgrounds and abilities to follow a lifelong passion for sport and healthy lifestyles through the provision of excellent sport & exercise facilities and sports programmes which are accessible to all.

About Community Leisure UK – Community Leisure UK is the members’ association that specialises in charitable trusts delivering public leisure and culture services across the UK. https://communityleisureuk.org/