Cardiff Council’s leisure facilities are proving healthy competition for private sector gyms, as a record number of people sign up to its leisure schemes.
The service area is set to celebrate success as a record 500 members have now signed up to the Active Corporate Card following the launch just 7 months ago. The membership offers employees a 25 percent reduced rate for the cost of leisure and sport across the city.
The 500th member to sign up was Mrs Kyra Lyons who works for Cardiff and Vale Health Board (UHB), the largest of almost 30 organisations to have signed up to the scheme.
An outstanding 160 employees from The UHB have joined the membership scheme over the last four months after it was fully backed by the organisation as part of their ‘health and wellbeing’ campaign. A variety of staff groups from across the board have recognised the benefits including both clinical and non-clinical staff.
Kyra works as a support worker helping people who are suffering with mental health issues and assisting them so they can move forward and get back into the community. She was recommended the scheme by a colleague and joined three months ago with the aim to improve health and fitness levels.
Kyra explained: “Both my husband and I are part of the scheme so we have been using the facilities together; this helps with motivating and supporting each with our targets to loose weight.
“My local leisure Centre is Channel View and I can go along to the use the gym at a time that is convenient for me, this helps being a shift worker.
“I mostly use the gym but have also enjoyed Zumba and I am keen to try some of the new classes too.”
Other clients who have joined include The Principality Building Society, Cardiff University, BBC Wales, The Welsh Government and The AA.
Businesses and organisations can sign up to the scheme in order to engage their employees in active lifestyles as well as promoting a healthy and motivated workforce.
The card provides a simple monthly payment scheme that enables employees to enjoy the unlimited use of activities at any of the council’s 11 sport and leisure facilities.
Llanishen Leisure Centre are also celebrating as over 1000 members sign up to the Active Card, a scheme available to everyone that offers the use of the Council’s pools, gyms, casual fitness classes, racquet sports, athletics and cycling facilities in 12 facilities throughout Cardiff, with one monthly payment.
Executive Member for Sport, Leisure and Culture Cllr Nigel Howells said: “The launch of the Active Corporate membership has already proved to be a fantastic success and by reaching a 500 strong membership is a milestone.
“The scheme recognises importance of providing modern facilities which match the standard of the private sector whilst offering diverse, convenient leisure and sports at value for money.
“We recognise the importance of a healthy working environment for employees in Cardiff and the Council is dedicated to providing a high standard of service.”
Sarah Morley, Assistant Director of Organisation Development for Cardiff and Vale University Health Board, congratulated Kyra on being named the 500th Active Card user.
She said: “As a Health Board we feel it is important that we lead by example and encourage our staff, through a number of initiatives, to follow the healthy lifestyle advice that we offer to the public.
“Staying active and eating a balanced diet has great benefits in terms of not only your long term health but also in improving your quality of life today.”
For more information about how to join the Corporate Active Card please email John Donovan at [email protected] or call 029 20873591.
