Charitable trust Lakes Leisure, which operates leisure centres in Kendal, Ulverston and Windermere are now ‘on the road’ all over the South Lakes with their new Community Development Team.

The Community Development Team was set up in 2009 to promote and encourage sport and fitness in rural communities, schools, neighbourhoods and more. During the first six months of the initiative figures show that over 12,000 participants have taken part in an organised activity through the development team.

The main aim of the team is to get people of all ages and abilities to take part in some form of exercise through sessions at various venues in the South Lakes. Lakes Leisure support the Government’s Change4life scheme and keeping people interested in exercising regularly and of course enjoying the variety of sports on offer The team also puts on events at lakes leisure Kendal and Ulverston including inclusive sport sessions, Try Sports Days, Try Tennis Days, Triathlons and much more.

There are all sorts of sports on offer through the development team, across the area delivered sports include aerobics classes, netball, football, kwik cricket, hockey, boxercise, street cheer, gymnastics, boccia, tennis and more. Every holiday the team visits local venues such as Sedbergh, Sandgate, Meadow View, Urswsick, Broughton and more with the successful Funsports on Tour programme. Funsports is suitable for everybody aged 5-11 and focuses on fun and sociable sessions in a whole variety of different sports. Visit www.lakesleisure.org.uk for details of the next Summer Tour destinations!

Partnership work is crucial in making sport accessible to all areas of the community which is why the Development Team have worked hard to build up contacts with many supporting agencies such as NHS Primary Care, SLDC, Age Concern, Cumbria Constabulary, school and youth groups, care homes and more. As the Team continues to contribute to sport and fitness in the local area it can only mean a healthier South Lakes community for the future!