Serco Leisure is set to launch night-time running and walking clubs across the UK to support women’s outdoor exercise during winter months as part of the This Girl Can initiative.
Serco Leisure is set to introduce a series of night-time running and walking clubs across its various centres in the UK, aligning with the objectives of the This Girl Can (TGC) initiative. This development comes as part of the Let’s Lift the Curfew campaign launched by TGC, which aims to address the challenges women face when engaging in outdoor activities during the winter months.
The TGC initiative, created by Sport England and funded by the National Lottery since its inception in 2015, focuses on promoting a realistic portrayal of women’s participation in exercise throughout England. Launched in October, the Let’s Lift the Curfew campaign seeks to shine a light on the narratives and concerns of women regarding outdoor fitness as daylight hours shorten.
Recent findings from TGC reveal significant adaptations among women in their exercise routines during darker months. Approximately 24% of women take precautions by selecting well-lit paths, while 23% admit to avoiding specific areas entirely due to safety concerns. Furthermore, 20% of respondents acknowledge the need to frequently check their surroundings while exercising after sunset, indicating a prevalent unease about personal safety during these times.
Speaking on the initiative, Steve Nelson, Director of Leisure at Serco, stated, “As part of Serco Leisure’s Active Health and Wellbeing strategy, we’re proud to support This Girl Can’s ‘Let’s Lift the Curfew’ campaign. It’s important that all people feel comfortable exercising outdoors whatever the time of year. Dark nights should not mean anyone has to miss out on the many physical and mental health benefits of staying active.”
The first of these sessions will commence on December 4th at the Bisham Abbey National Sports Centre, a facility operated in partnership with Sport England. Nelson further noted that sessions will be available at numerous centres nationwide in a bid to encourage participation.
Sarah Berne, who recently took on the role of National Active Wellbeing Manager at Serco Leisure, explained that each participating centre will host a facilitated group exercise session led by a qualified member of the health and fitness team. “This will be a safe, inclusive and welcoming environment for all, and we’ll also be providing high vis kit to ensure everyone can be safely seen.” Berne expressed her excitement at the company’s involvement in such an important campaign, hoping to attract walkers, joggers, and runners of all abilities to these night-time events.
Serco Leisure currently manages over 50 fitness centres across the UK, collaborating with various clients including local authorities, Sport England, and WheelPower, the national charity dedicated to wheelchair sports. Through these initiatives, Serco aims to create an inclusive platform that supports the health and wellbeing of women and non-binary individuals within the queer community.
Source: Noah Wire Services