Community Champions: New scheme offers free access to Grange Paddocks Leisure Centre

Free access to Grange Paddocks Leisure Centre is on offer to members of community groups.

Everyone Active, which runs the Bishop’s Stortford facility and Hartham Leisure Centre in Hertford, has partnered with East Herts Council on the new Community Champions initiative.

They want applications from people involved in mentoring, promoting health and wellbeing, supporting inclusivity or leading environmental and cultural projects. It can be a charitable initiative or a small targeted initiative.

Successful Community Champions will be awarded free access to facilities, from pool time and studio space to meeting rooms and equipment, to support project delivery.

Their stories will be showcased by Everyone Active to help strengthen community ties, promote civic engagement and inspire others to make a difference.

Successful applicants will also be in the running for the new Champions Awards, set to take place in autumn, celebrating the most inspiring projects and people.

Dan Humphries, Everyone Active’s contract manager, said: “We’re hugely excited to launch the Community Champions scheme, which we hope will make a real difference in East Herts.

“We want to highlight the work of everyday heroes who are changing people’s lives and inspiring others to make a positive impact in their communities.

“We encourage local people, community projects and charitable initiatives to get their applications in so we can support the fantastic work that you do.”

Cllr Sarah Hopewell, executive member for wellbeing at East Herts Council, said: “This is such an exciting opportunity for community groups and projects across the district.

“The chance to get free access to the facilities, both of which have recently undergone improvement works, will give the winners of the scheme a chance to develop their groups and offerings.

“I’m so pleased that Everyone Active is supporting the great community work in this way. I strongly encourage community and charity groups to apply.”

Applications close on June 12. Entries can be submitted through the dedicated website www.ea-champions.com.

Everyone Active also runs the Sporting Champions scheme, which gives aspiring athletes access to training facilities and mentoring from Olympians and Paralympians. Since its inception in 2016, the scheme has elevated the sporting careers of more than 6,000 competitors.