BH Live Active team commended for commitment to improving health and wellbeing

BH Live Active’s team at the Littledown, Stokewood, and Pelhams leisure centres in Bournemouth have been applauded for their dedication and commitment to improving health and wellbeing for residents.

Each centre has been awarded a ‘Very Good’ status following an industry assessment by Sport England’s trusted trade body, Right Directions. The teams at each leisure centre were commended for their customer service, facility presentation, and the diverse range of activities for all.

The assessment, known as ‘Quest’, evaluates a centre on several areas including cleanliness, how the centre is managed and the team’s performance against other operators in the sport and leisure industry. The rigorous process consists of a mystery visit, interviews and online research to get an authentic customer experience.

What the assessors said…

The assessors noted that Littledown provided “a diverse range of activities designed to engage various sections of the community” and that it provided a variety of accessible and inclusive facilities to accommodate visitors of all abilities. The reception team was praised for its “warm and approachable demeanor”, sharing that it left a “positive impression” while its housekeeping team was classed as “excellent.” Its impressive number of leisure attendances was also noted, the centre welcoming more than 225,000 gym attendances and nearly 100,000 swims over the course of a year. The centre generates a social value of more than £3.8 million a year, helping to ease strain on national services such as the NHS while promoting healthier, more active lifestyles.

Furthermore, Pelhams was praised for its “visible” customer care, with the assessor finding that the team’s “enthusiasm, professionalism, and willingness to go the extra mile ensured that my interaction with them was not only positive but memorable.” The centre was also commended for its diverse health and wellbeing programmes which encourage those who are living with a long-term health condition into physical activity. These include the centre’s dedicated Wellness Hub, group exercise classes, and collaboration with local community groups and partners to signpost people into regular physical activity. The assessor was also pleased with the centre’s high standards of cleanliness and its dedication towards supporting colleague, keeping them informed and motivated with notice boards, learning and development opportunities, an employee forum, and company incentives.

Finally, Stokewood was celebrated for its team’s “high level of professionalism” and extensive group exercise programme, which “offers an exciting range of classes for varying abilities seven days a week”. The team was also applauded for its efforts in tackling inequalities in the community, with the centre offering dedicated swim sessions for SEND individuals, pregnant people, and more. The Quest assessor was impressed with Stokewood’s commitment to safety, including its compliance with emergency responses and procedures, security measures, customer and colleague health and safety, and safeguarding. The assessor noted; “I was particularly impressed with [the team’s] response to an emergency alarm during my visit”.

As a registered charity, getting more people active is one of BH Live’s main aims.

On behalf of BH Live, Rob Cunningham, Director of Leisure and Business Development shared:

“We’re so proud of these brilliant results from Quest – they’re all down to the energy, dedication, and care our teams at Littledown, Stokewood, and Pelhams put in every single day. Whether it’s a quick swim, a visit to the gym, an energising exercise class, or taking part in a team sport, we remain committed to creating welcoming, safe, and inspiring spaces where everyone, no matter their age or ability, can get active, feel good, and connect with others.

“The feedback we’ve received shows that what we do makes a real difference – helping people live healthier, happier lives and bringing real social value to the heart of our community.”

Littledown, Pelhams, and Stokewood are operated by the registered charity and social enterprise BH Live, in partnership with BCP Council.

Quote from BCP Council

As well as pay-as-you-go activities, BH Live offers a selection of great value membership.

BH Live Active membership includes multisite access to BH Live Active leisure centres across the BCP region, offering use of the gyms, group exercise classes and swimming.

To provide access and support people on low income, concessions are also available.

For more information, visit bhliveactive.org.uk

-ENDS-

Notes to Editors:

For more information about BH Live please contact:

Daisy Saunders, PR & Communications Executive
E: press.office@bhlive.org.uk

About BH Live

Champions of community engagement, health and wellness across Dorset, Hampshire, and London

BH Live, a registered charity and social enterprise, is a leading operator of sports and leisure centres, theatres, and event venues. Our vision is to create sustainable and inspiring opportunities, deliver great experiences for our communities, and improve health and well-being.

With a strong commitment to accessibility and community engagement, BH Live continues to enhance the quality of people’s lives, health and wellbeing in the communities it serves.

BH Live was established in 2010. Local authority partners include BCP Council, Portsmouth City Council and Croydon Council.

We are at the heart of the UK’s growing social economy. Together with our partners we are helping to change lives and make a positive impact in the community.

For more visit bhlive.org.uk.

Get social with us:
LinkedIn – BH Live
Facebook – @SocialEnterpriseBHLive
Instagram @bhliveuk

BH Live is a leisure and cultural trust, established in 2010 as a ‘non profit distributing organisation’ (NPDO) for public benefit to promote participation in leisure and cultural events. BH Live is a Company Limited by Guarantee and Registered Charity. Charity No: 1138311. Company No: 07092112.  VAT Reg No: 108 2248 37. BH Live (Enterprises) Ltd, is a Private Company Limited by Shares and a wholly owned subsidiary of BH Live. Company No: 07175626. VAT Reg No: 108 2248 37. Registered Office: Bournemouth International Centre, Exeter Road, Bournemouth, BH2 5BH. Registered in England and Wales.

About Littledown Centre

Littledown is operated by the registered charity BH Live in partnership with BCP Council.

Set in 47 acres of parkland, Littledown has some of the finest leisure, swimming, football and gym facilities in the country.

It is ranked among the top performing leisure centres in the UK, is accredited by quality scheme QUEST and is a National Fitness Award winner for the Local Authority/Leisure Trust Gym of the Year and finalist for the Best Group Exercise Gym of the Year.

It has more than 1.2 million attendances a year and is home to clubs including BH Live’s Swimming Academy, Swim Bournemouth, Littledown Juniors Football Club and Play Football. Indoor facilities include 25-metre and 17-metre swimming pools for lane swimming, public swimming sessions, pool-based classes and lessons. There is also a splash pool, steam room and sauna.

The venue has one of the largest gyms in the region complete with activity programmes for young people, and support for people recovering from an illness, injury or who are living with a long-term health condition. There are multiple training zones with ground level and lift access. There is something to suit every activity preference and level of fitness with cardio equipment, free weights and functional fitness training space. Hundreds of group exercise classes run seven days a week such as Group Cycle sessions, circuits, yoga, Pilates, HIIT (High-Intensity Interval Training) and Les Mills™ classes including BodyBalance, BodyPump, BodyCombat, BodyAttack, Sprint and more.

There is a large sports hall for events and multi-sport activities including trampolining, badminton, table tennis, football and gymnastics. Open to members and non members is Littledown’s Terrace Café (with soft play for under 5s) and Lookout at Littledown Bar, each with free customer WiFi. Here you can buy all sorts of snacks, meals and drinks to enjoy indoors or outdoors for al fresco refueling, eating, drinking and socialising.

Outdoor features include six floodlit 3G rubber crumb training pitches, grass football pitches, parkland for recreation and events, a cricket pitch and pavilion, lake, children’s playground, a paddling pool (open summer months only), outdoor catering and free customer parking for up to three hours seven days a week. Littledown Park is also home to Littledown Miniature Railway.

ANPR is in operation at BH Live Active, Littledown. Customers get free customer parking for up to 3 hours seven days a week. Charges apply for longer stays.

For more visit bhliveactive.org.uk/littledown

Get social with us:
Instagram @bhliveactive
Facebook @littledowncentre

About Stokewood Leisure Centre

Stokewood opened as a public baths in 1930.

It is now operated by the registered charity BH Live in partnership with BCP Council.

Set in the heart of the Winton/Charminster area of Bournemouth, Stokewood is a thriving community leisure centre with circa 300,000 attendances a year.

There is a well-equipped gym which is split over two levels with lift access. The group exercises class timetable is extensive with more than 70 classes each week spanning from HIIT to spin to yoga.

In 2024, the centre’s poolside changing rooms were completely transformed with new shower facilities, lockers and toilets. Accessible changing rooms are also available.

The centre is home to local sports clubs for activities including triathlon, water polo, lifeguard training, and Kanku Shotokan Karate. Stokewood is also popular for hosting pool parties, school swimming lessons and Bournemouth Swimming Academy activities.

Free customer parking including accessible spaces for blue badge holders, subject to availability.

For more visit bhliveactive.org.uk/stokewood

Get social with us:
Instagram – @bhliveactive
Facebook – @stokewoodleisurecentre

About Pelhams Park Leisure Centre

Located in Kinson (North Bournemouth), BH Live Active, Pelhams is operated by the registered charity BH Live in partnership with BCP Council.

A vibrant community hub, the team at Pelhams works closely with the local community and health groups to provide fitness and social activities for all.

High-quality fitness facilities include a recently refurbished gym (2023) with natural daylight and park views. Equipment includes Pulse cardio and resistance equipment for strength and toning, free weights and functional fitness space. An exercise referral team provides guidance and support for people recovering from an illness, injury or who are living with long term health condition.

Swimming facilities include two pools with lane swimming, public swim sessions, pool-based classes, fun for young people, lessons and more. There is also a sauna for post workout relaxation.

Group exercise classes run seven days a week including Les Mills™ BodyPump, BodyJam, BodyCombat, Sprint, Dance, Lifting Techniques, HIIT, yoga, Pilates, Core, Zumba and so much more. There also a dedicated Technogym Group cycle studio with daily classes.

Pelhams is home to BH Live Active’s only Wellness Hub. With power-assisted exercise equipment and classes, this specialist area is a great introduction to being more active. (not included in standard adult membership; extra charges apply).

Open to members and non members there is a Terrace Café with free customer WiFi and a children’s soft play facility. Here you can buy snacks, meals and drinks to enjoy indoors or outdoors.

Outdoors there are outdoor tennis courts for hire plus floodlit 3G rubber crumb artificial training pitches. A £240K investment to refurbish the five-a-side football pitches completed in November 2024.

Free customer parking including accessible spaces for blue badge holders, subject to availability.

For more visit bhliveactive.org.uk/pelhams

Get social with us:
Instagram – @bhliveactive
Facebook – @pelhamsparkleisurecentre

About Sir David English Sports Centre

Sir David English Sports Centre is operated by the registered charity BH Live in partnership with Bournemouth School Charitable Trust.

Located on East Way close to Castlepoint shopping centre, the centre has lots of high-quality fitness facilities including a well-equipped gym complete with cardio zone, free weights area, resistance machines and functional fitness spaces.

It has a multi purpose group exercise studio with a timetable of group exercise classes running seven days a week including Les Mills™ BodyPump, BodyCombat and Core, circuits, Pilates, yoga, family gym sessions and more.

The centre also is a community sports venue and a hub for club activities, promoting grassroots sports development and working closely with neighbouring schools to encourage young people to be active.

Outdoors there are three six-a-side 3G rubber crumb training pitches and eight netball courts where teams regularly train and compete on a local, regional and national level.

The centre is also home to AirJumpX, a super-sized indoor inflatable obstacle course with a giant side, jelly mountain, wipe-out balls, and assault course. Public sessions and birthday packages are available.

A Terrace Café is open to all, serving a selection of hot and cold drinks, hot food, and grab-and-go snacks – perfect for visitors spectating sporting events, unwinding after a workout, or  attending AirJumpX sessions and parties.

Free customer parking, including accessible spaces for blue badge holders, is subject to availability.

Find out more at bhliveactive.org.uk/sir-david-english

Get social with us:
Instagram – @bhliveactive
Facebook – @SirDavidEnglishSportsCentre

About BH Live Active, Queen’s Park

Situated close to Queen’s Park Golf Course near Charminster, BH Live Active, Queen’s Park is open to all seven days a week.

It is operated by the registered charity BH Live.

There are multiple well-equipped gym rooms over two floors with a full range of cardiovascular, resistance machines, free weights, functional fitness equipment, and workout zones.

Dedicated wellbeing areas and fitness studios include a Technogym Group Cycle experience, and a studio for mindfulness and relaxation.

There is a weekly timetable of classes and activities including Les Mills TM BodyPump, BodyBalance, Sprint, RPM, BodyAttack, yoga and Pilates.

Additional features at BH Live Active, Queen’s Park include a Terrace Café complete with free customer WiFi. Here you can buy all sorts of snacks and drinks to enjoy indoors or outdoors.

Entry into BH Live Active, Queen’s Park is via a set of stairs – there is no ground level access into or around, the building. Alternative facilities with ground-level access and lift facilities are available at Littledown, Stokewood, Sir David English Sports Centre and Pelhams Park.

ANPR is in operation at BH Live Active, Queen’s Park. All visitors must register vehicles in centre on arrival to get free customer parking for up to 2.5 hours per visit.

Find out more at bhliveactive.org.uk/queens-park

Get social with us:
Instagram – @bhliveactive
Facebook – @bhliveactivequeenspark

About BH Live Active, Corfe Mullen

BH Live Active, Corfe Mullen is situated in East Dorset. It is a lively community hub, with high-quality fitness facilities for all.

It is operated by the registered charity BH Live.

The gym has two levels, with lift access to a cardio zone, free weights, resistance machines for strength and toning, plus functional fitness areas.

There’s a packed programme of group exercise classes running seven days a week. They include Les Mills™ BodyPump, BodyJam, BodyCombat, Legs Bums and Tums, Sprint, Dance, Bootcamp, Health circuits, HIIT classes, yoga, Pilates, Core, Zumba and much more. Plus, there is a dedicated group cycle studio with daily classes.

The swimming facilities at Corfe Mullen are bright and welcoming offering lane swimming, pool-based classes and lessons. There are also steam and sauna facilities.

Open to members and non members there is a Terrace Café with free customer WiFi and a children’s soft play facility. Here you can buy all sorts of snacks, meals and drinks to enjoy indoors or outdoors.

Free customer parking including accessible spaces for blue badge holders, subject to availability.

The centre is a winner of Sporta’s Impact of New Facility award, and was a Newcomer of the Year finalist in UK Active’s National Fitness Awards.

Find out more at bhlive.org.uk/corfe-mullen

Get social with us:
Instagram – @bhliveactive
Facebook – @bhliveactivecorfemullen