NEW figures out today show the impact of LiveWire’s leisure, libraries and lifestyles services in Warrington – as the not-for-profit health and wellbeing organisation looks back at the past year..
LiveWire, the community interest company that has been managing leisure, library and lifestyle services in Warrington since 2012, is now the largest provider of such services in the town.
Recent research by the national body – Community Leisure UK – found that 76 per cent of the Warrington community incorrectly believed LiveWire to be an arm of the local authority.
Research also discovered that only three per cent of Warrington residents asked knew that their local LiveWire-run leisure facility or library was run on a not-for-profit basis, and 37 per cent said they’d be more interested in taking up a membership knowing this.
Highlights of 2018 include:
* Over 3 million visits to LiveWire’s libraries and leisure sites.
* Over 287,000 books, talking books, e-books, CDs and DVDs borrowed.
* Over 25,000 participants at over 2,500 library events.
* 1,773 children took part in the 2018 Summer Reading Challenge.
* 124 stone lost by Fit To Tackle participants
* 703 people stopped smoking in four weeks.
* 331 people completed the Stay On Your Feet programme.
* 2,550 volunteer hours supported across the company.
* 78 per cent of staff employed by LiveWire are Warrington residents.
* £1 million worth of trade done with Warrington-based suppliers.
* 2,500 schoolchildren took part in LiveWire’s PE & School Sports Programme.
* 2,890 children on the Learn to Swim programme.
LiveWire managing director Emma Hutchinson said: “2018 has been a challenging, but rewarding year, which is reflected in some fantastic statistics that really capture the hard work being done by LiveWire, and the positive impact on people who use our services and our town as a whole.
“Whether it is an arts and craft library group that supports social isolation, or a community fitness bootcamp, the investments we make are always centred on the needs of our communities – and this is something more people need to be aware of when they’re choosing a preferred lifestyle provider. The research from Community Leisure UK shows how much of an important driver being socially conscious can be for people.
“Leisure trusts like ourselves are there to deliver high quality services, link health and lifestyle services together, support local priorities, invest for communities not shareholders and generate millions of pounds of savings for the public purse. That’s an incredibly positive force for good.”
LiveWire has gained the support of Community Leisure UK in its bid to broaden awareness of the fact that it is a community interest company, which means an ethos of improving the physical and mental health of Warrington, for people of all backgrounds and ages, and revenue generated is re-invested back into services and the community.
Cate Attwater, chief executive of Community Leisure UK, said: “On a national level, LiveWire is regarded as a shining light in terms of leisure trusts and how they work.
“There is a genuine need, right across the country, to raise the profile of non-for-profit trusts like LiveWire and how they are a sound choice for people looking for options to support their leisure and lifestyle needs.”
